Your guide to the best Belgrade gay bars, LGBT venues and events
Serbia
In Belgrade, you'll find a small but lively LGBTQ+ community if you know where to look.
Explore the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world all in an easy to read charts, graphs, and tables. From public sentiment to protections find it all here so you know when holding hands gets you a look or a sentence.
Visit EqualdexStart in the Serbian capital's Stari Grad (Old Town), with its cozy cafés and bars alongside chic hotels and inexpensive hostels. As you walk through Old Town, you'll be greeted by the warm, bohemian spirit of Skadarlija, Belgrade's historic quarter, reminiscent of Montmartre in Paris but with a distinctly Serbian twist. Here, amidst the quaint cafes and vintage shops, the soulful strains of traditional Serbian music blend with laughter and lively conversations, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Event organizers like Loud & Queer and the Belgrade Bears Party will host club nights around Stari Grad—good thing this district's narrow streets are so walkable! Knez Mihailova ulica (Knez Mihailova Street) is Belgrade's busiest pedestrian zone and a local meeting point, showcasing Serbia's finest architecture from the late 19th century. Knez Mihailova's clothing shops, though, are entirely contemporary and trendy.
At the north end of Knez Mihailova, where the Sava and Danube rivers meet, you'll find Kalemegdan Park, subdivided into Great Kalemegdan Park and Little Kalemegdan Park. Great Kalemegdan contains the Vojnog muzeja (military museum), itself part of the sprawling Belgrade Fortress. Built in 279 BCE, the fortress grounds are now a space for leisure, not war. This verdant oasis offers not just a history lesson etched in stone but also panoramic views that promise to steal your breath away. As you gaze out over the confluence, you'll understand why empires and romantics alike have been drawn to this spot for centuries. Little Kalemegdan hosts the Beogradski Zoort (Belgrade Zoo).
South of Knez Mihailova is Hram Svetog Save (the Temple of Saint Sava), Serbia's largest Eastern Orthodox church and an example of the country's neo-Byzantine architectural style. Check out the Nikola Tesla Museum, the museum dedicated to honoring and displaying the work of Nikola Tesla as well as his final resting place, and Tasmajdan Sportsko Rekreativni Centar & Park, which is another beautiful park but also a sports recreational center to get your fitness on!
For those who thrive in the night, Belgrade's reputation as a party haven is well deserved. The city's floating river clubs, known locally as 'splavovi,' offer an unforgettable nightlife experience. Imagine dancing under the stars on the gently rocking deck of a boat with shots and cocktails!
Want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city? Visit Ada Ciganlija, an island oasis transformed into a peninsula of leisure and recreation. Here, the Danube's waters whisper invitations to swim, sunbathe, or simply revel in the serenity of nature's embrace. It's Belgrade's backyard, where the city sheds its urban cloak and basks in the simple joys of sun, water, and greenery.
For those with a thirst for hiking adventures, Avala Mountain awaits on the city's outskirts, offering trails that meander through beautiful landscapes to the towering Avala Tower. As you ascend, Belgrade's sprawling metropolis becomes a miniature model of itself, a reminder of the city's ability to blend the rush of urban life with the tranquility of nature.
And foodies get ready for some unique dishes! The specialties of Serbia include sarma (a mix of ground pork or beef with rice rolled in cabbage leaves), gibanica (egg and cheese pie made with filo dough), paprikaš (spiced soup made of paprika) pljeskavica (ground beef or pork patty that is divine!).
Springtime is the best time to see the flowers at Manjež Park, but if you're in Belgrade in September, head to this park for Belgrade Pride's grand party, capping off a week of celebration and activism. Pride is usually held in September, and the handful of Belgrade gay bars and queer spots are packed to the brim with celebrators.
Some Serbians may be reluctant to support LGBTQ+ rights, but those who do are all about supporting the whole community and having a great time. If you're exploring the Balkans, make Belgrade a stop on your journey.
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