South Bačka: Danube floodplains, fortresses and wine tradition

The Kovilj–Petrovaradin marshland combines forest, meadow, marsh and aquatic ecosystems with river islands, ponds and wetlands. Rare black storks and sea eagles are found there; their classification as rare species is subject to ecological monitoring. The Bačko Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve has been part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2017.

Wetlands, cycling route and hiking

Organized boat trips can be arranged at the Šlajz–Tikvara site. As advance arrangements may be required, it is advisable to check beforehand. The Kovilj–Petrovaradin marshland is also on the Danube Cycle Route, EuroVelo 6. Check its route before setting off so that your plans match the current alignment.

Kovilj is served by Novi Sad’s regular suburban bus route 24. As transport information can change, it is worth checking the timetable before travelling.

Special PNG maps and GPX and KMZ tracks for the hiking routes in Fruška Gora National Park are available to download free of charge. The 23 recommended routes are circular and can be hiked in either direction. These two details provide a concrete framework for planning your hikes: you can take the circular routes and your preferred direction into account. As digital route resources may be updated, it is best to check the latest version before setting out.

Bač: landscape and fortress

The cultural landscape of Bač is shaped by the Danube and the Mostonga, wetlands, loess plains, riparian forests, marshes and freshwater habitats. Nature and built heritage stand side by side here as distinct aspects of the landscape. Bač Fortress, the Orthodox Bođani Monastery and the Franciscan Monastery of Bač are three important cultural assets that are central to understanding the history and character of the cultural landscape.

The fortress is considered a protected cultural monument of exceptional importance. From Bač, you can reach it on foot via a paved pedestrian bridge, through the Varoš Gate and along Bačke tvrđave Street. By car, take the Bač–Vajska road towards the Donjon Tower. This makes it easy to distinguish between the two described ways of reaching the fortress when planning your visit.

Petrovaradin: fortress, museum and festival

At the clock tower of Petrovaradin Fortress, the large hand shows the hours and the small hand shows the minutes. The main building of the City Museum of Novi Sad is also located in the fortress; it houses two permanent exhibitions: “The Fortress in the Past” and “Novi Sad from the 18th to the 20th Century”. The titles connect the history of the fortress with the city’s history, providing a concrete thematic framework for a museum visit.

The Underground Military Galleries form a four-level communications and defence system stretching 10 miles. Another perspective is offered by the fortress terrace with its Officers’ Pavilion, which looks out over Novi Sad. Thus, the fortress’s underground structures, exhibitions and city views cater to a range of interests.

The EXIT Festival takes place every July at Petrovaradin Fortress. Exact dates and the programme vary from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the latest event dates while making your plans.

Museums, history and wine tradition

Atelier 61 is a workshop founded in 1961 for large-scale artistic tapestries and preserves the tradition of making textile products. The Museum of the Slovaks of Vojvodina (Múzeum vojvodinských Slovákov) has historical, ethnological and art collections. Its remit includes researching, documenting, presenting and preserving material and spiritual records from the past of the Slovaks of Vojvodina.

The town centre of Sremski Karlovci is a cultural and historical ensemble of exceptional importance. The town was the seat of the Serbian Metropolitanate; it is also home to Karlovac High School, considered the oldest secondary school for Serbs. The town’s historic character offers a glimpse of ecclesiastical history and the history of education as distinct themes.

Wine also contributes to Sremski Karlovci’s tourist offerings: wine production and wine tours are among its main attractions. You can include optional tastings in your winery visits; specific arrangements may vary. Local winemaking traditions and Srem specialities, such as a Srem-style snack, poppy-seed strudel or kuglof, are recommended accompaniments. This offers a different focus from fortress visits or nature observation, and can be tailored to your interest in wine and regional specialities.

When looking for a hotel in South Bačka, you can first decide whether you want nature and hiking or culture and wine to shape your stay. This lets you plan your trip around the experience you want without limiting yourself to just one theme.

Discover more destinations: Bačka Palanka, Turija, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Bečej, Kovačica, Bečej, Temerin, Gložan, Futog, Čerević, Sremska Kamenica, Kovilj, Srbobran, Bački Petrovac, Bač, Žabalj, Čenej, Kać, Petrovaradin.

For the regional travel overview: Vojvodina.