Subotica

Subotica is an Art Nouveau city in the far north of Vojvodina, Serbia, close to the Hungarian border and about 190 km from Belgrade. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours by bus or train, so it is a long but feasible day trip. Buses leave the BAS station every one to two hours and cost about 2,000 to 2,500 RSD one way, trains run a few times daily for roughly 1,500 to 2,000 RSD (check srbijavoz.rs), and driving costs about 2,000 RSD in tolls and fuel. The old town is about 10 minutes on foot from the bus station. The centrepiece is the City Hall on Trg Slobode, completed in 1912 in a colourful Hungarian Secession style with a tall tower, a decorated interior and a viewing platform. Nearby are the Synagogue, a notable Art Nouveau building, the Raichle Palace, the Cathedral of St Teresa of Avila, and the pedestrian Korzo street lined with cafes. The city has a mixed Serbian, Hungarian and Croatian population, which shows in the food: Hungarian-influenced dishes, strudels and pastries are common. Palić Lake, with a park of Secession pavilions, lies about 8 km east and can be reached by bus or taxi for an afternoon walk. A suggested day is to take an early bus, arrive by late morning, tour the City Hall and the central squares, have lunch on the Korzo, visit the synagogue area and a gallery in the afternoon, then continue to Palić if time allows before a late-afternoon or evening return. May to September is the best period, with outdoor cafes open and Palić lake pleasant. The long travel time makes an early start important, and an overnight stay is a good alternative for visitors who prefer a slower pace.