Novi Sad is Serbia's second-largest city and the capital of the Vojvodina province, set on the Danube about 80 km north of Belgrade. It is a cultured, relaxed city with a handsome Austro-Hungarian centre and a lively cafe scene.
The Petrovaradin Fortress dominates the right bank of the Danube — a massive 18th-century citadel with underground tunnels, artist studios, and panoramic views over the city. Every July, the fortress grounds host EXIT, one of Europe's biggest music festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors.
The old centre is compact and walkable. Dunavska Street and Zmaj Jovina Street are the main strolling and cafe strips, leading to Liberty Square with its neo-Gothic cathedral. The Štrand beach along the Danube is where locals swim and sunbathe in summer. The big art museums — the Museum of Vojvodina and the Gallery of Matica Srpska — are an easy walk apart, and the Hungarian Secessionist synagogue is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Across the river, Fruška Gora and its medieval monasteries make for an easy day trip.