Belgrade is a city defined by water, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. These two rivers carve through the capital, offering miles of accessible shoreline and Belgrade river views. In a city rich with history and nightlife, taking to the riverside roads lets you discover a calmer side. Best of all, if you rent a car in Belgrade, you’ll have the freedom to explore these scenic routes.
Belgrade’s riverside roads are perfect for slow-paced enjoyment. Many sections have lower speed limits, ranging from 40 to 60 km/h, and fewer traffic lights. This means you can glide along with open water views on one side.
This Danube River drive is a blend of urban scenery and living history. Starting in Dorćol (the old town's riverside area), you pass beneath the Kalemegdan Fortress, a historic landmark situated where the Sava River meets the Danube. Early in the drive, the fortress walls and monuments overlook the water.
As you continue north, the view opens up toward New Belgrade across the river, creating a contrast between the ancient ramparts on one bank and the modern city blocks on the other. Entering Zemun, the atmosphere shifts to a charming old-world vibe. Once a separate town, Zemun still feels like a small place within the city, with cobbled streets and rustic houses. Driving along the Zemun promenade (Zemunski Kej), you may notice small boats bobbing on the Danube and even swans gliding in the shallows.
It’s worth parking the car for a stroll here. Zemun’s riverside setting gives it a sleepy, calming presence, and the sense of ease settles in as you walk or drive along the quay. Don’t miss Gardoš Tower, rising on the hill above. This 19th-century tower is a viewpoint offering a 360-degree panorama of the river and city rooftops. Late afternoon is the ideal time for this drive. As the sun lowers, Zemun’s waterfront glows in warm gold tones. You can end the journey with a coffee at a riverfront café.
If you’d like to continue beyond Zemun, continue driving northwest along the Danube toward the suburb of Batajnica. This stretch is quieter, trading city streets for open skies and wide riverbanks. The road follows the curve of the Danube as it leaves Belgrade. In place of buildings, you’ll find a countryside atmosphere with grassy embankments, rustling reeds, and the village or fisherman’s shack.
Development is minimal here, which also means very light traffic. Roll down the window, and you may hear birds, wind in the reeds, or the distant hum of a boat engine on the river. The Danube feels wider and calmer on this side of the city, and may easily spot local fishing boats or people relaxing along riverbank beaches. As you continue, fields and tree lines replace city parks, and by the time you near Batajnica, you may think you were not in a capital city.
For a scenic Sava River drive within the city, take the route from the Belgrade Waterfront development down to the Ada Ciganlija recreational area. This drive blends modern city views with lush green escapes. You can start near Belgrade Waterfront (Beograd na vodi), where gleaming high-rises and the city’s tallest tower line the Sava’s bank.
As you set off, you’ll have the modern skyline of downtown Belgrade on one side and the calm river on the other. The road hugs the Sava, passing parks and the floating restaurant (splavovi) moored along the bank. In the evening, this stretch is appealing, as city lights begin to sparkle and reflect on the water.
Heading southwest, you approach Ada Ciganlija, a famous river island-turned-peninsula often called “Belgrade’s Sea.” The transition is striking. One moment, glossy new buildings surround you, and the next, you’re immersed in dense greenery. Ada Ciganlija is wooded and encircles a lake, so the drive toward it is like entering nature.
Soon, the Ada Bridge, an eye-catching cable-stayed bridge, comes into view with its tall pylon dominating the skyline. Crossing the bridge offers panoramic views of Old and New Belgrade, stunning around sunset. Once near Ada, you’ll find ample parking. Ada Ciganlija offers peaceful lakeside views and numerous cafes right by the water.
This Sava route is ideal for a relaxed evening drive. Plan to arrive at Ada Ciganlija around golden hour, when the sun sets over Sava Lake, filling the sky with soft oranges and pinks reflected on the water. You can take a slow drive along part of Ada’s perimeter road, or park and join locals for a walk or bike ride.
If you’re up for a longer drive, consider following the Sava River out of the city toward the town of Obrenovac. This route offers a peaceful escape and is ideal for a half-day weekend drive. Starting from New Belgrade or the outskirts of Čukarica, take local roads that run parallel to the Sava heading southwest. Before long, the urban scenery fades, replaced by rural landscapes and small villages. In the early morning or late afternoon, the Sava often looks like a sheet of glass, reflecting the sky and enhancing the serenity of the drive.
As you move farther from Belgrade, you may pass through areas such as Zabran, a riverside forest park located approximately 28 kilometers away, known for its tranquility and picnic spots. The air is fresher, and natural sounds of frogs in marshy areas, birds moving along the riverbanks become more prominent.
This is not a highway drive. The newer fast road to Obrenovac runs elsewhere, while this older route meanders alongside the Sava. Along the way, you’ll pass small settlements, where it’s common to see locals cycling or even using horse-drawn carts. There are also restaurants and small cafés where you can stop for a homemade meal or coffee with a river view.
A highlight of the drive is crossing the Boljevci Bridge, also known as the Obrenovac–Surčin Bridge. From the top of this modern crossing, you’re rewarded with wide-open views of the Sava and surrounding wetlands. Afterward, it’s a short drive into Obrenovac, a quiet town known for its spa traditions and green parks.
Belgrade’s riversides are dotted with viewpoints and attractions that can turn a simple drive into a full experience. From historic towers overlooking the Danube to cozy riverside cafés on the Sava, you’ll find plenty of reasons to pull over. Below are some must-see stops that will enrich your journey.
On the Danube drive, a top highlight is Gardoš Tower in Zemun. This brick tower from 1896 sits atop Gardoš Hill and offers panoramic views of the Danube, Zemun’s red rooftops, and Belgrade’s distant skyline. You can park in Zemun’s old town near the tower and walk up the winding streets to reach it. From the viewpoint at sunset, you’ll see the river curving around Great War Island with the city stretching out beyond. It’s a romantic spot and a favorite for photographers. Even if you choose not to climb the tower itself, the Gardoš neighborhood, with its charming old houses and cobblestone lanes, is a pleasure to explore on foot.
At the base of Gardoš Hill runs the Zemunski Kej, a long riverside promenade along the Danube and an ideal place for a casual stroll or refreshment break. Numerous floating restaurants and barges, known locally as splavovi, line the quay, offering everything from coffee and ice cream to fresh fish dinners. If you’re driving the Dorćol–Zemun route in the late afternoon, this is an excellent place to pause and catch the sunset.
On the Sava side, Ada Ciganlija is a destination worth stopping for. The tip of the peninsula meets the Sava River. From here, you can see the Ada Bridge and the river opening toward New Belgrade, creating a mix of water, structure, and skyline. Another excellent viewpoint lies along the northern shore of Ada’s Lake, where long views stretch down the water, often framed by kayakers, swimmers, or swans in the foreground.
If you’ve parked your car, consider renting a bike or walking part of the 7-kilometer lakefront path. The route is flat, shaded, and ideal for a gentle break from driving. Along the way, you’ll find lakeside cafés and restaurants. Ada Ciganlija is scenic in late spring and early autumn, when crowds are thinner. Don’t miss the “Stonehenge” sculpture near the lake’s eastern end, a quirky art installation, or the small viewing platform by the beach.
The time you choose for your drive can affect the experience. Belgrade’s continental climate brings hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant shoulder seasons, so mild weather and quieter hours make river routes far more enjoyable.
Belgrade river drives showcase the gentle allure of the city’s waterways. By taking the car and tracing the banks of the Danube or Sava, you’ll discover that relaxing in Belgrade isn’t confined to spas or cafes. It can be as simple as a peaceful drive with the windows down and the sunset ahead of you.
Rent a car in Belgrade with Final Rentals, take a detour by the Danube or Sava, and let the waterfront charm of the White City wash over you. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport as your pickup location, enter your travel dates, and choose a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
