Ada Ciganlija

A river island that was turned into a peninsula and a lake in 1967 — seven kilometres of beach, twenty minutes from Republic Square.

Gravel shoreline, yellow floating bars, a cycling loop around the whole lake, volleyball courts, kayaks, rowing and a bungee jump off the bridge. In July it takes a hundred thousand people a day; in winter it is empty and perfect for running.

Why it's worth it

This is where Belgrade actually spends its summer — come on a Sunday afternoon if you want the city as it is rather than as it photographs.

Insider

The western end of the lake, behind the tennis courts, has quiet grass coves with no music — that is where people who live here go, not the ones who came for the day.

• lake swimming
• cycling loop
• summer