Apartment Norman Bates

Okay, so first things first – yes, it’s actually called Apartment Norman Bates, and honestly? It’s kind of brilliant. The owner clearly has a sense of humor about it, and once you’re inside, you’ll get why this place has such a perfect rating. I mean, it’s tucked away on Kursulina street in Vračar, which is honestly one of those Belgrade neighborhoods that feels like you’re staying where actual locals live, not in some tourist bubble.

The location is pretty fantastic – you’re walking distance from Temple of Saint Sava (you can actually see it from some of the windows), and there’s this great little bakery about two blocks down that does these amazing burek pastries in the morning. The street itself is surprisingly quiet for being so central, though you’ll hear the occasional tram rumbling by on the main boulevard, but it’s more comforting than annoying. Parking can be a bit tricky during the day, but the host actually gives you solid advice about where to find spots – they know the neighborhood rhythm, you know what I mean?

What really sets this place apart is the attention to detail. The apartment itself feels like someone’s carefully curated home rather than a rental property. There’s proper coffee equipment (not just some sad instant coffee packets), the shower has actual water pressure, and the WiFi is legitimately fast – I was working remotely for part of my stay and had zero issues. The host is incredibly responsive too; when I couldn’t figure out the quirky front door lock system at first, they talked me through it over WhatsApp and were genuinely helpful rather than making me feel stupid about it. The whole check-in process was smooth once I got the hang of it.

The apartment gets great natural light in the afternoons, and there’s something really satisfying about opening the windows and hearing the sounds of the neighborhood – kids playing in the courtyard below, people chatting on their balconies, that sort of authentic city life that makes you feel like you’re actually experiencing Belgrade rather than just passing through. Plus, you’re close enough to walk to Skadarlija (the old bohemian quarter) for dinner, but far enough away that you’re not dealing with crowds of tourists stumbling around at night. I’d definitely stay here again – it’s the kind of place where you feel like you’ve discovered something special, even though clearly other people have figured it out too given that perfect rating.