Recreation

Kalemegdan Park

Kalemegdan is the most popular park among Belgraders and for many tourists visiting Belgrade because of the park's numerous winding walking paths, shady benches, picturesque fountains, random statues, mammoth historical architecture and incredible river views (Sahat kula – The clock tower, Zindan kapija – Zindan gate, etc).
Kalemegdan is also the most significant cultural and historic complex dominated by the Belgrade Fortress overlooking the Sava and the Danube. While the fortress was the main military bastion of Belgrade, Kalemegdan served to sight the enemy in time and possibly engage in battle. This is actually the origin of the name Kalemegdan, from the Turkish words "kale" - field and "megdan" - battle. Kalemegdan is today the green oasis in the Belgrade's urban area.

The Belgrade Zoo

The Belgrade Zoo, or the Good Hope Garden, stands on one of the most attractive city locations - the Kalemegdan park. It was founded in 1936 and it is one of the oldest homes of animal kingdom in Europe. Even though it covers a surface of only seven hectares, the Garden possesses an extremely large animal stock of good quality. It consists of over 2,000 animals, including around 270 animal species, and beside wild animals it abounds in domestic animals too. The Belgrade Zoo has become one of the best arranged parts of Belgrade, a real oasis of beauty amidst a great city. The Belgrade Zoo works all 365 days of the year.
In the winter period the box-office is open from 8:00 to 17:00.
In the summer period the box-office is open from 8:00 to 20:00.
The Zoo closes thirty minutes after the closing of the box-office.
The ticket prices: adults (over 15 years of age) 250 dinars per person; children (from 3 to 15 years of age) 200 dinars per person; students' excursions (over 15 persons) 150 dinars per person. Children under 3 years of age can enter the garden free of charge.

Botanic Garden - "Jevremovac" Arboretum

"Jevremovac" Arboretum spreads over the area of 5 hectares, where on an open space there are over 250 species of trees and bushes, local, European and exotic plants, and the total plant population now includes about 500 trees, bushes and herbage plants. Besides the open space, the Arboretum covers the Green house and the Institute for Botanic premises.
The green house, built in 1892, covers the area of 500 m2. At the time of its construction it was one of the biggest and most beautiful green houses in this part of Europe. Numerous tropic and sub-tropic plants are being nursed, some of which worth mentioning are: Phoenix Canariensis, Chamaerops Humilis, Cereus Peruvinianus... The Herbarium accommodates rich collection of plants originating from the Balkan peninsula and the entire Europe containing around 120,000 herbarium sheets and over 300,000 exsiccates.
Opened for visitors from May 1 thru November 1 (9 am – 7pm).

Ada Ciganlija

Ada Ciganlija is one of the largest and most beautiful beaches on artificial lakes in Europe. The lake water is warmer and cleaner than the river water and thus the lake is highly suitable for mass recreational activities. During the summer, nearly 300.000 come here to swim or engage in other recreational activities. The lake is suitable for swimming, rowing, kayak, water polo, sailing competitions, and several national and international championships were held here. On Ada Ciganlija there are also over 50 different open-air sports grounds, among which there are a golf course and a lift for water-skiing. There are the soccer playing field, tennis, team-handball, volleyball, and basketball courts, as well as fields for baseball, rugby, and field hockey. There are also playing grounds for beach volleyball and aqua soccer and, as to the extreme sports: banji jump, artificial rock wall, and paintball. For anglers, there is also the lake Ada safari.

Lido - Zemun

Lido is located on the northern tip of the Great War Island, on the Danube. It is actually a small, pointed sandy beach without permanent residents, which covers just small fragment of the island, as the entire Great War Island is protected by the law and urbanization is not allowed. It can get crowded on the beach during the summer, but otherwise it is very peaceful. There are also several restaurants and toilets on the beach. It was named after the Lido in Venice and developed as a wild beach, as an alternative to the much popular and official beach and park of Ada Ciganlija.

Košutnjak Hill

Košutnjak Hill is a forest and a park, as well as one of the outing areas Belgraders prefer. The hill is 250 m high and covers the area of 330 hectare. The evergreen and deciduous forest is crisscrossed by many forest trails. Until 1903 the dense forest was a royal hunting reserve, which was then opened to the public. Košutnjak is one of the most popular recreational places in Belgrade. There are a lot of paths for jogging and cycling too. Also it is the best place for barbique and relaxing with beautiful view of Belgrade.