11 Awesome Things to Do in Novi Sad for First-Timers

11 Best Things to Do in Novi Sad

1. Check Out Freedom Square

We start off our journey in Freedom Square (Trg Slobode), the beating heart of Novi Sad's Old Town, home to some of the most beautiful architecture and the liveliest spot in the city, a perfect place to start your journey in this beautiful city.

The square was first mentioned in the early 18th century, and it was initially a marketplace for traders and farmers. During the Habsburg rule, the square was called Hauptplatz and served as the administrative and cultural center of the city.

And as you can probably guess, with the Habsburg being mentioned, you can expect the buildings and the atmosphere of the square to be magnificent as you will find yourself surrounded by all the beautiful art nouveau buildings that make you feel more like you are in Austria than in Serbia.

One of the most notable buildings on the square is the Neo-Renaissance City Hall, built in 1895. It is the most recognizable building in Novi Sad, with its impressive clock tower that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

The square was also home to several other important buildings, such as the Serbian National Theater, which was built in 1861, and boasts a beautiful and clean modernist exterior that stands out from the rest of the old buildings in the square.

Since it is the liveliest part of the city, you can expect to see a whole lot of people here during the day with street performers performing their hearts out to entertain us. It is a great place to visit and will surely leave you with a great first impression of the city. Definitely one of the best things to do in Novi Sad.

2. Admire the Beauty of the Name of Mary Catholic Church

Standing right in that square is the Name of Mary Catholic Church, one of the most prominent churches boasting an impressive neo-Gothic design with intricate stone carvings and a soaring bell tower, the tallest structure in the region.

The catholic church you see today was built in the late 19th Century to replace an old church that had been destroyed in a fire. The church has seen quite a few world events since it was rebuilt from the bombing of World War 2 to the ordination of the first bishop of the newly created Catholic diocese in Serbia.

Once inside, you will be greeted by a magnificent nave with soaring ceilings, and intricate frescoes that whole interior of the church. You will also find all sorts of priceless religious artifacts and artworks, which goes to show just how important the church is to the religious life of the people of Novi Sad.

While you are exploring Freedom Square, be sure to drop by the church and check out its beautiful interior. The church is open from 8 AM to 6:30 PM every day and it is free to enter.

3. Visit Saint George's Cathedral

As you stroll along Zmaj Jovina pedestrian street in Novi Sad's Old Town, you will stumble upon Saint George's Cathedral, one of the most significant religious and cultural landmarks of the city with many events like weddings often taking place here.

What's awesome about this cathedral is its architectural style which is a blend of traditional Serbian and Byzantine architecture, giving it a unique and distinct appearance, unlike other landmarks in the city.

The interior is equally impressive, featuring beautiful frescoes, colorful mosaics, and ornate chandeliers. Some of the most impressive features of the cathedral are its large central dome, which dominates the interior space, and the stunning iconostasis that is made up of numerous beautifully crafted icons depicting various saints and religious figures.

It is one of the most sacred places in the city and a great place to drop by as you make your way across the Old Town. The cathedral is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to the place.

4. Be Amazed by the Beauty of Bishop's Palace

Right next to Saint George's Cathedral, you will also find Bishop's Palace, a historic building built in 1901 for the purpose of serving as the residence of the bishop of the Eparchy of Bačka, which is part of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The building was designed by a Hungarian architect in the neo-Renaissance style with a hint of Romantic Spanish, which was popular during the Austro-Hungarian era when the church was built.

What's unique about the palace is its beautiful facade that is painted in this stunningly eye-catching reddish-orange color that stands out from the rest of the architecture in the area.

Although public access is prohibited at the moment of writing, you can stroll around the place and admire the beautiful design of the structure from the outside as we move on to other parts of Novi Sad.

5. Learn More About the History at Museums in Novi Sad

If you are interested in the rich and interesting history of Novi Sad and want to learn more about how this city became so beautiful, you can check out some of the museums here like the City Museum of Novi Sad and Muzej Vojvodine.

The City Museum of Novi Sad is a small local history museum complex that will allow you to learn more about the city's cultural heritage with its collection of pictures of the town throughout history and an interactive exhibition about the town, spread out across its 2 floors.

Muzej Vojvodine is also another great museum to visit with its large collection of artifacts and exhibits, housed in this stunning beautiful 19th-century building. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and cultural heritage of the Vojvodina region.

One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of traditional costumes, which offers a fascinating insight into the traditional dress of the different ethnic groups that have lived in Vojvodina over the years. The museum also has a collection of traditional musical instruments, as well as exhibits on agriculture, industry, and crafts that give visitors an understanding of the economic and social history of the region.

The museums are also quite cheap costing between 100 - 200 RSD which is quite affordable. The museums are open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day except on Mondays, so be sure to check them out while you are here.

6. Walk Around Danube Park

Danube Park is a beautiful public park located near the bank of the Danube River, spanning over 7 hectares with a beautiful combination of nature and urban landscape, making it a perfect spot for a nice and quiet stroll around nature, away from the bustle of the city.

The park's immaculate condition is maintained through its neatly trimmed lawns, colorful flowerbeds, and numerous walking paths for you to explore.

Furthermore, the park boasts a beautiful fountain, stunning statues, and a small lake with a charming wooden bridge that adds to its already beguiling ambiance.

Danube Park is also known for hosting various cultural and entertainment events throughout the year, such as concerts, festivals, and art exhibitions and so if you are visiting Novi Sad in the summer, be sure to come and check out the park.

7. Check Out the View from Petrovaradin Fortress

After you are done exploring Novi Sad's Old Town, make sure you cross the river and visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a beautiful fortress built in the 17th Century by the Austrian Empire as a strategic military post and a symbol of the empire's power in the region.

The fortress features a unique design with a star-shaped fortification system and underground tunnels, which once housed soldiers and artillery. Today, you will find all kinds of facilities in the fortress like a museum, souvenir shops, and plenty of restaurants and cafes with the views of the Danube River you can indulge yourself.

The view offered by the fortress is also pretty incredible, with a great vantage point over the Danube River with the beautiful cityscape of Novi Sad and its surroundings in the background. It is one of the best things to do in Novi Sad, so be sure to check out Petrovaradin Fortress.

8. Visit Novi Sad Synagogue

Novi Sad Synagogue is another beautiful piece of architecture in Novi Sad that you should visit while you are here. The Synagogue is a Jewish place of worship and cultural center built in the early 20th Century in the Art Nouveau style, which is one of the best examples of the distinct Jewish architectural style in the Balkans.

The best feature of the synagogue, in my opinion is its beautiful and ornate facade, featuring intricate stonework and colorful stained glass windows. Its interior is equally stunning, with a spacious central nave and gallery, and an intricately decorated bimah, or pulpit.

You will also find a small museum showcasing the history of the Jewish community in Novi Sad and the surrounding region which makes for a nice place to visit and learn more about the Jewish history of this region.

9. Visit the Morning Market

For a more authentic and local experience, you can also go and visit Futoška Pijaca, a bustling open-air morning market, always full of people selling a wide variety of goods and products at affordable prices.

The market is well-known for its fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which are sourced from local farmers and growers which makes for a great place to shop for ingredients if you like cooking while you travel.

What I love most about Futoška Pijaca is the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of the market, with vendors calling out their prices and haggling with customers, allowing me to observe and capture some really interesting candid moments of people here.

If you are a photographer or if you just want to get a glimpse of what life is really like here, you are going to love this place! The market is open from 7 AM to 2 PM every day.

10. Go Cafe-Hopping Around Novi Sad

The coffee culture in Serbia is remarkable, but Novi Sad brings it to the next level with an incredible amount of outstanding cafes and bars, each with its unique charm and character.

One of my favorite cafes is Trčika, a cafe/bar housed inside an old wooden tram car with such beautiful decor it almost felt like I was having coffee in a dining car on the exotic Oriental Express train.

The furniture, from the bar to the tables and chairs, is mostly crafted from wood. The tram windows allow natural light to illuminate the space, creating an ambiance that feels like a journey to an exotic destination. It's an incredible experience and I highly recommend you check them out while you are here!

If you are looking for a nice place to try some of those organic ingredients you just saw at the morning market, but in the form of a delicious breakfast and local meal, I highly recommend you check out Kombinat.

The restaurant's reputation stems from its emphasis on using organic ingredients, and they offer an extensive range of healthy options to choose from. Additionally, they serve all-day breakfasts, which is a big plus in my book. The coffee is also delicious, and the menu includes a variety of organic dishes you can choose to go with their coffee.

If you are looking for a place to relax or a place to have a nice meal in Novi Sad, be sure to check out Trčika and Kombinat, or spend some time and explore its awesome cafe culture.

11. Hunt Down For Beautiful Street Art Around Novi Sad

Novi Sad's street art scene has been gaining recognition and popularity in recent years. The city's walls and buildings have been transformed into colorful canvases, showcasing a variety of awesome street art that is turning boring corners of the city into works of art.

One of the most notable examples is the "A Friendly Face" mural, a portrait of an unnamed dear friend painted at the end of 2019 as a part of the Novi Sad New Year's Eve celebration.

Another great street art is the Mural Srpska Atina, a recreation of an old photo of Novi Sad in the 1900s to show what the beautiful town looks like when the term "Serbian Athens" was coined to describe this city for the first time.

Many of the murals and street art pieces in Novi Sad have social and political messages, addressing issues such as environmentalism, social justice, and cultural identity. The city's street art scene has become a platform for artists to express themselves and engage with the local community. If you like this kind of art, be sure to spend some time exploring the narrow streets of Novi Sad and track down some of these beautiful street art while you explore the city.

Further Reading for Serbia

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a 3-day itinerary to Serbia, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Serbia/Belgrade Itinerary.
• Renowned for its incredible nightlife, diverse history, and architecture, Belgrade is a capital city like no other. Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Belgrade.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Serbia, visit the Serbia Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.