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Novi Sad
A relaxed Danube city with a baroque fortress, a lively old centre and wine country nearby
A relaxed Danube city with a baroque fortress, a lively old centre and wine country nearby
This vast 18th-century Habsburg fortress has ramparts, artists’ studios and a clock tower whose hands are reversed. Underground tunnels can be visited on guided tours.
Go at sunset for the view over the city.
Photo: Dekanski, CC BY-SA 4.0
The main square is framed by the neo-Gothic Name of Mary Church and the City Hall. Zmaj Jovina and Dunavska streets lead off it, lined with cafés.
Photo: Vacant0, CC BY-SA 4.0
The riverside promenade and Strand beach are popular in summer, when locals swim and sunbathe by the Danube.
Photo: Vacant0, CC BY-SA 4.0
About 12km away, this small baroque town has a grand cathedral, the Patriarchate and wine cellars known for bermet, a spiced dessert wine.
Photo: Filip Popovic, CC BY-SA 4.0
South of the city, the wooded hills of this national park hide more than a dozen Orthodox monasteries, along with vineyards and hiking trails.
Photo: Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try pljeskavica (grilled patty), štrudla s makom (poppy-seed roll), fish soup and Fruška Gora wines.
The centre has plenty of cafés and good-value restaurants.
Fast trains from Belgrade take well under an hour; buses take about 1–1.5 hours. At the time of writing, trains used Petrovaradin station while the main station remained closed after the 2024 canopy collapse, so check the timetable.
Belgrade airport is about an hour away by road.
Serbia uses the dinar (RSD). Cards are widely accepted in cities; carry cash for villages and markets.
City, fortress and wine.
Walk the centre and Freedom Square, then cross to Petrovaradin for sunset.
Visit Sremski Karlovci and a Fruška Gora monastery.
Check which station your train uses.
Try bermet in Sremski Karlovci.
The Strand beach gets busy on hot days.
Anti-government protests have been frequent in Serbian cities since late 2024. Avoid demonstrations and check current travel advice.
Quick answers for planning time in Novi Sad.
By fast train in well under an hour, or by bus in about 1–1.5 hours.
A large 18th-century fortress on the Danube with tunnels and a famous clock tower.
Yes, for its relaxed centre, fortress and nearby wine country.
Sremski Karlovci and Fruška Gora National Park.
April to June and September to October.
Planning a wider trip? Our Serbia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.