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Why Living Near Košutnjak Is the Best-Kept Secret in Belgrade
Košutnjak isn't just a park — it's 330 hectares of forest, sport, and history just minutes from Banovo Brdo. Discover why proximity to this green oasis is one of the biggest perks of living in this part of the city.
When people choose where to live in Belgrade, they usually think about proximity to the center, transport links, building quality. What they rarely consider — and what dramatically changes daily life — is access to nature. Residents of Banovo Brdo have something most Belgraders can only envy: Košutnjak is literally around the corner.
A royal forest turned urban oasis
Košutnjak takes its name from košuta (doe) — the deer that once roamed these hills freely. In the 19th century, it was a fenced hunting ground and retreat for the Obrenović dynasty, a place where royals escaped the bustle of the capital. In 1903, it was opened to the public and quickly became a beloved refuge for the people of Belgrade.
Today it spans a remarkable 330 hectares of mixed forest — oak, linden, hornbeam, and maple. Together with the neighboring Topčider park, Košutnjak is often called “Belgrade’s oxygen factory” — and that’s no exaggeration. The air here simply feels different.
More than a walk in the woods — sport for everyone
Košutnjak isn’t just for peaceful strolls (though it’s perfect for those too). The Košutnjak Sports Center is one of the largest and most diverse in the city. Here’s what awaits you:
- A 1,200-meter trim trail — a favorite among runners, from casual joggers to professional athletes
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools — the perfect escape from summer heat
- Courts and fields for football, basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, and athletics
- Over 100 km of trails for hiking and cycling through the forest
- A horseback riding school at the Divađo Equestrian Club — for children from age 3 and adults alike
Hajdučka česma and barbecues in nature
Hajdučka česma (the Hajduks’ Fountain), a natural spring at the foot of the hill, is one of Belgrade’s most famous picnic spots. It’s the traditional gathering place for the Prvomajski uranak — the city’s beloved May Day morning celebration — but every weekend you’ll find families picnicking, grilling, and enjoying the outdoors. Designated areas with tables, benches, and grills are scattered throughout.
Restaurants with character
When hunger strikes after a walk or run, you don’t have to go far. Košutnjak is home to some of the city’s most atmospheric restaurants — Filmski Grad, Milošev Konak, Rubin, Devetka. And the terrace café at the Aleksandar Ski Trail offers one of the most beautiful views in all of Belgrade.
History at every turn
Košutnjak holds serious history too. Here you’ll find the site where Prince Mihailo Obrenović was assassinated, marked by a monument. On the forest’s edge once stood Film City (Avala Film) — the heart of Yugoslav cinematography. And nearby lies Topčider Cemetery, the final resting place of writer Isidora Sekulić, humanitarian Archibald Reiss, and Duke Stevan Knićanin.
Why this matters to you
Imagine a morning where you step out of your apartment, walk ten minutes, and find yourself in the middle of a forest. You grab a coffee in the quiet, run along the trim trail, take a dip in the pool — all before most of the city has even woken up. That’s not a fantasy. That’s everyday life in Banovo Brdo.
Košutnjak isn’t just a park. It’s a way of life.