In terms of art, architecture, and culture, Novi Sad rivals Belgrade as the Serbian capital. Every door and cobblestone on the pavement of this city genuinely exudes the spirit of travel. You’ll explore the city’s churches, art galleries, and museums while recharging in lovely parks, outdoor pubs, and beaches by the water. Let’s take a look at the best entertainment in Novi Sad.
Petrovaradin Fortress
Petrovaradin was in Ottoman hands for 150 years before it was snatched from them by the Habsburg Empire in the Great Turkish War. Immediately in 1692 the Austrians began building an eastern bulwark against the Ottomans: a Vauban-style fortress with dimensions never before seen. Much of this building still stands, from its layers of corner ramparts to its system of catacombs and underground tunnels…
Dunavskaya Street
Dunavska (Danube Street) is an east-west street that is partly pedestrianised and surrounded by stately mansions and townhouses. Residents of Novi Sad come here to walk and meet friends while the city stands still. Almost all the buildings you see date back to the mid 19th century, having been built after Novi Sad suffered its ruin during the 1848 revolution against the Austrian Empire. They are painted in pastel colours and house restaurants, hotels, bookstores, boutiques and cafés, while stands along the route sell popcorn and ice cream.
Sloboda Square
Novi Sad stands out most in this square in the centre of the city, almost completely bordered by historical architecture… Sloboda Square (Freedom Square) is also called Svetozar Miletic Square, and in the middle there is a statue of this 19th century figure. Miletić was the former mayor of Novi Sad, and a constant thorn in the side of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His statue was cast in bronze and had to be hidden during the Axis occupation of the city and replaced only after liberation in 1944.
Vojvodina Museum
This attraction in the plastered 19th century palace on the Danube Park bears witness to 8,000 years of life in the province of Vojvodina. The permanent exhibition is divided into two parts: the first shows the history of the region from prehistory until the mid-1800s, while the second tells the story of many events and changes that have taken place since then. The museum’s crowning glory is literally a set of three Roman helmets from the 4th century AD.
Bishop’s Palace
Also an essential part of any tour of Novi Sad, the Bishops’ Palace is home to some of the most beautiful monuments in the city. Like much of the city’s heritage, it dates from the second half of the 19th century, after the previous Bishops’ Palace was demolished in 1848. This “new” building is in the Serbian-Byzantine style, with clear influences from medieval monasteries near the town in Fruska Gora.
St George’s Cathedral
This is the main Orthodox church in Novi Sad, although you wouldn’t know it from the outside. The architecture is a sort of baroque revival, as, like much of the city, the original 18th-century building was demolished during the 1848 revolution… While the outside is understated, the interior is opulent. Your attention will be stolen by the iconostasis framing 33 icons and focusing on the two epic icons of the throne by realist Paja Jovanovic. You can also contemplate the church frescoes painted by another outstanding Serbian artist and member of the Munich school, Stevan Aleksić.
Novi Sad is a small town, so you can get around all the sights on foot. But to get to Novi Sad you must first get to the city from the airport. For that it is best to use AtoB transfer service. Then you won’t have to spend a lot of time looking for a solution for how to get from Belgrade Airport to Novi Sad. In such way, you will reach the city centre, your accommodation, in comfort. And then you’ll stroll along the town’s main pedestrian street with its pink, yellow and blue patches of Austro-Hungarian houses.
