Novi Pazar Things to Do Tips by McCoq

Walk to feel the essence

To feel the essence of this muslim atmosphere I recommend you to walk. Then you can see, touch, listen and smell that atmosphere, and why I tell that.
One good street to start is the one who cross the river by a bridge and go south to the mosque. Here is plenty of small shops, from bakeries to tea shops, also bureks, mlecni restaurants and cevapcici can be found here. You can also hear the evocative sound of muezzin, the popular call from mosques to anunce the next pray (5 times a day)

Altum Alem Mosque

This is the most important Turquish building in the town. From the 16th century, was built by the master builder Abdul Gani. Has a square plan, a dome, a minaret and a spaciuos porch covered with cupolas that aren't typical from the region.

Directions: Heading south over the bridge from the square, a narrow road leads through the mosque. The entrance can be gained through the courtyard at number 79.

Hammam (Turkish Baths)

Turkish Baths that probably date from the 1460s and wich was endowed to the town by its founder Isa-Bey Isakovc. Symmetrical structure with faclities for simultaneous bathing by men and women. Nowadays the entrance is something like an outdoor terrace of a bar (there are some tables, and music, and when we were there some people sit and drinking). Now the baths aren't in use, and half of the baths are in ruins, and you can't enter.

Directions: Cross the bridge in south directon, and turn left. Pass the jewellery shops, and at right hand you'll find stairs that lead you down. This is Hammam.

Turkish Fort

The Fortress dates from the 15th century and was the seat of the Turkish sanjack in the region. Nowadays is a pleasant park, and from the fortress we just can see the Octagonal Watchtower, and some ruined walls of the Turkish Fort.
There is also a terrace of the park's outdoor café, with good views over the town.

Directions: Beyond the river and the Hotel Vrbak.

A visit to the market area

Novi Pazar was probably most famous for the manufacture of denim jeans (and textil industry in general) until they had to compete with low prices of chinese clothes. Anyway, here you have a great market where to find apart from jeans, food, toys, sun-glasses...almost everything. Here you can see a some of the islamic or mediterranean costums. It is worth to take a walk by the zone.

Directions: Follow the Raska river in opposite direction to Hotel Vrbak.