8 Free And Cheap Date Ideas To Try In Belgrade Serbia

Valentine’s Day is as good as here, but the madness of Christmas may have left the purse strings feeling a little tight. Belgrade is full of delightful activities that you and your significant other can enjoy without parting with a single dinar, or at least only parting with a small number of dinars.

People watching on Knez Mihailova

It may not be the geographical centre of the city, but there is no doubting that Knez Mihailova is the social spine of the Serbian capital. The street is full of all generations of Belgraders from dawn till dusk, and strolling down the thoroughfare is an absolute must for any visitor to the city. There is no better spot in the city for people watching, as all strands of Belgrade society head out to be seen.

Embrace the spirituality of Saint Sava’s Church

Saint Sava protects the church that takes his name

The best view in the city

Is there anything more romantic than a gorgeous view? How about a gorgeous view at sunset? Okay, how about a gorgeous view of two rivers meeting next to an abandoned island at sunset? That is exactly what is on offer at the edge of Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade’s most popular spot and one that is entirely free to stroll around. You’ll have to share the view with many others at the height of summer, but you’ll be too entranced by what you’re looking at to notice.

Get lost in Belgrade’s markets

The markets of Belgrade aren’t quite as glorious as legend would like you to believe, but they are still definitely worth checking out when you’re in the Serbian capital. They are also entirely free, and weaving your way through the many twists and turns of Bajloni, Kalenić can be an invigorating experience. You can also pick up some fresh ingredients for a romantic meal while you’re at it.

Navigate your way around Belgrade’s markets

A picnic in the park

February might be a bit too cold for an outdoor picnic, but the parks of the city are still there waiting to be explored. Belgrade is a far greener city than it gets credit for, and that isn’t just down to Kalemegdan. Tašmajdan, Topčider, Košutnjak, Zemun Park and the rest are some of the most tranquil settings in the entire region, and entire afternoons can be spent staring at clouds and playing around these immensely green playgrounds.

The monument to children killed by NATO bombs in Tasšmajdan

An amble along the river

That can mean the Sava or the Danube, as both are extremely viable options for a free date in Belgrade. Zemun’s Kej is home to some of the finest seafood restaurants in the city, and the views across to the Great War Island aren’t bad either. Belgrade is blessed with two major European rivers, and it makes the most of them with plenty of walkways along either one. It doesn’t cost a dinar to stroll along them.

Feed the swans (don’t anger them) in Zemun

The tranquility of the Botanical Gardens

Hidden away (somewhat) off a busy street in the centre of Belgrade, the city’s Botanical Gardens are a predictable oasis of serenity in a modern hectic capital. The Jevremovac Gardens were founded in 1874 on the insistence of Serbian botanist Josef Pančić, and it was he who eventually arranged them. He did a great job, and the gardens are now a gorgeous spot for an afternoon’s loitering in the city.

Jevremovac is the greenest part of Belgrade

Explore the heart of Zemun

You may well have to pay for the bus fare out to Zemun, but 89 RSD most definitely qualifies as ‘cheap’. Zemun is Belgrade’s most fascinating neighbourhood, although the people living there will argue their independence all day long. Gardoš Hill is the most important part of town, and the Millennium Tower offers unbeatable views of the Danube, looking out towards Belgrade’s city centre. If you want to experience a true town within a town, Zemun has everything you’ll need.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.