Commercial partnership — This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, Pixidia earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
EXIT Festival 2026 is at Long Beach (Velika Plaža), Ulcinj, Montenegro — not Petrovaradin, Serbia, where it ran for 25 years. Forced out by political pressure from the Vučić government after backing student protesters, the festival moves to 13 km of Adriatic beach in early July 2026 (exact dates TBA). Direct flights from London Gatwick to Podgorica start from £39 with Wizz Air UK. A 4-day pass historically around £85 in early-bird. With Glastonbury on a fallow year in 2026, EXIT is the Balkan alternative that belongs on every UK festival-goer’s radar.
Six months ago I’d have answered without hesitation: « EXIT means Petrovaradin. » Since 2001, that baroque fortress perched above the Danube in Novi Sad had been the absolute synonym for the festival. Twenty-five years of sunrise sets in the moat, twenty-five years of techno bouncing off 17th-century ramparts, twenty-five years of electronic pilgrimage drawing festivaliers from 90 countries — including a very sizeable contingent from Britain.
Then on 1 November 2024, the canopy of Novi Sad railway station collapsed. Sixteen people died. EXIT publicly backed the student protests that erupted against corruption and government impunity. The Vučić government responded the way authoritarian governments respond to artists who take a stand: by cutting all public subsidies, blocking access to the fortress, and making the 2026 edition at Petrovaradin impossible to organise.
The result: EXIT 2026 takes place on a stretch of volcanic sand beach in Montenegro. Long Beach, Ulcinj. Thirteen kilometres of Adriatic coastline a few miles from the Albanian border, under an early-July sky. The DNA is intact — the festival won the Best European Festival prize at the UK Festival Awards back in 2007 and the Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards in 2013 and 2017, and in 2025 took the European Promoter of the Year accolade « for resisting immense governmental pressure. » Here’s how to get there from the UK, where to stay, what to budget, and why Petrovaradin still deserves a visit.
The great move: EXIT leaves Serbia after 25 years
A political exile, not an artistic choice
EXIT did not choose to leave Serbia. According to the festival’s official statement, founder Dušan Kovačević faced « immense financial and political pressures » after EXIT backed the student demonstrations that followed the collapse of Novi Sad railway station (1 November 2024, 16 deaths). The authorities’ response was swift: total withdrawal of public funding at every level — federal state, Vojvodina province, Novi Sad city hall — and a block on access to Petrovaradin fortress for the 2026 edition.
The July 2025 edition was already marked by a historic announcement on 9 July: it would be the last at Petrovaradin. Some 200,000 festival-goers, 16 minutes of silence — one for each victim of the station disaster — and headliners including Tiësto, Solomun and The Prodigy for a memorable farewell. As NME reported, Bob Geldof described EXIT as « one of the last truly independent festivals. »
The 2026 Global Tour: EXIT goes worldwide
- Sea Star (Umag, Croatia): 28–31 May 2026 — Boris Brejcha, Loreen, I Hate Models
- EXIT to Montenegro (Ulcinj): early July 2026 — exact dates TBA
- Spiral Festival (Malta): 31 July–2 August — Fatboy Slim, Nina Kraviz, Lilly Palmer
- Starlight Festival (Pyramids of Giza, Egypt): 8–11 October — tickets on sale from 25 May 2026
- No Sleep Belgrade: November 2026 — Amelie Lens, Max Kobosil
Long Beach, Ulcinj: the festival’s spectacular new setting
Ulcinj: Montenegro’s southernmost town
Ulcinj is Montenegro’s southernmost town, just a few miles from the Albanian border. A multicultural, predominantly Albanian-speaking community, it preserves a medieval old town (Stari Grad) on a headland overlooking the Adriatic. Its main beach — Velika Plaža, or Long Beach — is the venue for EXIT 2026: 13 kilometres of dark volcanic sand, Blue Flag certified, with free public access zones between private beach clubs.
According to the Montenegrin government, hosting EXIT represents a €1.5m public investment, with projections of 210,000 overnight stays and €40m in tourism revenue for the season. In exchange for what does concern some environmental groups — Velika Plaža is a sensitive biodiversity area — the festival has committed to sustainable site management.
What you’ll find on site
- Free public beach access zones between private beach clubs
- Sunbeds + parasol: €15–40 per set depending on location
- Kitesurfing: Maestral wind 14–25 knots in the afternoon (beginner courses €350–500)
- Bus from Ulcinj market to the beach: €1.50
- 5G WiFi available in the central beach area
Petrovaradin & Novi Sad: the heritage pilgrimage
Why the round-trip from Ulcinj is worth it
To understand EXIT 2026, you need to understand Petrovaradin. For 25 years, this Austro-Hungarian baroque fortress — built between 1692 and 1780 on Habsburg orders, 112 hectares, 10 gates, 12,000 musket loopholes, 16 km of underground galleries — was where the festival lived. The mts Dance Arena (25,000 capacity) delivered its legendary sunrise sets, the bass lines bouncing off walls that had witnessed Romans, Ottomans and Austrians alike.
The fortress is absolutely worth a visit independently of the festival. According to novisad.travel, it houses museums, artists’ studios, Danube-view restaurants, and guided tunnel tours (mandatory, ~900 m of the 16 km explored). The clock tower is unique: the large hand indicates the hours, the small hand the minutes — designed so Danube bargemen could read the time from a distance.
Novi Sad, cultural capital of Vojvodina
Novi Sad (300,000 inhabitants) is Serbia’s second city and capital of Vojvodina province. A European Capital of Culture in 2022, it blends Austro-Hungarian, Serbian and Hungarian heritage in remarkable architecture: Trg Slobode square with its neo-baroque City Hall (1894) and Church of the Virgin Mary (1895), the pedestrianised Zmaj Jovina Street leading to the Vladičanski dvor (Byzantine-Moorish episcopal palace, pink-and-gold facade), and an Art Nouveau synagogue converted into a concert hall.
- Petrovaradin Fortress: walkable from the city centre (20–30 min), taxi ~€5–8
- Štrand Beach: 700 m of riverside beach on the Danube, day ticket 50 RSD (~£0.35)
- Sremski Karlovci (8 km): baroque town, cellars and Bermet wine (15–18% ABV, 16 herbs)
- Fruška Gora National Park (30 min): 16 Orthodox monasteries, wine route, hiking
- Local food: ćevapi + kajmak, Danube-side fiš paprikaš, gibanica (cheese pastry)
Budget and tickets: what to plan for 9 days in the Balkans
Budget estimate: Belgrade + Novi Sad + festival Ulcinj (9 days)
| Cost item | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights London↔Balkans | £75–120 | £150–280 |
| Accommodation Serbia (4 nights) | £45–70 (hostel) | £100–210 (hotel) |
| Accommodation Montenegro (4 nights) | £35–65 (hostel/dorm) | £280–540 (4★ hotel) |
| EXIT Festival ticket (4 days) | ~£85–115 (early bird) | ~£340 (VIP Gold) |
| Food & drinks (9 days) | £80–120 | £160–280 |
| Local transport | £25–45 | £60–105 |
| TOTAL estimate | £345–535 | £1,090–1,755 |
Currency and payments
Good news for UK travellers: Montenegro uses the euro as its official currency (without being in the eurozone). No exchange needed for the Montenegro leg of your trip. In Serbia, the Serbian dinar (RSD) exchanges at around 117 RSD to €1, or roughly 140 RSD to £1. Menjačnicas (exchange bureaux) offer far better rates than airports. Always decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs — choose RSD.
- Local beer in Novi Sad: ~£1.50–2 in a neighbourhood bar
- Budget restaurant meal in Novi Sad: £8–14 for two courses
- Burek (Montenegrin street food): €2–4
- Novi Sad city bus: 0.74€ per journey
Visa, health and safety: what every UK festival-goer needs to know
Entry formalities: the easy side of the Balkans
The admin for this trip is refreshingly simple. According to GOV.UK Serbia travel advice, British citizens can enter Serbia visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 6-month period. Montenegro applies the same rule. A valid British passport is all you need — ensure it has at least 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates.
Mandatory registration in Serbia
In Serbia, all foreign nationals must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival. In practice, hotels and hostels handle this automatically (the « Bela Karta »). If you’re staying with friends or privately, you’ll need to register yourself online or at a local police station. Make sure your passport gets stamped at the border.
Safety
- General safety level is good — standard precautions apply
- Avoid displaying watches, jewellery or electronics visibly in crowded areas
- Political tensions related to student protests do not directly affect tourists
- Register your trip on the FCO/FCDO travel advice page before departure
Health
Your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is valid in Montenegro for emergency state healthcare treatment. In Serbia, the UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement — present your British passport to access state medical care. In both cases, comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended: a private GP consultation costs €50–100 in Montenegro, hospitalisation €300–800/day.
Plan your trip: the essentials
Compare prices and book your Balkans flight on Aviasales — the aggregator covering all carriers including Wizz Air UK, Ryanair and Air Serbia.
Stay connected across both countries with an Airalo eSIM. Activate before you leave, top up as needed — no roaming surprises.
Nomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. Your GHIC won’t cover everything in Serbia — get proper medical and evacuation cover. 10% off via our link.
Full-day Vojvodina tour: Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad old town, Sremski Karlovci and Bermet wine tasting. From €59.
From €59Frequently asked questions — EXIT Festival 2026
Is EXIT Festival 2026 still in Novi Sad as in previous years?
No. In 2026, EXIT is no longer held at Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia, but at Long Beach (Velika Plaža), Ulcinj, Montenegro. This is the first edition outside Petrovaradin since 2001. The move follows political pressure from the Serbian government after EXIT backed student protests following the Novi Sad railway station collapse (November 2024). Source: exitfest.org, Balkan Insight (May 2026).
What are the exact dates of EXIT Festival in Ulcinj in 2026?
As of 27 May 2026, only « early July 2026, during the traditional EXIT weekend » has been officially confirmed by exitfest.org. Exact dates and the lineup have not yet been announced. The « traditional weekend » historically falls in the first or second week of July (Petrovaradin typically ran around 10–13 July). Follow @exitfestival on Instagram and exitfest.org for the official announcement.
How do I travel from London to Ulcinj, Montenegro for EXIT 2026?
The most direct option is a flight from London Gatwick (LGW) to Podgorica (TGD) with Wizz Air UK, from around £39 one-way. Ryanair also flies from Stansted. From Podgorica, Ulcinj is 130 km: bus €3–5 (~90 min) or taxi €50–70. Car hire is the best option if you want to explore the coast. Alternative: fly to Tirana, Albania (sometimes from £40), then taxi or bus to Ulcinj (50 km, ~1–2h).
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Serbia or Montenegro?
No. British citizens can enter both Serbia and Montenegro visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days, on a valid British passport (6 months’ validity required). In Serbia, your hotel automatically handles the mandatory police registration (Bela Karta) on arrival. Make sure your passport is stamped at the border. Sources: GOV.UK Serbia travel advice, mfa.gov.rs.
What is the average budget for 9 days (Novi Sad + EXIT festival, Ulcinj)?
Over 9 days (4 days Serbia + 4 days festival + 1 transit day), a budget trip comes in at roughly £345–535 all-in (flights + hostel + early-bird ticket ~£85 + food + transport). Comfort budget (hotels, standard ticket, restaurants) rises to £1,090–1,755. Note: Montenegro uses the euro, so no currency exchange needed for that leg. In Serbia, £1 ≈ 140 RSD (May 2026).
Is Petrovaradin Fortress worth visiting even without EXIT?
Absolutely. Petrovaradin is one of Europe’s largest fortress complexes: 112 hectares, built between 1692 and 1780 on Habsburg orders, with 16 km of underground galleries (~900 m open to guided tours, guide compulsory, run by Novi Sad City Museum). The clock tower is unique: large hand = hours, small hand = minutes — designed for Danube bargemen reading the time from the water. From Novi Sad, the walk across takes 20–30 min. A full-day trip from Belgrade including Novi Sad, Petrovaradin and wine tasting at Sremski Karlovci is available from €59 via Viator.
- exitfest.org — Global Tour 2026 announcement
- exitfest.org — Announcement of final Petrovaradin edition
- gov.me — Montenegrin government on hosting EXIT
- Balkan Insight — Resistance to the Montenegro move
- NME — EXIT 2026 Global Tour
- Wikipedia — EXIT Festival (history and figures)
- Wikipedia — Petrovaradin Fortress
- novisad.travel — Official Petrovaradin guide
- adriaticways.com — Long Beach Ulcinj guide
- Skyscanner — Flights London–Podgorica
- GOV.UK — Serbia entry requirements for British citizens
- xe.com — GBP/RSD exchange rate (May 2026)
- Travel and Tour World — Ulcinj £39 UK flights
Ready to experience EXIT Festival 2026 in the Balkans?
Explore our complete guides to plan your stay in Serbia and Montenegro, and compare the best experiences available around the festival.
Explore our culture & festival guides
Getting to EXIT Festival 2026 from the UK
Three flight options from London
The most straightforward routing for UK festival-goers in 2026 is a direct flight from London to Podgorica, then the drive down to Ulcinj (130 km, 2h). According to Skyscanner, Wizz Air UK operates direct flights from London Gatwick from around £39 one-way, with Ryanair also flying from Stansted. Book early — prices for July 2026 flights to the Balkans are reportedly 19% higher year-on-year as festival-goers snap up seats.
Option 1 — Direct London (LGW/STN) → Podgorica, then drive to Ulcinj
Option 2 — London → Tirana (Albania) then taxi/bus to Ulcinj
Option 3 — London → Belgrade then road trip through the Balkans