Đerdap and the Serbian Danube
Updated: 2026-10-24
East of Belgrade the Danube cuts through the Carpathians in the Iron Gates (Đerdap) gorge, Europe's longest river gorge; the Serbian bank is Đerdap National Park, with sites spanning nine millennia.
A car is best — the road follows the river from Golubac to Kladovo; buses from Belgrade are infrequent. Below are 10 places in order downstream.
On the way from Belgrade
1. Viminacium
The remains of the Roman city and legionary camp near Kostolac, capital of Moesia Superior — an archaeological park with an amphitheatre and baths.
Paid · guided tours
80 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Kostolac: 1 departures on weekdays, from 1 h 38 min
2. Ram Fortress
A restored 15th-century Ottoman fort with a fine view of the river.
76 km from the centre
Golubac
3. Golubac Fortress
A 14th-century fortress of ten towers climbing the rocks at the entrance to the gorge, beautifully restored in 2019.
Paid
44 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Golubac: 6 departures on weekdays, from 2 h 22 min
4. Tuman Monastery
A monastery 12 km from Golubac, by tradition founded by Miloš Obilić, a popular pilgrimage site.
43 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Golubac: 6 departures on weekdays, from 2 h 22 min
The Iron Gates gorge
5. Lepenski Vir
A Mesolithic and early Neolithic settlement (9th–6th millennium BC) with famous fish-faced stone sculptures, under a glass roof with a museum.
Paid
14 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Donji Milanovac: 5 departures on weekdays, from 3 h 32 min
6. The Kazan Gorge
The narrowest stretch of the Danube between sheer cliffs; viewpoints on Veliki Štrbac or boat trips; the Decebalus rock face is on the Romanian side.
16 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Donji Milanovac: 5 departures on weekdays, from 3 h 32 min
7. Trajan's Plaque
A Roman memorial plaque (c. AD 100) for Trajan's Danube road, raised when the dam was built; best seen from a boat.
25 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Kladovo: 4 departures on weekdays, from 5 h
8. Iron Gate I dam
The largest hydroelectric dam on the Danube, shared with Romania, with a border crossing on top.
38 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Kladovo: 4 departures on weekdays, from 5 h
9. Fetislam Fortress
A 16th-century Ottoman fortress in Kladovo; the town also has the Đerdap archaeological collection.
39 km from the centre
Timetables Beograd – Kladovo: 4 departures on weekdays, from 5 h
10. Vratna Gates
Three natural stone arches in the Vratna canyon near the medieval Vratna monastery; best reached by car.
16 km from the centre
Tips
- Best by car over two days, staying in Golubac or Donji Milanovac.
- In summer boat trips run through the Kazan gorge.
- Golubac and Lepenski Vir charge admission; buy Golubac tickets online in season.
FAQ
How do I get to Golubac Fortress from Belgrade?
About 2.5 hours by car; by bus to Golubac, then 4 km to the fortress.
Can Đerdap be seen in one day?
By car, Golubac, Lepenski Vir and a Kazan viewpoint make a long day trip.
For your trip
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