Belgrade is a city rich in green spaces spread across multiple municipalities. Locals take pride in the numerous parks and forests that add a refreshing touch of nature to the urban landscape. As a visitor, you’ll find these parks serve as peaceful nature escapes in Belgrade, from river beaches and dense forests to historic fortresses. Driving gives you the freedom to explore beyond the city centre, so you can experience the famous central parks and the lovely outskirts. This guide will walk you through ten of Belgrade’s favourite parks and explain why renting a car is the easiest way to reach them all.
Belgrade’s layout is quite spread out, with large parks located in various neighbourhoods beyond the immediate city core. Many parks are located in areas such as New Belgrade, Čukarica, Zvezdara, or Voždovac, which may be a bit distant if you rely on buses.
With a car, you can easily hop between these spots in one day, plan flexible travel schedules, and pack a picnic in the boot for spontaneous stops. You can also carry gear like bicycles or sports equipment, and reach less crowded entrances or car parks near each park. In short, exploring by car saves time on transit, lets you see more, and ensures you’re comfortable. Below are ten of the top parks, highlighting what makes each park special.
Ada Ciganlija is one of Belgrade’s most popular recreational areas and is widely known as “Belgrade’s Sea” because of its lake beaches and vibrant summer atmosphere. It is a former river island that has been transformed into a peninsula on the Sava River, located in the Čukarica municipality.
To reach Ada Ciganlija by car, can cross one of the bridges from central Belgrade and follow clear road signs that lead directly to large parking areas near the lake. The area offers a wide variety of activities. There is a large artificial lake called Lake Sava, featuring pebble beaches that are suitable for swimming. There are shaded walking and cycling paths around the lake. Plus, there are numerous sports facilities for casual and organised activities. The cooler months are ideal for quieter pursuits, such as walking, birdwatching, or enjoying coffee at lakeside cafés.
Košutnjak is a large forest park spanning the municipalities of Čukarica and Rakovica, situated approximately 6 kilometres southwest of central Belgrade. Locals often refer to Košutnjak and its neighbouring green areas as “Belgrade’s oxygen factory” due to the dense woodland and noticeably fresher air.
Reaching Košutnjak by car usually taking less than 20 minutes from the city centre. The park extends across rolling hills and shallow valleys, with a network of winding walking trails and jogging paths shaded by mature oak and chestnut trees. There are several access points, so you can easily explore different sections of the forest. You can park near well-known spots such as Hajdučka Česma or the Košutnjak Sports Centre and start walking from there.
Once a royal hunting ground, Košutnjak has retained its wild and natural character despite being situated in an urban setting. Visitors will find open picnic meadows, an arboretum, and even a seasonal outdoor swimming pool among the trees. Because of its size, arriving by car allows you to explore multiple areas in one visit.
Topčider Park is a historic and scenic green space located in the Savski Venac municipality, just a short distance from Belgrade’s city centre. Reaching the park by car takes around 10 minutes. Topčider forms part of a larger continuous green zone that connects seamlessly with Košutnjak, creating an extensive urban woodland area.
As one of Belgrade’s oldest parks, established in the 1830s, Topčider is rich in cultural heritage. The park is home to numerous historical features and majestic plane trees that have stood for generations. The London plane tree is located near Miloš’s Konak, recognised as a protected natural monument, and is more than 160 years old.
There is parking available along the main road that winds through the grounds. Gently sloping lawns greet visitors, the small Topčider River, and well-maintained paths ideal for walks. Highlights include the Residence of Prince Miloš, now a museum, and the Church of St Peter and Paul, set quietly among linden trees.
Zvezdara Forest is an elevated park-forest located in the eastern part of Belgrade, primarily within the Zvezdara municipality. Sitting atop Zvezdara Hill, which rises to around 250 metres, this green area offers a peaceful retreat along with rewarding panoramic views of the city. It is often called the “left lung of Belgrade”, reflecting its role in improving air quality alongside Košutnjak.
Reaching the forest by car takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the city centre. Several small parking areas are available near the outer roads. As one of the best nature escapes in Belgrade, the forest is threaded with natural dirt trails for walkers and joggers. Oak and pine trees dominate the landscape.
At the top of the hill is the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, a historic complex that inspired the area’s name. Scenic clearings along the trails offer elevated views of Belgrade’s skyline, making Zvezdara Forest an ideal spot for quiet walks, fresh air, and photography.
Kalemegdan Park is Belgrade’s most iconic green space, located in the historic Stari Grad district at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers. It is a public park and the site of the Belgrade Fortress. Reaching Kalemegdan by car is possible, as it sits at the end of Knez Mihailova, Belgrade’s main pedestrian street. Parking is available near the fortress walls and along the riverside, although spaces can fill quickly on busy days. Once inside, you enter one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
It also serves as a spacious park, featuring lawns, statues, cafés, and scenic viewpoints. Visitors can walk along the fortress ramparts, explore open-air military exhibits, or relax beneath centuries-old trees. The park’s elevated position offers spectacular views over the river confluence, particularly at sunset.
Ušće Park is a large riverside park in New Belgrade, located directly across the river from Kalemegdan. Its name means confluence, referring to the point where the Sava River meets the Danube. This modern green space is defined by wide open lawns, long walking and cycling paths, and expansive views of Belgrade’s Old Town across the water. It is a standout example of Belgrade green spaces designed on a grand, open scale.
Access by car is easy thanks to New Belgrade’s wide boulevards and clear road layout. Parking is available near the shopping centre and along nearby riverside roads, making the park very convenient for visitors. The park’s flat terrain and spacious design make it ideal for casual walks, jogging, cycling, and picnics. It also hosts large outdoor events, including concerts and festivals. Within the park lies the Park of Friendship, an area lined with trees planted by international leaders since 1961 as a symbol of global cooperation. Nearby landmarks include the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Ušće Tower.
Belgrade’s Hyde Park is a small yet elegant urban park located in the Savski Venac area, within the upscale Dedinje neighbourhood. Named after London’s Hyde Park, this triangular green space provides a quiet and leafy retreat in one of the city’s most refined residential districts. The park is surrounded by diplomatic residences and villas, which contribute to its calm, secure atmosphere.
Driving to Hyde Park is easy. It is located along Kneza Miloša Boulevard as the road continues towards Dedinje. Street parking is usually available nearby or on the surrounding side streets. Hyde Park is not large and does not feature major tourist attractions, but it is an excellent spot for a short walk or a moment of relaxation.
The park is well-maintained, with paved paths, benches, and mature trees. Locals often come here to walk their dogs or enjoy a leisurely walk. Hyde Park also has historical significance, as it forms part of the continuous green belt that connects Košutnjak and Topčider. For travellers with a car, Hyde Park is a convenient stop when visiting Dedinje landmarks or moving between central Belgrade and southern districts.
Banjička Forest, also known as Byford’s Forest, is a peaceful park-forest located in the Voždovac municipality in the southern part of Belgrade. It covers around 40 hectares of woodland between the Banjica and Dedinje districts. The forest is located approximately 15 minutes by car from the city centre and is close to the Military Medical Academy.
Access by car is straightforward via Boulevard Oslobođenja or Crnotravska Street. Parking is usually available along the roads bordering the forest or near the sports grounds within it. Compared to more central parks, Banjička Forest is noticeably quieter, making it an ideal destination for visitors who prefer calm surroundings. Long shaded paths often feel uncrowded, even on weekends.
The landscape is mostly flat with gentle slopes, making it suitable for jogging, casual walks, and dog walking. Exercise stations and a trim trail support outdoor fitness, while tall pine and deciduous trees reduce city noise. Birdsong is common, as the forest is known for its rich birdlife.
Although surrounded by neighbourhoods, Banjička Forest is secluded. Its status as a protected natural monument has preserved its character despite urban growth. With a car, it easily fits into an itinerary, especially when combined with nearby Dedinje attractions or a drive to Mount Avala.
The Park of Friendship is a large landscaped park in New Belgrade, stretching along the Danube riverbank. It begins near a hotel and extends towards the point where the Danube meets the Sava, forming part of the wider Ušće area. Covering around 14 hectares of green space, the park was established in 1961 with a strong symbolic purpose. It was created as a memorial park where world leaders planted trees as gestures of peace and international friendship.
Walking along the park’s central Peace Avenue, visitors will notice plaques at the base of mature plane trees. Each plaque commemorates a different leader who planted a tree here. The design is open and restrained, featuring broad lawns, orderly rows of trees, and expansive river views. Several monuments are also located within the park, including the Eternal Flame memorial, which honours victims of war and adds a reflective tone to the setting.
Access by car is simple via New Belgrade’s main roads, with parking available along nearby park roads or close to the Palace of Serbia. The park is popular for walking, jogging, cycling, picnics, and kite flying, while boats pass along the Danube.
Tašmajdan Park is a centrally located city park in the Palilula municipality. It is about 1 kilometre from Republic Square, so driving from the main tourist area takes only a few minutes. Parking is available nearby, including street parking and garages close to Ilije Garašanina Street and a hotel.
The park has a deep historical background, as its name originates from a former stone quarry that once occupied this area. Today, Tašmajdan is a carefully landscaped green space with paved paths, fountains, and monuments. One side of the park is dominated by the Church of Saint Mark, whose red and yellow Byzantine-stle domes rise above the trees. A smaller Russian Orthodox church is located in another corner.
Throughout the park, visitors encounter memorials and historical references, including monuments commemorating victims of past conflicts. Beneath the surface lie underground caves and tunnels from different periods, although these are not open to the public. For everyday use, Tašmajdan offers a large children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and shaded seating areas.
Belgrade’s parks offer something unique in every season. Here’s a quick guide to what each season is like in the city’s green spaces:
Belgrade’s abundance of parks and green spaces across its many neighbourhoods is a delight for visitors. From the bustling shores of Ada Ciganlija to the tranquil trails of Banjička Šuma, it offers a different glimpse into the city’s character. You can eat breakfast by the river beach, have lunch under forest pines, and catch a sunset from a historic fortress all in one day.
Explore Belgrade your way by renting a car with Final Rentals. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport or downtown 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.
