Europe’s best second city with £39 flights and ‘magnificent’ must-visit attractions

Novi Sad is the best second city in Europe (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you’re fed up of paying hundreds for flights to capital cities which are falling victim to overtourism, protests and a plague of travel influencers, Europe’s second cities may be your answer.

These are the second most populated cities after the country’s capital, and there’s one that’s just been crowned the best on the continent.

No, it’s not the likes of Barcelona or Porto. Instead it boasts £39 flights, a rich history, and stunning architecture – all without breaking the bank.

Where is this ‘magical’ place, you ask? It’s Serbia’s second city, Novi Sad.

A study by luggage company Radical Storage assessed how each of these European travel alternatives performed in five categories: accommodation, food, shopping, culture and local attractions, and accessibility (including the destinations and number of airlines served at the nearest major airport).

Each category was assessed considering quality, how many options were available, and the cost, with Novi Sad coming out on top.

The small streets are aesthetic and colourful (Picture: Shutterstock / xbrchx)

What does Serbia’s second city have to offer?

If you’re a sucker for laneway bars in a delightful old town, multi-coloured buildings, vibrant street art, and historical landmarks then you’re sure to be impressed.

To get a feel of the city, you might want to start off by exploring Dunavska Street. Although small, it’s bursting with coffee shops and restaurants, making it the perfect place for people watching.

‘I always walk along this street to enjoy the cafes, restaurants, ice-cream, shops and the ambience of the old part of the city,’ wrote tourist Zelija on Tripadvisor. ‘It keeps getting better and better.

‘Don’t forget to go down the small alleys as there are more shops to find there. My favourite shops are Mona for bags and Ivko for their wool cardigans. Tourists should not miss this street.’

In Novi Sad, the majority of attractions and eateries are rated four stars or more, despite being cheaper than the average price of other cities in the running.

For example, a typical restaurant main course will set you back just £7.27 here, compared to the study average of £11.79.

If you want a great dining experience, be sure to book yourself in at Project 72 Wine & Deli. It’s extremely popular, with nearly 1,000 five star reviews, an extensive wine list and food visitors have dubbed the ‘best in Novi Sad’.

The city square is where the Christmas market is held (Picture: Shutterstock / frantic00)

Where else should you explore?

Another must-visit is Svetozar Miletic Square where you can see the town hall and the Monument of Svetozar Miletic who used to be the mayor in the 19th century.

But the square’s major selling point is its Christmas market which is known as Novi Sad Winter Land. You can expect live music and entertainment, festive food and gifts, alongside lights that cover every building.

‘We walked around this pretty square decorated for the Christmas market,’ wrote Catherine G, on Tripadvisor. ‘The buildings that border it are each more beautiful than the other. The facades are magnificent.’

You’ll need to make sure you wrap up warm though because temperatures can plummet to minus one, but you’ll have a chance to see snow.

If you prefer to travel in the summer months, you might prefer to visit Strand, Novi Sad’s 700-metre sandy beach on the banks of the Danube.

There are plenty of bars where you can grab a drink and enjoy some traditional Serbian cuisine, too.

The fortress

Petrovaradin Fortress towers over the river on a 40 metre-high volcanic slab and is the second-largest in Europe.

Also known as Gibraltar on the Danube, it was constructed in 1692 and has prison cells, a clock tower, and 16km of catacombs which you can explore by tour.

But you don’t need to be a history buff to visit here, as this fortress is also the backdrop to the wildly popular EXIT Festival, which it hosts every July.

Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad which overlooks the river (Picture: Getty Images)

Since 2000, it’s been attracting 20,000 visitors andwas formed in the spirit of youth rebellion, as a movement for freedom in Serbia and peace in the Balkans.

In the two decades it’s been running it’s had headliners like David Guetta, The Killers, Guns N’ Roses, Snoop Dog, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys and even the late Avicii.

What’s it going to cost you?

Now, getting there involves flying from Luton to Belgrade, which will cost you a minimum of £39 with WizzAir. You can then get a 30 to 40-minute train to Novi Sad, which will cost £2 to £4.

There are plenty of hotels offering reasonably priced stays, with the average being around £80 to £90 per night. A popular four-star hotel, Sheraton Novi Sad offers stays from £89 and is even pet-friendly.

As mentioned, food and drink won’t break the bank either, so you’re set for a budget-friendly break. Of course, if you plan your trip to coincide with the music festival, you’ll need to fork out £125 for a four-day pass to enjoy the tunes.

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