Top of Pop

You know what struck me first about Top of Pop? The name is absolutely ridiculous – I mean, it sounds like a 90s boy band – but somehow it works perfectly for this quirky little spot tucked into the Savski Venac district. I was expecting some flashy tourist trap, but honestly, it’s got this understated charm that grows on you pretty quickly.

The location is actually brilliant if you know Belgrade at all. Pop-Lukina street isn’t one of those main drags where you’re dodging tour groups and street performers, but you’re still close enough to walk to Republic Square in about fifteen minutes (I timed it). What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – you can actually sleep with the windows open, which is rare in this city. The building itself has that solid Yugoslav-era construction, so the walls are thick and you won’t hear your neighbors having animated conversations at 2 AM. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – no upselling or lengthy presentations, just friendly staff who seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs.

The rooms definitely feel like a proper 4-star experience without being stuffy about it. Everything’s clean and well-maintained, though I’d say the decor leans more practical than Instagram-worthy (which I actually prefer). The bathrooms are surprisingly spacious – you know how some European hotels squeeze everything into a closet-sized space, but here you can actually move around. I stayed during late spring and the air conditioning worked perfectly, though the windows open wide if you’re one of those people who prefers fresh air. The Wi-Fi is solid throughout the building, and there’s decent water pressure, which honestly matters more than fancy marble countertops when you’re dealing with Belgrade’s summer heat.

What really sets this place apart is the staff’s local knowledge – they’ll point you toward the good rakija bars that tourists never find, or tell you which days to avoid certain attractions because of crowds. The 8.3 rating feels about right; it’s not going to blow your mind, but it does everything well without any major frustrations. Parking can be a bit tricky in this neighborhood (street parking mostly), but they’ll help you figure it out. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I wanted to experience Belgrade more like a temporary resident than a tourist checking boxes off a list.