I hate visiting just one place in a country, I don’t even think it qualifies as visiting the country to be honest, so in a bid to not fall into that trap I headed to northern Serbia to check out Novi Sad and it’s surroundings.
Novi Sad is officially on the travel map these days thanks to EXIT festival, where 50k – 100k revelers come for a huge 4 day festival with more booze, drugs, casual sex and death-by-dehydration (seriously) than you can shake a stick at. I, however, was not here for that, missing it by about 10 days or so and not bothered by that fact in the slightest.
From a backpacking perspective Novi Sad is a pretty town, small, quaint, friendly and very cheap. Hostels run around 10 Euro a bed ($12), lunch about $3 and dinner in a decent restaurant about $8.
There’s not a crazy amount to see and do here, but it’s a cool place to chill in the public parks, read a book, or in the digital-nomad world, it’s a good place to catch up on some work. Which is exactly what I did, writing contracts for my new assistant (still looking for more writers though!), sorting out new websites, organizing press trips, and Novi Sad is perfect for that.
If you’re dying to see some sights here, these are the best things to see in Novi Sad:
Novi Sad Fortress (Petrovaradin Citadel):
Don’t expect Edinburgh castle, there’s very little left of the fortress. This is where EXIT festival is held, there’s a museum inside (boring) but the views of Novi Sad from the view point are pretty nice, and crossing the bridge over the Danube is cool too.
Zmaj Jovina Street:
The ‘tourist street’ if there is such a thing in Novi Sad. Starting at the town square, the wide boulevard is jammed full of eateries and bars, all pretty cheap too. This is the prime spot for lunch and dinner.
‘The Beach’
Interesting name I know, but there’s not a lot of competition for Novi Sad’s only beach, it’s about a 20 minute walk from Zmaj Jovina, on the side of the Danube. Great place to cool off from the Serbian summer.
The Catholic Church
The beautiful backdrop to the town centre, the huge catholic church is an ever present in your pics thanks to the sheer size of it. 300 years old, and beautiful but it’s still just another church. Clutching at straws? Perhaps.
And that’s your lot. If you’re in no rush, check out Novi Sad. It’s also a good spot if you wana day trip it to Fruska Gora (monastaries + nature) or Sremski Karlovci (more religious buildings). But the draw of Hungary is strong when you’re this close to Budapest, I’ve succumbed. See you in Budapest, happy travels!
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Welcome to Novi Sad, welcome to Serbian Athens…..http://madeinbanjaluka-rs.blogspot.nl/2013/01/blog-post.html
Novi Sad looks like a beautiful place to visit on a budget. When is the best time to visit for the best airfare and rates?
Sally Stretton
in europe, anytime that isn’t summer! :S
Tips or wish list of things I wish you could see for me. 🙂
Krakow is, for me, the best city in the world. Quaint and not too big, enjoy the walk-in Chopin concerts or go to the theater even if it’s in Polish (although they have them in English). From there you can head off to the Tatra Mountains for Highlander food for a day or two.
In Warsaw, what I call “The Jewish Trail” is dramatic and I believe they’ve already opened the HUGE multi-media Jewish Museum. (They weren’t open yet when I was there.) That, as well as the Warsaw Uprising Museum tells a very dramatic story about the city.
Gdansk, Sopot, and the northern shore is great for meeting people and hanging out. If you can, take the ferry to the island of Hel.
Finally, if you can head out to the industrial city of Lodz, it’s ugly, but where one of the best Film Schools in the world exists.
I’ve always wanted to go to Bialystok and I wonder what’s there. It has a more Russian flavor, from what I understand.
Oh yeah, and most importantly, drink the Polish beer Zywiec. 🙂
i’m in krakow now! thanks so much for all the insights Barbara, they’re all noted 🙂
Looks like a small town worth the visit, just not during the festival…unless your into that.
it was cool, i wouldn’t wanna stay much longer than a day or two but it was nice to chill 🙂
I LOVE Serbia, although I’ve never been to Novi Sad. What great pictures! I’m looking forward to your trip to Poland. (I’m an Eastern European enthusiast.) 🙂
hey Barbara, im off to poland on sunday, can’t wait! any tips? 🙂