Novi Sad travel guide
Serbia’s second city: a fortress over the Danube, Austro-Hungarian streets and a relaxed café life.
Photo: Unsplash
Why visit Novi Sad
Novi Sad is Serbia’s second city with a very different atmosphere from Belgrade: smaller, calmer and easy to explore on foot. Its old town is a mix of Austro-Hungarian facades, pedestrian streets and café terraces, and across the Danube stands Petrovaradin Fortress with its famous clock. It was a European Capital of Culture in 2022, and with the fast train it is only about 36 minutes from Belgrade.
Novi Sad at a glance
The basics, the weather this week and where it is.
Key facts
- Type
- City, capital of Vojvodina
- Region
- South Bačka, Vojvodina
- Population
- 260,438 (2022)
- Elevation
- 80 m
- From Belgrade
- about 70 km in a straight line
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
5-day forecast
For Novi Sad
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Weather data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), summarized by day.
On the map
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; style © OpenTopoMap (CC BY-SA). The zoomable map loads from OpenTopoMap, which receives your IP address. Open in Google Maps
Best things to do in Novi Sad
Where to start, and how long each one takes.
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Paid in summerFreeTop-rated tours in Novi Sad
Hand-picked tours, most with free cancellation. Affiliate links.
Where to stay in Novi Sad
The areas compared, with hotels for your dates.
Food and nightlife
The cuisine of Novi Sad reflects the traditions of Vojvodina: hearty, rich and influenced by Hungarian and Austrian cooking. Specialties include fish paprikash by the Danube, goulash, and poppy-seed and walnut strudels. Wine comes from Fruška Gora, a short drive away, and evenings are spent on café terraces in the old town.
- Must try: Fish paprikash, fish soup, strudel with poppy seeds, Fruška Gora wine
- Café streets: Zmaj Jovina, Dunavska
- Night out: Laze Telečkog Street
Getting there and around
Fast trains take about 36 minutes; book a seat in advance.
Buses cover the center; most sights are walkable.
Taxis are inexpensive; use an app or a licensed taxi with a meter.
Easiest by car or on a tour (about 30 min).
Tip: The terraces by Petrovaradin’s clock tower face west, so go around sunset. Walking there from the center over Varadin Bridge takes about 20–30 minutes.
Go for a hike
A route with a map, elevation chart and GPX download.
Nearby and day trips
Easy to add from Novi Sad.
More Novi Sad guides
Novi Sad FAQ
How many days do you need in Novi Sad?
One full day covers the center and the fortress. Stay for two days if you also wish to visit Fruška Gora.
How do I get from Belgrade to Novi Sad?
Fast trains take about 36 minutes. Seat reservation is compulsory.
Will EXIT Festival return to Novi Sad?
EXIT left Serbia after its 2025 edition; its founders hope to return. See our EXIT guide for the latest.
Where should I stay in Novi Sad?
The old town, so you can walk everywhere.
Sources
- National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
- Railway Journal: Belgrade–Novi Sad line
- Mixmag: EXIT moves to Montenegro
Checked 27 October 2026.
Visiting Novi Sad? Get the quick guide
Prices, apps, transport and scams to avoid, on one printable page.
