The 7 Most Hipster Neighbourhoods in Belgrade, Serbia

Once considered a diabolical eyesore and a half, the huge concrete residential blocks of Belgrade are starting to be appreciated more and more by people who weren’t alive to see the glory days of Yugoslav socialism. Young artists are emerging from the seemingly soulless blocks, finding inspiration in the dreary. The bars on every street more than likely help with the process.

The Genex Tower is one of New Belgrade’s strangest buildings | © Jovana Kuzmanovic / Shutterstock

Belgrade doesn’t have an Old Town in the way that most central and eastern European cities and towns do, and the capital’s historical centre contains as many stylish modern cafes as it does iconic landmarks. Kosančićev Venac is its oldest part, and the juxtaposition of old cobblestones and modern architecture makes for a fascinating mix.

Belgrade’s gorgeous Church of St. Sava | © Vladimir Nenezic / Shutterstock

The perfect tranquility of Zemun’s riverside | © BalkanCat/shutterstock

This may not be true in a few years’ time, as the controversial Belgrade Waterfront project is well and truly laying waste to Belgrade’s famous Savamala district. This has bred a sense of rebellion and protest though, and many aesthetically impressive restaurants and cafes have sprung up as a result. They now sit snugly next to famous arts centres like KC Grad, creating a unified front against questionable development.

There may be a little bias in our opinion, but for us Dorćol is home to all of the best of Belgrade. The downtown area features many of the city’s best cafes, a collection of caffeine houses that are as committed to good coffee as they are stylish interiors in which to sip. Dorćol may be one of Belgrade’s oldest neighbourhoods, but youth well and truly reigns in these parts.