BELGRADE | The street art scene of Belgrade is a vibrant one. The city, which has experienced much turbulence in it long history (it’s been razed 44 times), contains a diverse collection of architecture, which represents various stages of its past. These buildings, old and new, provide a unique backdrop for the city’s artists to create
Street art in Belgrade deals with a multitude of topics. There are large scale commissioned pieces that deal with grand themes, small scale murals that capture the spirit of the people in the neighbourhoods in which they are found, and bold, political murals.
In this Belgrade street art guide, I’ll tell you about some of my favourite neighbourhoods to visit for Belgrade’s best street art.
Belgrade Waterfront
Located in a long-neglected part of the city, close to the centre and in a prime location on the Sava River, you’ll find Belgrade Waterfront. It’s a huge redevelopment project that began in 2014, estimated to cost a total of USD$3.5billion once completed.
Still under construction, the area is home to residential and retail, multiple public spaces and buildings, schools, and more. There are already lots of commissioned artworks in the neighbourhood, with the number sure to increase as development continues. You can contrast these commissioned pieces with murals in the undeveloped part of the area.
Dorcol
Dorcol is the heart of Belgrade’s old town. It’s one of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods and is most likely where you’ll be staying when you visit. It’s a real mixed use neighbourhood, home to high end spots, classy spots, trendy spots, and a multitude of things to do.
There’s no shortage of street art in Dorcol. In particular, you’ll find plenty of murals that have been painted in homage to various individuals who have passed away. There are also several small and large scale murals created as part of the city’s ‘Mixing of Styles’ project. The project saw local and international artists team up to create murals in their own styles, revolving around the same theme.
In particular, check out the part of the neighbourhood that’s unofficially known as ‘Upper Dorcol’. Forming the northern part of the area that’s historically been underdeveloped, it extends all the way to the Danube. Here you’ll find loads of street art in amongst wine bars, breweries, art galleries and performance spaces. Be sure to visit Silosi, in the industrial part of the neighbourhood. It features massive murals painted on multiple former silos, along with a waterfront bar, and year-round music, art, music and cultural activities.
Dorcolmala
One of my favourite neighbourhoods in Belgrade to relax and enjoy a drink in is Dorcolmala. It’s got a great vibe about it, with lots of interesting indie bars, shops, and the like. As you wander through its winding streets, alleyways, and hidden spaces, you’ll find so much art work. It’s where you’ll find some of Belgrade’s best street art.
My advice is to start in the carpark located on Cetinjska 15. The back of the buildings that back onto the carpark are filled with great bars, eateries, and shops to explore. There are lots of murals here, and in the backstreets and alleyways that twist off it.
Novi Belgrade
Novi Belgrade is off the usual beaten tourist path, and a neighbourhood that I highly recommend visiting. It’s a large area, home to some of a seemingly endless number of brutalist structures. You can find out more about Novi Belgrade and its brutalist architecture on this post I wrote.
For street art in Novi Belgrade, focus on the areas where students, young creatives and entrepreneurs are found. For example, the neighbourhood of Studentski Grad, which is home to the Campus of the University of Belgrade.
Savamala
Located close to Belgrade Waterfront, Savamala is one of Belgrade’s most densely populated areas. Start on the Brankov Bridge, which will give you a good overview of the neighbourhood and you’ll spot many large-scale murals from afar. Once you have your bearings, head on in and explore.
Skadarlija
One of Belgrade’s oldest and most popular areas that tourists visit is Skadarlija. It has a historic, bohemian vibe, with cobblestone streets and beautiful old buildings. While not street art in the sense that most of you reading this are considering, many of the buildings have their facades painted with giant murals. Some of the murals date back to the 1970s, and depict scenes that relate to the area and the businesses inside.
Identified artists featured in the image gallery include:
- Aleksandra Petković
- Artez
- Jana Danilović
- Kalas
- Snberk
- Petar Popović Piros
- Piang
- TKV (Kraljica Vila)
- Valerija Aquamine
Happy discoveries on your street art walk through Belgrade. What are your favourites places for street art in Belgrade? Are there any street art neighbourhoods beyond these hotspots that you love?