When you approach Smederevo from Belgrade, you first see industry, then buildings, and only then do you realize that right next to the city there is a massive fortress that looks like someone dropped Dubrovnik onto a plain. Smederevo Fortress occupies a huge area right at the confluence of the Jezava river into the Danube, with thick ramparts, towers and water moats.
It is best seen when you get closer to the Danube, or when you stand on the embankment opposite the walls and realize how big the complex is. Inside is a combination of lawns, walls you can walk on, and remains of the old town. This is not a small “Instagram wall”, but an entire medieval capital.
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Where Smederevo Fortress is located and how to get there
Smederevo Fortress is located in the city of Smederevo itself, about 45–60 minutes’ drive from Belgrade, depending on whether you take the motorway towards Niš and then turn off for Smederevo, or take the old road along the Danube.
If you are driving from Belgrade by car, the simplest option is the E75 motorway, then the exit for Smederevo, and then through the city follow the signs for the fortress or the Danube. Parking can usually be found near the park around the walls or along the waterfront. If you go by bus, Smederevo has regular lines from Belgrade, and from the bus station to the fortress you can walk or take a short taxi ride.
A good idea is to include Smederevo Fortress as the first stop on the route to eastern Serbia: Belgrade – Smederevo – Ram – Golubac – Donji Milanovac.
Brief history: Despot Đurađ and the “new capital”
Smederevo Fortress was built by Despot Đurađ Branković in the 15th century, when he decided to move the capital of the Serbian Despotate from Belgrade to Smederevo, after Belgrade was ceded to Hungary. The location was strategically perfect: the Danube as a natural barrier, the Jezava river as additional defense, plains around for construction.
The fortress was conceived as a combination of a court complex and a military stronghold. The inner city (small city) served as a residence, while the outer part (big city) raised walls around a larger area for the population and army.
Over the centuries it was damaged several times, especially in World War II, when part of the city was destroyed in an ammunition explosion. Today, massive walls and towers are preserved and restored, giving a clear picture of the former greatness of this place.
What visiting Smederevo Fortress looks like today
Visiting Smederevo Fortress today is a combination of walking through a park and climbing the ramparts. The entrance to the complex takes you first through a large grassy area surrounded by ramparts, where people walk, cycle or have picnics. The interior is more open space than densely packed buildings, which makes it harder to imagine the former crowds, but makes a leisurely walk easier.
You can climb part of the walls, walk along guard paths and look at the Danube and the city from above. Some towers are open to visitors, giving an extra sense of verticality and an overview of the entire complex. Depending on the day, events, festivals, concerts or fairs are sometimes held in the fortress, which completely changes the atmosphere.
What is important: Smederevo Fortress is not a “five-minute attraction”. If you want to walk through the interior at a leisurely pace, climb the walls, stop a few times for photos and just sit on the grass looking at the ramparts, an hour and a half to two easily goes by.
Best views of Smederevo Fortress (inside and out)
For the full Smederevo Fortress experience you need to see it from both inside and outside.
From the inside, climbing the ramparts is a must. From the walls you have a panorama of the Danube, the city and the entire interior space of the fortress. This is where those “me on the ramparts, everything else below me” photos happen.
From the outside, the best view of the fortress you get from the Danube embankment and the approach from the side where the walls are visible right next to the water. When you stand a little further away, you see the real silhouette of a “stone ship on the Danube”. If you have a drone, this is a bonus location: the combination of water, walls and the city behind is ideal for a shot.
In the early evening, when the sun begins to set, the walls take on a warmer color, and the reflection on the water adds drama. In the morning, when there are fewer people and softer light, you get a calmer, “old-fashioned” mood.
Food, coffee and breaks around Smederevo Fortress
The advantage of Smederevo Fortress over fortresses like Ram is that you are in the middle of a city. This means you do not have to worry about whether you will have somewhere to eat or drink coffee.
Right around the fortress and in nearby streets there are several cafés and restaurants, and the center of Smederevo is a few minutes’ walk away. You can easily do a combination: first a tour of the fortress, then coffee or lunch in the city, then return to the embankment.
If you like local food, look for classic grilled options (ćevapi, pljeskavica), “home-style” dishes and possibly fish by the Danube. Prices are generally lower than in Belgrade and very affordable for a city budget.
An additional plus is the embankment along the Danube: ideal for a walk before or after the fortress, with benches and a view of the river.
Is Smederevo Fortress worth it and for whom
Smederevo Fortress is definitely worth it if:
- you are already planning a Danube or eastern route and looking for a place to stop halfway
- you like history, architecture and large spaces you can tour at your own pace
- you are looking for a day trip from Belgrade that is not a cliché like Avala tower or a shopping center
As a standalone day trip from Belgrade, Smederevo makes sense: fortress, walk along the embankment, coffee or lunch in town, possibly a short drive around the area. If you combine it with Ram and Golubac, you get your own small private “Danube fort tour”.
It will not be your favorite city if you are looking only for nightlife and shopping from a destination, but if your goal is to see a serious historical site in one day without too much effort, Smederevo Fortress is a very decent choice.
FAQ: Smederevo Fortress questions that will come to mind
Does Smederevo Fortress require a lot of walking and fitness?
Not as much as mountain fortresses. The complex is on flat terrain, most of it is level ground, and climbing the walls is via stairs that most people overcome without problems.
How much time is needed to visit Smederevo Fortress?
If you just walk through the fortress, you can finish in 30–40 minutes. If you climb the walls, take photos, sit on the grass and walk the embankment, realistically plan 1.5 to 2 hours.
Does Smederevo Fortress have parking nearby?
Yes, you can park near the fortress, around the park or along the street next to the walls. Usually you can find a spot, especially outside rush hours and major events.
Is there an entrance fee for Smederevo Fortress?
In practice, entrance to the fortress is usually charged modestly or during certain periods, while some parts of the park around the walls are open. It is best to check the latest information before departure or bring some cash and not complicate things.
Our Most Popular Tours To Sarajevo
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- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Belgrade (Most Popular)
- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Međugorije & Mostar
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