Summary
Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, is situated on the banks of the Danube River, positioned between Belgrade and Budapest, both of which have historically influenced the region. By Serbian standards, Novi Sad is relatively recent, having developed as a prominent trading hub in the 18th century across from the formidable Petrovaradin Fortress, an Austro-Hungarian stronghold. In the 1700s and 1800s, the city emerged as an unofficial center for Serbian cultural identity, although this progress was momentarily halted during the 1848 Revolution when the Hungarian garrison at the fortress inflicted significant damage to the city.
The subsequent reconstruction has preserved the city’s charm and vitality, epitomized by its devotion to arts and music as demonstrated through the EXIT Festival, one of Europe’s most substantial summer music celebrations.
Herein, we explore the top attractions in Novi Sad:
1. Petrovaradin Fortress
Strategically located by the Danube, Petrovaradin was under Ottoman control for 150 years before being reclaimed by the Habsburg Empire during the Great Turkish War.
In 1692, the Austrians initiated the construction of a formidable eastern bulwark against Ottoman advances: a Vauban-style fortress unprecedented in scale.
Much of the original structure remains intact, encompassing its distinctive ramparts, extensive catacombs, and anti-siege tunnels.
Visiting tourists can embark on a guided tour of the tunnels or explore the citadel independently, which features a history museum and exceptional dining establishments boasting breathtaking views of the Danube.
2. Petrovaradin Clock Tower
Located in a square with an impressive view of the Danube and Novi Sad, the fortress’s Baroque clock tower is situated high above one of the compound’s entrances.
Visitors may notice an anomaly with the clock face, as the long hand has been replaced with the short one, enabling fishermen below to discern the time from a distance.
The terraces provide seating for guests to enjoy the city’s landscape, and this vantage point is especially delightful during sunset.
3. Dunavska Street
Dunavska Street serves as an ideal starting point for a leisurely stroll around the city.
This boulevard runs from east to west, partially pedestrianized and flanked by elegant mansions and townhouses.
It has long been a social hub for Novi Sad residents to meet and unwind.
The structures predominantly date back to the mid-19th century, following damage sustained during the 1848 Revolution against the Austrian Empire.
The buildings, adorned in soft pastel colors, house numerous restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and shops selling snacks like popcorn and ice cream.
A number of these historic buildings on Dunavska are officially recognized as cultural monuments.
4. Trg Slobode
This square is a focal point of Novi Sad, surrounded almost entirely by historically significant architecture.
Trg Slobode, or Liberty Square, is also known as Svetozar Miletić Square, featuring a statue of the 19th-century figure at its center.
Miletić, a former mayor of Novi Sad, was a persistent opponent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The statue, cast in bronze, was hidden during the Axis occupation and only reinstated following the city’s liberation in 1944. Other notable monuments populating the square include the Neo-Renaissance town hall from 1895, the Name of Mary Church, and the opulent Hotel Vojvodina, which debuted in 1854.
5. Danube Park
Laid out in 1895, Danube Park is the city’s preferred green space, originally the venue for Novi Sad’s annual fair.
During spring and summer, this elegant park serves as a peaceful retreat, featuring a pond and a diverse array of trees, including birches, hazelnuts, willows, and a historic English oak that has earned protection.
In winter, visitors can enjoy recreational activities on the park’s ice rink.
Additionally, the park showcases Novi Sad’s cultural heritage through sculptures such as the nymph by Đorđe Jovanović and the statue of the 19th-century poet Đura Jakšić.
6. Museum of Vojvodina
This museum, housed in a stuccoed 19th-century palace located in Danube Park, chronicles 8,000 years of history within the Vojvodina Province.
The permanent exhibition is divided into two sections: the first details the region’s history from prehistoric times until the mid-1800s, while the latter examines more contemporary events and transformations.
The museum’s highlight is a remarkable set of three Roman helmets dating back to the 4th century AD, crafted from gilded silver and adorned with glass gems.
Furthermore, those intrigued by Vojvodina’s recent cultural developments will appreciate a reconstruction of a typical street scene from the early 20th century.
7. The Name of Mary Church
Standing at 72 meters, this is the tallest church in Vojvodina and is positioned in Trg Slobode (Liberty Square).
This impressive structure replaced an earlier church that was damaged during the 1848 Revolution.
Completed in just two years in 1894, it features a Neo-Gothic design typical of Roman Catholic architecture and is a product of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The exterior is highlighted by a spire adorned with glazed tiles from Hungary’s Zsolnay manufactory.
Inside, the church boasts exquisite stained glass windows crafted in Budapest, while the main altar in the apse originates from Tyrol.
8. Novi Sad Synagogue
A synagogue has stood at 11 Jevrejska (Jewish) Street since the 1700s, with the current structure being the fifth incarnation, built at the beginning of the 20th century and designed by the Hungarian Art Nouveau architect Baumhorn Lipót.
He was also responsible for the adjacent Jewish municipality and school buildings.
Before World War II, Novi Sad was home to over 4,000 Jews, a number that has since dwindled to approximately 400. Although the synagogue is an impressive sight from the street, entry requires prior arrangements.
Alternatively, attendees can experience regular concerts held within, known for their exceptional acoustics.
9. Vladičanski Dvor
Integral to any exploration of Novi Sad, the Bishop’s Palace stands among the city’s most aesthetically pleasing monuments.
This structure, reflecting the city’s heritage, was constructed in the latter half of the 19th century after the destruction of the previous palace during the 1848 Revolution. It adopts a Serbian-Byzantine architectural style, showing clear influences from the medieval monasteries found nearby in Fruška Gora.
What distinguishes this Bishop’s Palace is the fact that a current bishop resides there: Irinej Bulović, the Bishop of Bačka, considers this palace his residence, hence access is restricted to the exterior.
10. Štrand
Štrand, Novi Sad’s sandy beach along the Danube, remains accessible year-round but truly flourishes from May to September.
During this period, numerous restaurants and bars open, offering the option to rent deck chairs or sun loungers beside one of Europe’s magnificent rivers.
Adventurous visitors may opt to take a dip in the Danube, while there are many land-based activities to enjoy.
The adjacent park features a mini-golf course, playgrounds for children, and sports facilities, including a beach volleyball arena hosting international competitions.
During the EXIT festival, the beach also plays host to live music events.
11. St George’s Cathedral
This is the principal Orthodox church in Novi Sad, although its external appearance may not reveal its significance.
The architecture reflects a Baroque revival style, as the original 18th century structure was largely destroyed during the 1848 Revolution.
While the exterior remains understated, the interior is richly adorned. Visitors will be captivated by the iconostasis, which displays 33 icons and is accentuated by two grand throne icons crafted by the renowned realist artist Paja Jovanović.
The church also features breathtaking frescoes painted by Stevan Aleksić, a distinguished Serbian artist associated with the Munich school.
12. Matica Srpska Gallery
A visit to this gallery is essential for those wishing to immerse themselves in Serbian art.
Managed by Matica Srpska, Serbia’s premier cultural institution, this establishment houses what is considered the most extensive collection of Serbian art in existence.
The artworks date from the 1500s to the 1900s, encompassing a wide range of styles from modern art and sculpture to post-Byzantine icons.
With an archive exceeding 7,000 pieces, the gallery frequently hosts new temporary exhibitions every few months.
13. Fruška Gora
Within a short distance southeast of Novi Sad, the Danube’s right bank morphs into a mountainous region characterized by pastures, woodlands, and vineyards, all preserved within a national park.
This area, known as Fruška Gora, interrupts the Pannonian Basin with its elevated terrain.
Vineyard slopes flourish with Riesling and Traminer grapes, etched into history as they were once part of an ancient island in the Pannonian Sea, over 90 million years ago.
Families flock to Fruška Gora on summer days for leisurely walks, camping outings, and barbecues.
The area also boasts a list of 15 Orthodox monasteries, most from the 15th and 16th centuries, nestled within the forest, awaiting exploration.
14. Sremski Karlovci
Another picturesque town in Vojvodina, Sremski Karlovci is located just a short distance along the Danube, enveloped in vineyards.
This compact historic town can easily be explored on foot, featuring churches, halls, and palaces that survived the upheaval of 1848, each with its own intriguing history.
Visitors can sample local wines at establishments like Podrum Bajilo and the Zivanovic Wine Cellar, which also houses a bee-keeping museum.
However, Sremski Karlovci is renowned not only for its wine but also for its cultural legacy and Serbian heritage.
The town emerged as an educational hub in the late 18th century, hosting Serbia’s first Grammar School and nurturing notable cultural figures like the poet Branko Radičević. Additionally, its library contains one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Serbian literature.
15. EXIT Festival
More than a mere music event, the EXIT Festival originated at the Petrovaradin Fortress in 2000 as a protest against the government of Slobodan Milošević, who was subsequently overthrown in October of that year.
Musical offerings that began primarily with electronic music have since diversified to embrace a broad spectrum of genres, including hip-hop, folk, reggae, metal, and alternative rock.
EXIT has hosted an impressive lineup of artists, including Snoop Dogg, The White Stripes, Nick Cave, Morrissey, Patti Smith, and Massive Attack, among countless others.
This festival spans five days at the beginning of July, featuring three principal stages—one each dedicated to rock and pop, dance, and hardcore/metal music.
Numerous side events, DJ sets, and acoustic performances create opportunities for engagement throughout the city.
