BELGRADE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY INHABITED CITIES IN THE WORLD !
One of the largest prehistoric cultures of Europe, Vinča culture, was established in the area of present-day Belgrade, and dates back to 5700 BC. The remains of this culture are kept in museums.
From this period until today, Belgrade has been constantly conquered, destroyed, and then rebuilt. During its long history, Belgrade has changed its name several times, depending on the conqueror under whose rule it was.
SINGIDUNUM
In ancient times, Belgrade was inhabited by the Thracian-Dacians until 279 BC when the Celts conquered the city, naming it Singidun.
In the mid-2nd century, the city gained city status and city rights after it was conquered by the Romans during the reign of Augustus. The Romans adapted the name of the city to their own language, calling it Singidunum.
The Romans ruled the city for almost 400 years when it was first settled by the Slavs – in the 520s. From then until 1284, the city was ruled by the Byzantine Empire, the Bulgarian Empire, the Frankish Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary.
THE CAPITAL
Finally, in 1284, the city passed into the hands of the Serbs, remaining the capital of the Serbian Empire until 1521, when it was conquered by the Turks.
Belgrade once again became the capital of Serbia after the uprising of the Serbian people against the Turks in 1841, and it remains so to this day.
YUGOSLAVIA
In its more recent history, Belgrade was the capital of Kingdom of Yugoslavia after the actions of the Serbian army in World War I and the liberation of parts of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy that were inhabited by South Slavs, followed by unification of all South Slavic peoples into one state.
After World War II, Belgrade was the capital of communist-run Yugoslavia until the country’s collapse in the 1990s, when Belgrade once again became the capital of Serbia.
Belgrade’s turbulent history has left behind numerous cultural and historical monuments, some of which are best seen from the two large rivers that flow through the city center.
WHICH SIGHTS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE RIVERS
1. BELGRADE FORTRESS – KALEMEGDAN
One of the largest and oldest fortress in Europe is located in the heart of Belgrade, above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. It was built by the Celts in the 1st century AD.
The Kalemegdan Fortress covers an area of 57 hectares and is home to numerous landmarks.
There are over 50 monuments, and the largest and most famous among them – “Pobednik” is one of the main symbols of Belgrade, and is best seen from the Sava River.
In addition to numerous monuments, Kalemegdan is also home to the “Great Stairs”, the Roman Well, dozens of gates with towers, bridges, tombs of great rulers, churches, as well as several museums, the largest of which is the Military Museum with a permanent exhibition of tanks and weapons in the open air.
Kalemegdan is also home to a large zoo and a number of sports fields, and the entire interior of the fortress is a huge park.
In the lower town, concerts, festivals and similar events are often held.
A special feature of the Kalemegdan Fortress are its underground catacombs, whose corridors are kilometers long and have not yet been fully explored.
2. THE GARDOŠ TOWER
In the western part of the city, on a hill above the old town of Zemun, Austria-Hungary built one of the 4 “millennium towers” in 1895. It is 36m high and is best seen from the Danube River.
3. ADA BRIDGE
Right above our marina is the largest suspension bridge in the world, which “hangs” on just one pylon (column). In terms of the length of the cables on which it is suspended, it is the third in the world. The length of all the cables suspended on the pylon is about 1000 km.
This is one of 6 bridges on the Sava River that connect the new and old Belgrade.
4. BELGRADE TOWER
With its 42 floors and 168m height, the Belgrade Tower is the tallest building in Southeast Europe. It was built as part of the residential and business complex “Belgrade Waterfront” on the right bank of the Sava River. The uniqueness of this building is that it does not have a 13th floor, according to superstitious belief.
5. OLD CITY
One of the most beautiful parts of the old city of Belgrade is located on a hill above the Sava River, between “Branko’s Bridge” and Kalemegdan. From the river you can see the Cathedral Church – the main church of the Serbian Orthodox Church, then the “Patriarchy” building, Kosančić’s Wreath, etc.
6. BETON HALA
Beton Hala is a famous Belgrade promenade, home to the best and most famous restaurants and clubs in the city. It is located on the right bank of the Sava River below Kalemegdan, right next to the international passenger river port.
7. THE GREAT WAR ISLAND
Veliko Ratno Ostrvo is a river island in Belgrade located at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube and is uninhabited. The specificity of this island is that it is an isolated and protected area in the very center of a capital.
It is home to numerous rare and protected plant and animal species. On the tip of this island on the Zemun side, during the summer there is a large sandy beach called Lido.
8. ADA MEDJICA
Ada Međica is an island on the Sava River, between New Belgrade and Ada Ciganlija. At the tip of the island there is a small concrete beach with a cafe-club where daytime parties are organized during the summer, and hundreds of boats are anchored in the water around the island, where people enjoy music, sunbathing, and swimming.
This part of the Sava near Ada Međica is considered the cleanest swimming water in the entire city.
9. SILOSI
On the Danube, downstream from Ušće, are the Silosi – 64 neatly stacked huge concrete columns, each 30m high former grain silos of a state-owned enterprise from the communist era.
Today, it is one of Belgrade’s creative centers, where alternative music, painting, sculpture and other arts are developed.
The true impression of the monumentality of this communist-brutalist architecture can best be seen from the river.
10. BELA STENA
At the very end of Belgrade, there is another large sandy beach on the Danube – Bela Stena (White Rock). The beach is on the tip of a huge island called “Forkontunac”. The beach is famous for its white sand, there are several beach bars on it, and in the interior of the island there are small taverna’s with traditional dishes.
ADDITIONAL CRUISE ACTIVITIES
RAFTS – CLUBS
One of Belgrade’s biggest tourist attractions in recent decades has been its nightlife, with its riverside bars and clubs taking a special place.
If you want to experience Belgrade’s nightlife, do it in style – enter the club by boat!
One of the activities we offer is a night cruise with a trip to one of the raft clubs.
In addition to the impression you leave this way, you will avoid waiting in line to enter, taxi services or driving through the city , parking, etc.
RAFTS – RESTAURANTS
There are nearly 200 raft restaurants in Belgrade. Some of them are modern, well-appointed places, while there are also smaller, traditional restaurants with a homely atmosphere.
All of them serve traditional Serbian dishes, as well as international ones.
If you decide to include lunch or dinner in your cruise, we can dock at one of the raft restaurants where a reserved table will be waiting for you.
BEACHES
There are dozens of beaches on the rivers in Belgrade. Sandy beaches are mostly on the Danube, and on Sava there are pebble and concrete beaches.
The most famous and by far the largest beach is Ada Ciganlija, an artificial lake made from the Sava River.
The most famous sandy beach on the Danube is Lido, located on Grand War Island, below the old town of Zemun.
Other large sandy beaches on the Danube are Bela Stena, the beach under Pupin’s Bridge, and others, while on the Sava there are pebble beaches Boljevci and concrete Ada Međica.
HANGING OUT WITH LOCALS
One of the things we can’t book for you but can almost certainly tell you will happen, of course if you want it, is a spontaneous gathering and conversation over drinks with locals.
Namely, Belgraders are very sociable and hospitable, and are always ready for a relaxed conversation. Spontaneous gatherings at marinas and boats are very common during the summer, and if you want to get to know the social life of Belgraders, the river is the best place for it.
BELGRADE RIVER CRUISE
BOOK NOW YOUR PERFECT DAY ON THE RIVER
You can make a reservation by phone, by sending a message on Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram, as well as by e-mail.
In the inquiry, be sure to indicate the date and time of the cruise, and we will easily agree on all other details later.