Wide panorama from Fruška Gora over fields and woodland stretching across the flat Vojvodina plain

National park · Srem, Vojvodina

Fruška Gora National Park

Serbia's oldest national park: forested hills, vineyards and 16 Orthodox monasteries above the Danube in Srem

Photo: Nikola Johnny Mirkovic (@thejohnnyme) / Unsplash

Discover Fruška Gora National Park

Rising gently out of the flat Vojvodina plain just south of Novi Sad, Fruška Gora is an island of green hills about 80 km long. Its lower slopes are patterned with vineyards, orchards and pastures, while above roughly 300 metres a dense deciduous forest takes over, crossed by walking and cycling trails. The highest point, Crveni Čot, reaches only 539 metres, so this is easy, rolling country rather than high mountains.

What makes Fruška Gora special is its monasteries. Sixteen Orthodox communities are scattered across the slopes, many with tall baroque bell towers, carved iconostases and painted interiors, which is why the area is often called the Serbian Holy Mountain. A day here combines quiet monastery courtyards, forest walks, panoramic viewpoints over the Danube and the plain, and village wineries in the surrounding countryside.

Don’t miss

01Krušedol Monastery, founded by the Branković family and burial place of Obrenović royals
02Novo Hopovo Monastery with late Byzantine-style frescoes
03Vrdnik-Ravanica Monastery, holding part of the relics of Prince Lazar
04Velika Remeta, with a seven-storey bell tower
05Crveni Čot, the highest point at 539 m
06Forest trails and viewpoints over the Danube and the Vojvodina plain

History & culture

The story of Fruška Gora National Park

Fruška Gora's rocks hold a rich fossil record, earning it the nickname mirror of the geological past, and the hills contain archaeological sites from prehistoric and historic periods. Most of its monasteries were founded between the 15th and 18th centuries. When Ottoman rule pushed the centre of Serbian spiritual life north into the Habsburg lands, these monasteries became centres of a Serbian cultural revival, rebuilt in a baroque style that blended medieval Nemanjić traditions with Western European influences.

Among them, Krušedol was founded by the Branković family as a family mausoleum and holds the graves of King Milan Obrenović and Princess Ljubica; Novo Hopovo keeps relics of Saint Theodore Tyro; and Vrdnik, known as the Ravanica of Srem, holds part of the relics of Prince Lazar. The area was designated a national picnic ground in 1948 and proclaimed a national park in 1960, the first in Serbia.

Local life & traditions

The monasteries are active communities of monks and nuns, and local Orthodox families visit them for feast days, baptisms and quiet reflection. In the villages around the park, wine-making and fruit growing are part of everyday life, and many families sell their own wine, honey and preserves.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Plan a monastery route by car or with a guide, choosing three or four communities such as Krušedol, Novo Hopovo, Grgeteg and Vrdnik, and allow time in each to see the church, the iconostasis and the quiet courtyard. Between visits, stop at viewpoints along the ridge road or walk a section of the forest trails.

Outdoor lovers can hike or cycle the park's marked paths, and the thermal spa town of Vrdnik on the southern slopes offers a relaxing end to the day. The historic town of Sremski Karlovci at the edge of the hills makes a natural add-on, known for its baroque centre and for bermet, a local dessert wine with protected status.

When to go

Spring (April to June) brings fresh green forests and wildflowers, and September to October brings golden woods and the grape harvest, making both ideal for walking and monastery visits. Summer is warm but shaded in the forest. Winter is quiet and can be muddy on trails, though the monasteries remain open to visitors.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Protected status: Proclaimed a national park in 1960; it covers 25,525 ha and contains 16 Orthodox monasteries. Source: npfruskagora.co.rs ↗
Monasteries: Monasteries described by the national tourism organisation include Jazak, Krušedol, Grgeteg, Velika Remeta, Novo Hopovo, Vrdnik, Šišatovac and Beočin. Source: serbia.travel ↗
Activities: Hiking, cycling and the thermal springs of Vrdnik spa are promoted as ways to enjoy the area. Source: novisad.rs ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Public transport between the monasteries is limited, so a car, taxi or guided tour makes a monastery route much easier.
Dress modestly for monastery visits, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep voices low in the churches.
Ask before photographing inside churches or monks and nuns.
Carry water and a snack on forest trails, as facilities on the ridge are sparse.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Fruška Gora National Park: food, markets & places to stay

Novi Sad lies just across the Danube on the northern side of the hills and is the most convenient base, with Sremski Karlovci close by on the eastern edge. The spa town of Vrdnik has accommodation on the southern slopes, and village wineries are found throughout the surrounding area.