10 reasons why you should visit Novi Sad this year

2. It’s easy to explore

Thanks to the city’s flat terrain, the bike-friendly attitudes of locals and extensive cycle paths, Novi Sad is a great place to see by bicycle, with reasonable hire rates and lots of pick-up and drop-off points. It’s also very walkable. Tour guides offer free 90-minute tours, leaving from in front of the Serbian National Theatre, twice a day. For those looking for a touch of adventure, it’s possible to rent a kayak or canoe and see the sights from the water.

3. It has a thriving urban art scene

Novi Sad takes its street art seriously. Drab building facades have been turned into a colourful display of large-scale murals and awe-inspiring street art that mixes photo-realism with illustration. You can find the best street art outside Kombinat and hidden in the alleyways along Dunavska Street. Be sure to check out the huge portrait of a girl wearing cat ears and holding a cat puppet by renown Serbian Street artist Artez. The work is named after a famous Serbian saying, “when the cat’s away, the mice will play”.

4. You can head to the beach

When the weather’s nice, the locals head to the Štrand, a 700-metre-long beach alongside the Danube, to swim, sunbathe, and build sandcastles. At low tide, it’s possible to walk over to Fisherman’s Island and find a secret spot for a picnic or enjoy a late-night drink at one of the floating bars. Alternatively, stop for a spot of people watching at one of the Štrand’s beachside bars and cafes, with live music providing the backdrop to an evening sitting on the sand as the sun goes down.

5. Nature is on your doorstep

The rolling hills of Fruška Gora National Park is a short drive or bike ride away, with lots of hiking and cycling trails to explore, as well as several lakes that are popular swimming and fishing spots. This is wine country, so make time to stop at the vineyards with ‘vinski podrum’ (wine cellar) on the door to try some of the local varieties. Bermet, a dessert wine, from this region is supposed to have been served on the Titanic.

6. There’s plenty of inspiration for cultural and art aficionados

Preparations for 2022 have added even more venues to the city, including the Cultural Station Eđšeg, which hosts theatre, exhibitions and literary events inside a former belle-époque shooting club. There’s also recent the reconstruction of an old industrial silk-dyeing factory, now known as the Svilara Cultural Station. The old factory and the distinctive chimney serve as a reminder of the economic and social development of the time. Today the Svilara Cultural Station is filled with contemporary art on ongoing cultural events.

7. The best Serbian food

You’re in the heart of Serbian farming country which means you have to try the local fare. Raspberries, local cheeses and charcuterie are available in abundance, as well as hearty dishes such as burek (filo pastry filled with spinach and cheese), ćevapi (grilled meat served in a flatbread with sour cream), and the indulgent Index Sandwich (a roll stuffed with melted cheese, ham, mushrooms and lashings of sauce), which was invented in Novi Sad. Restaurants worth a visit include Fish i Zeleniš (known for its welcoming service), Project 72 Wine & Deli (for Serbian fare with a twist), and Čarda Aqua Doria (for its river views).

8. The shopping

Get an authentic Serbian experience by bargain hunting at the city’s markets. Locals stock up on cheap seasonal fruit and veg at Riblja, Pijaca and Futoška Pijaca. The fish market, Trg Republike, is also worth a visit. If you’re looking for some unique souvenirs, The Manual Company, which dates back to 1985, is well known for its leatherwork. When you’re ready for a break, head to Trčika, a cafe housed in a former city tramway car, for a coffee and side of Serbian pancakes (palačinka).

9. History-buffs will be spoilt for choice

The Museum of Vojvodina has an estimated 400,000 artefacts, covering 70,000 years of life in this area dating back to the Stone Age – of particular pride is several Roman helmets, found just outside the nearby town of Šid. Visitors shouldn’t miss stopping by the Petrovaradin Fortress, which took 88 years to build in the eighteenth century and to explore its impressive 16km network of tunnels.

10. It’s home to EXIT festival

Since 2000, the iconic EXIT Festival has evolved into one of the biggest and best music festivals in Europe. Once a modest festival with a few bands, recent years have seen more than 200,000 young people from 60 countries descend on Novi Sad’s Petrovaradin Fortress to experience the world’s best international artists. David Guetta, Tyga, Fat Boy Slim Massive Attack, Beastie Boys, Missy Eliot, The Sex Pistols, The Prodigy, Madness, Lilly Alen, Placebo and many others have all performed over the years in front of a huge audience.