Useful tips when visiting Novi Sad

How to reach Novi Sad: Nikola Tesla Airport Belgrade is the closest airport to Novi Sad. We suggest using one of the many options of direct transfer from the airport to a specific address in Novi Sad, e.g.:

• https://www.daf-travel.com/en/reservation
• https://www.autoturist-ns.com/en/online-reservation/airport-city-transportation/
• http://prevozdoaerodroma.org/en/
• https://en.taxitravel.rs/en/minibus-transfer-airport-belgrade-novi-sad/
  https://taxidoaerodroma.rs/en/

The cheapest and quite comfortable option is to take bus number 600 at the airport (the stop is right outside the arrivals terminal) to the Central Railway Station (ticket price 50 RSD, about 0.5 EUR and can be bought from the driver). Then you take the SОКО (Falcon, in cyrilic - Сoko) high-speed train to Novi Sad (the ticket can be purchased online: https://webapi1.srbvoz.rs/ekarta/app/#!/home, the one-way price is around 5 EUR).

For other options, please visit https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Aerodrom-Nikola-Tesla/Novi-Sad.

For other options on how to get to Novi Sad, visit: https://novisad.travel/en/kako-doci-do-nas-2/

If you come to Novi Sad by train or bus, take bus no. 11A or 11B (circular lines) and get off at the Urbis stop (#43) to reach the Symposium venue.

City Public Transport: Bus tickets are available in three ways:

PURCHASED WITH AN E-WALLET* (65.00 RSD): A single ticket purchased with an e-wallet belongs to the category of preferential tickets and its price is lower than the price of tickets purchased from the driver. The e-wallet can be used to buy one-way tickets in city, suburban and intercity traffic.

In order to pay for the ticket with an e-wallet, it is mandatory to present the card to the validator when entering the vehicle. The system deducts from the card the amount for the price of the ticket to the last station on the line, and the change (only for suburban and intercity lines) is returned when the user is validated when exiting at the desired destination.

*An e-wallet is a non-personalized card in which the deposited funds with which the passenger pays for transportation are recorded. The e-wallet can be used on all lines of JGSP "Novi Sad". The e-wallet are available from January 22, 2024. at the sales points of JGSP "Novi Sad" and at service providers of the distribution network for the sale of e-wallets (price is 400 RSD). It is not necessary to attach a single personal document to purchase an e-wallet. The validity of the e-wallet is unlimited.

BOUGHT FROM THE DRIVER (100.00 RSD): A single-ride ticket is purchased on the bus from the driver and can only be used once during the duration of the started ride. When buying a ticket on city lines, the user buys a ticket that is valid to any stop on that departure.

DAILY TICKETS (278.00 RSD): Valid for the day for which they are issued from 00:00 to 24:00. Daily tickets are sold in every bus. For intercity lines are valid only for the routes for which they were issued, as well as on city transport lines.

For more information please visit: http://www.gspns.co.rs/

Public Transport Novi Sad App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gradskiprevoznovisad

Taxi: The passenger is only required to pay for taxi services according to the current price list and to the amount indicated by the taxi meter at the end of the journey. The price of driving within the wider city centre is 5 to 12 euros. Numbers of taxi companies: https://zovitaxi.com/novi_sad_e.html.

Parking: As in all big cities, finding a parking space in the central streets of Novi Sad during working hours is very tricky and we recommend vehicles be parked in a public car park. Parking system in Novi Sad involves organizing parking lots in three zones: red, blue, and white. Payment is realised by purchasing parking tickets at newsstands (with the possibility of buying a day ticket for specific locations) and by sending an SMS (domestic operators only) - text car license plate number without spaces. More about the parking system in Novi Sad, including the location of public car parks, can be found here: https://www.parking-servis.co.rs/eng.  

There are many free parking spaces in the area of the campus of the University of Novi Sad, where the Symposium venue is located, but they are almost always full, from early morning to late afternoon.

Time: Zone Novi Sad and Serbia are in the CET (Central European Time) zone, UTC+1. In summer the Daylight Saving Time (DST) moves it to CEST, UTC+2.

Currency: The official currency of Serbia is the Serbian Dinar (RSD). Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and shops, and nearly all ATMs accept international bank cards. Currency exchange in Belgrade (including at Belgrade Airport) accepts Euros, US Dollars, and Sterling, as well as the currencies of all EU countries. The rate is around 117 RSD for 1 Euro, 106 RSD for 1 USD, 137 RSD for 1 GBP.

Serbian SIM Cards: We recommend buying a SIM card if you have an unlocked phone as it will make your life much easier, especially when paying for parking.

See https://www.bigcenters.rs/en/blog/advisory-guide-on-serbian-sim-card-and-mobile-data/

Water: Tap water in Novi Sad is safe to drink.

Electricity: The electricity voltage in Novi Sad is 220 V, as in most cities of Continental Europe. Electrical outlets are standard European - CEE 7 standard.

Working hours: Most shops work from 8 AM to 8 PM during business days and 8 or 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays (and Sundays). In the large shopping malls, this period is usually longer, until 10 PM for business days, and in some cases, weekends too.

Smoking: Serbia allows smoking in restaurants, so make sure to ask to be seated in the non smoking section (if one exists).

Postal, Area Codes and car plates: The main postal code for Novi Sad is 21000 and the Area calling code is +381 (0)21. The car plates code for Novi Sad is NS.

Important telephone numbers: 192 - Police, 193 - Fire department, 194 - Ambulance

Explore Novi Sad in a day

City center - In the heart of Novi Sad awaits The Name of Mary Church, built in 1894 on the site of so-called Freedom Square. This Roman Catholic church is also the largest religious building in this city, and the people of Novi Sad popularly call it the cathedral. It is just one of the many symbols of the city, but it is mostly the first stop when visiting Novi Sad. Then, on Jevrejska Street, there is the Synagogue, a historically and architecturally famous building. Close by are the Matica Srpska Gallery, the Cathedral of St. Djordje, many little and colourful passages, and numerous restaurants and bars perfect for a quick coffee break

Danube Street - This street named after the river occupies a special place in Novi Sad. Apart from being one of the most famous, it is also one of the oldest streets in this city. It connects the city centre with the scenic Danube park. It is also one of the favourite promenades of Novi Sad residents, as well as tourists. Near it is the Museum of Vojvodina, as well as numerous high-rise buildings built in the Neo-Baroque style. Danube street is where you'll find boutiques, little cafes, and fast-food restaurants, all situated in buildings typical of Vojvodina.

Petrovaradin Fortress - Another symbol of Novi Sad is its fortress, located on the right bank of the Danube. It was built by the Austro-Hungarians in the 18th century, as protection from the Ottomans who posed a constant threat to Western Europe. Apart from its historical significance, the fortress is also one of the most visited sites in Novi Sad. Its symbol is the so-called Drunken Clock, which got its name due to its peculiar hands; the hour hand shows the minutes, and the minute hand shows the hours. Here, you can have a dinner with a view at one of the restaurants offering an enchanting panorama of the Rainbow Bridge and Danube. The best spots to explore in the Petrovaradin fortress are Underground military galleries, Atelier 61 and Belgrade Gate.

Museums and Galleries - Museum of Vojvodina, Dunavska street; Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina, close to Danube Park; Gallery of Matica Srpska and Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection, Galleries Square.

Štrand - City beach perfect for a swim on a hot summer's day. From June to August, many events are held there. Entrance 50.00 RSD.

For more visit: https://novisad.travel/en/

Fun facts about Novi Sad

1. Novi Sad is New Plantation - At the beginning of the Habsburg rule, citizens of the Orthodox faith were forbidden to live in Petrovaradin, so the Serbs founded a new settlement on the left bank of the Danube in 1694, which later became Novi Sad. The oldest name of the settlement was Racka varoš (Serbian town in Hungarian), also known as Petrovaradinski Šanac (Petrovaradin’s trench). On February 1, 1748 Empress Maria Theresa issued an Edict by which Neoplanta received the status of a Free Royal City of the Kingdom of Hungary, which was then part of the Austrian Empire, and stated in the Edict: “… canceling its previous name Petrovaradinski Šanac, we found it good to in the future call it Neoplanta, Hungarian Uj-Videgh, German Ney-Satz, Serbian Novi Sad and Bulgarian Mlada Loza”, all mean New Plantation.
2. Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia
3. Novi Sad is often referred to as the “Athens of Serbia” - Due to numerous theaters, museums, art galleries and festivals, Novi Sad is a cultural center that attracts artists and intellectuals from all over the world.
4. Novi Sad is host to the annual EXIT Music Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, drawing in thousands of music enthusiasts every year.
5. Novi Sad has a multicultural heritage, influenced by various cultures, including Serbian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Germanic.
6. Novi Sad is surrounded by breathtaking nature, the nearby Fruška Gora National Park offers beautiful hiking trails and stunning landscapes.
7. Novi Sad is famous for its annual Štrudla Fest, the festival celebrates the traditional pastry known as štrudla and offers a variety of delicious sweet and savory options.
8. In 2021 Novi Sad holds the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture.
9. Novi Sad is home to the oldest Serbian gymnasium.
10. Novi Sad is a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts.
11. Novi Sad is home to the Serbian National Theater.
12. Novi Sad is a popular destination for river cruises.
13. Novi Sad has a thriving film industry, several renowned Serbian filmmakers and production companies are based in Novi Sad.
14. Novi Sad has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
15. Novi Sad has a large student population. The presence of universities and educational institutions attracts students from all over the country and beyond.
16. The 3 Fingers - lifting 3 fingers (thumb, index and the middle finger) is a Serbian tradition. So, if you want to show your appreciation towards Serbia and to its locals that will send a clear