Jump to:
- A Little About Serbia
- Is a Belgrade Layover Worth It?
- Where We Stayed in Belgrade
- Getting From Belgrade Airport to the City Center
- Things to Do During a Belgrade Layover
- Where to Eat in Belgrade
- My Experience as a Black Traveler in Belgrade
- Breakfast Before Flying Out
- Novi Sad: An Easy Day Trip From Belgrade
- Final Thoughts: Is Belgrade Worth Visiting?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Belgrade Layovers
This was actually my 2nd Belgrade layover thanks to Air Serbia. Sometimes, I specifically look for these kinds of flights.
A Little About Serbia
Serbia was once part of Yugoslavia, a country that included modern-day Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Yugoslavia dissolved in the 1990s.
This region has experienced centuries of conflicts from Ottoman rule and the Balkan Wars to World War I, World War II, and the Yugoslav Wars. Somehow, you can kind of feel that while there.
Today, Serbia is an independent country with its own language, Serbian, and currency, the Serbian dinar (RSD). It’s a country full of cafés, nightlife, historic sites, and a strong cultural identity.
Belgrade is not as polished as Prague or Budapest, which makes it so special.
Is a Belgrade Layover Worth It?
Yes. If you have an overnight layover or at least 8 hours between flights, Belgrade is absolutely worth visiting.
The city center is close to the airport, accommodations are affordable, and many of the main attractions are easy to reach on foot.
Where We Stayed in Belgrade
For this overnight layover, we stayed at Carice Milice Old Town Residence Apartments. For $50 USD per night, I thought it was a great find.
The location was perfect, right in the Old Town and could walk everywhere.
Getting From Belgrade Airport to the City Center
This is probably the most important thing to know before arriving: Belgrade does not have Uber or Bolt. Getting into the city is still easy, but know your options.
Public Transportation (Bus A1 or Bus 72)
If you’re traveling on a budget, there are public bus options, but they must be paid in CASH – Serbian Dinar.
Bus A1 is the airport shuttle and goes to Slavija Square in central Belgrade. It costs around one way. Bus 72 is cheaper (under €1), but it’s slower and ends at Zeleni Venac.
Both are reasonable options, but if you only have a short layover, remember that traffic and schedules can add uncertainty.
CarGo: The Local Uber Alternative
Belgrade does have a local ride-hailing app called CarGo, which works similarly to Uber. We downloaded the app ahead of time, and our ride cost about $25 USD.
You can book through the app, see the price ahead of time, and many drivers speak English. Prices are usually similar to, or slightly cheaper than the official taxi voucher.
Official Airport Taxi Voucher
If you take a taxi, don’t just walk outside and accept the first offer you get.
Instead, go to the Taxi Information Desk in the baggage claim area before leaving the airport. They will give you a voucher with a fixed price based on your destination zone.
The city center is usually around 3,500 RSD (approximately €30–35), while farther areas of Belgrade can cost up to 11,400 RSD (around €100). The ride takes about 25–30 minutes depending on traffic.
The voucher system exists because unofficial drivers outside the regulated system may try to charge significantly higher prices.
My Experience as a Black Traveler in Belgrade
I wouldn’t describe Balkan culture as immediately warm or outgoing compared with places like Latin America, where conversations with strangers often happen much more naturally. People here tend to be more reserved.
People definitely look at us. Sometimes they stare or even watch us while we eat. It often felt like people were thinking, “Wait… where are you from?” or “What are you doing here?”
My husband hates it. I actually like it. I’m very empathetic to people staring – we do look different. We may be the only black Americans they talk to in their entire lives – who knows. So, I usually try to make eye contact as much as I can, smile, and see what happens. Sometimes we get into a conversation and I get to tell people we’re from Washington DC!
Things To Do
Exploring Belgrade: Kalemegdan Fortress and Old Town
One of my favorite things about Belgrade is that it’s a city you can simply walk around and discover. We spent most of our time wandering through the Old Town, and stopping for food. The highlight was Kalemegdan Fortress.
Over the centuries, the site changed hands many times between the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and the Habsburg Monarchy. Each civilization expanded, destroyed, or rebuilt parts of the fortress, which is why today you can see layers of different historical periods throughout the site.
History person or not, it’s worth visiting simply for the views.
The Museum of Yugoslavia is another good stop. The museum focuses on the history of 20th-century Yugoslavia, including the era of Josip Broz Tito, and explores the country that once connected modern-day Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
What We Ate in Belgrade
Traditional Serbian food is very meat-focused. You’ll find dishes like:
- Pljeskavica – a Serbian grilled meat patty, often served in bread
- Burek – flaky pastry filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables
- Grilled pork and other meats
- Veal liver
Instead, we had Russian dumplings at URA! Russian Dumplings, which were delicious. Then we went to Curry Soul Center, a Sri Lankan restaurant.
Breakfast Before Flying Out
The next morning, we walked around a little more before grabbing breakfast at Jazz Café.
Be aware, the lounge access available through programs like Chase and American Express in Belgrade, is was probably the worst airport lounges I’ve experienced anywhere.
Don’t plan on having a meal there. If you have time before your flight, eat in the city instead.
Next Time: Novi Sad
I know I’ll be back in Serbia one day, and I definitely want to visit Novi Sad. It’s about 40 minutes north of Belgrade, Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city and is known for its colorful Old Town, café culture, Petrovaradin Fortress, and the famous EXIT music festival.
Final Thoughts: Is Belgrade Worth Visiting?
After two visits, I like Belgrade. She doesn’t have as big a reputation of some other European capitals, but that’s exactly why I think it’s worth visiting.
I think this is why I love the Balkans so much. Every country feels familiar enough that you can connect with it, but different enough that you never feel like you’re repeating the same trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave Belgrade Airport during a layover?
Yes. If your layover is long enough and you meet Serbia’s entry requirements, leaving the airport is absolutely worth it. I’d recommend having at least 8–10 hours between flights, or ideally an overnight layover.
Does Belgrade have Uber?
No. Uber doesn’t currently operate in Belgrade. You’ll need to use a local taxi app, an official airport taxi, or public transportation.
Is Belgrade walkable?
Very. Most of the city’s top attractions—including Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova, Republic Square, and Skadarlija—are all within walking distance of each other.
Is one day enough in Belgrade?
One day is enough to see the highlights, but I’d happily spend two or three days exploring more neighborhoods, museums, and taking a day trip to Novi Sad.
Is Belgrade expensive?
Not compared to many European capitals. Accommodation, food, and transportation are generally affordable, making Belgrade an excellent destination for budget travelers.