Where to Stay in Belgrade, Serbia: 3 Best Areas & Hotels

Planning a trip to Belgrade and not sure where to stay? You’re in the right place!

Belgrade. Most people haven’t even heard of it, but here you are planning to visit this city! And that’s great because you’ve got plenty to see, whether it’s the historic buildings, the lively riverfront, the super delicious food, or the nightlife that goes on until early in the morning. 

But it’s not as compact as it seems, so choosing the right neighborhood makes a huge difference. We picked the best 3 areas to stay and hotels for every budget, so you have more time enjoying the city and less time working out logistics. Ready to find out more? Let’s go! 

Where to Stay in Belgrade Map

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay in Belgrade  

Belgrade is made up of 17 municipalities, and each one has a completely different vibe, so the neighborhood you choose can really affect your time here. This is a pretty spread-out city, so staying somewhere well-located helps a lot, especially if it’s your first time here and you don’t want to spend half the trip figuring out taxis and public transport.

Stari Grad (Old Town) is the easiest area for sightseeing since many of Belgrade’s main attractions, museums, restaurants, and pedestrian streets are all within walking distance. Then you’ve got Vračar and Palilula, which feel calmer and more residential while still staying fairly close to the center. They’re great if you don’t mind hopping on a tram, bus, taxi, or taking longer walks now and then.

Meanwhile, Savamala and the Belgrade Waterfront are better if you’re here for nightlife, riverside dining, modern hotels, and being close to the Sava riverfront, though you may still need taxis or public transport depending on where you are heading.

That said, Belgrade is walkable in some parts, especially around the Old Town, but overall, the city is hilly and spread across different neighborhoods. So before booking, it’s worth thinking about what matters more to you: sightseeing, local atmosphere, or nightlife and modern hotels by the river. 

• Stari Grad – Best for first-time visitors – Every European city has its own Old Town, and in Belgrade, this is it, packed with historic buildings, museums, sights, cafés, and restaurants. Our favorite hotel here is Lumière Hotel Pool & SPA with its lovely underground spa and Le Petit Chef dining concept, which makes a nice change from the usual hotel restaurants. 

• Vračar & Palilula – Best for leafy streets & cafes – A little higher up on the hill is the calmer side of Belgrade, where artists and locals start their mornings at a cute cafe under a tree canopy, and landmarks like the Temple of Saint Sava are right around the corner. Nobel Palace Hotel is the perfect choice here for the delicious food, chilled outdoor garden, private parking, and the bus and tram stop right outside the entrance. 

• Savamala & The Belgrade Waterfront – Best for nightlife & riverside views – This is the modern part of the city, with skyscrapers, fine dining restaurants, upscale stays, and a lively riverfront (our kind of area). Amsterdam Hotel is our definite pick here because we think you’ll love the indoor pool and rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over Belgrade, not to mention the food, which, unlike most places in the area, is local and comforting, just like we want it. 

Where to Stay in Belgrade

Stari Grad 

BEST FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

Pros 

• Most sights are within easy walking distance
• Easy transport connections
• Charming historic atmosphere with cobblestone streets
• Packed with cafés, restaurants, shops, and parks

Cons 

• It can get very noisy with crowds and street musicians
• More expensive than neighboring areas

Stari Grad is Belgrade’s historic heart and one of the easiest and most convenient places to stay if you want the city’s biggest sights and atmosphere right on your doorstep. It might be the smallest municipality by area, but it’s got the most character and soul. Even Prince Miloš Obrenović built his residence here, now known as the Residence of Princess Ljubica (Konak Kneginje Ljubice).

From here, you can wander along Knez Mihailova, explore Kalemegdan Fortress, visit Republic Square, and dip into the bohemian charm of Skadarlija without relying too much on transport. Your walks here come with views of historic mansions, the river, Orthodox churches, and Zadarska Street, which is where you want to be for kafanas, and the bohemian atmosphere Belgrade is known for.

Kalemegdan Fortress (Belgrade Fortress) is a must-see in Stari Grad, as well as the Saint Michael’s Cathedral, whose bell tower you can spot from the fortress. A proper day here ends with dinner or coffee around Kralja Petra or Zadarska. Overall, this is probably the best area to stay if you’re a first-timer and don’t want to deal with the hassle of transport or waste time sitting in taxis, as everything is within a quick and easy walk.

Prezident Palace Belgrade – $$$ 

Prezident Palace Belgrade is exactly what you’d expect from a palace, or more specifically, a Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI-style one, since the whole place is a tribute to that era. Everywhere you turn, there are refined details and decor, from the piano bar and antique furnishings to the Murano glass chandeliers decorated with Swarovski crystals. There’s gold, more gold, and giant baroque paintings, just like in a castle.

And then you’ve got the modern luxuries too, like the spa and lovely rooftop pool, which is adults-only if you were worried about noise ruining your romantic sunset moment. Not only does it feel like you’ve stepped into 18th-century France (the royal side of it), but it’s also peaceful and designed for relaxation.

You’ve also got an à la carte restaurant and butler service, which explains the 2026 World Luxury Hotel Award nomination. Nightly prices average around €200 to €350.

If Prezident Palace Belgrade is all sold out, Square Nine Hotel Belgrade is definitely worth a try, with an underground pool, a Japanese ofuro bath, two restaurants (including a Japanese one), and designer furnishings throughout. The hotel sits right on Studentski Trg, steps from Knez Mihailova, Belgrade’s main shopping and pedestrian street.

Boutique Hotel Townhouse 27 is a great option if you’re more into an artsy vibe, as it’s actually the first art boutique hotel in the city, with custom sculptures and graphic artwork everywhere you turn. It’s on a quiet street, yet still right behind all the action.

Lumière Hotel Pool & SPA – $$

Lumière Hotel Pool & SPA is our favorite choice in the area and the one we decided to stay at ourselves, and truth be told, we’d book it again without thinking twice. We loved everything about it, from the cinema theme to the modern rooms (if you can, book one with a large terrace so you can people-watch from above). 

The hotel is also all about wellness, which we never complain about, so you can spend relaxing evenings in the spa with an indoor pool, Himalayan salt room, saunas, and a Turkish hammam. When it comes to food, you’re actually super spoiled with immersive meals and the Le Petit Chef dining concept, which we absolutely went crazy about. 

For sunsets or nightcaps, the stylish rooftop sky bar is not to be missed! This place was a perfect 10/10 for us, and prices start at around €150 per night.

Hotel Opera Garni is a solid alternative, with modern design, soundproofing, large family suites, and a rich breakfast, which isn’t something you see in 3-star hotels here. Location-wise, the Belgrade National Theater and the National Museum are practically right on your doorstep. 

If you like hotels with a bit of history and character, Hotel Moskva is a really good option: it has been around forever, and it’s even protected as a cultural monument. Staying here puts you just steps from Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street, so shops, cafés, transport links, and restaurants are all around you. 

Hotel Majestic – $

Hotel Majestic is a traditional-style hotel with that nostalgic charm you find in hotels from the 1930s (imagine vintage salon-style layouts and wood furnishings everywhere). It’s also pretty famous among sports fans, and there’s even a memorial dedicated to the Busby Babes Manchester United team.

We especially like the location, right on a lively pedestrian square dotted with open-air cafés, and unlike most historic hotels in the area, this one has its own private parking garage, which is basically luxury around here.

For food, you’ve got two choices: a large traditional-style restaurant with outdoor seating serving Serbian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a ground-floor café for casual coffee and snacks like homemade cakes and desserts. The café is basically one with the Obilićev Venac pedestrian square, so it’s always a great place to be. Prices start at around €90+ per night, which is quite a bargain, we must say.

If Hotel Majestic is fully booked, BG Exclusive Suites offers recently renovated modern apartments, and compared to most standard hotel rooms in downtown Belgrade, these are much bigger, which makes them ideal for families or groups. It’s located in the Zeleni Venac transit hub, just a 10-minute walk from Republic Square. 

Boutique Hotel Museum is a great option with modern rooms, minimalist decor, a sophisticated restaurant and bar, plus a complimentary mobile phone so you can stay connected on the go. The location is great if you’re into museums, as the hotel overlooks the National Museum of Serbia, for which you also get complimentary tickets. 

Related Read: Belgrade is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets! Discover more hidden gems in our guide to the most underrated places in Europe.

Vračar & Palilula

BEST FOR LEAFY STREETS & CAFES

Pros 

• Tons of cafés and bistros, perfect for coffee lovers
• Home to the Saint Sava Temple and a large green market
• Easy to explore on foot
• Plenty of greenery and parks

Cons 

• Traffic and driving can get overwhelming
• Prices can be higher than in other neighborhoods

Vračar and Palilula are two different areas, but both are great choices if you want a more local, residential feel while still staying within easy reach of Belgrade’s main sights. It’s hard to imagine now, but in the 19th century, lower Vračar (where Slavija Square is now) was a marshy swamp used for duck hunting. Today, this is one of the wealthiest areas and home to one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, the magnificent Temple of Saint Sava, and the Nikola Tesla Museum.

Vračar also brings you close to cute neighborhood cafés, and since it’s the highest point in downtown Belgrade, it comes with amazing views of the city. Not to be missed is the open-air Kalenić Market, which we absolutely loved for fresh farm produce, and on weekends for the antique flea market and all the cool little finds.

Meanwhile, Palilula is the largest area and sits on both sides of the Danube, so there’s plenty to do here as well. This is also where you’ll find Tašmajdan Park, one of the largest in Belgrade. It’s also mainly known for its markets, quieter streets, and a more everyday glimpse of city life. 

Metropol Palace – $$$

Metropol Palace is a 5-star luxury hotel and also a protected cultural monument. It opened in 1957, and since then, the list of guests has seen cultural figures like Haile Selassie and Louis Armstrong!

If you’re into wellness while vacationing, you’re in for a treat because the hotel has one of the largest wellness centers in Belgrade. Expect a large indoor pool, jacuzzi area, ice fountain, and a huge gym with park views.

For dinner, the rooftop restaurant serves modern European dishes, and downstairs, you have a lobby bar for cocktails or coffee. The hotel is also a popular venue for weddings and celebrations, so you might even catch a traditional wedding during your stay (but don’t worry, you won’t hear it in your room).

Location-wise, you’re right next to Tašmajdan Park, with Kalemegdan Fortress around a 15-minute walk away. Prices usually range between €130 and €200 per night.

Hilton Belgrade is a super polished and modern alternative with a lovely sky lounge and a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant. You’re right next to busy Slavija Square, while the Saint Sava Temple and Nikola Tesla Museum are both about a 10-minute walk away. 

Another of our absolute favorites here, SAINT TEN Boutique Hotel is set inside a cultural heritage building and also recommended by the Michelin Guide with a One Michelin Key award to its name (how nice, right?). It’s in the peaceful Vračar neighborhood, around a 20-minute walk from the busy Knez Mihailova Street, so it feels a lot less hectic around here. 

Nobel Palace Hotel – $$

Nobel Palace Hotel operated as Holiday Inn Express until 2024, and not much has changed since then (which is not a bad thing). The rooms are still airy and practical, ideal for longer stays, business trips, or just somewhere comfortable to crash after a long day out. It’s also pet-friendly, and with larger rooms that sleep up to 5 people, plus laundry and ironing facilities on-site, families are clearly welcome too.

What most guests love here is the location. It’s a little further from the city center (which means quiet), but there’s a tram and bus stop literally outside the door, so getting around is easy. You’re also close to landmarks like the Jevremovac Botanical Garden.

Breakfast includes Serbian specialties like burek, ajvar, cheese, cold cuts, strong coffee, and fresh juices. Prices usually range between €95 and €200 per night, which is hard to complain about.

For another quieter but still well-connected stay, Hotel Constantine the Great is worth a try, with spacious rooms and suites, a private parking garage, an onsite restaurant, and a relaxed bar. Around here, you’re surrounded by authentic bakeries, local restaurants, and lovely green spots like Tašmajdan Park and the Jevremovac Botanical Garden. 

If you like more intimate stays, Asian-style interiors, and good Pan-Asian food, Hanami Design Hotel might be the right fit, where you can start your mornings with yoga classes and end the day with a couples massage. Staying here puts you right in the upscale residential Vračar district near Cvetni Trg, just a short walk from the Nikola Tesla Museum. 

Marquise Hotel Garni – $

Marquise Hotel Garni is one of our favorite budget stays in the area, and it certainly feels much more expensive than it is, a bit Parisian style, a bit industrial chic, or what we like to call affordable luxury. There are only 28 rooms, and they’re heavily soundproofed too, so the entire place feels quieter and more private.

Breakfast here is worth waking up early for (and not just because it’s free), with fresh local pastries, cheeses, eggs, and cherry pies. There’s also a trendy lounge for lazy afternoons or evening wine tasting.

While there’s no spa, you can book an in-room massage instead, which, if you ask us, sounds even better. There’s also a secure private garage on-site, ideal if you’re driving. The hotel sits on a quiet street about 5 minutes from Tašmajdan Park, and prices usually start at around €90 per night.

MARK Hotel is another budget-friendly stay, but with all the 4-star extras, including large rooms and suites with seating areas, a delicious complimentary breakfast, and an elegant restaurant and bar if you feel like a glass of wine, or perhaps a cognac after a long day out. It sits on a central avenue, about a 15-minute walk north to Stari Grad (Old Town) and 15 minutes south to the Temple of Saint Sava.  

For something just as modern but more business-focused and ideal for shoppers, Nobel Zira Hotel is worth a look, especially since it’s built directly into the Zira Shopping Center complex, so you can basically walk from the lobby straight into a multi-floor mall. Around here, you’ve got lots of university faculties, so expect students everywhere, but that also means affordable bakeries and authentic local eateries (not tourist traps!).  

Related Read: Want the freedom to explore Serbia at your own pace? Our guide to renting a car in Europe has all the tips you need.

Savamala & The Belgrade Waterfront 

BEST FOR NIGHTLIFE & RIVERSIDE VIEWS

Pros 

• Plenty of clubs and bars, with nightlife going until the early hours
• Some of the finest restaurants in the city are here
• Long promenade for evening strolls or cycling
• Variety of accommodation for all budgets

Cons 

• Feels more commercial than other parts of Belgrade
• Loud music can go on late into the night 

Savamala and the Belgrade Waterfront are ideal if you want a livelier, more modern base with riverside restaurants, nightlife, and easy access to the Sava River. Savamala is one of the oldest parts of Belgrade, and back in the 18th century, it was known as the Gypsy Pond because the area was just a marshy bog.

Today, this is where you’ll find the street art, creative scene, late-night buzz, and all the hip cafés and bars, with high-rises and malls constantly popping up around the area. At the same time, many historic buildings have also been restored, so there’s a bit of this and that for variety (and so you never get bored).

Meanwhile, the Belgrade Waterfront is all about luxury hotels, modern restaurants, shopping, and long walks by the river. This is where you’ll find Kula Belgrade with the Belgrade 360 Deck, Galerija Shopping Mall (the largest in Southeast Europe), and the Sava Promenade lined with restaurants, cycling paths, playgrounds, parks, and pop-up food stalls (so constant fun for all ages!).

Overall, we think these two areas are a great base for families with kids, serious shoppers, and anyone who prefers modern high-rises over historic atmosphere.

The Bristol Belgrade – $$$ 

The Bristol Belgrade is one of the proper 5-star luxury stays, or the “grand dame” of the city, with so many perks you’ll either never want to leave or simply won’t have enough time to enjoy them all. It was built in 1912 and has hosted names like the Rockefeller family and British royalty, plus, it holds a Michelin Key as of 2025.

The style is a mix of old royal and modern luxury, so you’ll find everything from a botanical atrium for high tea and an underground spa to a quiet library with rare books and a fireplace. The dining room is something else, too, with an elegant dress code and a strict 25+ policy to keep dinners quiet.

The hotel sits right on the Sava River ridge, between two distinct parts of Belgrade: the historic Savamala district and the modern Belgrade Waterfront. Prices start at around €200 per night.

If The Bristol Belgrade is sold out, The St. Regis Belgrade is definitely worth a look, with a Michelin Key, indoor pool, live music, paid shuttle service, bike hire, and rooms spread across the first 11 floors of the iconic Belgrade Tower. Staying here puts you right in the middle of the new Belgrade Waterfront district. 

Amsterdam Hotel – $$ 

If wellness is important to you while vacationing, you’ll love Amsterdam Hotel with a heated indoor pool, all sorts of saunas and massages, and limited-occupancy privacy, so proper relaxation. After a nice session in the wellness center, head to the 7th floor for rooftop dining with panoramic views over the Belgrade Waterfront and the Sava River. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably stop by the modern bar for a drink or return later for a nightcap if that’s more your thing.

The rooms are airy, bright, and elegant. If you can splurge, definitely go for the presidential suite on the 8th floor and feel like a VIP for the day. From here, a 10-minute uphill walk takes you right into the Knez Mihailova pedestrian zone and Republic Square.

Prices start at around €100 per night, which is not bad for a 4-star luxury stay in this area.

Sky Hotel is an easy booking and one we wouldn’t think twice about, as it’s a bit smaller, which means things feel more intimate, plus you get free breakfast and a trendy top-floor bar at a great price point. The area is close to downtown and the Savamala waterfront, so overall it’s a pretty good spot if you ask us. 

Jump INN Hotel Belgrade is a fun alternative set in a protected, century-old corner building, but with a theme focused on jumping sports. We especially like the family rooms with built-in wall libraries, and from here, it’s basically a 1-minute walk straight to the Sava Promenada waterfront. 

Kopernikus Hotel Prag – $ 

Yes, it’s also possible to find more affordable stays in this area, and Kopernikus Hotel Prag is proof of that. Not only does it have 4 stars, but it’s also registered as a cultural monument. We love it because it’s super convenient if you’re arriving by plane, as the final stop of Airport Bus 72 is only steps away.

The hotel also has courtyard-facing rooms that stay super quiet despite being in the middle of a busy city. That said, staying here puts you a 10-minute walk from places like Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square.

There are two restaurants, pet-friendly rooms, plus kids under 5 stay free, so it’s a really good choice for families or anyone trying to save a bit without giving up comfort. Prices start at around €100 per night, and some rooms include free breakfast.

Belgrade City Hotel is another great option, offering both upscale rooms and cheaper economy ones in the annex building, with a boutique casino and a few different places to eat on-site. The hotel sits directly opposite the historic Old Train Station, around a 15-minute walk from the bohemian Skadarlija quarter and downtown. 

If you’re after a practical stay with good transport links and walking distance to everything, Hotel Rex is a good match, with a free hot buffet breakfast and private outdoor parking. The hotel sits in a quieter neighborhood of embassies and government ministries, just a short walk from Belgrade’s main transit links. 

Related Read: Visiting Belgrade in the warmer months? Check out our guide on what to pack for Europe in summer to make sure you bring everything you need without overpacking.

Top Activities to do in Belgrade

Belgrade is packed with history, culture, and great food, but some of our favorite experiences were the tours that helped us see more of the city and the country beyond it. To help you make the most of your trip, these are the activities we recommend most:

• Explore northern Serbia’s highlights – Belgrade is the perfect base for discovering more of Serbia, and this full-day trip makes it easy. Visit Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, and the impressive Petrovaradin Fortress while learning about the region’s history from a local guide.

• Get your bearings in Belgrade – Seeing Belgrade’s top sights is much easier when someone else handles the logistics. This city tour combines major landmarks, fascinating history, and local insights, making it one of the best introductions to the Serbian capital.

• Taste authentic Serbian food – Trying local food is one of the best ways to understand a destination, and this Belgrade food tour does exactly that. Between traditional dishes, local drinks, and stories behind each stop, it offers a deeper look at Serbian culture.

• Escape into Serbia’s countryside – Just a couple of hours from Belgrade, you’ll find caves, waterfalls, monasteries, and some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. This Eastern Serbia day trip is a great way to experience a quieter and more natural side of the country.

• See more of the city by e-bike – Belgrade is larger than many visitors expect, which is why we loved exploring it on this e-bike tour. You’ll cover far more ground than on foot while still enjoying the city’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and riverside paths at a relaxed pace.

Related Read: Need help putting it all together? Take a look at our Belgrade itinerary, packed with our favorite sights, restaurants, tours, and local tips.

Thanks for reading!

Belgrade tends to surprise people in the best way. Between the historic sights, riverside views, fantastic food, and lively atmosphere, it’s easy to see why more travelers are starting to put Serbia’s capital on their radar. No matter which area you choose, you’ll never be far from the experiences that make this city so memorable.

Before you pack your bags, be sure to check out our other Europe travel guides for more tips, itineraries, and destination inspiration. We’ve also linked some of our favorite guides below to help you keep the adventure going. Cheers!

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