This riverside Serbian town along the Danube has a 6th-century Roman fortress, Fetislam, and sits near the Iron Gates gorge. Popular for fishing and local wines.
Kladovo stretches along the Danube River in eastern Serbia, where you can walk through the 16th-century Fetislam fortress, cycle along riverside paths, or watch white-tailed eagles soar over Lake Kladovo. The town's location next to the Iron Gates gorge makes it an ideal base for exploring Đerdap National Park's hiking trails and visiting the Diana fortress ruins, where Roman soldiers once guarded the empire's frontier.
Getting Around Kladovo
Walk or cycle along the 3-kilometer riverside quay to reach most of Kladovo's main sites. In the evening, join locals in the pedestrian zone of Kladovo Skadarlija, where cafés and restaurants line the streets. You can rent bikes from several shops near the town center to join the 16,000 annual cyclists who use the European bicycle path running through Kladovo.
Archaeological Sites Near the Danube
Visit the Diana fortress to explore its Roman-Byzantine ruins, including a town complex, necropolis, and ancient road network dating from 102-103 AD. Walk to the riverbank to see the remaining pillars of Trajan's Bridge, which once stretched 1,100 meters across the Danube. The Đerdap Archaeology Museum displays artifacts found at these sites, including a detailed model of Trajan's Column panel.
Bird Watching in Lake Kladovo
Visit Kladovski Rit to spot some of the 140 bird species that inhabit this marshy area. Look for pygmy cormorants and herons nesting in mixed colonies, and scan the skies for white-tailed eagles. Walk through the sandy Kladovski Peščar area and black locust forests to find European bee-eaters and various duck species in their natural habitat.
Exploring Đerdap National Park
Hike through the Iron Gates gorge to see the Great Cauldron and Small Cauldron sections. While the park has several hiking trails, bring a map as trail markers can be sparse. Cool off at the Blederija Waterfall, where a 7-meter cascade drops into a turquoise pool. The park's thermal springs bubble up in several locations, and you might spot wild boars in designated hunting areas.
Ottoman History at Fetislam
Walk through the 1524 Fetislam fortress, built during Suleiman the Magnificent's reign, located 300 meters upstream from downtown. The fortress now includes modern sports facilities with two stadiums, basketball courts, and an archery range. Follow the walking paths around the preserved Ottoman walls to explore both the historic fortifications and current recreational areas.
Wine Region and Local Food
Take a day trip to the Negotin Valley wine region between Kladovo and Negotin to taste wines from local vineyards. Try regional dishes in Kladovo's restaurants, where until 2009, the town was famous for producing the "Black Pearl of Kladovo" caviar.
