Cetinjska: Abandoned Car Park Turned Belgrade's Nightlife Capital

When plans were announced to knock down many buildings in Belgrade’s Savamala district in order to build a massive modern waterfront area that nobody wanted, those who enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Savamala’s vivid nightlife could be forgiven for thinking the game was up. Rather than sit and sulk, a number of intrepid locals decided to open up a new nightlife district, in place of what was once a brewery but had become little more than a car park and a place to wash automobiles.

Taking over from Savamala

The car park on Cetinjska had long been considered prime real estate that was being criminally underused. Situated behind Belgrade’s famous Skadarska street (known as Skadarlija) and not far from the equally beloved Bajloni market, this part of the city had long received much in the way of traffic with little retention. With a number of unused buildings circling the car park in the old brewery, the lightbulb went off, and plans for a new Savamala were set in motion.
Fast forward a couple of years, and Cetinjska is now the epicentre of Belgrade’s nightlife. The boat clubs might still get the majority of the press, but it is Cetinjska that locals flock to in search of a night of excess and entertainment. The unused buildings have been transformed into a veritable feast of bars, clubs, pubs and more, and the phrase ‘something for everyone’ more than fits the bill.
Cetinjska has become the place to go for people looking for a relaxing coffee in the afternoon or vibrant live music in the nighttime. It isn’t just Savamala that Cetinjska has gone a long way toward replacing however. The new hotspot has also filled some of the gaps left by the demise of legendary Belgrade alternative spot BIGZ, the former publishing house turned cultural mishmash that suffered with the opening of the Radisson Blu in 2015.

Zaokret was one of the first bars to open at Cetinjska

Replacing BIGZ

BIGZ was once the centre of alternative culture in Belgrade

The Future of Cetinjska

What’s next for Cetinjska? New places open as old ones close, but the whole thing is always taking place under a shadow of sorts. The latest rumour on the street is that there is a deadline on it all, and plans to knock everything down and build a shopping centre are already in place. This seems somewhat unlikely, considering the district’s proximity to the Skadarlija quarter that the city authorities are so very proud of, but the unfortunate truth is that money talks. Just ask Savamala.
Whatever the future holds, right here right now Cetinjska is the place to go if you’re looking for a night out in Belgrade. It manages to feel established and fresh at the same time, flying the flag proudly for Serbia’s capital once the sun descends for the day. The boats might get the press, but Cetinjska is the beating heart of partying in Belgrade.

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.