The Sava is a river of extraordinary beauty and power. Just before the confluence with the Danube it forms a small lake, also known as “the Belgrade Sea”
The Sava river, with a natural reserve park that has been protected since the 19th century, is a river of exceptional beauty and significance for Serbia. The nation’s capital was erected above the confluence of the Sava into the Danube, on a place where today the old and the new part of Belgrade meet. Just in front of the confluence lies a „sea“ – the Belgrade sea.
The name of the river comes from the ancient Greek word “sa”, “sos” meaning strong, powerful, firm, which are the main characteristics of this river. Adding the suffix –ava, the Sava is a powerful river that pours nectar and feeds Zeus (the Danube) with ambrosia thus making him immortal. The name Sabazios, Thracian and Phrygian deity celebrated in orgies, like Greek Dionysius, comes from the name Sava.
The area of Serbia surrounding the river was also named after it – Posavina, and this is an ideal destination for a short getaway from hustle and bustle of the big city. Enjoy the shade of trees or visit some of the archaeological sites such as Sirmium, Gomolava and Debrc.
Ada Ciganlija, or better known as “the Belgrade sea”, is the most popular capital’s getaway, situated only 4 kilometers from the city center. Once a river island that has artificially been turned into a peninsula, today with Sava lake it makes the perfect destination for an afternoon break during hot summer days.
If you’re visiting Belgrade on business or you’re staying here for a while, Ada is the place not to be missed – nice beaches, restaurants, promenades and recreation area. You will feel like you’re at the sea side, and not 20 minutes from the city center.
Rich flora and fauna make the Sava river an exceptionally important natural reserve. Obedska bara is a remnant of the meanders of the old Sava river and a natural reserve of exceptional beauty and importance.
This Ramsar site, only 40 kilometers from Belgrade, is home to a large number of bird and fish species. Here you can see the only poisonous snake in this region – the common European viper, as well as some rare plant species like Yellow Water-lily, the swamp orchid, the marsh fern…
Obedska bara is one of the world’s oldest nature areas. The first administrative protective measures were introduced in 1874 by the Habsburg Empire. This place of exceptional beauty is ideal destination for everyone looking for a short break in nature.
The Sava river originates in Slovenia at the confluence of the Sava Dolinka and the Sava Bohinjka and it empties into the Danube in Belgrade. It flows through four countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and the cities of Sremska Mitrovica and Šabac.
The Sava river is navigable in Serbia so don’t miss the opportunity to take the boat ride from the border between Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgrade and its confluence into the Danube.
When on the Sava, don’t miss…
Great fun on the “splavs” (floating river clubs) on the Sava in Belgrade beneath the Railway bridge.
The unique atmosphere of the traditional Šabac fair organized in the second half of September.
Belgrade fortress – the symbol of Serbia’s capital, as well as the most beautiful view of the joining of the Sava and the Danube rivers from Kalemegdan.
Belgrade Beer fest, which held in the first half of august on the confluence of the Sava and the Danube and it lasts for six days and features the most famous domestic and regional bands.
Belgrade Boat carnival in the beginning of July, on the docks of the Sava beneath the Belgrade fortress.
The Belgrade regatta in the first half of august.
Ship cruises or kayaking and canoeing around the Grate War Island in Belgrade, which is at the confluence of the two rivers.
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