There are plenty of places to visit and things to do in beautiful Novi Sad, capital of Vojvodina, Serbia. Since the city is less than an hour from Belgrade, it is an easy day trip there. However, why stay such a short time? Getting to know my country’s second-largest city demands at least a couple of days.
In the 17th Century, the Habsburg Monarchy needed a military post across the Danube. Thus, it built the historic fortress of Petrovaradin on the Danube River. As you know, Serbia at the time was the border of the Ottoman Empire. Nicknamed Gibraltar on the Danube, it is still the pride and joy of Novi Sad.
Novi Sad kept growing through the centuries. That’s why the city has so many gorgeous neoclassical palaces and churches. Let us not forget first-class museums, lush green parks, and leafy streets. Today, the city is home to two universities. We’ve prepared this Novi Sad Travel Guide for you to enjoy the city to the max!
Where to Stay in Novi Sad
Novi Sad offers some of the best hotels in Serbia. We usually stay at the Grand Hotel Leopold I. The historic property is an integral part of the fortress! Thus, the epic views of the Danube River and the city. Stay here and let your mind travel in time.
If you’d rather stay in the city center, Hotel Pupin Novi Sad is your best bet. The only 5-star hotel in Novi Sad offers top-notch accommodation in a delicately restored building. Book a room with views of the main square. The hotel excels in professionalism and class.
If you prefer smaller and intimate places, we highly recommend the Arhiv Boutique House. Located just off the pedestrian area, it offers peace in the middle of all the action. It’s a chic property with personal and warm service. Book in advance because it only has 7 lovely rooms.
How to Get to Novi Sad
Novi Sad lies on the main road that connects Belgrade to Budapest. The fast train from Belgrade to Budapest is currently under construction. Fortunately, the section from Belgrade to Novi Sad is finally open. Thus, you can reach the city from the Serbian capital Belgrade in just over half an hour.
You can also take a bus from Belgrade to Novi Sad. Take note that they are cheaper but slower. However, if you are coming from Subotica you won’t be able to take the train. It’s still under construction. Therefore, take a bus from Subotica to Novi Sad. The bus station in Novi Sad is next to the train station.
From Budapest, take the train to Kecskemet in Hungary. Then hop on a bus to cross into Serbia. The border crossing is called Kelebija and is just 10 minutes from Subotica. Take the train from Kelebija to Subotica Train Station in the center. The bus station is 1,2 miles (2 km) from the train station. Thus, take an inexpensive taxi there. Finally, take the bus to Novi Sad.
Places to Visit and Things to Do in Novi Sad
People Watch on Liberty Square (Trg Slobode)
Liberty Square (Trg Slobode) is Novi Sad’s main square. Locals flock to the plaza to socialize, dance, and have a bite. The square is the central point of a large pedestrian area. Visit the plaza to admire Novi Sad’s best architecture and hang out with the locals.
The City Hall from 1895 presides over the plaza. The neo-renaissance palace is a sight to behold. Designed by renowned architect György Molnár, it looks very Hungarian. During the day you can access the building and enjoy views over the plaza. Come at dusk to see it illuminated in all of its glory.
The statue in the center of the square is by renowned sculptor Ivan Meštrović. It’s an image of Novi Sad’s Mayor Svetozar Miletić. The guy was Serbia’s most important politician in the 19th Century. He started the national movement in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Visit the Name of Mary Catholic Church
The temple on the square is the city’s largest church. Locals call it the Novi Sad Cathedral. However, Novi Sad is not a center of a catholic diocese. The Church of the Name of Mary is the tallest in the city. A golden cross crowns the 232-foot (70 meter) spire.
Originally, there was an early 18th-century church in the same place. It was demolished in 1742, and a second one was built. The second church was demolished in 1891 to make room for the current building. Once again, György Molnár was in charge of the works. The church opened in 1894.
Go inside and prepare to be dazzled. The three nave church has four altars. Many parts of the church come from faraway places. The main wooden altar is from Tyrol in Austria. The stained glass windows are from Budapest, while the roof tiles come from the Zsolnai factory in Pécs (Hungary).
Admire the Bishop’s Palace and Saint George’s Cathedral
The city’s nicest pedestrian street is Zmaj Jovina. It begins in front of the cathedral and ends some 820 feet (250 meters) away at the Bishops Palace. It’s our favorite building in Novi Sad. The grand palace has an unusual appearance and a fascinating history.
The original palace from 1741 was destroyed in 1849. Serbian architect Vladimir Nikolić designed the building we can see today in 1901. Notice the Byzantine and oriental influences on the facade. These blend perfectly with elements of Serbian medieval monasteries. Unfortunately, you can’t enter the building.
Novi Sad’s main Orthodox Church is next to the palace. Saint George’s Cathedral from 1905 was built in the place of an older church demolished in 1849. The most interesting detail of the church is the lavish iconostasis by famous Serbian painter Uroš Predić. Take note that local people visit the church to pray, so be respectful.
Once you finish visiting the palace and the Orthodox Cathedral, you’ll spot another pedestrian street on your left. This is Dunavska Street, the most loved street in Novi Sad. The oldest street in town takes you to Dunavski Park and the Danube River (thus the name).
The street was laid down in the first years of the 18th century as the main connection between the city and the river. It was almost completely destroyed in 1849 during the bombardment. Luckily, wealthy merchants built their palaces along the street. You can still see them today.
Dunavska is the lifeline of Novi Sad’s city center. It’s especially lively in the pedestrian part between the Bishop’s Palace and Dunavski Park. Shops, restaurants, banks, museums, and libraries dot this charming street. You are going to love the interior courtyards. Some of the best cafés and restaurants in town are here.
Danube Park or Dunavski Park is the nicest park in downtown Novi Sad. It is one of the few parks in Serbia with a lake in the middle. The area where the park is was a bog before, and the only remnant of those times is the lake. Today ducks and turtles call it home.
The park was built in 1895 as an extension of Dunavska Street. It soon became the city’s place to see and be seen. The buildings overlooking the park are some of the best in the city. Take a look at the Museum of Novi Sad, the Museum of Vojvodina, the Archive of Vojvodina, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and the Youth Theater.
Local people flock to the park’s white pavilion. It’s used for concerts, exhibitions, and literary events. Newlyweds visit to take photos. There are benches, fountains, and a lot of statues. Search for the statutes of Serbian writers Djura Jakšić, Branko Radičević, and Miroslav Antić.
Learn History in a Local Museum
Novi Sad is home to some of the best museums in Serbia. Many are in front of Dunavski Park. The most impressive collection is the one at the Museum of Vojvodina. It hosts more than 400 000 artifacts from Prehistoric Times to the 19th Century.
You have to visit Gallery Square (Trg Galerija). The Gallery of Matica Srpska, the Pavlo Beljanski Memorial Collection, and the Gallery of Fine Arts Rajko Mamuzić are here. Each museum is worth your time. The Gallery of Matica Srpska homes the best Serbian art from the 16th to 21st Centuries.
As you probably know, Novi Sad is the European Capital of Culture this 2022. It is the first Serbian city and the second outside the EU to bear such a title. Every museum and gallery in Novi Sad will host cultural events. You can check the official program here.
Visit a Modern Palace
Not everything is classical in Novi Sad. The Banovina Complex from 1939 is one of the best examples of early modern architecture in the country. It used to be the seat of the regional administration. Today, it’s the seat of Vojvodina’s government and the parliament.
The compound has two separate buildings. The long one on Mihajla Pupina Boulevard houses the provincial government. You’ll recognize it from its round corner on the west and the tall tower on the east. The Banski Dvori building behind is much smaller. It hosts the parliament.
Renowned Serbian architect Dragiša Brašovan designed the Banovina building. The beauty of this building lies in its simplicity and sharp contrasts. Notice the long main volume and the thin and tall tower. The repetition of all windows accentuates this contrast. Novi Sad has some of the best architecture in the country!
Have Coffee in a Bookstore Café
Novi Sad is heaven for coffee lovers. Charming cafés of every shape and size populate the city’s center. We love the ones on the square behind the Name of Mary Church and adjacent streets Laze Telečkog and Mite Ružića. Close to Novi Sad’s main square, there’s a café inside an old tram (Trčika).
Most of the cafés around the pedestrian area are pretty good. However, our favorite place in all of Novi Sad is on a side street. You are going to love the atmosphere, coffee, and food at Nublu Café in Žarka Zrenjanina Street. Go in the afternoon to mingle with the after-work crowd.
Nublu offers three in one: café, gallery, and bookstore. Apart from having coffee in its colorful interior or leafy garden, you can buy a book or a piece of art. In summer, they organize concerts in the garden. In winter, they stage thematic nights, including karaoke singing.
Greet the Newlyweds at the Newlyweds Square
Once done with visiting Novi Sad’s main tourist attractions, you have to enjoy its atmosphere. Social life in the city revolves around its beautiful squares. Everyone goes to Liberty Square and Gallery Square. However, the most authentic one is Newlyweds Square (Trg Mladenaca). The vibe here is relaxed and joyful.
The small triangular square had several names throughout its history. Initially, it was called Flour Square because of the nearby wheat market. Then it was Elizabeth’s Square after the queen of Serbia, Wilson’s Square after the American president, and Lenin’s Square after the Russian one. We think Newlywed Square is a much better name.
The square is famous because of the registry office on its southern end. Locals come here to confirm their marriage vows. Newlyweds take photos in front of the surrounding palaces or the Wishing fountain and Wishing arch. You will see elaborate wedding dresses and happy people all around.
Search for Cool Graffiti and Murals
Though Novi Sad is not a street art Mecca like Belgrade, it features very nice graffiti and murals. In fact, just off Newlyweds Square, there is a great graffiti dedicated to Serbia’s performance diva Marina Abramović. It’s on the left side of a corner building. The right side serves as the canvas for graffiti that come and go.
Artists from all over the world painted graffiti in Novi Sad. The most iconic, the Only Truth, was whitewashed soon after its completion. French artist Remed painted a black monster playing with two human puppets. The humans were able to cut their strings, freeing themselves from the terror. No wonder the authorities erased it!
Everyone in the city was shocked by such an act against art. Therefore, they painted a penis on the same façade. Besides, established artists, including Remed himself, painted other large murals in protest. Look for Artez’s Keep Growing mural in the Grbavica neighborhood and Remed’s Seed in front of Futoški Park.
Listen to a Concert in a Synagogue
Novi Sad’s Synagogue is one of the nicest in Serbia. Before World War II, this was the main temple of worship for the more than 4000 Jews that lived in the city. Since most surviving Jews fled to Israel after the war, the temple closed for religious services.
The synagogue we can see today is the fifth to occupy the same spot. It was a large compound with a school and administrative offices on both sides. It’s by Lipót Baumhorn, the most important Hungarian synagogue architect of the 20th Century. Completed in 1909, it was the pride and joy of the Jewish community.
The synagogue is so beautiful that the government decided to protect it. With a seating capacity of 900 people, it is one of the largest synagogues in Europe. Since the acoustics inside is so good, it hosts concerts. Be sure to ask at your hotel what’s going on at the Synagogue during your visit.
Stroll along the Danube
If you crave some nature, walk along the Danube. With a length of 1770 miles (2850 km), the Danube is Europe’s second-longest river after the Volga. The magical river is stunning and provides peace in the city.
The Danube divides the city into flat Novi Sad and the Petrovaradin fortress on the hill. Due to its width, there were no permanent bridges connecting the two banks until 1883, when the first railway bridge was built. Two more followed. The ones we can see today are reconstructions of the old ones destroyed by NATO in 1999.
Start your walk by Varadinski Bridge. Continue south until you see the memorial honoring the people murdered during World War II. Keep walking south to the Novi Sad University Campus. Walk even further to the city’s public beach, Štrand. Take your bathing suit and a towel in summer to enjoy a swim in the river.
Roam the Streets of Gradić
Novi Sad has two old towns. Cross the river to reach Petrovaradin Fortress and parks. The tiny historic center is beneath the fortress. Locals call it Gradić (little town). The area is so pretty that you will travel in time to 18th Century Habsburg Monarchy.
Originally Croatians lived in the area, including national hero Josip Jelačić. Search for his house. As you will notice, the buildings are in great shape. The city had to refurbish the area to become the European Capital of Culture. The leafy neighborhood comes to life during the EXIT Music Festival held in the gardens every summer.
Three buildings stand out for their unique architecture. Baroque Belgrade Gate is one of the gates to the fortress. The Monastery of Saint George from 1714 is the oldest church in Petrovaradin. On the other hand, the Church of Saint Apostle Paul is from the early 20th Century.
Explore the Magnificent Petrovaradin Fortress
You have to spend time in Petrovaradin Fortress, the most famous landmark in Novi Sad and northern Serbia. The fortress crowns a hill overlooking the Danube. As you can imagine, people have lived in the area since the Paleolithic. However, the Romans built the first important fortification.
The fortress changed hands throughout its history. After being part of the Ottoman Empire for 150 years, Austria captured it in 1687. They started building a modern fortress in 1692 only to finish in 1780. Today, the fortress has a large park with hotels, restaurants, cafes, and a museum.
The most iconic building in the fortress is the Drunk Clock. Its big and small hands are reversed. The clock is late when it’s cold and in a hurry when it’s hot. Ludwig’s Gate, Molinari’s Gate, and Leopold’s Gate are three perfectly preserved baroque gates. Explore the tunnels within the fortress.
Go on a Day Trip to Sremski Karlovci and Fruška Gora
If you have an extra day or two, go to Sremski Karlovci, arguably Serbia’s nicest town. The town is only 5 miles (8 km) from Novi Sad’s center. It’s very easy to go by public transport. That way, you reduce your ecological footprint and mingle with the locals.
The cute little town was the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church during the Habsburg Monarchy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, it has a special place in the nation’s heart. Historic buildings line its streets. Search for Karlovci Gymnasium, Serbia’s oldest secondary school. If you get hungry, choose your favorite restaurant and enjoy delicious local food.
If you have extra time, go to Fruška Gora National Park. Serbia’s oldest national park booms with wildlife and culture. You’ve got sixteen Serbian Orthodox Monasteries from the 16th and 17th Centuries to visit. Wine lovers will be happy to know that the vineyards on the slopes of Fruška Gora Mountain produce the best wine in the country.
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