COUNTRY: SERBIA
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE: DIANA, IRON GATE
With its beautiful nature and remarkable ancient heritage, Kladovo is one of the most interesting destinations in Serbia. A mesmerizing pearl on the Danube river is the majestic Iron Gate Gorge, where the Danube, at one kilometer, is at its widest and deepest. Among the most significant archaeological wonders of the area include the well preserved Roman fortification of Diana, the famous memorial plaque Tabula Traiana (Trajan’s Plaque) and remains of one of the most remarkable ancient construction works, Trajan’s Bridge.
About Destination
Kladovo is a town and municipality located in the Bor District of eastern Serbia. It is situated on the right bank of the Danube river. In the city visitors can walk through the pedestrian street or the along Danube riverbank. There are many restaurants in the city with good specialities, especially the river fish.
The Iron Gates is an area located in the middle of the Danube course, where the river separates the Carpathian Mountains on the Romanian side, and the Balkan Mountains on the Serbian side of the river. The river carved its passage through the mountains, forming the largest gorge in Europe and, at the same time, one of the most scenic parts of the Danube landscape. It is a destination with spectacular landscapes, a diversity of flora and fauna, and a large number of cultural and historical sites dating back from the Neolithic period, the Roman Empire and medieval times. The area, which spreads 100 km along the Danube course, is under protection, as The National Park Djerdap.
There are three gorges within the Park. Golubac gorge is 14.5 km long and only 230 m wide at its narrowest point. The second gorge, Gospodjin Vir, is 15 km long, 220 m wide and 500 m high at some points. The third, Veliki i Mali kazan, is the most famous gorge on the whole route. The river here narrows to only 150 m and reaches a depth of up to 80 m, which is one of the largest river depths in the world. At the top of the first gorge, there is the medieval fortress of Golubac, 120 km from Kladovo. Lepenski vir, one of the most important archaeological sites in South-eastern Europe, was excavated in the 1960s, in the area of Gospodjin Vir, providing evidence that the banks of the Danube were inhabited in the Neolithic era.
Where to sleep and eat
Hotel Aquastar Kladovo ****
Hotel Akva Star is a real pearl on the banks of the Danube, located right next to the city beach and a few minutes from the city centre. Comfortable and well-equipped rooms will give you the opportunity to have a good rest and enjoy a great view of the Danube. In addition to single and double rooms, the hotel has 6 studio apartments and 3 luxury apartments. During the day, you can enjoy the Wellness and SPA centre, which includes an indoor and outdoor pool, saunas, a steam bath, massage chairs and a gym. The hotel also has a conference hall and is suitable for organising a variety of events including team building. As for the gastronomic offer, the hotel has the restaurant “Imperator” where traditional meat dishes and a wide selection of dishes for vegetarians are served. In the fish restaurant “Terasa” (Terrace) you can enjoy the most beautiful tastes and smells of the highest quality sea and river fish. The hotel organises numerous tours of the Iron Gate region by boat and bus to a variety of natural and cultural attractions.
Hotel Đerdap ***
With a tradition of more than 40 years of business, the Hotel Đerdap is located right on the banks of the Danube in the quiet centre of the city. The hotel has 138 rooms and 6 suites. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout this three-star rated hotel. The conference hall with 70 seats is ideal for presentations, workshops or meetings. There is also a banquet hall with a capacity of 250 seats, which also meets all the requirements for holding conferences and seminars, as well as a wide variety of celebrations. The “Golden Hall” restaurant can accommodate 450 diners and offers excellent grilled specialties as well as refreshing salads. Parking in front of the hotel is free. The restaurant boat that takes you on sailing tours throughout Iron Gate region is stationed at the pier in front of the hotel’s panoramic terrace. The hotel’s panoramic terrace offers a view of neighbouring Romania and unforgettable sunsets over the most attractive gorge in Europe.
Villa Promaja
For lovers of adventure, ecology and nature, we recommend the accommodation in the Villa Promaja. This log cabin is built from natural materials and is located 22 km from Kladovo. For the last five kilometres of the off-road approach to the villa, the hosts offer visitors free use of a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Villa Promaja can accommodate up to 6 guests. There are two French beds in the gallery, while there is a corner sofa in the living room. During your stay you can relax in the jacuzzi, which is heated by wood from the forest. In addition to the attractive appearance and the comfort it provides, the log cabin has a large covered terrace with a barbecue, from where there is a breathtaking view of Mali Štrbac. Nature lovers will enjoy walking along the well-maintained, 5-kilometre-long footpath, starting in the vicinity of the cabin. In addition to air conditioning, the villa is equipped with a fully functional fireplace that gives a special atmosphere during colder periods.
Elite Restaurant
The Elite Restaurant is a combination of modern and traditional cuisine, a place that will satisfy the taste of lovers of the most refined gastronomy. The restaurant’s offer includes specialties of Italian, Greek, Mexican and Serbian cuisine, together with a large number of desserts and wines from all over Serbia. The restaurant is located in the centre of the city, and has a capacity of 100 guests. It is an ideal place for a holiday meal, and the friendly staff will ensure you enjoy the top quality food.
HOW TO REACH KLADOVO
The main and largest airport is located in Belgrade (https://beg.aero/eng) (246 km), and the closest is in Niš (http://nis-airport.com/en/) (209 km)
From Belgrade and Niš to Kladovo Central Bus Station, address: Ive Lole Ribara bb. There is a bike-friendly bus route from Belgrade to the Iron Gate region, operated by the Arriva bus company.
From Belgrade via Golubac and Donji Milanovac on Route 34 (246 km), or via Zaječar A1/E 75 (107 km), or from Bucharest via Drobeta Turnu Severin DN6/E70 then E771/R35 (372 km) or Sofia E771 (298 km)
TOURIST INFO
E-mail: info@tookladovo.rs
Address: Kladovo Municipality Tourist Organization, Dunavska 16a, Kladovo, 19320
