Aerial view of Zemun's red roofs and church tower among autumn trees, with the Danube and Belgrade beyond

City · Zemun, Belgrade

Zemun and Gardoš Tower

Former Habsburg frontier town on the Danube, with red-roofed lanes climbing to the 1896 Gardoš Tower

Ambient sound · similar settingWater lapping on a lake shore

Photo: Nikola Cirkovic (@cirkanye) / Unsplash

Discover Zemun and Gardoš Tower

Though it is now part of Belgrade, Zemun still feels like a town of its own. For centuries it lay on the Habsburg side of the border, facing Ottoman Belgrade across the rivers, and its old centre keeps a distinctly Central European character, with low houses, baroque church towers and narrow lanes winding uphill.

At the top of Gardoš Hill stands the brick Millennium Tower, built in 1896 inside the ruins of a medieval fortress. Climb to its balcony for a panorama over Zemun's red roofs, the broad Danube and the skyline of Belgrade. Then wander back down to the quay, where a long riverside promenade fills with walkers, cyclists and diners on summer evenings.

Don’t miss

01Gardoš (Millennium) Tower and its panoramic balcony
02Remains of the medieval fortress on Gardoš Hill
03Red-roofed lanes and Austro-Hungarian houses of old Zemun
04Zemun quay, a long promenade along the Danube
05Riverside restaurants specialising in fish

History & culture

The story of Zemun and Gardoš Tower

The fortress on Gardoš Hill dates back to at least the 14th century, and its remains are the oldest preserved structure in Zemun. The Hungarian military leader John Hunyadi died in the old fortress in 1456, and the later tower is still often called the Tower of John Hunyadi.

For much of the 18th and 19th centuries Zemun was a Habsburg frontier town facing Ottoman Belgrade, which is reflected in its Austro-Hungarian streets and buildings. The Gardoš Tower, 36 metres high, was completed in 1896 to mark a thousand years of Hungarian settlement in the Pannonian Plain, and for decades it was used as a fire lookout. Renovated between 2006 and 2010, it now houses an art gallery and a viewing platform.

Local life & traditions

Zemun residents are proud of their separate identity, and the quay is one of Belgrade's favourite places for a weekend walk or an evening out. Fish dishes and traditional urban folk music are part of the local riverside culture, and the old streets keep a neighbourly, small-town atmosphere.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start on the Danube quay and walk up through the narrow streets of old Zemun to Gardoš Hill. Climb the tower for the view over the rivers and Belgrade, then explore the remains of the fortress walls around it.

Back by the river, stroll the promenade, stop for fish at one of the riverside restaurants or take a seat at a café as the sun sets over the Danube. The quay continues towards New Belgrade, so you can walk or cycle a long stretch along the water.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn is ideal for the quay and outdoor dining, with long evenings and sunsets over the Danube. The tourist board recommends the Gardoš viewpoint on bright winter days, when the air is clear and the views stretch furthest.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Millennium Tower: The tower on Gardoš Hill, also known as the Tower of Janos Hunyadi, is open to visitors every day and has a panoramic balcony. Source: tob.rs ↗
Gardoš fortress: The fortress on Gardoš dates from the 14th century and is the oldest preserved fortress in Zemun. Source: tob.rs ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Wear comfortable shoes for the steep lanes and steps up to Gardoš Hill.
Time your visit for late afternoon so you can see the view from the tower and then watch the sunset from the quay.
The Danube quay is good for cycling and walking; it is flat and long.
Bring a light jacket in the evening; it can be breezy by the river.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Zemun and Gardoš Tower: food, markets & places to stay

Old Zemun has many cafés and fish restaurants along the quay and in its central streets. New Belgrade lies immediately to the south-east, and several city bus routes link Zemun with central Belgrade. A riverside walk connects the quay with the New Belgrade waterfront.