Belgrade's top excursion sites – What to see?
If you would like to take a break in nature without going far from the city, and unwind after your teaching activities, you can spend a day at one among quite a few popular Belgrade destinations. Belgrade offers unique options when it comes to taking a short break not far from the city centre, sure to provide a peaceful oasis for the teachers, also good for sports and entertainment. Belgrade can respond to its visitors’ various tastes, whether they like mountains, woods or lakes; it has something to offer to adventurists and those looking for peace alike. We have some great suggestions for our participants’ breaks from everyday activities, and they can choose whatever suits them best.
Among the great number of Belgrade’s oases of nature, we are going to list five quite beautiful ones we are sure the teachers will enjoy and remember.
Avala – Harmony of nature and culture
Mountain Avala is a place that provides a view that embraces the entirety of Belgrade, sure to make an impression. It is only 20 kilometres away from the city centre, 511 metres high, and it is an ideal destination for leisurely walks, cycling, hiking, as well as engaging in some historical and cultural sightseeing. You can organise your mountain tour in a number of ways; as a start, we recommend walking along a special mountain path to the top, where you are in for some real enjoyment and a number of attractions. The top provides a view of glorious landscapes, the rivers Sava and Danube, and the city itself, which you can “inspect” through a telescope. Avala is brimming with cultivated greenery ideal for relaxation, parks, and picnic spots where you can enjoy some great time together. The proceedings are dominated by Avala Tower, rightfully considered one of the symbols of Belgrade.
Košutnjak – Belgrade's green oasis
The woods of Košutnjak are quite easy to reach, and for many, this is the favourite day trip destination. This locality, brimming with natural beauty and historical and cultural heritage, is ideas for recreational walks, sports activities, picnicking and enjoyment at restaurants and cafes. Although it is only 250 metres above sea level, it provides a wonderful view of the city centre. If you are a sports person, you can visit the sports and recreation centre with football, volleyball, basketball and handball courts, athletics facilities, as well as five outdoor pools and one indoor pool. It has one of the tidiest running tracks, which offers a real challenge to athletes. You can also enjoy the Film City, known for its complex of ateliers and film production facilities.
Topčider – Park for body and soul
As soon as you can spare some time, the woodsy and beautifully cultivated Topčider park is a place where you can take a breather. This special gem of Belgrade is located not far from the city centre, but it makes you feel totally serene and rested. It is meant for light walks and taking in the wonderful greenery, including a flower garden surrounded by three little artificial lakes, and you can take a ride in a coach. Near the flower alley, you can take a tour of historical monuments. Make sure to visit the little lake with a peninsula and a little bridge which is a favourite photo spot, especially in the spring and in the autumn.
Ada Ciganlija – The charms of the Belgrade sea
In addition to the mountain, the woods and the parks, there are also lakes with their own charms and their own options when it comes to exciting attractions, as well as something as quiet as a break at the end of a workday. Ada Ciganlija is an artificial lake visited by over 100,000 people over the summer, which keeps its status as an oasis of nature. It is known for its promenades, football, basketball and tennis courts, open air gyms and bike paths that spread out all over the complex. It can be said that Ada Ciganlija is synonymous with sports and recreation; should our participants choose to take a trip there, they will be able to choose among the most popular sports activities, going for a swim in the lake or enjoying refreshing summer beverages on the beach. By visiting this beautiful resort, you will become a part of an exciting summer adventure even if you decide to just chill for a while.
Lido – War Island in the Danube
This is a place where you will be surprised by the peace and quiet, so needed after a busy day. Lido is the urbanised part of the Great War Island in the river Danube, and a special nature reserve that includes a little sandy beach. Its “militant” name dates as far back as the 16th century siege of Belgrade, where the Ottomans used to start their attacks. Today, it is a quite peaceful excursion site beloved by tourists, and it is considered a very important area for environment protection. Interestingly, the island can be reached by a boat, and it the summer, you can walk to it using a temporary pontoon bridge connecting it with the Zemun Pier. The woody part of the island, the nature reserve, holds its special place in the context of Belgrade’s localities, and the Northern part of Lido is reserved for swimming, relaxing in nature and getting together with friends.
