ArkaBarka – Stay in the City, Feel the Nature

In the world of young travelers, where the backpack is worn like a badge of honor and tickets are chosen more with the heart than the wallet, Belgrade stands as a magnetic call. On streets that remember both dance and fire, with nights that last not until dawn but until new friendships are formed, this city at the confluence of two rivers awaits those who seek to experience it authentically—beyond tourist clichés.

These free-spirited, story-thirsty adventurers often search for accommodation that is more than just a bed and a bathroom. They look for places with a soul, a view that allows them to fall in love with the city, and people with whom they can share sunsets over the water. And right there, on the Danube, not far from the city’s heart, awaits a truly unusual place — ArkaBarka, a floating hostel.

ArkaBarka is not your typical hostel. It’s a houseboat, firmly anchored on the bank of New Belgrade, near the official confluence of the Sava and the Danube. From its terrace, one can enjoy a view of calm waters, a green island, and the outlines of the old city. In the early morning, when the first rays of sun pierce the mist over the river, the whole scene feels like a dream — and that dream is in Belgrade, open to all.

For more than a decade, the hostel has offered shelter to travelers from around the globe. The idea of creating a riverfront accommodation in the heart of a European capital — blending the urban vibe with river serenity — gave birth to one of the region’s most original concepts. The owners themselves, inspired by travel and the culture of open, communal hosteling, created a space reminiscent of life in a large, floating home.

ArkaBarka offers cozy private rooms and shared facilities, all styled in Scandinavian minimalism with warm wooden details. The rooms are bright, with large windows that let the Danube become a constant companion. Guests also enjoy a shared lounge, a kitchen, and a terrace that becomes a stage for friendships, stories, and music late into the summer nights.

What sets ArkaBarka apart is not just its location, but its atmosphere. This is where travelers come to truly get to know Belgrade: to stroll along the Zemun Quay, to cycle through the wide boulevards of New Belgrade, to sip coffee in Skadarlija, and dine at Kalemegdan. But at night, they return to their floating base — to listen to the river, to feel Belgrade from a perspective no hotel can offer.

That is why ArkaBarka Floating Hostel is more than just another hostel. It is a story woven through the murmur of wind and water, a place where the boundary between city and nature fades. For young travelers who move smartly, yet dreamingly, for those who love to discover rather than merely see — this is a mooring they will always remember.