Zemun

About Zemun

The old Habsburg town on the Danube, with cobbled lanes, houses and low-rise streets around Gardoš, the riverside quay and a slower pace, twenty minutes from the centre.

The back story

Zemun was a separate town until 1934, and for almost two centuries it was not even in the same country as Belgrade. From 1717 until 1918 it was the southern frontier of the Habsburg Empire, a garrison and trading town facing Ottoman and then Serbian Belgrade across the rivers. Merchants of many nations settled here, and the town grew rich on the river trade, with Baroque churches and Central European houses that still give it its character.

Zemun today

Old Zemun feels like a small Central European river town inside the capital. Its cobbled lanes climb to Gardoš Tower, built in 1896, with one of the best views in Belgrade; Glavna, the main street, has the Madlenianum opera house, and the Danube quay below is lined with fish restaurants, floating terraces and swans.

For almost two centuries Zemun was not even in the same country as Belgrade.

Living here

Homes are houses and low-rise apartments in the old town and newer riverside apartments, generally better value than in central Belgrade. It suits families and anyone who wants river life at a slower pace, twenty minutes from the centre and close to the airport.

Zemun at a glance

Listings, fees and opening hours change, so please contact Zemun directly before you visit.