Planning a summer trip to Belgrade? Wondering what to do beyond Kalemegdan Fortress, Skadarlija and the city’s famous nightlife?
Summer is when Belgrade is at its most relaxed. Locals head for the rivers, hidden terraces fill with conversations over chilled Serbian wine, outdoor cinemas open beneath the stars, and the city seems to move at a gentler pace. If you’re visiting Belgrade in July or August, you’ll find there’s far more to experience than the guidebooks usually suggest.
Whether you’re spending a weekend in Belgrade or staying for several days, these are some of our favourite ways to experience the city this summer.
If you’d like to understand the stories behind the places you visit – not simply tick off landmarks – let us take you on a private guided tour of Belgrade to discover its history, architecture and everyday life through local perspectives.
Looking for the Best Sunset in Belgrade?
Kajak rekreacija and No Fat No Stress run kayaking sessions timed for sunset, when the blue Danube contrasts the oranges and reds of the sky and the city’s silhouette becomes cinematic. No previous kayaking experience is needed.
If watching Belgrade from the water is more your pace than paddling it, our Belgrade Sunset Boat Tour covers the same golden hour from the deck of a boat, with the stories filled in as you go.
Early riser may prefer the Belgrade Morning Boat Tour to have the rivers to themselves before the city wakes up.
Want to Sip Chilled Bubbly with a 360° View?
At Mehurić, the terrace looks out over one of Belgrade’s loveliest neighborhoods from every direction, and the wine list runs from Champagne to sparkling Serbian selections, always properly chilled.
That neighborhood is Dorćol, one of the oldest and most storied parts of Belgrade. You can learn more about its multicultural history on our One Street tour.
Where to Taste Serbian Wine and Escape the Heat?
For contrast: go underground. Wine Cellar Panajotović takes you 17 meters below ground, where the temperature holds steady at 12°C even when the city above is melting.
The tasting runs through a selection of Serbian wines from a family now four generations into winemaking.
If Serbian food and drink traditions are your thing, our Farmers Market Food Tasting tour covers the other half of that story — the producers, the market stalls, and the flavors that make Serbian food irresistible.
Want to Experience in Traditional Serbia Beyond Belgrade?
On 19 July, from 10 AM to 4 PM, Rajac Mountain hosts the annual Scythe Festival (Kosidba na Rajcu), one of Serbia’s most authentic traditional events.
For generations, participants have gathered to demonstrate the art of hand mowing while celebrating rural customs through music, food and community. Combined with Rajac’s fresh mountain air, Kosidba is a great experience for a day trip out of Belgrade, before returning to the city for the evening. The ride takes around an hour and a half.
Which Music Stars are Having Concerts in Belgrade?
Music lovers will be thrilled to hear about the fantastic summer concert season in Belgrade. We’ll just list names, dates and venues, as these artists need no introduction.
Skunk Anansie, Thievery Corporation, and Kraftwerk are playing at the Open Air Corner in the Port of Belgrade on July 17, 18, and 19, respectively.
The Lower Town of Belgrade Fortress will host Moby on 21 July and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on 7 August.
Looking for Things to Do in Belgrade at Night Besides Clubs?
Belgrade’s summer film scene moves to outdoor cinemas. You can choose from four venues.
New Cinema Zvezda and Kolarac Art Cinema screen movies at the rooftops in the city’s historical centre, Open Air Cinema next to Galerija Shopping Mall is for those who prefer riverfront and loungers on the grass, while Oasis Cinema Garden at Hilton offers an elegant setting of just 25 seats.
Visiting Belgrade with a Camera?
If you are more into filming or taking photos yourself, join Tamara aka Framing Curiosity for a photo walk through Belgrade’s central neighborhoods after dark. On Saturday 25 July, starting at 8 PM, Tamara will walk you from Belgrade’s central Terazije Square, along the Kralja Milana Street to Slavija Square.
Watch and capture how dusk turns to dark doing its magic on Belgrade’s historic roofs and facades. All skill levels are welcome.
Interested in Yugoslavia in the 1990ies?
The Museum of the Nineties is hosting the exhibition titled The Nineties, Personally. The personal objects, photos and stories by 30 public figures from the former Yugoslavia, show a human experience of the dramatic decade when the society and state they had been living in ceased to exist.
Open every day, from 10 AM to 8 PM, until 15 September.
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What If You Only Have Two Days in Belgrade?
Many visitors ask us how they should spend a short stay.
Our suggestion is simple.
Spend one morning discovering Belgrade’s historic centre and Fortress. Dedicate one evening to the rivers, whether by boat, kayak or simply watching the sunset from the waterfront. Then choose one experience that helps you understand what makes Serbia unique: visit a farmers’ market, explore Yugoslav architecture, taste Serbian wines or discover the city’s hidden historical layers with a local guide.
You’ll leave not feeling as though you’ve simply seen Belgrade—but that you’ve begun to understand it and experienced it.
Belgrade in the summer isn’t one experience — it’s several, running in parallel, and the trick is picking the combination that fits your tastes and interests rather than trying to do all of it in one trip. Whichever you choose, you’ll walk away with a version of the city that most visitors never find.
Want a local’s take on how to fit it all together? See all our private Belgrade tours or book directly – we’re happy to help you plan a summer visit around whichever side of Belgrade interests you most.