Novi Sad Travel Guide: Best Things to do, Places To Stay & Food 2026

Serbia has to be one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe. It’s packed with culture, history, beautiful architecture and delicious food and the country’s second city, Novi Sad is no exception!

In this blog I’m sharing everything you need to know about travelling to this hidden gem in the north of Serbia. Read on to learn exactly why you should visit this year, the best things to do and see and how much you can expect to spend (spoiler alert: not a lot!).

Use the options below to jump to the section you’re most interested in or read from the top for all my tried and tested recommendations.

1. Where is Novi Sad?
2. Is Novi Sad worth visiting?
3. When to go + how long to stay
4. How to get to Novi Sad
5. Best things to do
6. Best places to stay
7. Best places to eat
8. How much a trip to Novi Sad costs

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Novi Sad at a glance:

• Best budget hostel (just £14 per night!)
• My favourite affordable apartment (just £36 per night)
• Best Novi Sad hidden gems walking tour
• Seamless Serbia eSIMs (starting at £3.50)
• Official train tickets from Belgrade to Novi Sad

Where is Novi Sad?

First things first, you’re probably wondering where Novi Sad even is! As you can see on the map below, it’s just north west of Belgrade and is Serbia’s second largest city after the capital.

The city’s position in the heart of the Balkans and on the banks of the Danube makes it an ideal stopping point on a road trip or interrail itinerary as you can hop across from Budapest or travel up through Montenegro and Bosnia. Because it’s so close to Belgrade, you could also visit as a day trip if you’re tight on time.

Is Novi Sad worth visiting?

Having had a great time exploring this city I would say Novi Sad is 100% worth visiting. Not only is it firmly off the beaten tourist track so you’ll be able to experience more authentic Serbian life, but it’s an incredibly relaxed, friendly and walkable city that means getting around is a breeze.

As Novi Sad is more laid back and quietly confident, it’s not the place to go if you’re expecting jam packed sight seeing and adventure. It’s the perfect destination for culture and history lovers looking to soak up the chilled out atmosphere. It’s also super family friendly so a great option for travellers with kids!

When to go + how long to stay

Novi Sad may be the second biggest city in Serbia but it’s still pretty compact. With under 300,000 residents and an old town centred around 3 main streets, a day or two here is perfect. I had 24 hours in Novi Sad on my way from Belgrade to Subotica in the north and it was the perfect amount of time to get a feel for the city.

I would say you wouldn’t want longer than three days and in a day trip you could easily see the main sights. It just depends how quickly you prefer to travel.

The best time of year to visit is definitely summer. From May to October the city opens up, cafés serve coffee on tables in the sun and the parks lining the Danube river come to life. You can see the average temperatures and rainfall by month below to help inform your decision.

Month	Average High/Low Temperature (°C)	Average Number of Rainy Days
January	4° / -3°	6 days
February	6° / -2°	6 days
March	12° / 2°	6 days
April	18° / 6°	7 days
May	23° / 11°	8 days
June	26° / 14°	8 days
July	28° / 15°	6 days
August	28° / 15°	6 days
September	24° / 11°	6 days
October	18° / 7°	6 days
November	11° / 2°	6 days
December	5° / -1°	7 days

How to get to Novi Sad

Now you know when you’ll be planning a trip to Novi Sad and for how long, it’s time to look at how you’ll get there. For this you have various border crossing options and transport choices depending on where you’ll be travelling from. The closest international airport is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport from which you can easily travel to Novi Sad using the options below. Or cross in from a neighbouring country like Croatia, Hungary or Bosnia Herzegovina as detailed.

From Belgrade, Serbia

By train (my recommendation)

By far the easiest way to get to Novi Sad from the capital is by train. In the last couple of years, the country has invested in a new high speed rail link between the two cities and you can now get to Novi Sad in just over half an hour using the SOKO line. The trains are spotless and generally run to schedule.

You can buy your train ticket online here for €5 one way or 20% off for a return journey. Just make sure you search for ‘Beograd Centar’ as your starting point from Belgrade city centre as this is the Serbian translation. You can also check the full train timetable here.

By car

If you’re planning to hire a car, you can drive to Novi Sad in just under 1.5 hours. Just be aware, the fastest route does have tolls which can be paid by cash or card at the toll booth. It’s a small charge but something to be aware off – you can find the map of toll roads and prices here.

By bus

The journey from Belgrade Bus Station will take between 1.5 – 2 hours depending on traffic and costs around €6 each way. The best place to book your tickets is through Omio as you can see the full timetable and which providers are offering the route.

Just note, if you have luggage that needs to go under the bus, you’ll be asked for €0.50 by the driver for handling it.

On a guided tour

Lastly, if you’re short on time and don’t fancy taking the train, there’s a great private tour that takes you from Belgrade to Novi Sad stopping at a historic monastery and wine tasting on the way. And don’t worry – once you arrive in Novi Sad you’ll still have two hours to explore the city and see the main sights I recommend in this guide.

From Budapest, Hungary

While you can fly directly from Budapest to Belgrade and then follow the options above, you can also cross by train, car and bus.

By train

While there is a train link here, unfortunately since November 2023 it’s been closed for upgrades and repairs. This site has some of the best information about the train updates in English but it’s worth checking again in the next few months if this has been resolved. Current predictions suggest the line could be open by early 2026.

This is the route we took when crossing from Serbia into Hungary and it was super easy and affordable so hopefully the line will be up and running again soon – I will update this blog post when it is!

By car

The drive is just over 3 hours direct from Budapest to Novi Sad but it may take longer if there are any delays at the border. You’ll need to pass through the Horgos-Röszke border on Hungary’s M5 motorway into Serbia or one of the other 8 borders on smaller roads. Reports generally say that during the week the crossing is quicker than at weekends. Be prepared to wait a little while.

You will have to show your passport and any visa documents here as you’re leaving the Schengen free movement area.

By bus

By bus will take about 5 hours and cost around €20. You can book tickets through Flixbus here and like crossing the border by car, you’ll still need to show your passport and any visa documents. The border control officers will likely board the bus to do this.

From Croatia

Again you can fly direct from Zagreb to Belgrade and follow the transport options from there, or pick from the choices below.

By car

Driving from the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, the journey would take just over 4 hours and you have 8 border crossings to choose from. You can find the full list of crossings here for reference. Again, as you’re travelling from the Schengen region out to Serbia, you will have to pass through formal border control.

By bus

The direct bus runs once per day and takes around 6.5 hours from Zagreb to Novi Sad and costs €35. You can book tickets through Flixbus here. You will go through border control on the bus.

From Bosnia Herzegovina

There are also flights from Sarajevo to Belgrade, or car and bus options as listed below. However in this case, flying is probably the easiest and definitely the fastest option!

By car

The drive takes around 5 hours from Sarajevo but be prepared that the roads are very mountainous and windy which can make driving conditions tricky. You’ll probably want to allow longer to make this journey to give you time to stop regularly, take breaks and see the sights along the way.

By bus

The direct bus from Sarajevo takes 10+ hours, again as the roads are so windy and there are 7 stops along the way. Tickets cost €30 and can be booked through Flixbus here. Again, be prepared to go through border control on the bus.

Best things to do

Now let’s look at the best ways to spend your time in Novi Sad, here are the top things I’d recommend adding to your itinerary.

Explore the old town

No visit to Novi Sad is complete without heading into the heart of old town. Here you’ll find historic buildings like the Bishop’s Palace above which is one of the most impressive buildings in the city after the cathedral. There’s lots to see along the main street, Dunavska.

For a deeper insight into the history and culture of this beautiful city, join a local walking tour like this popular one from GetMyGuide.

Soak up the café culture + admire the art nouveau architecture

Along the main high street you’ll find rows of cafés with plenty of outdoor seating to sip your coffee and soak up the sun. This is a fantastic opportunity to absorb more of the culture and learn how the local Serbians live.

Plus, you’ll be able to gaze at the incredible art nouveau architecture like the beautiful Novi Sad synagogue that you can see above. There are so many details in these buildings, take your time to appreciate them.

Visit the prettiest H&M store (trust me)

Now this might sound like an odd sight but even if you’re not interested in clothes shopping, you should definitely stop in H&M. The shop sits in Dundjerski Palace, built in 1853 for a count and features incredible original columns, paintings and details.

Explore Petrovaradin fortress

Another key stop on your visit to Novi Sad is the fortress that sits on the other side of the Danube. This historic site was in use as early as 3,000 BC as part of a Bronze Age settlement and has been in constant use since. The current fortress was built in 1692 when the Habsburg royal family commissioned it to help protect the area from Turkish invasion.

It has an incredible 16km of tunnels underneath and some can be explored for free as well as the famous clock tower.

TOP TIP: For greater access to the tunnels, join a paid tour where you can explore unlit sections deeper in the foundations.

Relax in Danube Park

After a day of exploring, you might be ready to relax and watch the world go by. For this, head to the pretty central park – filled with band stands, manicured lawns and a small lake to chill by. Why not pick up an ice cream on your way to cool off with!

Exercise like a local on Sunčani kej

If you feel like being more active, the sports facilities in Novi Sad are fantastic. You can find a running track that follows the river for miles, cycling trails, outdoor gym equipment and lots of sports pitches and courts. In the summer months these areas are packed with locals out running, skating, roller blading, cycling and more as the sun sets. It’s a great atmosphere and a really nice experience to join in with others.

You can find this particular track on Sunčani kej – just follow it for as long as you like or until you reach one of the many beaches. But more on that next!

Head to the beach

While you might not think visiting a beach is something you’d be doing in a landlocked country, the Danube has some sandy banks that are perfect for catching some rays.

There are quite a few spots along the river that you can swim and bathe on. Just be aware the currents in the river are pretty strong so stay close to the edge and where you can still stand. The best reviewed beaches are Štrand, Becarac and Officer Beach which actually has a little beach bar on it too.

Visit a museum

For a dose of history, there are many galleries and museums to explore – here are some of the best:

Museum of Vojvodina (free entry)

Discover how the area developed, the history of Novi Sad and key archaeological discoveries that helped understand how this area came to be.

Matica Srpska Gallery (€2.50 entry)

One of the most extensive art galleries in Serbia, you can enjoy art from the 16th to 21st century spanning classic to modern styles. As well as special exhibits featuring the the work of artists like Gustav Klimt and many more.

Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection (€1.70 entry)

This museum / gallery is named after its art collector founder and showcases Yugoslav art from the first half of the 20th century. Their mission to create a museum for all means it’s super accessible for all ages and a great starting point to learn more about Yugoslavia through art.

House of Mileva Maric Einstein (price not confirmed)

This is the restored house of the first wife of Einstein. A scientist in her own right, in this new exhibit you can see letters between Mileva and Einstein as well as other prominent scientists of the time such as Nikola Tesla. As this is a relatively new museum there isn’t that much about it online but worth stopping by on your trip to see if you can visit.

Hunt for street art

Last but by no means least, as you explore the city, look out for creative street art. There’s lots of different art styles on display across the city, to find them all I’d recommend following this map. You’ll be able to find pieces like this depiction of what the street would have looked like in the 1800s.

Best places to stay

When it comes to accommodation, there are some great affordable options. Here are some of my favourites for different budgets.

Budget: Hostel Sova (dorm beds from £14 per night)

For budget travellers, look no further than Hostel Sova. Perfectly situated near the centre of town and at just £14 for a dorm bed and use of the shared kitchen per night, it’s a travellers dream. It’s well reviewed and a great option if you’re keeping spending tight.

Mid-Range: City centre apartment (£36 per night – 3 night minimum stay)

This is actually the apartment we stayed in and everything was perfect. Super close to the centre of the city, perfectly clean and super spacious – I’d 100% recommend!

Luxury: Hotel Pupin (from €117)

If you’re craving luxury (but still at a great price) then Hotel Pupin is for you. Ultra modern and sleek, you can expect the most comfortable rooms, great views and a full restaurant with breakfast service.

Best places to eat

Toster Bar (burgers)

For quick and delicious burgers and fries, Toster Bar is the place to be. It’s a fun spot down a narrow road that’s filled with other bars and restaurants so if burgers aren’t you’re thing you’ll definitely find a spot that is.

We ate here for dinner and had a great experience. The food was tasty, the atmosphere is really relaxed, they serve some great beers and the service was super friendly – what more could you want!

Ananda (vegan food)

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, Ananda is a lovely spot to try with plant-based takes on Italian, Greek and Serbian cuisine.

Dobri Dim (traditional BBQ)

For the meat eaters, you have to try a traditional Serbian BBQ. Slow and low cooked meats are deliciously tender and served with a range of sides at family run, Dobri Dim.

Sweet & Green (salads)

For the freshest custom salads, Sweet & Green is the one. Simply pick from their base salads, add your protein, toppings and dressings and your lunch or dinner is ready. Affordable, quick and easy!

Loft Cafe (coffee bar)

Lastly, if you’re in need of a caffeine hit – the best spot to head to is Lost Cafe. With lovely outdoor seating and a cool interior vibe, it’s an ideal spot to soak up some of that cafe culture.

How much a trip to Novi Sad costs

What makes a trip to Novi Sad even better is that it’s incredibly affordable! With fantastic quality accommodation from as little as €17 per night, many transport options into town for €10 or less, great value restaurants and a whole host of activities that are either free or under €5, you could easily have a long weekend in Novi Sad for under €100 (excluding flights).

That’s my complete travel guide to the underrated city of Novi Sad in Serbia. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and that this guide has helped you plan the perfect trip. If you have any recommendations of your own to add – please let me know in the comments below. Happy travelling!

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