Did you know that Serbia is a favorite destination of international cyclists? We know that generally, cycling in Serbia does not seem very developed and that some cities are not very bike-friendly. But, part of the famous Danube cycle path is going through Serbia. So today, we will tell you more about parts of Belgrade which are good for cycling, and of course the Serbian section of the Danube cycling route.
Cycling in Serbia and Belgrade
Some cities and towns, especially in the north of Serbia – in the flat province of Vojvodina – are very bike-friendly. Thus, you will not have any trouble with your two wheels there. But in some places which have hilly terrain and steep streets, of course, it will be hard for you to ride there. As most of our tourists are coming to Belgrade, we want to give you more information about cycling in our capital.
Unfortunately, the old part of the city is not very good for cycling. There are no separate lanes, and drivers do not always yield to the cyclist. You are responsible for your own safety. In Belgrade, traffic can be quite chaotic. Some roads are not in good condition and may have potholes or bumps. You need to be aware of your surrounding at all times. Make sure you are visible and behave predictably. This goes without saying: wear a helmet! Do not ride on a highway under any circumstances! It is not just unsafe, it is illegal too. Those safety rules do not apply just to cycling in Serbia, but anywhere else too.
Renting a bike in Belgrade
Belgrade has several biking lanes so we recommend you use them for recreation. Most of them are in New Belgrade. In fact, that is the best area for cycling and most of the New Belgrade area has lanes, and generally, it is easy to get around it! You can use the Ada Bridge to go to Ada Ciganlija, which has the biking lane around the lake. In the central part of Belgrade, a famous lane takes you along the Sava and Danube riverbanks.
If you do not have your own bicycle, there are plenty of places in Belgrade where you can rent it. Just along the Ada Ciganlija, there are several of them. For example, Markoni Sport has 2 rental points on Ada Ciganlija, one in New Belgrade (close to Mercator) and one in Dorćol (old town), close to the Danube riverbank. If you are near the Hotel Jugoslavija, you can rent your bicycle from Planet Bike, which is very convenient as the cycling lane is there as well. The same company has the rental points close to Štark Arena (Belgrade Arena) which is also in New Belgrade, and Dorćol.
Danube cycling route
One of the most scenic biking routes in Europe follows the Danube through 10 countries. Hence, it runs through Serbia too. The Danube cycling route is the part of EuroVelo 6 route. The start of the Serbian part of the route is in Bački Breg, on the border with Hungary. In Serbia, the route stretches along 683 km, all the way to Bregovo, where it continues further to Bulgaria, Romania, and finally ends at the Black Sea.
Most interesting sites while cycling in Serbia
- Sombor – a multinational city with rich cultural life, Sombor has a beautiful center, with architecture reflecting the Austro-Hungarian past of the city. It is also one of the greenest Serbian cities, and being on flat terrain, it is very bike-friendly. In fact, the bicycle is the most common mean of transportation in Sombor.
- Novi Sad – the second largest city in Serbia. You have certainly heard of EXIT, one of the most important music festivals in Europe, which is held on Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad. Novi Sad has plenty of other beautiful sites, such as the historical center, Danube park, and many museums and galleries. And let’s not forget the Laze Telečkog street – the hotspot of Novi Sad’s rich nightlife.
- Golubac – the most visited place in Serbia this summer. With it’s newly reconstructed fortress and a lovely beach, it is no surprise that this city is attracting an increasing number of visitors.
- Kladovo, a small city in eastern Serbia. In its area, you can see the archeological sites such as Roman Emperor Trajan’s table and the remnants of Trajan’s bridge. The famous Danube Iron Gates are just 10 km before Kladovo. Don’t miss Diana Fortress – an archeological site of great importance, built by Romans in year 101 A.D, and the Ottoman Fetislam Fortress, built in the 1520s.
Weather conditions in Serbia are still very favorable, and it is not very cold yet. Cycling in Serbia will let you explore our beautiful country from a different perspective! So put your helmet on and hop on a bike!
