How Belgrade is laid out
Belgrade sits at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The older, hillier parts of the city are east of the Sava — this is where most expats live. New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) is the modern flat district to the west, across the river. Zemun is a separate older town, also west of the Sava, with its own distinct character.
Vracar
Who it suits: Families, professionals, people who want central residential living without tourist noise or nightlife chaos.
Vracar is the most popular neighbourhood among expats, and for good reason. It is central without being overwhelmingly busy. The streets are tree-lined and pleasant, there are excellent cafés on every corner, good supermarkets, and the neighbourhood has a genuine community feel. The Saint Sava Temple — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world — sits in the middle and gives the area a distinctive character.
The streets around Skerliceva, Svetog Save, and the area towards Cvetni Trg are particularly popular for expat apartment hunting.
Rent (2025): Studio €350–500 | 1-bed €500–750 | 2-bed €700–1,100
Pros: Very walkable, excellent food scene, safe, residential, well-connected by public transport.
Cons: More expensive than outer areas. Parking difficult. Gets busy at weekends.
Dorcol
Who it suits: Creative types, people who want the most European old-city feel, those who love café culture.
Dorcol is one of the oldest and most characterful parts of Belgrade. The streets are narrower, the buildings older, and there is an abundance of independent cafés, galleries, and bars. It has a Bohemian, slightly artsy atmosphere — walking around Dorcol on a Sunday morning with a coffee is one of Belgrade's great pleasures.
The area along Cara Dusana street and around Skadarlija (the bohemian quarter) are the heart of it.
Rent (2025): Studio €380–550 | 1-bed €500–800 | 2-bed €750–1,200
Pros: Beautiful streets, strong local culture, great cafés, walkable to everything.
Cons: Some streets can be noisy at weekends. Older building stock means some apartments have dated interiors.
Savamala
Who it suits: Young singles, people who want to be at the centre of Belgrade's social and arts scene.
Savamala is Belgrade's nightlife and arts district — galleries, bars, clubs, street art, and the famous floating clubs (splavovi) on the Sava. It is genuinely exciting and vibrant. The neighbourhood has seen significant redevelopment in recent years.
Living here is fun if you embrace the energy. It is not a good choice if you work early or need regular sleep — weekend nights are loud until morning.
Rent (2025): 1-bed €480–750
Pros: At the centre of everything, creative community, walkable to the old town.
Cons: Noise. Not ideal for families or early risers.
New Belgrade (Novi Beograd)
Who it suits: People who want newer, larger apartments at lower prices; families with cars; anyone working in international companies.
New Belgrade is the planned, modern part of the city. The architecture is mostly communist-era blocks alongside newer developments. It lacks the charm of the older areas but compensates with practicality: newer apartments, more space per euro, easy access to shopping malls and major roads, and proximity to the airport.
Many international businesses are headquartered in New Belgrade. Blocks 45, 70, and the Usce area are particularly popular.
Rent (2025): 1-bed €350–580 | 2-bed €500–850
Pros: Cheaper, newer apartments, more space, practical amenities, good transport links.
Cons: Less character, less walkable in the traditional sense, further from the historic areas.
Zemun
Who it suits: Longer-term residents, families, people who want a quieter pace and lower rents.
Zemun is technically part of Belgrade but functions like its own town, sitting on the Danube with beautiful Austro-Hungarian architecture, a pleasant riverside promenade, and good local restaurants. It is slower and more relaxed than central Belgrade. Rents are meaningfully cheaper.
The main downside is distance — getting to central Belgrade takes 20–30 minutes by bus or car. For daily commuters to the centre, this adds up.
Rent (2025): Studio €230–380 | 1-bed €300–520 | 2-bed €420–700
Pros: Cheaper rents, beautiful architecture, Danube promenade, quieter pace.
Cons: Further from city centre, fewer English-speaking businesses.
Stari Grad (Old Town)
Who it suits: Short stays, people who want maximum central access, tourists transitioning to longer stays.
Stari Grad is the historic heart of Belgrade — the Knez Mihailova pedestrian street, Kalemegdan fortress, the main square. It is central, walkable, and convenient, but apartment stock is older and can be noisy from pedestrian traffic and events. Most long-term expats end up in Vracar or Dorcol rather than Stari Grad.
Rent (2025): 1-bed €450–750