Is Novi Sad Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Novi Sad, Serbia
Safety Index:
82
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
93
* Rated 93 / 100 based on 3 user reviews.

Situated on the Danube River between Budapest and Belgrade, it is a treasured regional and cultural center.

Novi Sad has a population of 400,000 in the full urban area.

Travelers come here to see Eastern Europe’s uniqueness, old town architectures, and fortresses.

In July, the EXIT Festival takes place here – the event marks the beginning of the democratic revolution in the country and attracts many tourists every year.

It has a wider variety of music genres such as Rock, Dance, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Folk, and Techno.

The city also has several historical museums with unique collections, and the fortress of Petrovaradin stores all the ancient artifacts of the region.

Warnings & Dangers in Novi Sad

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Novi Sad is a safe Serbian city. Here you will not face serious crimes, but you can be robbed. You should also be careful on the road - local drivers do not particularly like to follow the road rules.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Taxi services are safe and widespread. It’s better not to catch a taxi on the street. But if you take a car from the road, be sure to negotiate the price of the ride before sit. It’s safe in public transport, but watch your pockets because of pickpockets.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

The risk of pickpocketing is quite significant. Your pockets may try to empty if you gape in a place full of people. Crowded buses also have pickpockets. Watch your things and don’t carry valuables while walking around the city.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There is little risk of flooding from the Danube spill in Novi Sad, but it is small. Otherwise, the city and region do not suffer from any severe types of natural disasters.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Severe cases of robbery or kidnapping are rare here. They can happen only between residents and tourists do not become the target of such actions. Common sense should be used so as not to get into trouble.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Terrorist attacks are not rare in Europe, but this is rare in Novi Sad. Severe attacks have not occurred yet in the city. Learn the news and the political environment before your visit to the town.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

ATM card fraud is possible, especially in tourist locations. Try to withdraw money from ATMs at the bank. Sometimes you can be deceived with the quality of souvenirs, selling fakes. Buy tickets to museums and festivals only at licensed points of sale, so as not to get a scam.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling alone will be quite comfortable in Novi Sad, follow common sense, and do not walk around the bars or late at night alone. Otherwise, they will not cause harm to women.

So... How Safe Is Novi Sad Really?

The city is quite safe; the crime rate is not high here.

However, not the lowest in the region.

Most of the problems are due to the careless driving of Serbs on the roads.

Therefore, if you rent a car, be especially careful on the roads.

Novi Sad is a multicultural city, and usually, there are no problems associated with race or other prejudices.

A vast majority of locals are very friendly and hospitable toward foreigners.

Any tourists who use common sense will not be able to get into trouble in Novi Sad.

Sometimes in the city, there are cases of vandalism and theft of things from cars.

In this case, it is recommended not to leave the car unlocked, park it in secure parking lots and take valuables out of the car when you go.

There are small drug-related gangs. But usually, it does not concern tourists.

Avoid any contact with these people to stay safe.

It considered that petty robbery is the most dangerous thing that can happen to you in Novi Sad.

These take place in crowded public transport and on full of people festivals.

Be careful with those who offer or ask for help on your street.

It can be a distraction to empty your pockets.

How Does Novi Sad Compare?

CitySafety Index
Novi Sad82
Belgrade73
Brussels (Belgium)60
Shanghai (China)66
Belize City (Belize)37
La Paz (Bolivia)52
Sao Paulo (Brazil)45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)43

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

Visa is not required for any stays shorter than 90 days. A valid passport is a must. Check your visa status on www.doyouneedvisa.com.

Currency

Currency

The dinar is the official currency of Serbia. It has a sign: din; code: RSD. One dinar divided into 100 dinar coins. It's an old currency in Europe - the earliest use of the dinar dates back to 1214.

Weather

Weather

The best times to visit Novi Sad for ideal weather are from mid-April to October. Temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year.

Airports

Airports

The nearest airport is Belgrade 70 km southeast, less than an hour ride from Novi Sad. Novi Sad has an airport; it is located near the village of Čenej in Serbia. At the moment, the site is mostly used for sport and agriculture. Novi Sad Airport is expected to be opened for civilian flights soon.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Novi Sad Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 1° C
Feb 2° C
Mar 7° C
Apr 12° C
May 17° C
Jun 20° C
Jul 22° C
Aug 22° C
Sep 18° C
Oct 13° C
Nov 7° C
Dec 2° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
461218232628282418115
Low
°C
-3-226111415151172-1
High
°F
394354647379828275645241
Low
°F
272836435257595952453630

Serbia - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Belgrade73
Novi Sad82

Where to Next?

3 Reviews on Novi Sad

  1. C
    Crystal says:

    Beautiful!

    Novi Sad has some really amazing architecture and sights worth seeing. I actually did not know of the place until meeting my husband. He had been several times being from Serbia and we went for our 5th anniversary. I loved it so much that we go back every other year.

  2. A citizen of this city

    I like how it says to watch out on the road, it is true, especially in the last 3 years.

    A lot of cars on the street, and the roads are narrow because the drivers stop on the side due to a lack of parking. So instead of 2-3 lanes, you have 1-2 lanes per direction.

    If you rent/bring a bicycle, prepare for the most bicycle-friendly city aside from Amsterdam! The “unsafe” areas in town are far away from the tourist points of interest so you have nothing to worry about when you’re there.

    The only annoyance might be beggars who scout open cafes and fast food joints, and an occasional stray dog, but they are mostly friendly and just chase cars for fun (the dogs, not the beggars). Aside from that, there is a lot to see in this city and I am proud to be its citizen!

  3. Lived there for 4 years, never had anything bad happen to me. There are ocassional scammers on the streets who will try to get money out of you by saying it’s for a donation, or they need it for a bus ticket or whatever. Just say no and walk away

Novi Sad Rated 4.67 / 5 based on 3 user reviews.

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