Novi Sad

Understand

Novi Sad is a growing regional center with a population of over 300,000 people. It is architecturally (and, to an extent, culturally) different from other larger cities in central and south Serbia such as Belgrade and Niš, since it was not under the Ottoman influence but instead, that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The buildings in the city centre resemble the ones in Vienna and Budapest. It is a university town, with more than 40,000 students attending the University of Novi Sad, which is on a beautiful green campus near the Danube. Because of the abundance of young people, Novi Sad has many bars, "hipstery" places, and is generally more open-minded than the rest of Serbia. The people of Novi Sad are known to be relaxed and easy going, sometimes a bit too slow-paced for the other Serbians from the central and south of Serbia (their accent is one example of this). The city is very flat (which makes it suitable for biking), with wide streets and lots of trees. For those who love hiking, there is a mountain, Fruška Gora, less than 15 km away, which is a national park featuring beautiful nature and many old monasteries. Tourists that come to Novi Sad are usually impressed the most by Serbian cuisine, very low prices by Western standards, and by the hospitality of Serbian people. Many tourists come to Novi Sad for the Exit Festival which takes place on the Petrovaradin fortress in early July.

History The area of Novi Sad was inhabited since the distant past - the found remains of old settlements date back to the Neolithic period (5000 BCE). Before the middle ages, the region was inhabited by different tribes, including Celts, Romans, and Huns. Slavic tribes (including Serbs) settled the region around Novi Sad mainly in the 6th and 7th century. The region was under the medieval Kingdom of Hungary in the 11th and 12th century and afterwards under the Ottomans from 1526 until 1687, when Habsburg Monarchy took over the control. The settlement was declared a "free royal city” by the Habsburg empress Maria Theresa in 1748, and it gained its present names Novi Sad, Újvidék, and Neoplanta, meaning “new plantation” in Serbian, Hungarian, and Latin, respectively. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, this was the largest Serb-inhabited city in the world, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I in 1918, when it became part of Kingdom of Serbia. During World War II, it was under Hungarian occupation. After World War II, the city went through rapid industrialization and its population more than doubled in the period between the war and the

Getting there

By plane The nearest airport is Belgrade 70 km southeast, less than an hour ride from Novi Sad. Some taxi companies run regular cars between Belgrade Airport and Novi Sad, e.g. Autoturist tel. +381 63 504 587, Belgrade Airport Transfer, inexpensive for foreign standards. Belgrade airport is the most convenient for coming into Novi Sad (and Serbia) not only because it is the closest, but also because the transport from other airports includes land border crossings, which can sometimes take hours to cross (the busiest are the ones coming from/to Hungary). Other airports with low-cost flights are Budapest 250 km north, and Timisoara 130 km northeast. There are also taxi companies offering regular cars from these airports, e.g. Autoturist.

By train

Novi Sad is on the railway line between Budapest (6 hours), Subotica and Belgrade. The line between Novi Sad and Belgrade has been upgraded to a high-speed line, greatly reducing trip time. The high speed "Soko" trains are non-stop and more expensive, but get to Belgrade in 36 minutes on a good day.

1 Novi Sad railway station (Železnička stanica Novi Sad), Bulevar Jaše Tomića 4 (2 km north of the centre). As of July 2026, it's closed for repair following a roof collapse. A boxy functional affair with a cafe, an exchange office and waiting area. (updated Jul 2021) Trains stop instead at Petrovaradin just over the river. There is no replacement bus service, instead follow the locals down to the main road and cram onto a city bus, flat fare RSD100. Train timetables are available on SrbijaVoz website and prices are available in the SrbijaVoz app. Regional train tickets from Belgrade cost RSD469 and Soko train tickets cost RSD697. Beware that the ticket seller may charge you an extra RSD120 for sitting on the upper deck of Soko train. The Soko trains are rarely full and train conductors do not check if you're sitting in your assigned seat.

By bus Novi Sad has buses to all the other major cities in Serbia. Buses for Belgrade run every 15 minutes; the quickest zip along the motorway in 90 min but others take roundabout routes, so the next departure might not be your quickest option. There are buses to Sofia in Bulgaria, Budapest in Hungary, Zagreb, Vukovar, and Osijek in Croatia, Sarajevo and Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Budva, Tivat, Podgorica, Herceg Novi in Montenegro. Connections from elsewhere across Europe usually mean changing in Budapest. For local and long-distance bus timetables in Serbian and English, visit the web site of JGSP Novi Sad, the city public transport company. The bus station

Getting around

On foot The city centre is quite small and most of the interesting sights, bars and hotels are all within easy walking distance. There are plenty of street maps, especially in the centre, so you can find your way easily.

By taxi Taxis are not overly expensive (by Western standards), the minimum fare varies between RSD 80 and 100, with a cross-city trip typically costing RSD 150-200. It helps to have the address written out although many taxi drivers speak fair, sometimes even excellent, English. However, be careful of taxis unaffiliated with one of the major firms (especially at the train station), or you may pay up to four times more than your fare should be. Some good taxi companies: Pan, Vojvodjani, SOS, Delta, Novus, Naš, Lav.

By bus Novi Sad has an excellent bus service. A single ride (no transfers) is RSD 100. Tickets can only be purchased from the driver, using cash. Most of the bus lines operate only during the day, from 04:30 until midnight. Since the bus network plan is not incorporated into Google Maps, it is best to ask a local how to get from point A to B, they will be happy to help out. Yandex app has bus schedules in real time, and Moovit and the Public Transport Novi Sad app (Google Play) give up-to-date info. The town center has two main bus stops - one after the underpass in Mihajla Pupina and one in Uspenska by the theatre. You can get from the railway/bus station to the town center with bus lines 4, 10, 14 and 15. 10, 14 and 15 stop in Uspenska, and 4 stops by the underpass. To get to the Štrand beach, take numbers 1 or 8 from either of the stops in the town center. Number 3 will take you from either of the stops to the Petrovaradin fortress - get off on the first stop after the bridge. The timetable shown on the bus stops and the website is the timetable for the bus leaving from the starting bus stop of that route, not the current bus stop. However, the timetable can give an idea on how frequent are the buses around a certain part of the day (it varies from every 10 minutes or less during the middle of the day, to every half an hour late in the evenings). If you want real-time information, download the free NSmart app that is, for the most part, pretty accurate.

By car There are three parking zones in the city: red (53 RSD per hour, SMS: 8211), blue (44 RSD per hour, SMS: 8212) and white (30 RSD per hour, SMS: 8218). A daily ticket can be obtained in all white zones and some blue zones for 95 RSD (SMS: 8215). (Prices as of Mar 2022.) You should send and SMS to the corresponding number and type your vehicle's license plate

See

Novi Sad has a relatively small city centre, with some charming old architecture within the pedestrian area in the centre. The main pedestrian streets are Dunavska street and Zmaj Jovina street, the latter includes the main square (Trg slobode). There are also nice green areas and parks around Novi Sad, such as Dunavski park, Limanski park, and the campus around the University of Novi Sad. The promenade next to the Danube river stretches over around 5 km and is also nice to walk along. Around the middle of the promenade (the part closest to the city centre) there is a square dedicated to the victims of the raid during the World War II (Trg zrtava racije). It offers a place to sit and enjoy the view over the Petrovaradin Fortress, which is across the river. On the other hand, Petrovaradin Fortress provides a beautiful view over the city, especially around the sunset. You can end your sightseeing day by enjoying some food with a view from one of the restaurants at the top of the fortress. 1 Petrovaradin Fortress (Petrovaradinska tvrđava). A fortress that no enemy has ever taken, it now hosts the annual Exit Festival within its trenches and walls. The fortress offers the best view over Novi Sad, which is especially beautiful during the sunsets. The clock tower on the fortress is a symbol of Novi Sad, specific for its hands being reversed (the large hand showing hours and small one showing minutes). This dates back to the times when people didn't have their own clocks, and were relying on public ones. The hands were reversed so that the one showing hours (therefore being more important) was easier to see. There is also a museum on the fortress, "Muzej Grada Novog Sada", some restaurants with a great view, and even night clubs. (updated Oct 2019) 2 Town Hall (Gradska kuća), Trg Slobode. The town hall is located on the main square in Novi Sad, which is the default meeting place for the locals. The main square features several interesting sight and is a must see. (updated Oct 2019) 3 Name of Mary Church (Crkva imena Marijinog), Trg Slobode. Catholic church built in the period 1892-1894, Novi Sad's largest Gothic Revival church and also the tallest in the Bačka region. It is also located on the main square, on the opposite side of the Town Hall. The locals refer to it as "the cathedral". (updated Oct 2019) 4 Statue of Svetozar Miletić (Spomenik Svetozaru Miletiću), Trg slobode. Svetozar Miletić (1826-1901) was the most prominent political leader of the Serbian people during the Habsburg Monarchy. He was a lawyer, journalist, author, politician, mayor of Novi Sad

Do

EXIT Festival. July. Music festival founded in 2000, held in July at Petrovaradin Fortress. (updated Jun 2025) A stroll around the city's imposing boulevards and along the Danube river, for example the route Kralja Aleksandra - Trg Slobode - Zmaj Jovina - Dunavska - Beogradski Kej - Kej Žrtava Racije If the weather is nice, sit down at one of the cafés around Spens and enjoy Mountaineering club Naftaš, [email protected]. Usually organizes a hike on Saturday or Sunday on Fruska Mountain and in the Novi Sad vicinity. GPS tracks of regular hiking paths are available on Naftaš website. Železnicar Association of mountaineers and skiers, Trg Galerija 4, 529 978, [email protected]. Organizes a hiking trip every Sunday on Fruska Mountain and in the Novi Sad vicinity. Go to the beach in this distinctly land-locked country: the Strand is a sand beach on the Danube riverbank, usually open mid-May to mid-Sep. Football: Novi Sad has two soccer teams in SuperLiga, the country's top tier. Vojvodina and Proleter both play at Karađorđe Stadium (capacity 14,500) southwest side of city centre.

Buy

Coats good quality (particularly for the harsh winter) and very cheap. Leather goods at the Manual Company, a modern franchise based on high quality luxury leather, handmade at affordable prices. Various shops, one at Zmaj Jovina 18 Quality goods, especially sportswear, can be found at Spens 1 Mercator, Bulеvar oslobođenja 102, ☏ +381 21 4808600. A shopping mall (updated May 2023) Merkur 2 Sad Novi Bazaar, Bulevar Mihajla Pupina, 1. M—Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 10:00-18:00. Shopping mall at the city center (updated Feb 2018) NewNork (renovated shopping mall at the city center across the street from the Opera House) Futoška pijaca and Riblja pijaca are two open-air markets in the city center where you can buy cheap clothes, local fresh produce and some groceries imported from Hungary.

Eat

Novi Sad has a wide choice of places to eat, from traditional kafanas and Vojvodina farm restaurants (salaši) to modern bistros, pizzerias, Asian restaurants and vegan cafés. Prices are generally lower than in most Western European cities, and good-quality food is easy to find throughout the city. Regional cuisine reflects Serbian, Hungarian and Austrian influences. Local dishes include rinflajš (boiled beef with vegetables and sauces), nasuvo s krompirom (homemade pasta with potatoes), riblji paprikaš (spicy fish stew), sarma, gulaš and paprikaš. The nearby village of Futog is famous for its Futoški kupus (Futog cabbage), traditionally used for making sarma. Grilled dishes such as ćevapi and pljeskavica are available almost everywhere. For a quick meal, try the Index sandwich, a Novi Sad specialty originally created for university students. Burek, pastries and other baked goods are sold in bakeries (pekare) across the city, while pancakes (palačinke), pizza by the slice and grilled meat are popular late-night snacks. If you have a sweet tooth, look for štrudla, gibanica, krofne or kuglof, all traditional favourites.

Budget Lots of cheap food (pizza, hamburger, pancakes etc) around Bulevar Oslobođenja leading from the station, Braće Popović near Novi Sad Fair, Zmaj Jovina, and Futoški put. Further out there's another collection around Vojvodina stadium.

In the city centre 1 Kuća kobasice, Trg republike 6. 24 hours daily. The food is excellent. Delicious sausages, all fresh. Fast service. The staff is very friendly and smiling. (updated May 2023) 2 Restoran Forum, 3 Vojvode Mišića. Great place where time flows slowly. Authentic Vojvodina cuisine that is enjoyed. The sausage was great. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Dottore per la pizza, Maksima Gorkog 10. 09:00-23:00 daily. Best pizza in town, also hot-dogs and crepes. Beautiful garden where you can dine. (updated May 2023) 4 Stevča soul food, Grckoskolska 7. A beautiful place. This is a wonderful family restaurant where the staff is always very friendly. The food is excellent. The menu is very diverse and the atmosphere is very pleasant. (updated Jan 2023) 5 Frustuk bar, Petra Drapšina 43, ☏ +381 21 522777. M-Sa 07:00-22:00 (closed Su). Excellent vegetarian and non-vegetarian sandwiches. Only downside of this place is that they are closed on Sunday. A place where you can have breakfast in peace. (updated May 2023) 6 Amigos Chicken Wings, Jevrejska 15, ☏ +381 64 0027373, [email protected]. 11:00-04:00 daily. Chicken wings are spoken of highly. They have spicy cheddar, tweezed cheddar, garlic, parmesan, basil a

Drink & nightlife

As a university town, Novi Sad has a lively bar scene. Many bars are in the small streets to the west of Zmaj Jovina, around Njegoševa and Grčkoškolska streets.

1 Martha's Pub, Ulice Laze Teleckog, ☏ +381 21 6611038. The best honey rakija in town and one of the most popular pubs with an upstairs bar and patio and downstairs bar. 2 Trema (Stage Fright), Pozorišni trg 1 (within National Theatre), ☏ +381 65 2080777, [email protected]. M-Th 10:00-00:00 F 10:00-02:00, Sa 18:00-02:00 (closed Su). Probably the largest bar in Novi Sad, musical events, mixed audience. (updated May 2023) 3 Sting, Dimitrija Tucovića 3 (next to Vojvodina Stadium), ☏ +381 21 3007435, [email protected]. M-Th 08:00-23:00, F Sa 08:00-01:00, Su 09:00-23:00. Relaxed place for coffee or drinks. (updated May 2023) Absolut, Zmaj Jovina 12 is a quiet place for coffee or cocktails. Pivnica Gusan, Zmaj Jovina 12 - one of the best pubs 4 Cafe Porta, Katolicka porta 6, ☏ +381 646140454. Nice and quiet place in the centre of Novi Sad.

Sleep

Budget Downtown Hostel, Njegoseva 2, ☏ +381 641920342. Very central hostel close to many bars and restaurants. €11-18 per night. 1 Hostel Sova, Ilije Ognjanovica 26, ☏ +381 21 527 556, [email protected]. Near the main city square, friendly service, clean. Dorm €10/night, double bed €30/night. (updated May 2023) Hostel Smile, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 48, ☏ +381 216337085. in the vicinity of the Main Train and Bus station. $16.21 or €13.50.

Mid-range 2 CitiHotel Veliki, Nikole Pašića 24, ☏ +381 21 4723840, [email protected]. Comfortable apartments, free Wi-fi and free breakfast. Single €48/night. Twin/double €62/night. (updated May 2023) Fontana, Nikole Pašića 17, ☏ +381 21 6621-779. Average rooms above the restaurant, also a huge apartment. Very friendly staff though limited English. From €25 per night. 3 Hotel Novi Sad, Bulevar Jaše Tomića 1 (Right across from Novi Sad train station), ☏ +381 442-511, fax: +381 21 443-072, [email protected]. Over 100 rooms. Free parking. (updated May 2023) 4 Prenoćište Dvorište (Apartments in Novi Sad), Petra Drapšina Novi Sad, ☏ +381 63 502 771, [email protected]. Offers accommodation in the centre of Novi Sad. It is a 5-minute walk from the pedestrian zone. It has secured parking space and the possibility of using the children's playground. (updated Oct 2021)

Splurge 5 Hotel Prezident, Futoska 109, ☏ +381 21 4877444, [email protected]. 5 star, part of the Best Western hotels. €110+. (updated May 2023) 6 Hotel Leopold I (On the famous Petrovaradin fortress), ☏ +381 21 488 7878, [email protected]. Spectacular views to the Novi Sad, 58 twin or double rooms and apartments, satellite TV, internet, car park. €67+. (updated May 2023) 7 Hotel Mediteraneao, Ilije Ognjanovića 10, ☏ +381 21 427135, [email protected]. Very close to Zenit, new and modern. (updated May 2023) 8 Hotel Gymnas, Teodora Pavlovica 28, ☏ +381 21 467710, fax: +381 214740704, [email protected]. B&B Hotel with the largest fitness centre in the city. All guests enjoy complimentary use of gym and sauna. €45-110.

Go next

Sremski Karlovci is an attractive small town 8 km from Novi Sad with well preserved architecture. A wine festival is held there in September. Fruška Gora National Park is south of the Danube facing Novi Sad; upland scenery and many monasteries. Fantast Dvorac Dunđerski is a well-preserved old castle 40 km north of Novi Sad. Palić is a spa resort on a lake. Sombor near Novi Sad has delightful old architecture. Belgrade the capital is a fascinating cosmopolitan city. Subotica on the border is a miniature Hungary. Then cross to reach Szeged, Pécs and of course Budapest. Romania's Timișoara is another regional centre in the Pannonian Basin, sharing some of the similar architectural styles