Visiting Avala Tower from Belgrade
Facts about Avala Tower
The original was built in 1965 and was destroyed by NATO bombardment on 29th April 1999
The tower was reconstructed between 2006-2010 to a height of 205m/672ft, 3 metres taller than the original
It has a unique tripod base and is one of only a few towers in the world designed like this (CN tower in Toronto is another example)
Avala Tower is one of the top 5 tourist destinations in Belgrade
Getting to Avala from Belgrade
Getting to Avala from Belgrade is an easy 40 minute bus ride from the city out to Beli Potok, a suburb 16km south of Belgrade.
Take the 401 bus from Birčaninova (opposite the Erste Bank by Slavija Square) to Pinosava. When you arrive, you’ll see a red MojKiosk and a tourist board and map across the road marking the start of the walking trail.
You can pay for public transport on the bus app or by SMS (if you have a local SIM). Bus timetable available here.
Walking to Avala Tower
I bought a delicious chocolate cherry ice cream and a drink from the Kiosk as hiking fuel and then crossed the road. The walk followed a well-maintained hiking path and it took around 40 minutes at a steady incline to get to the tower. When you get to the top of the hill, you’ll see the car park and some stands selling things like sweets and candyfloss.
Keep walking towards the tower and you’ll get to the visitor centre which is located directly underneath it. You can purchase your tickets for the observation deck here which you’ll need if you plan on ascending the tower. There’s also a gift shop, restaurant and toilets underneath the tower too.
Avala observation deck
If you’re visiting Avala, make sure to experience the observation deck, located 122 metres up the tower. Purchase tickets at the desk underneath at the visitor centre and these will give you access to the lift which takes you straight up to the deck.
The panoramic views were stunning. On one side you can see the surrounding hills and the Memorial to the Unknown Hero, and on the other you get a view of Belgrade city in the distance (tip: use the telescope and spot St Sava Church in the distance).
Overall thoughts
I visited over Easter and the weather was in the mid to high 20s, so there were plenty of tourists about and it was fairly busy, but I’d imagine it gets a lot busier later into the Spring and into the Summer. I’d recommend making sure you have some water with you for the walk, but the kiosks at the start of the trail and by the bus stop will have all the refreshments and snacks you need too. There’s also a cafe on the way up to the observation deck, but this was closed while I was there, but I’d imagine the views would be incredible from there.
All in all, I’d say the walk is very manageable for most people, the trail is well-maintained and it’s not too steep, just bring some comfortable shoes and a bottle of water. For non-Serbian speakers, getting the bus is very easy from the city and the staff at Avala know some English, German and other languages common to tourists in the area, so you won’t feel lost.
The actual tower itself is spectacular - you might have seen reels on it on Instagram (this actually inspired me to go and visit it) and all I can say is it feels even more imposing and other-worldly in real life. Standing underneath the base of the tower gives you an insane perspective of its structure, so whether you’re into Brutalist architecture, Balkan history or just want to see something amazing in a place you haven’t been to before, I’d recommend booking your flights and doing it - you will not be disappointed!
