Northern Serbia Full-Day Tour: Explore Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, and Local Monasteries
4.8
284 Ratings
Belgrade
Immerse yourself in the rich history and diverse culture of Northern Serbia on this full-day tour. Explore charming towns, visit ancient monasteries, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Novi Sad. Indulge in local wine tasting for a truly unforgettable experience.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Belgrade - Your trip will begin with pick up from your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, and we head toward the Northern Serbian province of Vojvodina.
  • Vojvodina - An hour of our ride we will spend enjoying the colorful landscapes of the Pannonian plain and hear stories about the turbulent history of this area.
    Home to more than 25 ethnic groups, with six official languages in use, Vojvodina represents a diversity unheard of in the rest of the country.
    Fine chernozem soils make Vojvodina the agricultural heart of Serbia, and the region supplies much of the country’s wheat and corn (maize). They have a saying in Vojvodina: “if you drop a button into the ground, next spring, you will harvest a full coat.”
  • Fruska Gora National Park - We reach Fruška Gora, the only mountain in this region, covered with woods and filled with vineyards on the lower slopes, one of 5 National parks in Serbia but also one of the oldest and best wine regions. The thick Lyndon forests served as a perfect hiding place for 17 medieval Orthodox monasteries that have nested within it.
  • Krusedol Monastery - Fruška Gora, or “The Serbian Holly Mountain,” as it is often referred to, is a home for 17 active Orthodox monasteries. The monasteries were founded during the period of wars and migrations caused by Turkish occupation. They became vital communities that ensured that Serbian identity and Orthodox religion would survive through difficult times. Founded in the early 16th century, Krušedol is probably the most important one. Despite the large-scale destruction on several occasions, some original paintings remain on the dome’s pillars, while frescoes and icons are dating back to the mid-1700s.
    The church contains the remains of many members of the Serbian noble Branković family, as well as King Milan Obrenović (died 1901).
  • Sremski Karlovci - A quiet, Baroque town where time has stopped will impress you with its small houses, Baroque churches, palaces, gardens, and fountains. It has an impressive history as well: in 1699, a peace treaty between Christian European forces and Ottoman Empire was signed here, putting an end to Ottoman conquest of Europe.
    The town was a religious and educational center of the Serbs for more than 250 years, which makes it one of the most critical places in Serbian history.
    First, we will visit the Chapel of Peace, where the peace treaty was signed. Then we’ll stroll through the streets of Karlovci down to the main square. Here we will see the Four Lions Fountain, The Karlovci Gymnasium (High School), Town Hall, Roman Catholic Church, Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, Patriarchy, the Serbian Orthodox Theological Seminary. In one of the oldest wine cellars in the city, we’ll taste the most famous product of the area: the Bermet wine.
  • Podrum Bajilo (Wine Cellar) - Our next stop will be the famous Bajlo winery. Bajlo family has a wine-making tradition longer than 250 years. Present owners are the fourth generation in the business, so we believe that they are the right address for us to get acquainted with the Bermet, Serbian wine that even made it to Titanic.
    Bermet is a unique kind of locally-produced aromatic dessert wine. Its delightful sweet taste is easy to underestimate, although it holds around 15-18% of alcohol! Mostly prepared as red wine, it was quite trendy within the European royal families in the 15h century, and it was exported to the United States in the late 19th century.
    We’ll hear stories about the history of wine-making in Sremski Karlovci, discover the secrets about Bermet production that every family keeps for themself, and we will learn why they say that Bermet is “the best wine for men, but when a lady drinks it”
    We will make sure that we don’t leave the cellar before we sample some of this sweet nectar, for which they say that even mighty Maria Theresa was extremely fond of.
  • Petrovaradin Fortress - Next, we’ll visit the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress, nicknamed ‘Gibraltar on the Danube.’ One of the largest strongholds in Europe, still preserved, covers the surface of 100 ha. Built by the Austrian Empire in the 17th-18th centuries, it played a significant role in defending the Middle European countries from Ottoman attacks. We’ll walk through the fortress, passing through some of its gates, and we’ll see the most exciting places on the top of it like City Museum, Old Military Barracks, and the Clock Tower. We’ll enjoy the view over the Danube and the city of Novi Sad.
  • Novi Sad - Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia, with its typical Middle European appearance and proud history of being a cultural and intellectual center of the Serbs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, for which it earned a name – Serbian Athens. Here we’ll see the most famous sights: the Museum of Vojvodina and Dunavski park - the largest green area in the city, the beautiful Neo-Romantic Serbian Orthodox Bishop’s Palace. We will not miss the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. George from the 18th century, with its valuable iconostasis painted by famous Serbian painter Paja Jovanovic. We’ll walk through the main street further on, enjoying the 18th and 19th-century architecture, as well as endless rows of cafes and restaurants, until we reach Liberty Square, a central point in the city. Here we’ll find The Town Hall, Roman Catholic Cathedral, Finance Palace, and the Neo-Classical edifice of oldest city hotel called Vojvodina. Finally, we’ll pass by the Serbian National Theater and reach the city Synagogue, a beautiful Hungarian Secession-style building, one of the largest European synagogues to be preserved.

After that, we’ll take a break, and you can enjoy your free time in Novi Sad. Perhaps, take your guide’s advice for a traditional Serbian lunch (at own expense), go shopping, visit The Museum of Vojvodina, or wander around the streets of Novi Sad. At the arranged time, get back into the vehicle and head back to Belgrade.

  • Belgrade - Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we’ll arrive in the afternoon. End of services.
What's Included
  • Expert-led tour with a professional guide
  • All entrance fees included
  • Comfortable transport via air-conditioned minivan or private vehicle
  • Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off service
  • Exclusive Bermet wine tasting experience
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience a full day of Northern Serbia’s essence on this tour, where you get to immerse yourself fully in the region’s charm. You have the choice between a private tour or a small communal group tour, both of which come with live, professional guidance and comfortable, air-conditioned transport. The tour includes visits to a single Orthodox monastery in an area referred to as ‘Serbia’s Sacred Hill,’ the charming baroque town of Sremski Karlovci, the imposing Petrovaradin Fortress, and Serbia’s second-largest city - Novi Sad. Savour the distinctive ambience of Vojvodina - a vibrant ‘melting pot’ that is home to over 25 ethnic groups and six officially recognized languages.
To end off your day, you’ll also have the opportunity to sample exceptional wines produced locally.

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
  • The tour includes an entrance to places of worship, and so will be asked to wear appropriate clothing.
  • The child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.
  • The minimum number for a shared tour to operate is three guests.
  • At least 16 hours before the trip, we will inform you in case there are not enough guests on tour, and we will offer a choice between: 1) canceling the tour with no fees applied; 2) changing the tour date; 3) moving to another available tour.
Location
Belgrade
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(284 Ratings)
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Ashkhen
Jun 23, 2024
Great informative tour - We enjoyed our time on the tour. The guide Nevena O. provided insightful information about the country. The route was well planned we did not get tired. The wine tasting was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Puji_w
Jun 21, 2024
Recommended - The guider tale story, such long way story required a historical degree. Salut! Best of luck to him and viator
Review provided by Viator
Saleh_m
Jun 16, 2024
Well worth it for any visitor to Belgrade - Well worth it. The guide Milica was very responsive and friendly. Novi Sad isn’t too far from Belgrade and the stops were interesting and informative and provided a good overview on Serbian history. I wish there was more information on contemporary Novi Sad.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_f
Jun 5, 2024
Varied and interesting tour - Excellent, knowledgeable and sensitive guide. We really enjoyed the Krusadol monastery and the Petrovaradin Fortress, but it was all enjoyable.
Review provided by Viator
Caroline_g
Jun 1, 2024
Lovely! - Great service, informative guide, right pacing! Konstantin was knowledgeable and took great care of us
Review provided by Viator
Cheryl_m
May 24, 2024
Northern Serbia tour - We really enjoyed the tour. We experienced all weather but it did not spoil the day. Nice group of 15 with a great guide.
Review provided by Viator
Alexandra_s
May 24, 2024
Lovely day - even with some rain - Our guide Radenko was really excellent - friendly, engaging, structured, and a wealth of knowledge!! One of the best tour guides ever!!! It was a really enjoyable day! Wine tasting was lovely and wish we had a small amount of time for a quick independent wander around Sremski Karlovci. Novi Sad was really charming. Views from Petrovaradin Fortress were very memorable. Mini bus was comfortable and the pick up was on time. I definitely recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
Yasmin
May 24, 2024
Enjoying Serbia - This was a great place to visit, Constantine our tour guide was excellent, the only thing it was a missing information about how to prepare for the tour, like people should bring their own water or snacks since is a long tour, there is no stop for people to buy their own refreshments
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carloscsar_r
Jun 7, 2024
Interesting tour but no photo opportunities - The itinerary is very cool, tourist spots, attractions and cities are very beautiful. The guide was very knowledgeable about history and knew how to explain everything very well. However, he arrived at the place, gave explanations and that was it. I was about to leave without even taking 10 minutes to take some photos of the place, for our memories. After I realized this, right at the beginning of the tour, I preferred to stop listening to him and take advantage of the stops to take photos, because otherwise I wouldn't have any memories of the place. Except Nov Sad we had some free time, the rest was very busy and no time for photos.
Review provided by Viator
Alex_w
May 29, 2024
Aweful experience!!!! - No communication from Viator nor the tour operator prior to pickup. We were supposed to be picked up 15 minutes prior to tour departure. We did not know who operator was as in all other tours we have gone on. We contacted viator when pickup time had passed. A series of dialogue began with the operator picking us up over an hour late. We were hustled trough tour at each stop to make up for their tardiness including only 2 hour instead of three at last stop. They did not make up for the time lost. Tour guide raced ahead at each stop. I would not recommend this tour operator. Viator did not do their job adequately either.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 13 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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