Thanks to the rising popularity of the Balkans, more people are traveling to Serbia and experiencing the county’s unique culture and attractions.
Although most travelers typically stick to Belgrade on their first trip to Serbia, there’s another city that definitely deserves your attention: Novi Sad!
This historical yet lively city is the ultimate blend of culture and cool. Thanks to its status as a university town, Novi Sad is one of those laid back towns where you just want to stroll around or sit and people watch in a cafe.
Oh, did I mention there’s also a beach, fortress, and one of Europe’s most popular festivals? That’s Novi Sad for ya. 
With so many amazing things to do in Novi Sad, it’s the perfect choice if you want to escape the busy crowds of Belgrade to chill and recharge your batteries.
In fact, it’s no wonder why the city earned the nickname ‘the Serbian Athens.’
Despite being the second-largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad was known the capital of culture in the 19th century among locals, which is a title that i t still boasts to this day…
…Because Novi Sad was chosen to be the European Capital of Culture in 2022! No doubt, being the host of such an important title is sure to skyrocket Novi Sad’s popularity and show the world how fantastic it really is.
If you’re planning to travel to Novi Sad soon, be sure to bookmark this Novi Sad travel guide. It’ll help you with logistics, how to get there, as well as what to do, where to stay in Novi Sad, where to eat, and so much more!
HOW TO GET TO NOVI SAD
The easiest way to get to Novi Sad is by bus, train, or car.
Although the city doesn’t have an airport yet (it’s in the works!), there are plenty of connections to major international cities as well as other Serbian destinations.
FROM SUBOTICA: If you started your trip to Serbia from the north (i.e. entering from Hungary), you can easily make your way from Subotica to Novi Sad. There are plenty of daily departures for both buses (about 2 hrs) and trains (about 2.5 hrs).
FROM BELGRADE: Getting from the capital to Serbia’s second-biggest city is a breeze: there are hourly departures for buses and trains, with tickets costing around $3 to $5 USD. There are 3 ‘express’ trains and 3 regular trains that travel between the two cities every day.
Likewise, you might also consider taking a day trip tour, especially if you only have one day or prefer to have someone else handle the logistics. The most popular is this Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci Full-Day Tour.
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INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS:
FROM SARAJEVO (BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA) : If you’re traveling from Serbia’s western neighbor, you can expect to spend around $25 USD and about 9 hours on a bus from Sarajevo to Novi Sad.
FROM BUDAPEST (HUNGARY): Planning a trip from Hungary to Serbia? One of the best ways is to travel via train from Budapest to Subotica (one of the most charming towns in Serbia!) then make your way down to Novi Sad. Otherwise, it’s a 3 hour drive via car or a 5 hour bus ride.
Other popular bus connections to Novi Sad include Sofia (Bulgaria), Zagreb (Croatia), Budva and Herceg Novi (Montenegro).
HOW TO GET AROUND NOVI SAD
Although Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia, it’s surprisingly compact and walkable!
The majority of tourist attractions are scattered around the center, which means you can easily walk from point A to point B.
Looking to get around quickly? Novi Sad is known as the bicycle capital of Serbia, and for around $1.50 USD, you can rent a bike for the entire day! Check out NS BIKE, which has more than 15 stations around the city.
For places that are a little further, the city has an excellent bus and taxi system as well.
WHAT TO DO IN NOVI SAD
Soak in the Atmosphere Along Kralja Aleksandra Street
Once known as Main Street, Kralja Aleksandra Street is the central-most part of the city and is filled with beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and granoise buildings like the Roman Catholic Church, Menrat’s Palace, and the City Hall.
After passing Trg Slobode (Freedom Square), the street turns into Zmaj Jovina, where you can find dozens of cafes, restaurants, and local boutique stores.
If one of the houses catches your attention, you can check out Novi Sad’s official website — they have some interesting background information on almost every building, including who lived there, when it was made, and other historical details. For example, here are the houses on Zmaj Jovina street. :)
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Learn More About the City at a Local Museum
One of my favorite ways to get to know a city better is to check out the museums, and thankfully Novi Sad has a lot to offer.
Start off with the Muzej Vojvodine, which offers an incredible look at the region throughout the years. I was surprised at how interesting the Vojvodina province is, especially their traditional costumes (the exhibit is worth the ticket price alone!).
For something a little more local, the City Museum has a great overview of Novi Sad and is a nice stop while at Petrovaradin Fortress.
Finally, since most people associate Novi Sad with art and culture, you can’t go wrong with the exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
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Go Hunting For Murals & Street Art
Although it feels like Serbia loves its murals and street art, Novi Sad has a special honor: it has the largest mural in the country!
On the corner of Gagarin street and Petra I Boulevard is a huge mural that pays homage to Petar I Кarađorđević, who was the last king of Serbia.
However, that’s not the end of it: all across the city you can find colorful murals and street art — just be sure to keep an eye out! My personal favorite are Aleksandar Buncic’s murals because they have a special meaning. Every year for his daughter’s birthday gift, Aleks creates a new mural that includes her name (Sonja) and cute characters. :)
To help you out, there’s even an Instagram account that has a collection of local street art, including the location where to find it.
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Chill Out at Štrand
Where do locals like to go during summer? To Štrand, of course!
This 1 kilometer stretch of sandy beach is found in the southeast part of Novi Sad and features everything you need for a day under the sun, including cafes and restaurants, a beach volleyball court, kid’s playground, and outdoor showers.
If you want to relax and recharge, take the day off and chill at Štrand, which also offers a lovely view of the Liberty Bridge.
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Stroll Along Kamenički Park
If you prefer something in nature, then Kamenički Park is calling your name.
Located just across the Štrand on the other side of the Danube, Kamenički Park is the largest park in Novi Sad.
Kamenički was originally built as a gift by Count Guido Karaconji for his wife, Countess Mary Marcibanji, for her to enjoy while relaxing at their castle (check out the Dvorac Marcibanji-Karačonji, which is right next to the par, if you have some free time).
It features a huge green area as well as a few other interesting spots, including a ‘bug hotel’ (aptly named Hotel Bugsy ), a bunker, and old oak trees.
However, the most interesting attraction are the “Five Heads,” which are five tall columns with busts of Roman soldiers at the top — although many think that they’re actually members of the Karačonji family! The pillars have been painted over with colorful designs and make for a great spot to take a photo. :)
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Explore the Tunnels at Petrovaradin Fortress
Would you believe that one of the most popular tourist attractions in Novi Sad is actually right outside of the city? 
The Danube River splits Petrovaradin Fortress from the city center, although you can easily reach the other side by taking a short stroll on the Varadin Bridge.
While there was always some type of fortress found in this area, the Petrovaradin Fortress that’s seen today was built around the 18th century as a type of fortification.
Although you can explore the ground of the fortress with ease, the actual fun happens below: the Petrovaradin Fortress is built atop of 16 kilometers (10 mi) of tunnels that were used to host additional army personnel, as well as for strategic and defensive purposes.
Although only one or two kilometers are open to the public at the moment, it makes for a fun and informative tour of Novi Sad’s past. To sign up for a guided tour, check out the ticket booth for more details.
If you’re visiting during the summer, don’t miss the EXIT festival that takes place at the fortress!
Fun fact: The clock of the Petrovaradin Fortress is one of the symbols of Novi Sad. However, did you know that the hands on the clock tower are reversed? The small hand shows the minutes, while the big hand shows hours. This was done intentionally, so that fishermen who went out on the Danube could see the time, even from a distance!
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Party All Night at the EXIT Festival
Of course, I can’t finish this section without talking about the Exit festival, which is one of the things that made Novi Sad popular!
As mentioned above, the festival takes place on the second Thursday of July at Petrovaradin Fortress and runs for 4 days. EXIT started as a small event in 2000, but over the years it has grown to be one of the most popular music festivals in Europe!
The festival is an eclectic mix of techno, rock, dance, hip hop, and other genres. As EXIT grew, so did its headliners — in fact, popular artists like David Guetta, DJ Snake, Tyga, The Cure, Grace Jones, and Martin Garrix were recent guests at the festival.
WHERE TO STAY IN NOVI SAD
ACCOMMODATIONS IN NOVI SAD
NOVI SAD HOTELS
Hotel Pupin Novi Sad — No doubt about it, Hotel Pupin is one of the best hotels in Novi Sad.
Besides its 9.5 rating on Booking, the hotel is famous for its ultra chic and modern rooms, friendly staff, and affordable luxury. However, what really makes it stand out are the amazing views of the entire city from your room!
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com
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Boutique Macchiato House — With just 8 rooms, this cute boutique hotel lives up to its name! Macchiato House is decorated in a quaint aristocratic European style and features complimentary breakfast, free parking, and a convenient location right next to the center.
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
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NOVI SAD APARTMENTS
Smile apARTment — The name doesn’t lie: this cute teal and yellow apartment is sure to make you smile. :)
Besides its budget-friendly price and cheerful design, Smile also has a terrace where you can chill after a long day of exploring Novi Sad and a complimentary breakfast at the owner’s pizza restaurant!
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
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Republic Square Apartment — Beautiful modern interior? Check. Perfectly located in the center of Novi Sad? Check. Nearly 10-star rating on Booking? Check!
This apartment has everything you need, including a washing machine, fully stocked kitchen, and parking nearby.
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
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Modern Naive Downtown — Located just minutes outside of the city center, Modern Naive apartment offers peace and quiet while still being steps away from all of the main attractions in Novi Sad. Best of all, the apartment is located in a new building with a free parking garage nearby and a grocery store on the first floor.
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
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Magic Apartment — Last but certainly not least is this apartment, who will certainly work its magic on you!
Magic is a huge 110 m2 (360 ft2) apartment that has 3 bedrooms and can host up to 6 guests. If you take the nightly rate and split it among 6 people, that’s only $20/guest per night! Magic Apartment is also located within walking distance to the center and has one of the friendliest hosts in Novi Sad.
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
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NOVI SAD HOSTELS
Hostel Sova — To be honest, this hostel is so modern and well-decorated that it could pass off as a boutique hotel! Hostel Sova offers both shared rooms for up to 10 people as well as private rooms and family rooms.
WHERE TO BOOK: Booking.com | Agoda
See all 1,300+ accommodations in Novi Sad here
WHERE TO EAT IN NOVI SAD
⭐️ Tri Petice — If you could only go to one restaurant in Novi Sad, let it be this one! Tri Petice is a mix of fusion food and haute kitchen but without the $$$ price tag.
The restaurant says it best: “We serve flavors that carry the charm of France, the exoticism of Asia, the audacity of Serbia… and that is not the end of our gastronomic journey!”
When I went there, I tried some of the best ramen in my life (and that’s saying something, since I’ve been to Japan! ), some divine chicken nuggets, and a Serbian dessert to top it all off. Best of all, the menu changes constantly, so you can come here time after time and try something new.
One last note: the interior decor is gorgeous and really adds to the atmosphere!
🍽 Kombinat — If you have no idea what you want to eat, Kombinat will be happy to jog your taste buds. ;)
Tucked off to the side of Freedom Square is this lively restaurant, which features a mix of Mexican, Serbian, and European dishes that will feed you from breakfast to dinner.
Don’t miss the black latte, which is exactly what it sounds like: a carbon-colored cup of coffee!
🍽 Restaurant Sokace — For something a little more Serbian, Sokace has you covered. This restaurant is always packed with locals, especially during the evening when the live band starts to play.
🍽 Project 72 Creative Local Cuisine — If you’re bored with regular food, why not kick it up a notch with this fine dining spot?
If Project 72 had to be described in 3 words, it would be modern Serbian food. The restaurant takes traditional local dishes and reimagines them in a completely new light. Best of all, Project 72 partners with local farmers and co-ops, so the ingredients are always fresh and from the region. :)
🍽 Lazin Salaš — Situated on a quiet side street but just a few steps from the central square is this cute traditional restaurant. When you walk in, it feels as if you’re visiting your colorful Serbian grandma in the countryside — the decor is so sweet and kitsch!
Best of all, the menu is huge and you’ll definitely find something that you’ll like.
🍽 Kalem — What happens when you mix a gorgeous interior design with delicious dishes? Kalem!
This restaurant and bar ticks off all the boxes, from the fantastic view of historic buildings to what’s available (breakfast, lunch, and dinner!), and even the extensive list of fun and innovative drinks. If you want to impress your friends (or yourself), this is definitely the place to go.
WHERE TO GO AFTER NOVI SAD
Originally I was going to write a handful of places to visit as day trips from Novi Sad, but apparently there are so many fantastic places that the list grew, and grew, and grew some more… and now it has its own standalone post.
To check out the best day trips from Novi Sad, click here for the full post!
Photo credits: Kralja Aleksandra street – 1913330 (Pixabay) | Peter I mural – Vojvodina Info | Hotels – respective owners | Tri Petice – restaurant
Wow, very interesting city. Definitely a must visit. Thank you so much :)