Novigrad is the crown jewel of CD Projekt Red's open-world masterpiece. As the largest city in Witcher 3 Novigrad, it is a sprawling, morally complex metropolis packed with political intrigue, criminal underworld dealings, and dozens of quests that can easily consume twenty or more hours of gameplay. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning witcher looking to catch every secret, this guide covers it all.
Understanding Novigrad's Structure and Districts
Novigrad is divided into distinct districts, each with its own atmosphere and quest density. The Bits is the city's impoverished slum district, home to beggars, refugees, and underground activity. The Gildorf district caters to the wealthy merchant class and harbors some of the game's most lucrative side quests. The Harbor district is essential for travel and trade, while the Putrid Grove serves as the headquarters of Novigrad's criminal underworld. Understanding which district you're in helps you anticipate the tone and difficulty of encounters ahead.
The Main Story Quests in Novigrad
The Witcher 3 Novigrad story arc is one of the game's most emotionally charged narrative threads. It begins with Geralt searching for Ciri and quickly entangles him with the Eternal Fire church's brutal persecution of mages and nonhumans. Key main quests include:
- Pyres of Novigrad – Rescue Triss Merigold from the clutches of the Witch Hunters before she is burned at the stake. Your choices here directly impact the romance ending.
- Count Reuven's Treasure – A tense investigation into a stolen stash that pulls you deep into the criminal politics of the city's four crime bosses.
- A Favor for Radovid – Engage with the paranoid King Radovid V and navigate his dangerous demands without getting caught in his web.
- Now or Never – Help Triss organize the evacuation of Novigrad's mages before the Witch Hunters close in. A pivotal quest with major consequences.
Essential Side Quests You Should Never Skip
Beyond the main story, Novigrad's side content rivals anything in the witcher series for depth and writing quality. Do not overlook these:
- Carnal Sins – A dark murder mystery involving a serial killer who targets prostitutes. This multi-stage investigation is one of the finest quests in RPG gaming.
- A Poet Under Pressure – Rescue the beloved bard Dandelion from Novigrad's prison. It's equal parts comedic and tense.
- The Gangs of Novigrad – Work alongside or against the crime bosses Francis Bedlam, Cleaver, Whoreson Junior, and the King of Beggars to reshape the city's power structure.
- Broken Flowers – Track down Dandelion's many romantic conquests to piece together clues about his whereabouts. Funny, touching, and full of great character writing.
Hidden Secrets and Collectibles
Witcher 3 Novigrad rewards thorough exploration with hidden treasures, rare crafting diagrams, and Easter eggs tucked into every corner. Here are the secrets most players miss:
- The Shani Easter Egg – Visit the Oxenfurt-adjacent harbor area and look for a gravestone referencing characters from the original Witcher games.
- Hidden Gwent Players – Several powerful Gwent card traders and opponents are only accessible after completing specific quests. The Innkeeper at the Rosemary and Thyme holds a rare Scoia'tael card.
- Grandmaster Feline Gear – Diagrams for the legendary Cat School Grandmaster armor set are scattered across Novigrad and its outskirts. Start the quest by visiting the armorer Marcus T.K. Hodgson.
- The Painted World Painting – A subtle nod to Dark Souls hidden inside an art merchant's shop in Gildorf.
Gwent and the High Stakes Tournament
No guide to Novigrad would be complete without addressing Gwent. The city is the epicenter of competitive card play in the witcher game universe. The quest High Stakes tasks Geralt with entering a high-buy-in Gwent tournament at the Passiflora brothel. Winning requires a well-constructed deck and careful resource management. Victory earns you unique cards unavailable anywhere else in the game, making this quest mandatory for completionists.
The Eternal Fire and Political Intrigue
One of Novigrad's defining themes is religious persecution. The Eternal Fire church, led by the Grand Inquisitor Gaunter O'Dimm's associates and later tied to the Hearts of Stone expansion, operates a reign of terror against mages and nonhumans. Several quests ask you to make moral choices about complicity, resistance, and survival. These decisions ripple outward, affecting which characters survive, which factions gain power, and ultimately which ending you receive. CD Projekt Red built Novigrad as a mirror of real historical religious violence, and engaging with its questlines thoughtfully enriches the entire experience.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Novigrad
To fully experience everything this city offers, keep these strategies in mind. Always explore notice boards before heading to new districts — many quests expire if you progress the main story too far. Talk to every named NPC at least twice, as dialogue options change after completing certain quests. Invest in the Axii sign upgrade early; many Novigrad quests offer Axii dialogue options that unlock shortcuts or bonus rewards. Finally, save frequently — the city's branching quest outcomes mean a single decision can close off entire quest chains permanently.