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Serbia🇷🇸 | festivalsEXIT FestivalPetrovaradin ramparts, tunnel stages, techno arena, Danube sunrise | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in EXIT
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated November 6, 2026

The bass from the Main Stage reaches you somewhere around the third cup of gas-station coffee, which you are drinking on a stone rampart at 6 a.m. because the party has not technically ended. EXIT happens inside the Petrovaradin Fortress, on a hill above the Danube in the north of Serbia, just across the river from Novi Sad's old center. It is a multi-genre festival: electronic and techno dominate, with rock, hip-hop, pop and regional acts spread across a dozen or so stages. The crowd is young, international and largely camping, with Serbs, Brits, Dutch and Poles all queuing for the same warm lemonade. Expect steep cobbled paths that punish bad footwear but reward you with sunrise views over the river. It runs four nights, long enough to lose a phone and find a new best friend. Unlike Sziget in Budapest, which sprawls across a flat island park, EXIT stacks its stages inside 18th-century walls, tunnels and bastions, so the venue itself is half the show.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in SerbiaWhy EXIT should be on your travel list

EXIT draws backpackers because it turns a fortress into a four-night temporary village, and the social glue works fast. Campsites fill with travelers swapping route advice over cheap beer, and the Petrovaradin Fortress setting means you are never more than a staircase from a new stage or a river view. Compared with Western European festivals of this size, tickets and drinks cost noticeably less, so a full multi-night pass fits a backpacker budget without much guilt. The festival also anchors a Balkan loop nicely. Many people arrive from Budapest or Belgrade and carry on toward Croatia, Bosnia or Montenegro, treating the July dates as the hinge of a summer trip. There is real local flavor too. Novi Sad's own crowd mixes with visitors, and the city's riverside cafés and grilled-meat spots keep … read more 👉
EXIT draws backpackers because it turns a fortress into a four-night temporary village, and the social glue works fast. Campsites fill with travelers swapping route advice over cheap beer, and the Petrovaradin Fortress setting means you are never more than a staircase from a new stage or a river view. Compared with Western European festivals of this size, tickets and drinks cost noticeably less, so a full multi-night pass fits a backpacker budget without much guilt. The festival also anchors a Balkan loop nicely. Many people arrive from Budapest or Belgrade and carry on toward Croatia, Bosnia or Montenegro, treating the July dates as the hinge of a summer trip. There is real local flavor too. Novi Sad's own crowd mixes with visitors, and the city's riverside cafés and grilled-meat spots keep you fed between sets. Add the sunrise finish over the Danube that regulars rave about and you have a festival with a reputation for the long, wandering kind of night that stays with a trip.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Petrovaradin Fortress ramparts: The fortress, often called the Gibraltar of the Danube, is the reason EXIT feels unlike any field festival. Walking its stone walls between stages gives you views of the river and Novi Sad's rooftops.
  2. Main Stage: The biggest crowds gather here for headline electronic, rock and pop sets, set in the fortress's wide lower plateau. Arrive early for a spot with a clear view.
  3. Dance Arena: A long-running home for big-name techno and house, it is where much of the festival's late-night energy concentrates. Expect loud, packed floors that run until morning.
  4. The underground tunnel venues: The fortress's brick tunnels and casemates host smaller, sweatier sets that feel hidden from the main flow. They are a good escape if you want closer-up music and a cooler atmosphere.
  5. Sunrise
… read more 👉
  1. Petrovaradin Fortress ramparts: The fortress, often called the Gibraltar of the Danube, is the reason EXIT feels unlike any field festival. Walking its stone walls between stages gives you views of the river and Novi Sad's rooftops.
  2. Main Stage: The biggest crowds gather here for headline electronic, rock and pop sets, set in the fortress's wide lower plateau. Arrive early for a spot with a clear view.
  3. Dance Arena: A long-running home for big-name techno and house, it is where much of the festival's late-night energy concentrates. Expect loud, packed floors that run until morning.
  4. The underground tunnel venues: The fortress's brick tunnels and casemates host smaller, sweatier sets that feel hidden from the main flow. They are a good escape if you want closer-up music and a cooler atmosphere.
  5. Sunrise on the Danube side: As the final sets wind down, many people gather on the walls facing the river to watch the sky brighten over the water. It is a quiet, shared ritual after a loud night.
Pair the fortress ramparts with the sunrise on the Danube side, since a final loop of the walls leads straight to the best view.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around EXIT Festival

Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

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From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Tour

From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Tour

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From €169
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Private Day Tour to Fruska Gora Monasteries, Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad

Private Day Tour to Fruska Gora Monasteries, Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad

4.9(38)
From €173
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Novi Sad and Fruska Gora wine region Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

Novi Sad and Fruska Gora wine region Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

5.0(20) 8h
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Novi Sad and Fruska Gora with Wine Tasting in Sremski Karlovci

Novi Sad and Fruska Gora with Wine Tasting in Sremski Karlovci

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Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci, Petrovaradin Fort & Novi Sad

Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci, Petrovaradin Fort & Novi Sad

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From €185
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Private Tour to "Little Europe": A Day Trip to Northern Serbia and Novi Sad

Private Tour to "Little Europe": A Day Trip to Northern Serbia and Novi Sad

4.9(10) 9h
From €449
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Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting

Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting

5.0(9) 8h
From €159
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Novi Sad Private Round-Trip from Belgrade with a Driver

Novi Sad Private Round-Trip from Belgrade with a Driver

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From €292
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Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Wine Tour From Belgrade

Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Wine Tour From Belgrade

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of EXIT Festival?

EXIT is held over four days in early to mid July (recent editions ran roughly July 10 to 13 or 7 to 10), with the dates announced a year ahead, at the Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube in Novi Sad. After its 2025 edition EXIT moved abroad for 2026, and it plans to return to Petrovaradin in July 2027.
  • Best day: The opening night has the biggest crowd energy and the main stage headliners, while the final day is calmer and easier for finding space near the stages. Sets run until sunrise, so pace yourself.
  • Weather: Expect 28 to 35°C (82 to 95°F) in the afternoon, dropping to about 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) after midnight. Thunderstorms pass through some years. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle, light rain layers and earplugs.
  • Booking: Buy tickets in the early-bird phases, often from
… read more 👉
EXIT is held over four days in early to mid July (recent editions ran roughly July 10 to 13 or 7 to 10), with the dates announced a year ahead, at the Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube in Novi Sad. After its 2025 edition EXIT moved abroad for 2026, and it plans to return to Petrovaradin in July 2027.
  • Best day: The opening night has the biggest crowd energy and the main stage headliners, while the final day is calmer and easier for finding space near the stages. Sets run until sunrise, so pace yourself.
  • Weather: Expect 28 to 35°C (82 to 95°F) in the afternoon, dropping to about 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) after midnight. Thunderstorms pass through some years. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle, light rain layers and earplugs.
  • Booking: Buy tickets in the early-bird phases, often from the autumn before, since prices climb in stages. Book beds by spring, when rates in Novi Sad can double or triple on festival nights.
  • Crowds and transport: Arrive a day early to avoid the long queues at the fortress gates and the Belgrade to Novi Sad trains on opening day. Leave on the morning after the closing night, or after midday, when trains and buses thin out.
Arrive the day before opening, stay through the final night, and book everything months ahead.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Serbia

Central Novi Sad, around the pedestrian Zmaj Jovina Street and Liberty Square, is the best base for backpackers, since you can walk to the fortress across the Varadin Bridge in about 15 to 20 minutes.
This old town core is flat, well lit and busy late into the night, so walking back alone feels comfortable. Hostels and guesthouses here fill with other festival-goers, which makes it easy to find people to share the walk, split a taxi or meet at the cafes before heading up the hill.
The Podbara and Petrovaradin Podgradje area, right at the foot of the fortress, is the closest option. You can be at … read more 👉
Central Novi Sad, around the pedestrian Zmaj Jovina Street and Liberty Square, is the best base for backpackers, since you can walk to the fortress across the Varadin Bridge in about 15 to 20 minutes.
This old town core is flat, well lit and busy late into the night, so walking back alone feels comfortable. Hostels and guesthouses here fill with other festival-goers, which makes it easy to find people to share the walk, split a taxi or meet at the cafes before heading up the hill.
The Podbara and Petrovaradin Podgradje area, right at the foot of the fortress, is the closest option. You can be at the gates in five to ten minutes, though it is quieter in the evening and has fewer places to eat, so it suits people who care more about the festival than the town.
The Dunavski Park and Spens neighborhoods, a short walk from the center, offer calmer rooms and private rentals with kitchens at better prices, good for groups.
The official EXIT camping areas sit near the Danube, and they are the most social and cheapest choice. Expect shared showers, noise all night and plenty of new friends.
Avoid staying in Belgrade, since late trains and crowded buses make the commute draining. Book early, because rooms in the center disappear first.
Best hostels in Serbia


Best quality hotels in Serbia

👛 Costs (as of 6 November 2026)Typical daily expenses

A realistic daily budget for EXIT is about €112 to €155 per person, with the festival ticket spread across four days and a bed in Novi Sad at high-season prices.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€40 to €50 per day (about €160 to €200 for a four-day pass)Early-bird phases are cheapest, and day tickets cost more per day. Prices rise in steps toward July.
AccommodationCamping €10 to €20; hostel dorm or shared room €40 to €80 in high seasonRooms in Novi Sad cost several times the normal rate during the festival, and the best-value options go first.
Local transport€2 to €10Taxis and local buses are cheap, and the walk from the center to the fortress takes 15 to 20 minutes. A bus or train from Belgrade is about €5 to €10.
Food & drinks€15 to €30Grilled meat sandwiches and burek cost
… read more 👉
A realistic daily budget for EXIT is about €112 to €155 per person, with the festival ticket spread across four days and a bed in Novi Sad at high-season prices.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€40 to €50 per day (about €160 to €200 for a four-day pass)Early-bird phases are cheapest, and day tickets cost more per day. Prices rise in steps toward July.
AccommodationCamping €10 to €20; hostel dorm or shared room €40 to €80 in high seasonRooms in Novi Sad cost several times the normal rate during the festival, and the best-value options go first.
Local transport€2 to €10Taxis and local buses are cheap, and the walk from the center to the fortress takes 15 to 20 minutes. A bus or train from Belgrade is about €5 to €10.
Food & drinks€15 to €30Grilled meat sandwiches and burek cost €3 to €6, and a beer inside costs about €3 to €4. Prices at the grounds are higher than in town.
Miscellaneous expenses€5 to €15Earplugs, sunscreen, phone charging, lockers and the wristband top-up fee. Bring some cash in dinars for stalls.
Total Daily Budget€112 to €155Cheaper with camping and early tickets, and higher if you buy day passes late.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Food at EXIT runs on the Petrovaradin Fortress grounds in Novi Sad, and the first thing you notice is the grill smoke. Stalls and food trucks sell pljeskavica (a wide spiced beef patty in flatbread, usually €4 to 6), ćevapi (small grilled minced-meat sausages, around €4 to 6) and burgers or pizza by the slice for €3 to 5. Order the pljeskavica with kajmak (a soft, salty dairy spread) and ajvar (roasted red pepper relish), and add chopped raw onion if you want the full Serbian version.

For something lighter, look for gibanica (a cheese pastry) and burek, which are better bought in town on the way up. Vegetarians get falafel, grilled cheese and fries without much trouble, though the grill stalls dominate.

On the drinks side, Serbian lager comes in plastic cups for roughly €2.50 to 4. The local … read more 👉
Food at EXIT runs on the Petrovaradin Fortress grounds in Novi Sad, and the first thing you notice is the grill smoke. Stalls and food trucks sell pljeskavica (a wide spiced beef patty in flatbread, usually €4 to 6), ćevapi (small grilled minced-meat sausages, around €4 to 6) and burgers or pizza by the slice for €3 to 5. Order the pljeskavica with kajmak (a soft, salty dairy spread) and ajvar (roasted red pepper relish), and add chopped raw onion if you want the full Serbian version.

For something lighter, look for gibanica (a cheese pastry) and burek, which are better bought in town on the way up. Vegetarians get falafel, grilled cheese and fries without much trouble, though the grill stalls dominate.

On the drinks side, Serbian lager comes in plastic cups for roughly €2.50 to 4. The local grape brandy, rakija, is sold by the shot at bars. Plum (šljivovica) is the classic, and a shot costs about €2 to 4. Tap water is not offered freely inside, so a bottle of water costs around €1.50 to 2.50.

Pay with cash in dinars at many stalls, though bars and larger vendors take cards. Lines swell right after headliners finish, so eat early in the evening. Portions are large, and sharing one pljeskavica between two people is normal and easy on the wallet. Late at night, the stands near the exit gates stay open and become the place for a final, greasy snack before the walk back across the Varadin Bridge.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

EXIT takes place in early to mid July, usually over four days, at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad. The 2025 edition ran July 10 to 13; the festival moved abroad in 2026 and plans to return to Petrovaradin in July 2027. Novi Sad is roughly 80 km (about 35 minutes by fast train or 1.5 hours by bus) north of Belgrade.
A four-day EXIT ticket generally costs about €160 to €200, depending on how early you buy, and single-day tickets run about €40 to €60. Camping adds around €10 to €20 per night, and beds in Novi Sad cost €40 to €80 in festival week. Food and drink inside the fortress add about €15 to €30 daily.
Yes, buy EXIT tickets in advance, since early-bird phases are much cheaper and the later phases sell out for the headline nights. Tickets are sold online through the official festival site, and some are available at box offices in Novi Sad and Belgrade. Book your bed or camping spot at the same time, as rooms near the fortress fill by spring.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Stay all four nights if your budget and liver allow, since the festival builds and the later days are where the friendships and wandering sets happen. If you can only manage two, take the middle nights. EXIT rewards sturdy shoes, earplugs and a sleeping bag that handles warm days and cooler dawns. Build in a rest day in Novi Sad afterward.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Serbia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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