Shopping · Belgrade · Serbia
Shopping in Belgrade
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: sonjabgd, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Belgrade shopping runs from the high-street brands of Knez Mihailova to large malls in New Belgrade and the riverside, plus lively farmers' markets for food souvenirs. Best souvenirs: Rakija, Homemade ajvar and Opanci.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Rakija
Where to shop
Knez Mihailova Street
The main pedestrian shopping street with fashion brands, bookshops and souvenir stalls.
Ušće Shopping Center
A large mall in New Belgrade next to the Ušće tower.
Galerija
A riverside mall at Belgrade Waterfront on the Sava Promenade.
Dorćol
Small concept stores, design shops and delicatessens.
Markets
Kalenić market
Farmers' market in Vračar with kajmak, cheese, honey, fruit and homemade ajvar in season.
Zeleni venac market
Central produce market near Brankova street, convenient from the Old Town.
Bajloni market
Busy local market near Skadarlija with produce and household goods.
What to buy
Rakija
A bottle of plum, quince or apricot brandy from a specialist shop.
Homemade ajvar
Jars of roasted-pepper relish, especially in autumn.
Opanci
Traditional leather peasant shoes with pointed, upturned toes.
Pirot kilim
Handwoven flat rugs from the town of Pirot with geometric patterns.
Tesla souvenirs
Books and gifts from the Nikola Tesla Museum shop.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Stari Grad
Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square
Belgrade's main pedestrian street runs from Kalemegdan to Republic Square past 19th-century facades, bookshops and cafés.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Iconic
- After dark
Street · Stari Grad
Skadarlija
A short, cobbled street of 19th-century houses that became Belgrade's bohemian quarter, Skadarlija is lined with old kafanas where tamburica bands play old city songs between the tables.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Market · Vračar
Kalenić market
Belgrade's best-loved farmers' market sells fruit, vegetables, kajmak, cheese, cured meats, honey and homemade ajvar in autumn.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Kajmak, Ajvar, Urnebes salad and Rakija. Every kafana and grill house; buy it fresh at Kalenić and other farmers' markets. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Stari Grad | $$$ | Old Town between Kalemegdan, Knez Mihailova and Republic Square |
| Dorćol | $$ | Old riverside quarter of cafés, cocktail bars and the Bajrakli Mosque |
| Savamala | $$ | Old warehouse district on the Sava, with bars and the new riverside promenade |
| Vračar | $$ | Leafy residential hill around the Church of Saint Sava and Kalenić market |
| Zemun | $$ | Former Habsburg border town on the Danube with fish restaurants and Gardoš Tower |
| New Belgrade | $$ | Modernist Yugoslav blocks, business hotels, malls and the Ušće park |
| Senjak and Dedinje | $$$ | Villa districts on the hills with embassies and the Museum of Yugoslavia |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in RSD. Rounding up or leaving about 10% for good service in restaurants is common; in cafés, rounding up is enough. Musicians in kafanas expect a tip if you request a song.
- Greet with 'Dobar dan' in shops and cafés; a handshake is usual when meeting people.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are the peak holidays.
- January: Orthodox Christmas (7 January)
- February: FEST — Belgrade International Film Festival (usually late February to March)
- March: FEST film festival (usually continues into March)
- September: BITEF — Belgrade International Theatre Festival (usually September)
- October: Belgrade International Book Fair (usually October)
- October: Belgrade Jazz Festival (usually late October)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and shopping
Stari Grad
Old Town between Kalemegdan, Knez Mihailova and Republic Square
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Belgrade?
Rakija, Homemade ajvar, Opanci and Pirot kilim.
+Where is the best shopping in Belgrade?
Knez Mihailova Street: The main pedestrian shopping street with fashion brands, bookshops and souvenir stalls.
+What are the best markets in Belgrade?
Kalenić market, Zeleni venac market and Bajloni market.