Belgrade for Travellers – The City That Surprises You From Every Angle
Esimfly · 21 April 2025
Belgrade.
It isn't on Europe's list of "hot" destinations, it doesn't trend on TikTok or Instagram the way Prague, Barcelona or Lisbon do.
But that's exactly why it's worth it.
Because everything it has, it gives you without even trying: streets with rough edges, wide rivers slicing the city in two, live music spilling out of bars, food that tastes like your grandmother's kitchen, and a feeling of truth rather than a performance staged for tourists.
I arrived in Belgrade in mid-autumn, alone, without much of a plan.
I wanted a city that would let me wander, think and feel – and honestly? I got far more than that.
This is a city that comes from the ground up, doesn't dress up, doesn't chase trends – it simply gives you room to live real moments in it.
How do you get to Belgrade?
I landed at Nikola Tesla Airport, about half an hour's drive from the city centre.
As always, I didn't bother with a local SIM card or hunting for WiFi.
I had installed an eSIM for abroad in advance – and the moment we touched down, I was connected.
Thanks to a virtual SIM for abroad, I navigated straight from the airport to the apartment I'd booked, ordered a Bolt (the local ride-hailing app), and checked which restaurants nearby were open – all while waiting for my suitcase.
That simplicity of being connected with no limits, no swapping physical cards, no chasing hotspots – it's worth every penny.
If you're heading to Belgrade (or anywhere, really), an eSIM for abroad is the easy, smart way to start a trip properly.
Where should you stay?
I chose to stay in Dorćol – a relatively calm neighbourhood, close to the centre but out of the noise.
Quiet streets, small cafés, and the feel of a district with real character.
The apartment was wonderful – big wooden windows, creaking parquet floors, and a tiny balcony overlooking an inner courtyard.
On the first night, when I suddenly fancied a hot meal, I found a nearby spot on an app in seconds – a neighbourhood burek place with excellent reviews, a six-minute walk away.
Again – an eSIM plan isn't just connectivity. It's convenience. It's independence.
The old town and Belgrade's beating heart
I started my first day on Knez Mihailova, the main pedestrian street that leads all the way to Kalemegdan Fortress.
It has everything: local shops, galleries, a small open-air market, and at the end – the ancient fortress with a stunning view over the Danube and the Sava.
I stood there above the cliffs, watching the two rivers merge, and finally understood why people always told me Belgrade is a "city of flow".
Everything here happens at its own pace – not too slow, not too fast. Just right.
Inside the fortress there are paths leading to Roman remains, old cannons, a small military museum – and the relaxed atmosphere of a place that belongs to the city, not only to tourists.
Real Serbian food – rich, filling, ridiculously good
If you like simple, honest food, you'll fall in love with Serbian cooking.
Pljeskavica is a juicy meat patty the size of a plate, served with hot sides and local bread.
Ćevapi – small grilled sausages served with sharp white cheese and raw onion – are a must.
Burek with salty cheese or potato is a breakfast that carries you through to lunch.
One of the best places I ate was near the Zeleni Venac market.
Not touristy at all – but the food, the service and the atmosphere were exactly what I was looking for.
And every time I got hungry, I looked for somewhere new, read local reviews and found my way there without getting lost – all thanks to the constant connection my SIM for abroad gave me.
Belgrade nightlife – no masks
Belgrade at night is a different city.
Streets that wake up all over again, quiet bars with live jazz, pubs with local rock, and clubs that run until morning.
I started at a bar called Blaznavac – a mix of inner courtyard, soft lighting and excellent music.
From there I moved on to a splav – a floating club on the Danube.
The experience? Liberating.
No strict dress code, no posing.
Just music, good people, cheap drinks and a smile on your face.
Day trips out of the city – and not far
On the fourth day I took a bus to Novi Sad – a lovely town with its own fortress, picturesque streets and a slower rhythm.
An hour and fifteen minutes from Belgrade and you're in another world.
Getting there was easy – I found the exact location of the station, checked ticket availability and looked at return times – again, without relying on anyone, thanks to my eSIM.
When is the best time to fly to Belgrade?
- Spring (April–June): green, blooming, easy-going
- Autumn (September–October): beautiful foliage, excellent weather
- Summer (July–August): very hot, but buzzing
- Winter: romantic atmosphere, Christmas markets, a different pace
I travelled in early October, and it really was perfect – pleasant during the day, cool at night, no tourist crowds, but life everywhere.
Why an eSIM rather than a regular SIM?
Because you don't depend on anyone.
No hunting for a shop at the airport, no deciphering local plans in Serbian, no headaches.
Everything is set up in advance, works fast, and lasts the whole trip.
An eSIM for abroad has become as fixed a part of my travel kit as my passport.
And it doesn't matter whether I'm looking for somewhere to eat, need to change accommodation at the last minute, or just want to know how to get to the market – I'm connected.
And that connection saves me time, money and nerves.
Belgrade – the takeaway
Belgrade is a city of contrasts: old and new, calm and wild, simple and complex.
It doesn't try to impress – it's simply itself.
And maybe that's exactly why it's so captivating.
I wandered it for almost a week – alone, curious and completely open.
I met good people, ate real food, travelled without a schedule, and let myself feel.
Belgrade didn't put on a show for me – it let me live in it.
And that, in the end, was all I asked for.
And if there's one tip I can give you before you head to Belgrade – or anywhere else?
Don't travel without an eSIM .
Not for the internet.
For the freedom.
Planning the trip? Order your Serbia eSIM before you fly — the QR code arrives by email within minutes.