Novi Sad, the city with six official languages, offers a fantastic short break, from the impressive fortress that hosts the renowned EXIT music festival to the beautiful vineyards in the surrounding area. Novi Sad is currently the second largest cultural centre in Serbia, following Belgrade. Here’s how to make the most of your visit!
Start Your Journey at the City Center
The heart of the Novi Sad area, including Liberty Square (Trg slobode), Zmaj Jovina Street, Dunavska Street, and the surrounding streets, serves as a fascinating showcase of architectural diversity. This vibrant collage features a mix of styles and creative visions from both local and international architects, captivating all who visit this city center.
City Hall
The town hall, built in the 19th century and designed by György Molnár, is a stunning example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. Its impressive facade is adorned with allegorical figures created by Julije Anika, which contribute to its reputation as one of the most beautiful buildings in the center of Novi Sad, at Trg slobode.
Novi Sad Synagogue
The synagogue, along with the buildings of the former Jewish School and the Jewish Community, forms a cohesive unit that was constructed in the early 20th century. This remarkable structure showcases the rich design of Hungarian Art Nouveau and was created by the architect Lipot Baumhorn. The Novi Sad Synagogue hosts many cultural events.
Zmaj Jovina street
The street in question is the main thoroughfare of the pedestrian zone, running from the Mary Church all the way to Vladičanski Dvor. Throughout its history, this street has been home to a variety of shops. Notably, the oldest building, located at number 28, is known as “Kod belog lava” (At the White Lion) and dates back to the early 18th century.
The Republic Square
The statue of King Petar I Karađorđević is a prominent feature in the Republic Square. “Riblja pijaca” (Fish Market) is an open-air market in the city center where you can buy cheap clothes, local fresh produce, and some groceries imported from Hungary.
In addition, the Fish Market is more than just a place to shop; it’s a vibrant community spot where you can savor traditional dishes, explore handmade crafts, and sample local wines and honey. Throughout the year, it comes alive with various events that celebrate food and wine, making it a central hub of culture and activity.
Dunavska (Danube) Street
One of the oldest streets in the pedestrian area links the banks of the Danube with Zmaj Jovina Street. It starts near the city’s oldest house, known as “Kuća kod belog lava” (House at the White Lion), right next to the City Library. Dunavska Street is dotted with numerous passages that lead to a variety of shops, souvenir stores, pastry shops, and cozy restaurants.
Collection of Foreign Art
The legacy of Dr. Branko Ilić includes a collection of works by artists from France, Germany, Italy, and Austria, spanning from the 16th to the 20th century. It also features elegant furniture and decorative art objects.
The Name of Mary Church
Constructed in the neo-Gothic style based on György Molnár’s design from 1893 to 1895, the Mary Church building features a 73-meter-tall tower, making it the city’s tallest place of worship.
In Novi Sad, also visit:
- Svetozar Miletić Monument
- Serbian National Theatre
- Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George – Congregational church
- Matica srpska
- Serbian Orthodox Church of Relocation of the Relics of St. Nicholas
- Dunavski (Danube) Park
- Museum of Vojvodina
- The Museum of the Unification 1918
- Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina
- Youth Theatre
- Gallery of Matica Srpska
- Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection
- Fine Art Gallery – Endowment Collection of Rajko Mamuzić
See what a relaxed walk through the city center looks like in the video above.
Discover the Surrounding Vineyards and National Parks
One of the best things about being in Novi Sad is the chance to explore the stunning landscapes just south of the Danube, particularly the slopes of Fruška Gora mountain. This area is a tapestry of vineyards that connect small communities, where wine and food are truly at the heart of life.
A great starting point is the charming town of Sremski Karlovci, which serves as the gateway to the national park. Explore the local wineries and meet the dedicated winemakers who bring their passion to life. As you hike or bike along the scenic trails that meander through the forest, take a moment to visit one of the historic monasteries constructed between the 15th and 18th centuries. It’s an experience that’s truly enchanting.
Popular places to spend a few hours
Mid-eval fortress
The Petrovaradin Fortress, one of Europe’s most beautiful and best-preserved fortresses, is an unmissable destination for all visitors to Novi Sad. From its walls, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramas, especially at sunset. This sight will surely delight you and leave you breathless. Petrovaradin Fortress also offers exciting nightlife. The bars and cafes on the fort provide the perfect place to relax with a cocktail or beer while enjoying spectacular city and river views.
During the summer, the fortress hosts various events, concerts, and festivals, including the famous EXIT festival, which attracts visitors worldwide.
If you have an adventurous and fearless spirit, join us for the “Catacombs—an Underground Tour of the Fortress.” During this tour, you will dive deep into the depths of Petrovaradin Fortress. Explore the mysteries hidden within the labyrinth of corridors that stretch over thirty kilometers and discover if a secret passage lies beneath the Danube—one of the fortress’s and the city’s biggest enigmas.
Relax on the beach in Novi Sad
Strand is the most popular city beach, and it was arranged and opened for visitors as early as 1911. Today, it is a small town that stretches along 700 m of sandy beach. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Danube is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for a pleasant and meaningful stay for visitors. Numerous cafes and restaurants are located here, along with playgrounds and courts for sports like beach volleyball and basketball.
Food, drink, and nightlife in Novi Sad
Food
The city offers a variety of food, from unhealthy, cheap food to high-quality local cuisine. Raspberries, local cheeses, and charcuterie are widely available, along with hearty dishes such as burek (a filo pastry filled with spinach and cheese), ćevapi (grilled meat served in flatbread with sour cream), and the indulgent Index Sandwich (a roll filled with melted cheese, ham, mushrooms, and lashings of sauce), which originated in Novi Sad. There is a lot of cheap food (pizza, hamburgers, pancakes, etc.) around Bulevar Oslobođenja, which is connected to the main bus and train station.
Cafes and restaurants
Novi Sad attracts visitors with its baroque buildings, charming streets, pleasant atmosphere, and numerous cultural events and music concerts. Many cafes in the city combine modern design with tradition, so every corner offers a different experience. Below is a list of the most beautiful cafes in Novi Sad, which offer good coffee, a pleasant atmosphere, and the authentic spirit of Novi Sad.
- Kafeterija
- Puberaj
- Teatar bar
- Absolut Cafe
- Masha
- Cafe Veliki
- Trcika
- Kombinat
- Petrus
- Pogon
- Corso
- Loft
Nightlife in Novi Sad: a city that never sleeps
Novi Sad is famous for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment options, available every day of the week to cater to all kinds of tastes. There are cafes, clubs, pubs, discotheques, gardens, and terraces where you can hear tambourists from Vojvodina, local rock and pop bands, DJs, and punk and metal music for fans of a harder sound.
To begin with, start your experience by exploring the cafes and beer halls of Novi Sad. A popular choice is “Brauhaus,” a microbrewery that serves craft beers and hosts lively parties. Moreover, if you’re looking for a unique experience, check out “PUBeraj,” a pub that doubles as a barber shop. Kick back and enjoy a beer while you wait for your haircut! The “Gusan” and the “Irish pub” have a long tradition of serving excellent beers, where you can try amazing food. Enjoying quality music and good beer is provided by “Gradska pivnica”. Finally, the next stop is Laza Telečki Street, known as the Party Street in Novi Sad.
You can also find a good time at the Petrovaradin Fortress; additionally, the city’s crew gathers in the clubs, where people who know what a good time and quality music mean come together. The musical styles offered there include RnB, House, Deep, and Pop. Furthermore, the clubs provide a fantastic experience, with a great atmosphere, vibrant energy, and good music, all of which contribute to an unforgettable night out for their guests.
You can enjoy tambura music in the center of the city at “Lazina Salaš,” “Konoba Orkus,” “Sokačet,” and “Plava Frajla,” located on the banks of the Danube, on farms, and at the Petrovaradin Fortress. If you’re into punk, rock, and metal music, you won’t want to miss the live concerts happening in the Creative District near Limanski Park. Also, an unmissable party spot is Fisherman’s Island, where you can enjoy the rafts “Crystal,” “Jolly Roger,” and “Two Seagulls,” as well as in the “Discount Bar,” which lasts until morning.
Planning an excellent trip to Novi Sad
Novi Sad is less than an hour’s drive from Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, the increasingly popular regional hub. There are multiple transfer options: bus, shuttle, taxi, and train. In town, there are plenty of lodging possibilities, from classic hotels to Airbnb. The huge rooms at Hotel Veliki , around the corner from happening Zmaj Jovina street, are a great central option.
Novi Sad has a range of accommodation options with a total of 28 hotels that span different categories, from 5-star luxury to more budget-friendly 1-star options. Most of these hotels are conveniently located in the city center, while others are just a short distance away, making it easy for visitors to access the main attractions.
The most popular hotels in Novi Sad:
- Hotel Prezident 5*
- Hotel Pupin 5*
- Hotel Aleksandar 4*
- Hotel Ami 4*
- Hotel Centar 4*
- Hotel Dash 4*
- Hotel Element 4*
Taxi:
- Pan taxi 455 555
- Maxi Novosađani 451 111
- Vojvođani 522 333
- Grand taxi, Dobro jutro taxi 443 100, 500 000
- Autodata, SOS taxi, Dežurni taxi, SOS plus taxi 450 400, 455 666, 500 650
- VIP taxi 444 000
- Delta NS plus taxi 55 3333
- Crveni taxi 44 55 77
- Red taxi 52 51 50