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Best Neighbourhoods In Belgrade

DISTRICTS​

Belgrade is home to a variety of different districts, most of which offer residential accommodation. Taking into consideration distance from the city center and access to public transport, we’ve rounded up the most popular areas into one handy guide. Here’s a quick overview of how Belgrade is divided by the river Sava.

Right side of the river, Old Belgrade:

  1. Stari grad or Downtown
  2. VraÄŤar
  3. Savski Venac

Left side of the river, New Belgrade:

  1. Novi Beograd
  2. Zemun

OLD BELGRADE​

  1. STARI GRAD or DOWNTOWN: The heart of the capital – packed with shops, restaurants, bars, cultural attractions and more.
  • Terazije: This is the official designated city center of Belgrade and is home to the impressive Hotel Moskva, a popular city sight and one of oldest hotels in Serbia. With great connections to the rest of the capital, Terazije is a great choice if you love the hustle and bustle of city life. Prices are generally higher than other neighborhoods, but the buildings are elegant and well-preserved.

Price: High

  • Republic square: Pedestrianized Kneza Mihaila is the main shopping street in Belgrade, with plenty of cafes and restaurants also dotted along the wide mall and smaller side streets. There are plenty of public transport options, but parking your own vehicle may be tricky. This is one of the more expensive areas to rent in Belgrade.

Price: High

  • Kalemegdan: Overlooking the Sava and Danube rivers, the largest green park in the city center is dominated by the old fortress and is also home to Belgrade Zoo. The winding streets around the park area are old, quiet, cozy and very close to Brankov most – the busy bridge connecting the city center and New Belgrade. Kalemegdan is a good choice if you’re bringing your own car, as there are no big businesses or offices taking up all the parking spots.

Price: Medium-high

  • KosanÄŤićev Venac: Nestled between Kalemegdan and Brankov most, this is the oldest urban part of Belgrade. With small shops and bars, KosanÄŤićev Venac offers a peaceful escape from the noise of the city. It can be hard to find a parking spot during the day, but it’s resident-only parking in the evening.

Price: Medium-high

  • Dorćol: Divided by Cara Dusana street into Upper and Lower Dorćol, this is one of the oldest parts of the city. This vibrant neighborhood was at various times home to Turkish and Jewish communities and was once the city’s main trading area. Today it stands as the cosmopolitan face of Belgrade, with stylish bars and restaurants blending into the crumbling architecture.

Upper Dorćol is close to Kalemegdan and just a 5 minute walk from the city center. There are plenty of classic red trams to connect you to the rest of the city, but parking is restricted.

Lower Dorćol stretches down to the banks of the Danube whilst it’s close to an industrial area, it’s also one of the most unique areas in the city. You can enjoy very nice 4 km walks along the river banks in either direction, plus there’s also plenty of parking

Price: Low-high

  • Skadarlija: Did you know Belgrade has its own Montmartre district? If you’re a bohemian at heart and love coffee terraces and street musicians, Skadarlija is the place for you. With a rich creative history, this cobbled street is one of the oldest parts of the city. You’ll find traditional Serbian restaurants and quirky bars to meet locals and relax with friends. Parking can be difficult because of the nearby greenmarket Bajloni Pijaca, which offers fresh fruit and vegetables daily from sunrise until sunset.

Price: Medium-high.

  • Jevremovac: Just after Skadarlija you’ll find the bustling streets of Jevremovac, clustered around the long Bulevar Despota Stefana. It has great public transport connections and is 5 to 10 minutes walk from the city center. The Botanical garden is also close by, offering a tranquil spot for an evening or weekend stroll.

Price: Medium.

  • Palilula: A small pocket of a larger district that stretches across the Sava river, central Palilula is dominated by the momentous Saint Mark’s Church and is also home to Tašmajdan park. This well-maintained public space has several playgrounds for children, an auditorium for outdoor concerts, local shops and a few nice restaurants. Palilula is also close to the National Assembly of Serbia, Pionirski park and the Old Palace, which today holds Belgrade council. It is well-connected to the rest of the city by bus or tram, and many of the newer buildings have private parking spaces underground.

Price: Medium.

  1. VRAČAR 

Vračar is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods, yet still maintains a friendly, village atmosphere. 

  • VraÄŤar: This vibrant residential area is packed with local businesses, restaurants, bars plus the Nikola Tesla Muzej, one of the most famous museums in Serbia. Several embassies are also based here, so the area is well-connected with public buses, trams or trolleybuses. The streets can get busy during the day, but it’s calmer during the evening and many of the streets in VraÄŤar are one-way to prevent through-traffic and noise pollution.  

Price:  High.

  • Neimar: The huge Saint Sava Temple watches over this peaceful residential area. One of the most desirable districts in the capital, Neimar is well-connected and boasts many well-known restaurants and small shops. There are many newly renovated buildings with private parking in this district and it’s a popular choice for families.

Price: High.

  • Slavija: Slavija square is the busiest roundabout in Belgrade, connecting the main avenues in the capital via tram lines, buses and trolley buses. It can get rather noisy during the day, but again becomes much quieter after evening rush hour. A number of new apartment buildings have been built around Slavija recently, offering modern interiors and secure parking.

Price: Medium-high.

  1. SAVSKI VENAC

Where old meets new – the best of Serbian culture at your doorstep.

  • Savamala: This is the creative heart of Belgrade. KaraÄ‘orÄ‘eva street is lined with decadent old buildings that now house hipster bars and restaurants, decorated with impressive graffiti art. In the last few years, however, the city has embarked on several renovation projects and is gradually transforming the right bank of Sava river into a modern inner-city hub. The area will be home to design and cultural centers, co-working spaces, new offices and apartments. 

For now Savamala offers an alternative view of the city, with a relaxed atmosphere, excellent bike routes along the river and easy connections to both Old and New Belgrade. The main bus and train stations are also in this area, making it a great choice for intrepid travelers. The streets closer to the restaurants and bars may be noisy at night. 

Price: Low

  • Zeleni Venac: Tucked away between Savamala and Stari Grad there is a lively neighborhood where old and new buildings  stand side by side around the Zeleni Venac green market. This area is a major public transport hub, with up to 20 public transport lines running through the square regularly. The hustle and bustle quiets down once the market closes in the early evening, when more parking also becomes available.

Price: Low-medium

  • Dedinje: 7km from Belgrade’s center, this is one of the most upmarket districts in the capital and home to the mansions of Belgrade’s wealthiest residents. The newer buildings, wide streets and nice playgrounds make Dedinje a great choice for families, particularly if you prefer to live in a house rather than an apartment. This highly-desirable area is built on the slopes of the TopÄŤidersko Brdo hill and offers great views of the capital.

Price: High

NEW BELGRADE​

  1. NOVI BEOGRAD

New Belgrade is cross-sectioned by wide boulevards and is home to tower blocks and shopping malls. It’s an important business and commercial district.

  • Ušće: Literally translated as the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, Ušće is the main shopping mall in Belgrade. Local and international shops, restaurants, a supermarket, gym and the biggest cinema in Belgrade all compete for space in this vast indoor mall. This area has great connections and is just a short walk from Brankov most.

Price: Medium

  • Bloks 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30: These blocks cover the popular area around the Kombank Arena Stadium, between Bulevar Mihajla Pupina and Bulevar Arsenija ÄŚarnojevića. There’s plenty of parking, local shops and bars on every street, plus many schools and playgrounds for families.

Price: Medium

  • Bloks 11A, 11B, 11C, 12: These blocks just at the end of the Bulevar Mihajla Pupina have some newly-built, modern apartments. Close to the river banks of the Danube and a short walk to Zemun, this area is great if you’re looking to be in the heart of New Belgrade but still have easy access to green spaces.

Price: Medium

  • Blok 67A Belville (Delta City): Belville is a brand new residential and commercial development, much of which is still under construction. This area is further away from the rest of New Belgrade but is home to the Delta City shopping center, which offers most of the same services as Ušće. There’s plenty of parking and regular buses and trams to Old Belgrade, or you can walk to Brankov most in just 40 minutes.

Price: Low-medium

FURTHER AFIELD​

  1. ZEMUN

Once an independent town, the development of New Belgrade has turned Zemun into a bustling urban area

Zemun has a totally different vibe to Belgrade. A more traditional town lay-out and rustic houses create a less hectic atmosphere, with a sense of local community. Zemun was once a fishing village and the Danube river bank is still home to cosy restaurants offering fish specialties. Old Belgrade is just 25 minutes away by bus and there are plenty of walking and biking trails along the river and further afield.

Price: Low-medium