Fruška Gora: monasteries, forest trails and vineyards near Novi Sad

The mountain on the city’s doorstep

From the fortress walls in Novi Sad you can see a long, low ridge of forested hills to the south. That is Fruška Gora, an island of hills in the middle of the flat Pannonian Plain. It is not high – the top, Crveni čot, is a little under 540 metres – but it feels wild and green, and it is only a short drive from the city.

Fruška Gora was declared a national park in 1960, the first in Serbia. Its forests of oak, beech and linden are home to many plants and birds, and in spring the clearings are full of wildflowers.

The monasteries

What makes Fruška Gora truly special is its monasteries. Sixteen Serbian Orthodox monasteries survive on the mountain, most of them founded between the 15th and 18th centuries. Many Serbs who fled north from Ottoman rule settled in this area, and the monasteries became centres of faith, learning and art. People sometimes call the mountain the “Serbian Holy Mountain”.

Each monastery has its own character. Krušedol, founded in the early 16th century by the last members of the Branković dynasty, is one of the most important and holds rich frescoes. Novo Hopovo is known for its elegant church, and Grgeteg for its peaceful setting among the hills. You can visit two or three in a day, and they are all active monasteries where nuns or monks still live.

Walking and cycling

Fruška Gora is crossed by marked trails that suit everything from an easy hour among the trees to a full day on the ridge. Popular starting points include Iriški venac, a pass at the top of the main road across the mountain, and the area around Stražilovo above Sremski Karlovci.

Cyclists love the mountain too: the quiet roads and forest tracks offer real climbs without the need for big mountains. Each spring the area hosts the Fruška Gora Marathon, a long-running hiking event that draws walkers from all over the region.

Wine villages

The southern and northern slopes of Fruška Gora are covered in vineyards, and the region is one of the oldest wine areas in Serbia. Small villages around the mountain have family wineries where you can taste local wines, often with homemade cheese and cured meats. Pairing a monastery visit in the morning with a wine tasting in the afternoon is a classic Fruška Gora day.

Getting there

The easiest way to explore is by car or with a local tour, since the monasteries are spread across the mountain and public transport to them is limited. Some local buses run from Novi Sad to villages near the monasteries, so a mix of bus and walking is possible if you plan ahead.