A Beautiful day at Ada Lake – Your Guide to Belgrade’s Seaside “Beach”
On your next trip to Serbia, make sure to make it to Ada lake. This place is absolutely gorgeous and so worth it. Serbia is a whole vibe and I make sure to go there a few times a year. All this to say that this little country is an underrated gem.
Let’s dive right into it and let me take you on a tour of Ada lake.
First of all, where is Ada Lake?
What is called Ada is actually part of the Sava lake that runs through the city of Belgrade. The recreational Ada beach is only 4 Km away from the center of Belgrade.
You might also come across the name “Ada Ciganlija”. That’s the official name of this beautiful Belgrade seaside. Just throwing this information out there so that you don’t get thrown off if you hear this name.
Did I mention how absolutely gorgeous the place is? It’s very lush all around and adorned by the greenest breezy trees and amazing flora. Better yet, the water quality is excellent
How’s the parking situation?
I was not expecting the place to get so busy and that was not even summer yet. Expect parking areas to be a bit limited.
If you have a rental, you will have to be patient. Keep your eyes peeled for the roadside spots. We ended up parking at the supermarket’s parking lot.
Another option would be for you to take a taxi there. Since it is not too far away from the center of Belgrade, this is a very solid option.
What’s the best time to go?
Summer would be the ultimate time to go.
I visited for the first time at the end of March. The water was too cold to swim but the temperature was pleasant for a stroll, a lakeside lunch along with some nice cocktails or coffee.
I’d say summer first, then spring and fall would be the next best seasons to visit.
How deep is the lake?
As you can see from the picture with my hosts, the coast is shallow since this is suppose to be the beach area. Obviously, as you get further towards the middle of the lake, it gets deeper. Generally, the lake is 3 to 12 meters deep.
Can you swim in Belgrade?
This is where you would come to swim in Belgrade. Serbia is a landlock country and does not have any direct access to the sea. The Serbs are a resourceful bunch though and Ada is the perfect solution to this problem.
Ada is Belgrade’s “beach” and I am not going to lie but it does get busy. That said, there is plenty of room to spread out. It gets less crowded the further down the boardwalk you get to.
What activities can you do at the lake?
There is so much to do.
From the obvious beach and swimming activities. Then you have a very long path for you to walk, cycle, roller skate and whatever else you can come up with.
Once you’re done, you have lots of restaurants to have a meal and enjoy the sunset.
During the summer months, the waterways get very busy and you can do all sorts of water sports. They also have various water sports events going on.
The place really comes to life during the summer months with plenty to keep you busy and entertained.
Is it worth going? Should you add Ada to your Serbia Itinerary?
I absolutely love Belgrade and always looking for ways to dive in and get to know the culture and the people on a deeper level.
So to me, it is totally worth going. It also depends on what you like. If you are just like me and enjoy a more leisure pace to your vacation, then it is worth making it there. This also allows you to blend in with the locals and enjoy the Serbian way of life.
This place isn’t a tourist trap but it is a very popular spot for Serbs to go destress and reconnect with nature. Plus the fact, that it is so close to the capital makes it a no brainer.
Want to visit Serbia with me?
You can also join my Serbia travel tours. I organize a few super small 12 people tours each year. Since I love Serbia so much, this is one of the places that I love exploring with a small tribe.
Get in touch for more info about my Serbia tours and other tours around the world.
One more thing!
Are you a lady who loves to dance or would like to try something new?
I also organize a handful of luxury dance wellness retreats in places like Malta, castles in France wine counties, Oaxaca and Bali.
The perfect opportunity to focus on yourself. You get to spend a week in a new place, in a private villa while dancing away, eating awesome food, enjoying some amazing wine. All this while discovering the local culture. 🙂
