Kayak Adventure Kicks Off in Belgrade

The starting point of the tour at the raft "Barakuda" | Photo by Nemanja Cabric

All that is necessary for an unforgettable few hours of sightseeing is a little bit of stamina, and good will – all the rest: rubber kayaks, life vests, paddles, and waterproof bags for phones, cameras and personal stuff – is provided at the starting point.

Tours start every day at noon and at 5 pm from the barge “Barakuda” moored on the banks of Danube.

The tour called “The Six Bridges of the Sava River” starts at 5 pm, and lasts for about two hours offering a new view on the history of Belgrade and its architectural heritage, as well as a short introduction to the basic kayaking techniques.

During this tour the participants sail under the six bridges, the Kalemegdan Fortress and past Belgrade’s famous nightclubs.

Another tour, the “Kayaking around Great War Island”, takes visitors on a short trip around Belgrade’s biggest island, once an important strategic point either for the conquest or the defence of Belgrade, and today a nature reserve.

Another tour offers a trip to the Zemun beaches as well as kayaking on the rivers Danube and Sava.

Photo by Nemanja Cabric

Nemanja Neskovic from the organisation Wild Serbia, says that the kayaking tours in Belgrade are the extension of their previous work of locating potential spots for adventure tours, and turning them into reality.

“These are adventure programmes, as we think there is a need for adventure activities in Belgrade. We started with kayaking tours, but we have more plans,” said Neskovic.

Ivan Nastic, a speleologist from the “Wild Serbia” organization, said that this kind of tourism is getting very popular in the West.

“We wanted to enrich Belgrade’s tourist offer,” Nastic said.

“We make tours across Serbia”, he added. “They offer mainly white water rafting adventures in natural reserves, and places like Mounts Tara, Zlatibor, Zlatar and the rivers Drina and Tara.”

Photo by Nemanja Cabric

Jelena Stankovic from the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade said that with this programme, the Serbian capital is  a step closer to becoming a city of adventure.

“You do not need a whole day to go kayaking anymore - you can go after work instead”, she said.

The tours are guided by professionals and consist of groups of 20 people in ten kayaks, which is the safety limit.