A medieval fortress from the 14th century guards the Danube River entrance to the Iron Gates gorge. The town has a calm riverside promenade and traditional Serbian restaurants.
Golubac, a town on the Danube River in eastern Serbia, marks the entrance to the Iron Gate gorge. You can climb the stone steps of the 14th-century Golubac Fortress, walk through its nine towers, and look out over the Danube from its walls. Take boat trips on the river, follow hiking trails through Đerdap National Park, or visit the ancient settlement remains at Lepenski Vir.
Getting to Golubac
The town lies 130 kilometers east of Belgrade along the Đerdap highway, about a two-hour drive. You can reach Golubac by boat through guided tours from Belgrade or European river cruises that dock at the town. The boat route takes you across the widest section of the Danube before it narrows into the Iron Gate gorge.
Exploring Golubac Fortress
The fortress has three compounds with nine original towers and one added during Ottoman rule. Thick stone walls (2-3 meters) link these structures and contain a palace complex. You can visit four zones: Green zone (750 RSD) includes the Palace and towers 9, 8, and 5; Blue zone (1200 RSD) adds tower 4; Red zone (1200 RSD) includes tower 7; and Black zone (1700 RSD) gives you access to the Hat Tower and tower 3. You'll need guides and safety equipment for the more advanced zones.
Sailing and Water Activities
The Sailing Center of Serbia's Sailing Association runs year-round training facilities in Golubac. You can join week-long summer camps to learn basic sailing techniques in Optimist Class boats. Sailors compete in multiple boat categories during the August regatta. The Serbian National Team trains here, using the strong winds and wide river sections to prepare for international competitions.
Đerdap National Park
From the fortress, you can enter the Iron Gate gorge, where the Danube cuts through the Carpathian Mountains. Walk the marked paths of Đerdap National Park, including a 3-kilometer riverside trail from Golubac town to the fortress. The park's steep cliffs and riverside forests are home to over 1,100 plant species and 150 bird species.
Practical Information
Visit the fortress between 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM daily. You'll find a café with river views and a shop selling local crafts and fortress-themed souvenirs. Children under 12 enter free with adults. Professional photography costs 8,000 RSD per camera, and drones are not allowed. Note: Blue and Black zones remain closed until April 1st, 2025.
