6 Things Not to Miss Out on in Novi Sad

Tucked in beneath the slopes of Fruska Gora mountain and hugged by the great, blue Danube, Novi Sad is the largest city in the Northern Serbian province of Vojvodina. While it obviously is a Serbian city, it also has a certain charm, specific for Vojvodina.

Relaxed, a bit slow and absolutely beautiful are three things you can definitely say about both people and the city. So, if you ever decide that you want to visit Novi Sad as a part of your Serbian tour or even dental tourism, here are some things you should never miss out on.

1. Food and Wine

This is always the best place to start when you want to understand the people and the region you are visiting. In the case of Novi Sad and Vojvodina, you will soon understand that food and wine have a special place in their hearts.

The food is a real and amazing clash of Turkish and Austro-Hungarian influences, so, at the same time, you will enjoy homemade dried meats and delicacies, but also exquisite sweets inspired by world-famous Vienna recipes. Make sure you don’t leave before you try homemade ajvar. You will thank us once you taste it.

Wash everything down with a glass of local wine. Novi Sad is right next to Sremski Karlovci. A little town, well-known for its amazing wine. Even if you are not a lover, you will love this wine. If you like spirits more, ask around about rakija.

2. Strand

People of Novi Sad love Danube. They take pride in this beautiful European river and enjoy spending time on its banks. The city beach is called Strand. The word is of German origin, obviously. Strand swells with people during the summer days and nights. It is possible to sunbathe and swim, but also participate in many sports activities. Serbian people sure love their sports.

3. Ribarac (Fishermen’s Island)

If you find Novi Sad laid back and relaxing, you will absolutely love Fishermen’s Island. Lovely restaurants with delicious foods and homely atmosphere, hidden in the bushes along the Danube. The name says it all. What used to be a secluded place for the Novi Sad’s fishermen in the past, now opened its doors to everybody who wants to seek refuge from the streets and city life. This should definitely be on your to-do list when visiting Novi Sad.

4. Petrovaradin Fortress

You can spend an entire day just wandering around this amazing fortress, exploring the underground tunnels, or simply basking in the sun in one of the lovely cafes and restaurants overlooking the city. However, don’t try to go underground on your own, as a trained guide is absolutely necessary.

Take a stroll down the wall that overlooks the city of Novi Sad and it will guide you along the string of artistic ateliers. You can even take a look at most of them and see what the artists are working on. Who knows, you may well end up buying some art and taking it home.

5. A Night out with Tamburica Music

There are a lot of options for a night out in Novi Sad. Surely, there are different cafes, clubs, pubs and similar fun places. But, if you want to experience something entirely different and unique, ask your friends or guides to take you for a night out in a kafana with tamburica music.

Tamburica is a gentle national string instrument, specific for this area. The songs played on it tell lovely stories about the way of life in Vojvodina, tales of love, rites of passage and similar themes. This music is best enjoyed over nice wine and hearty meal.

6. Zmaj Jovina and Dunavska

When you say “the city centre” in Novi Sad, people usually refer to the route from the Miletic monument and the famous Cathedral, down the Zmaj Jovina Street and then left to the short Dunavska street that finishes in the glorious Dunavski Park.

These streets have saved the authentic appearance of the old times, combined with the modern offer of food, drinks and shops. It is quite a short walk, but do another round and this time, slide into the small alleys along the way and find out what they hide.

If you want to discover more about the cultural heritage of Novi Sad, take a day or two to visit all the lovely museums and galleries. Novi Sad is rich in both traditional and contemporary art. Do your homework before coming to Novi Sad, get a guide or ask for tips from the locals. They will gladly let you know about the best places to visit at the time you are in Novi Sad.