Stand on Trg slobode in the late afternoon and the day's plan writes itself: the Town Hall on one side, the Name of Mary Church opposite, and the pedestrian streets of Dunavska and Zmaj Jovina leading away toward the river. Cross the Danube and the Petrovaradin Fortress rises above you, its reversed clock hands a local curiosity.
Novi Sad suits travellers who like a compact centre they can cover on foot, with a river promenade, old architecture and a fortress view to finish the day.
1. Petrovaradin Fortress
A fortress that no enemy has ever taken, it now hosts the annual EXIT Festival within its trenches and walls. It offers the best view over Novi Sad, especially beautiful during sunsets, and the clock tower is a symbol of the city, specific for its reversed hands: the large hand shows hours and the small one minutes, dating back to when people relied on public clocks and the more important hand had to be easier to see.
There is a museum on the fortress, "Muzej Grada Novog Sada", along with restaurants with a great view and night clubs. You can end your sightseeing day by enjoying some food with a view from one of the restaurants at the top.
2. Trg slobode (main square)
The main square is the default meeting place for locals and features several interesting sights. The Town Hall (Gradska kuća) sits on it, and the Name of Mary Church stands on the opposite side.
Treat the square as your starting point: the Statue of Svetozar Miletić is here too, and the pedestrian area runs off it toward the river.
3. Name of Mary Church
A Catholic church built in the period 1892-1894, it is Novi Sad's largest Gothic Revival church and also the tallest in the Bačka region. Locals refer to it as "the cathedral".
It is located on the main square, on the opposite side of the Town Hall, so combine the two in a single stop.
4. Dunavska street and Zmaj Jovina street
These are the main pedestrian streets of the centre, with charming old architecture within the pedestrian area. Zmaj Jovina includes the main square, Trg slobode.
Walk them as a route rather than as separate sights; they connect the square to the riverfront and the rest of the centre.
5. Danube promenade and Monument to the Victims of Fascism in Novi Sad
The promenade next to the Danube stretches over around 5 km and is nice to walk along. Around the middle, closest to the city centre, there is a square dedicated to the victims of the raid during the World War II, Trg zrtava racije, which offers a place to sit and enjoy the view over the Petrovaradin Fortress across the river.
The monument itself was erected to commemorate the victims of the raid during the World War II. During warm summer evenings, many young people gather on this square.
6. Fish Market
A great place to buy very cheap, fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade cheese and many other things, and highly recommended for anyone looking for a true Serbian market experience.
It is open every day, and it is best to come in the morning since the vendors start going home in the early afternoon. It sits on Trg Republike, very close to Gimnasium Jovan Jovanović Zmaj.
7. Gimnasium Jovan Jovanović Zmaj
The oldest gimnasium (general-knowledge high school) in Novi Sad, named after a poet from the city. It stands next to the Church of the Great Martyr St. George and is situated at one end of the pedestrian area, on Trg Republike, very close to the Fish Market.
Pair it with the market and the church, since all three are within a short walk of each other.
8. Church of the Great Martyr St. George
An Orthodox church, it is the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Bačka. Orthodox Christianity is the predominant religion in Serbia.
It stands next to Gimnasium Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, so visit the two together on your way through Trg Republike.
9. Danube's Park
A beautiful park near the city centre, home to a family of swans, with the parent swans known among locals to be named Isa and Bisa.
It makes an easy green break between the pedestrian streets and the promenade.
10. Novi Sad Synagogue
The only synagogue in Novi Sad, protected by the Republic of Serbia as a historic landmark. Because of its great acoustics, it is used for many concerts and events.
It is on Jevrejska street, within the central area you will already be walking.
11. Foreign Art Collection
The largest museum collection of foreign art in Serbia. In 1966, Doctor Branko Ilić donated his collection of 136 paintings of foreign artists, 279 pieces and sculptures, period furniture and other items of applied arts to the town of Novi Sad and the Province. The legacy consists of works of Western European schools from the 16th century until the end of the 19th century, mostly from Central Europe.
It is at 29 Dunavska, open Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 and closed Mon, which makes it a good wet-weather stop on the pedestrian street.
12. Vojvodina Museum
The museum covers Vojvodina from the Paleolithic up to the 20th century. Entry for foreigners is RSD 100, or RSD 200 with an English-speaking guide.
It is at 36-37 Dunavska St, open Tue-Fri 09:00-19:00 and Sat-Sun 09:00-14:00. There is also a Dinaric Ethnic house "Brvnara" in Bački Jarak, 15 km north of Novi Sad.
13. The Government of Vojvodina building
Novi Sad is the capital of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, and the government is situated in this building, designed to look like a ship.
It is at Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 16, worth a look as you move between the centre and the wider boulevards.
14. Kamenički park
A beautifully curated park that looks out onto the Danube River, once the garden of royalty. There is a large pentagonal sculpture in the middle and a statue of a sphinx further in.
To get there, cross the bridge on foot and walk down the spiral staircase at the end, or take any bus with a line number 68 and above to the centre of Sremska Kamenica and walk to the park from there.
15. Štrand and Limanski Park
Go to the beach in this distinctly land-locked country: Štrand is a sand beach on the Danube riverbank, usually open mid-May to mid-September. Limanski Park is a large park near the public beach and close to the university campus.
Combine the two on a warm day, and note that the University of Novi Sad campus nearby is quite large and features many trees and places to rest, sit and enjoy a sunny day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on Trg slobode, where the Town Hall and the Name of Mary Church face each other and the Statue of Svetozar Miletić stands nearby. Walk the pedestrian streets, Dunavska and Zmaj Jovina, then head to Trg Republike for the Fish Market while the vendors are still there, alongside Gimnasium Jovan Jovanović Zmaj and the Church of the Great Martyr St. George. If time allows, step into the Foreign Art Collection or the Vojvodina Museum on Dunavska.
Afternoon: Take the promenade along the Danube to Trg zrtava racije, the square dedicated to the victims of the raid during the World War II, and sit with the view over the Petrovaradin Fortress. Cross to the fortress and explore its walls and the clock tower with the reversed hands, and look in at "Muzej Grada Novog Sada".
Evening: Stay on the fortress for sunset, which is when the view over the city is at its best, and end the day with food at one of the restaurants at the top.
When is the best time to see the view over Novi Sad?
The Petrovaradin Fortress offers the best view over the city, especially beautiful during sunsets. The promenade square at Trg zrtava racije also gives a view over the fortress across the river and is a good place to sit.
Can I swim in Novi Sad?
Yes, in season. Štrand is a sand beach on the Danube riverbank, usually open mid-May to mid-September.
When should I visit the Fish Market?
It is open every day, but it is best to come in the morning since the vendors start going home in the early afternoon.
What happens at the Petrovaradin Fortress?
The annual EXIT Festival is held within its trenches and walls, in July. The fortress also has a museum, restaurants with a great view and night clubs.
Use this list to sketch your route, check the museum days against your dates, and start planning your time in Novi Sad.