Nicknamed the “Town of 100,000 roses”, Donji Milanovac is a picturesque Serbian settlement on the banks of the Danube River. It lies directly opposite the castle ruins of Cetatea Tricule in neighbouring Romania and is a short boat ride from the sheer-sided cliffs of the famous “Iron Gate” gorge.
Things to do in Donji Milanovac
Dominating the waterfront of Donji Milanovac is Zeleni Park, a leafy oasis with shaded benches and a children’s play area. In the summer months, you can enjoy a swim in the refreshing waters of the Danube River from the small beach, which features several umbrellas and a restaurant. River cruises also depart from Donji Milanovac.
Donji Milanovac makes an ideal base for exploring Đerdap National Park, which hugs the banks of the Danube River between the Golubac Fortress and Novi Sip. It sprawls across parts of the Miroč and Kučaj mountains and is the first UNESCO Global Geopark to be designated in Serbia. Đerdap National Park is dotted with caves, springs and picturesque lakes, as well as several viewpoints that can be accessed along its hiking trails.
A highlight of Đerdap National Park is the Iron Gate, a dramatic gorge that separates the Carpathian Mountains from the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. The Mesolithic Iron Gates culture has been named after the gorge and is linked to the Lepenski Vir archaeological site on its west bank. Labelled “the first city in Europe”, the site’s ancient tombs and houses have been radiocarbon dated to between 9500 and 7200 BC.
Getting around Donji Milanovac
Donji Milanovac is just over 2.5 hours’ drive from Belgrade and Nikola Tesla Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Buses connect from the Serbian capital to Donji Milanovac and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.