This part of the city was formed in the first half of the 19th century, and in 1872 Skadarska street was first given its name, at the same time as the houses were given numbers. Many famous writer, actors, painters and journalists once lived in Skadarlija. Skadarlija took on its Bohemian appearance from 1901 onwards, when following the demolition of the famous Dardaneli inn, the regulars relocated to the inns in Skadarlija. Many local and foreign personalities "spent their best days here - by night."

The famous Serbian poet and painter Đura Jakšić lived and died in Skadarlija. His house was converted into a meeting point for poets from the "Skadarlija Soirées" ("Skadarlijske večeri"). Today you will find in Skadarlija, which is now a leading Belgrade tourist attraction, the famous restaurants of Tri Šešira, Ima dana, Dva jelena, Skadarlija, Zlatni bokal and Dva bela goluba, as well as galleries, antique shops and souvenir stalls.

This unique corner of Belgrade, whose redevelopment was begun in 1968, was planned and designed by the well-known Belgrade architect Uglješa Bogunović.