Novi Sad Serbia is one of the most popular cities in the country. Not only because it’s one of the largest but because it emanates such a quaint charm of Europe that you will be blown away. Additionally, it’s less expensive than most other European cities!
Novi Sad was declared the European Capital of Culture for 2022 by the European Union. It was also the European Youth Capital in 2019 with an abundance of opportunities for education, cultural upbringing, as well as sports, and fun.
What if we tell you that the music festival called EXIT was selected twice as the best major festival in Europe. This is the festival that hosted Massive Attack, The Prodigy, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, etc. The festival celebrated its 20th birthday in 2020.
NOVI SAD TO BELGRADE
Novi Sad is easy to reach. The fastest way to get there is to take the highway from Novi Sad to Belgrade and vice versa. The driving distance between the two cities is about 58 miles (94 km).
Novi Sad is the capital of Serbia’s northern province Vojvodina, lies on the meander of the river Danube, and faces the northern side of the Fruška Gora Mountain. It is considered to be laid back and relaxed compared to the 6 times more populated city of Belgrade.
This city was founded at the end of the 17th century when Serbian merchants gathered across the Danube from the Petrovaradin Fortress, to start a colony. An important Habsburg military post was located in Petrovaradin at the time. Nevertheless, traces of human habitation were found here that date back to the Stone Age, the period that lasted for 2,5 million years and ended 5,000 years ago.
The first fortress on the right bank of the Danube was founded by the Celts who occupied the area from the 4th century BC. The place was later invaded by Romans, Huns, Slavic tribes, and Serbs. Novi Sad became a part of the Kingdom of Hungary in the Middle Ages, between the 11th and the 12th century. The region fell under the Ottomans from the 16th to the 17th century only to shift back into Austrian hands again. In 1918 Novi Sad has officially declared itself as part of the Kingdom of Serbia.
NOVI SAD TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The best way to take a sightseeing walk around the city and to see Novi Sad tourist attractions is to start from central Liberty Square (Trg Slobode). The square is dominated by the imposing City Hall and the Roman Catholic Church of the Name of Mary. City Hall was built in 1895. It is adorned with allegoric statues that represent Greek mythology characters. The building is the seat of the mayor.
The very center is determined by towers and domes of protestant churches, Synagogues, Roman Catholic and Orthodox temples. Structures and palaces were built in different styles from classicism and secession to Bauhaus.
Try not to miss Vojvodjanska Bank, the building that was formerly occupied by the Army Club. This was once a distinguished café, then the luxury hotel where the Great National Assembly voted for the annexation of Vojvodina to the Kingdom of Serbia. Another building not to be missed is the Bishop’s Palace. The old one was built in 1741 but was destroyed during the 1849’s riots, only to be replaced by this imposing structure in 1901. In 1919 the prince regent Aleksandar Karađorđević addressed the crowd from the balcony.
From the Bishop’s Palaces take a walk further down Dunavska street. This is the pedestrian area full of cafés and restaurants.
PETROVARADIN FORTRESS
Petrovaradin Fortress was built between 1692 and 1780 and it is divided into the upper and the lower town. Visitors can admire various bastions, gates, pavilions, but the most famous is the Clock Tower. One of the main characteristics of the clock is that the long hand tells hours and short minutes. It still needs winding up daily. This is the place to be if you want stunning photos of Novi Sad Serbia. And when you get tired of sightseeing, you might want to eat well and relax. The farmhouses and vineyards at the outskirts of Novi Sad will make your stay even more memorable.
Some Novi Sad visit recommendations:
