Seven of these places come from my list of saved spots: the Tesla Museum, a gallery by Kalemegdan, a Russian bookshop and a vintage store, plus coffee and ice cream for a break in between. Postcard Belgrade wasn't on my list, so I added the fortress, the Church of Saint Sava and the Museum of Yugoslavia, recommended by 34travel and other guides, plus one more coffee place; every one is checked on Google: still open, rated 4.2 or higher. For now the descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews, and I'll add my own notes as I visit.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 7 October 2026. Rate: 100 RSD ≈ $0.95.
In short
- The classics in a day: Belgrade Fortress above the meeting of the rivers, free and best at sunset; the Church of Saint Sava in Vračar; and the Museum of Yugoslavia with Tito's mausoleum.
- A museum: Nikola Tesla Museum. Tours start every hour, get there 30 minutes early, tickets are cash only.
- Something sweet: Crna Ovca ice cream (4.8 from almost 6,000 reviews) and the zapekanka at OSAM.
- Coffee in Zemun: FUKA, with its own blends, cold brew and tables looking onto the square; in Dorćol, Pržionica roasts its own.
- Books and vintage: Bela Vrana for books in Russian, and Jane Doe, three floors of vintage in Dorćol.
The big sights
Belgrade Fortress
Kalemegdan · fortress and park · free to walk around
Google Maps · website · Kalemegdan park
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 53,000+): less a single sight than a whole quarter — old walls, the cannons and tanks of the military museum, a church, a park and playgrounds. The highlight is the view over the meeting of the Sava and the Danube. Walking around is free; only individual sights such as Rimski bunar charge. Allow half a day and come early before the crowds; some reviewers suggest a guide, since the signs don't tell the whole story. 34travel recommends it too (article), especially at sunset.
Church of Saint Sava
Vračar · church · daily 8:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · Krušedolska 2a
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 46,000+): one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world — white marble, green domes and, inside, gold mosaics covering the walls and vaults. Don't skip the crypt, which reviewers call a work of art in its own right. It took decades to build and you see it from all over the city, yet inside it's calm. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Museum of Yugoslavia
Dedinje · museum · Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Mihaila Mike Jankovića 6
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 4,500+): the museum of a country that no longer exists — Yugoslav politics, culture and everyday life in thousands of objects. At its centre is Kuća cveća, Tito's mausoleum, and what sticks in the memory are the hundreds of relay batons carried across the country every year for his birthday. One ticket covers three buildings, and there's a café by the exit. The complex is big and the entrance takes some finding, and at weekends tour buses fill the car park. 34travel recommends it too (article) and lists the ticket at 800 RSD (≈$8).
Coffee and ice cream
OSAM specialty coffee
Dorćol · specialty coffee · 500–1,000 RSD (≈$5–10) · daily 8:00–20:00
Google Maps · Instagram · Zmaja od Noćaja 16
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 351): a small Dorćol coffee bar that brews filter to order and does seasonal matcha and latte specials. The star is the zapekanka, a baked curd cake with sour cream and jam that reviewers call legendary. There are only 4–5 seats inside and a few more outside, right in front of the baristas, so it's more of a takeaway stop.
Crna Ovca
Dorćol · ice cream · daily 10:00–23:00
Google Maps · website · Kralja Petra 58
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 5,900+): ice cream that many call the best in the city, with dozens of flavours. Reviewers recommend pistachio, walnut, coconut, matcha with strawberry, passion fruit and cherry with chocolate chips. Even visitors from Argentina, who know their ice cream, are won over. A small cup is 280 RSD (≈$2.70), medium 460, large 660.
FUKA
Zemun · coffee shop · 500–1,000 RSD (≈$5–10) · Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · Magistratski trg 16
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 385): a modern coffee shop in the centre of Zemun with its own blends (sold in bags too), drip, cold brew, good matcha and a small choice of pastries. Colourful cups, outdoor tables looking onto the square, self-service, and plenty of people on laptops. On summer weekends everyone hides from the heat inside and it gets loud.
Pržionica
Dorćol · specialty coffee · up to 500 RSD (≈up to $5) · Mon 9:00–18:00, Tue–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00
Google Maps · Instagram · Dobračina 59b
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 344): a café attached to its own roastery — espresso, cappuccino, V60 filter and cold brew. A plain, hipster-ish space with self-service; on sunny days everyone sits outside, and plenty come to work. There's somewhere to eat next door. The baristas are polite but not the fastest, and the furniture is very basic, so look elsewhere if you want a comfy armchair.
What to see and where to drop in
Nikola Tesla Museum
Vračar · museum · Mon 10:00–18:00, Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · Krunska 51
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 20,500+): a small museum in an early 20th-century villa, with Tesla's belongings and inventions and his ashes in a golden sphere. Visits are by guided tour only, on the hour, in English or Serbian: a short film, then live demonstrations with Tesla coils that visitors can join. Reviewers say a ticket is about 800 RSD and cash only; the queue can be long, so arrive about 30 minutes early. Groups of 10 or more should book online.
Salon of the Museum of Contemporary Art
Kalemegdan · contemporary art gallery · Wed–Mon 12:00–20:00, closed Tuesday
Google Maps · Pariska 14
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 96): a small exhibition space of the Museum of Contemporary Art in a lovely building by Kalemegdan park. The shows change; reviewers mention a strong video art exhibition, and the attendants are welcoming and happy to talk. A good short stop on the way to the fortress.
Ruska knjižara Bela Vrana
Savamala · Russian bookshop · daily 11:00–19:00
Google Maps · website · Gavrila Principa 29
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 614): Bela Vrana (White Crow), a bookshop with books in Russian. A wide range of genres at affordable prices, rare editions to order (not always possible), and gift vouchers. The staff speak Russian and give very good reading tips.
Jane Doe Vintage Concept Store
Dorćol · vintage & local designers · Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat 12:00–18:00, closed Sunday
Google Maps · website · Gospodar Jovanova 37
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 160): a three-floor vintage shop that feels like a friend's flat: sale rails downstairs, hand-picked vintage, local designers, shoes and curios on the ground floor, and a tattoo studio upstairs. Friendly staff and no pressure. On the minus side, some find the prices high for the condition, and on one blouse the fabric on the price tag didn't match the label.
One last thing
The Salon of the Museum of Contemporary Art is closed on Tuesdays, the Museum of Yugoslavia on Mondays and Jane Doe on Sundays, so check the hours. And carry some cash in dinars: the Tesla Museum doesn't take cards.
More on Belgrade: where to eat, bars.