10 Best things to do in Niš in one day
Welcome to Niš, a city known for its dark history, archaeological sites, superb jazz festival, and delicious food. One of the oldest cities in Europe, it is definitely a place I love coming back to. Both history lovers and culture vultures will immediately fall in love with Niš.
The third-largest city in Serbia, Niš is the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. So, it comes as no surprise that Niš has great historical wealth. You will find archaeological sites, museums, historical buildings, and churches connected with the Roman and Byzantine periods scattered across the city.
With a stone tower embedded with human skulls and a WW2 concentration camp memorial, the city of Niš is also known for its violent past. These morbid attractions serve as reminders of the region’s dark past. But these are not the only attractions in town you can visit.
In this guide, I’ve put together a list of what I feel are the best and most important places to visit in Niš. I’ve organized it in a way that you can visit all the places in this list during a one-day itinerary in Niš.
1. Admire the beauty of Tinkers Alley
If you have one day in Niš, I recommend starting your travel adventure with a visit to the city’s last surviving craftsman’s quarter.
A quaint little alley packed with coppersmiths and other metal workers, Tinkers Alley dates back to the first half of the 18th century. It played an important role in the city’s economy and culture. For example, tinsmithing was the most popular trade on this quaint cobblestone alley.
Nowadays, Tinkers Alley is one of the most popular places to visit in Niš. The original tinkers have been replaced by tourists who come here to eat and drink in bars and restaurants which are situated inside beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings. It will take you about an hour to enjoy Tinkers Alley.
2. Explore the Niš Fortress
Built during the 18th century by Ottoman Turks, Niš Fortress is the center of tourist life in the city. Here, both locals and tourists gather and explore a veritable maze of sights. This monumental stone structure is actually one of the best-preserved fortresses in the region.
An interesting fact about the Niš Fortress is that Bulgarians used it as a prison during World War I.
You can see it from the outside or also visit it inside. If you choose the latter, you will need approximately 2 hours to tour this fortress.
Built around a Roman citadel, the fortress is packed with historical remnants from the old times. Visitors will have an opportunity to see everything from a powder room and a Turkish steam bath to well-preserved walls and gates. The fortress is also a giant green park where locals like to relax in summer when the weather is nice.
3. See the Skull Tower
The Skull Tower (Ćele Kula) is one of the most morbid structures that you will find in this part of Europe. It is exactly what the name indicates- a 4-meter-high stone tower embedded with human skulls. The tower was built in 1809 right after the battle between Serbian revolutionaries and Ottoman soldiers.
You will find this morbid attraction just a short drive from the city center. Surrounded by a small park, the tower is situated inside a building that resembles a chapel. The structure was built using the skulls of 952 fallen Serbian rebels, but less than 60 of the heads remain today. The rest of the skulls are either buried somewhere or lost.
The Skull Tower (Ćele Kula) is, without a doubt, one of the most unusual things to see in Niš.
4. Learn about history at the National Museum of Niš
If you wish to learn more about the history of the city, pay a visit to the National Museum of Niš. Situated inside a charming building, the museum is on the smaller side and consists of just one room. Although you could walk through the entire museum in less than a minute, the museum is really interesting and you can easily spend an hour here.
Most of the things you will see are actually archeological exhibits. Some of these exhibits date back to the Bronze Age. The most interesting exhibits are related to a luxurious villa built by Constantine the Great called “Mediana”. My favorite exhibit at the National Museum Niš is the model of this posh villa.
Visiting the National Museum is one of the best things to do in Niš when it’s raining outside.
5. Visit the Bubanj Memorial Site
Venture outside the city gates to find the Bubanj Memorial Site. Also known as the Monument to fallen Yugoslav World War II fighters, the memorial site is another interesting place to visit in the city of Niš.
Mount Bubanj is the place where 10,000 prisoners from the Crveni Krst camp were taken and killed. Right after the war, the hilltop was turned into a memorial park to honor the victims.
The monument has the shape of three clenched fists. If you look closely, you will notice that each fist has a different shape and size. This is because the three clenched fists symbolize the defiance of the children, women, and men who died here. The sculpture is the work of Yugoslavian artist, Ivan Sabolić.
6. Go on a tour of the Red Cross Camp
Although Serbia is definitely not the first place that comes to mind when talking about WWII concentration camps, Niš is home to one of the Nazi horror factories.
Red Cross Camp (Crveni Krst) was named after a Red Cross station which was located nearby. The camp was initially intended to be just a transit camp, but in the end, out of 30,000 people who passed through it during the war, 12,000 were tortured and killed.
Today, you will find a memorial museum that stands right on the site of the concentration camp. The ticket booth actually served as a guard tower in the past. You will also notice a SS symbol and a Nazi swastika on the sign right above the windows.
The Red Cross Camp may be a hard place to see live, but it is an important place to visit in Niš, especially for people who are interested in historical sites.
7. Discover the ruins of Mediana
Located just outside the city gates, the Ruins of Mediana is an important archeological site in Serbia.
Dating back to the late Roman period when Constantine the Great was the ruler of the empire, the site offers some well-preserved archeological remains of the Villa of Emperor Constantine the Great. For those who don’t know, Niš, or Naissus, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The Romans took it in 75 BC and the city became a camp on the ancient Roman road, the Via Militaris.
The ruins of Mediana have been closed for years, but the site started welcoming visitors again in 2023. Although some sections are still in progress and you can only pay for entrance with cash, this archaeological site is a place definitely worth visiting while you are in Niš.
You can expect to see remnants of a grand peristyle, as well as ruins of marble columns, a heating system for the baths in the villa, and traces of frescoes.
8. See the beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral
No one-day itinerary to Niš is complete without stopping by the beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1878, as a by-product of the treaty in Paris in 1856 when the Ottomans needed to recognize Christianity in their empire.
With a mix of Serbian-Byzantine, Neo-Renaissance, and Baroque-style designs, it is one of the most amazing historical buildings in Niš. I like the icons which were made by the illustrious 19th-century Realist painter, Đorđe Krstić. It will take you around 30 minutes to explore the church.
9. Try authentic Serbian foods
Foodies visiting Niš are in for a treat. Southern Serbia is famous for its cuisine and the city of Niš is one of the best destinations to enjoy authentic Serbian dishes.
For breakfast, you’ll be able to choose between Anton and Rajko, two of the most famous bakeries in the city where burek is the most popular dish to order. For those who don’t know, burek is a special dough pastry filled with meat or cheese beloved all across the Balkan Peninsula.
For lunch and dinner, I recommend reserving a table at a kafana (typical old-school Serbian tavern) to try local food delicacies and drink a powerful fruit brandy called rakija. Below you will find a short list of my favorite old-school kafanas in Niš where you can have a memorable dining experience.
- Nišlijska Mehana
- Kafana Mrak
- Stambolijski
- Kafana Brka
- Kafana Galija
- Etno Kafana Biser
10. Niška Banja
Located just a short drive from the city, Niška Banja is the city’s spa center with natural springs. The Romans discovered five springs in this location and decided to build an ancient resort around them with a giant Roman bath and two pools.
Today, Niška Banja is a popular spa resort among the elderly who come here for medicinal purposes. These hot springs are known to have a natural presence of radon which is known to rehabilitate orthopedic injuries and coronary issues.
If you are looking for a relaxing time, a visit to Niška Banja is a must-do during your one-day visit to Niš.
Where to stay in Niš
You can visit Niš in one day following this itinerary, but if you will have more time, you can also sleep in the city. If you decide on this option, here are my recommendations for places to stay in Niš:
- Ambasador Hotel: the only 5-star hotel in Niš, the Ambasador is the best place to stay if you are looking for luxury and comfort at a great price! In the off-season, you can find rooms for 200 euros, which is an excellent value for the service and facilities you get.
- Garni Hotel Consul: If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, Hotel Consul is a great option place to stay as you can still benefit from a great location and service at a more affordable price.
FAQ: Popular questions about the best things to do in Niš
What is Niš in Serbia known for?
The city is best known for being the birthplace of Constantine the Great. It is a great historical city with a lot of things to see and do.
Personally, I would also add that Niš is home to some of the best restaurants in Serbia.
Is Niš worth visiting while in Serbia?
Being one of the oldest cities in Europe, Niš is definitely worth visiting for its historical attractions.
What is the old name of Niš?
The Romans used to call the city Naissus.
Is one day enough to visit Niš?
I think that you can visit the most popular tourist attractions in Niš in one day. But to make the most of your time there, I recommend driving your car to Niš simply because some of the attractions are located outside the city center.
If you need to rent a car for your trip, check the deals at Discover Cars. You can also read our guide about driving in Serbia as a tourist.
Niš is not always the first place that comes to mind when talking about popular tourist destinations in Serbia. However, I think that this city in southern Serbia is definitely worth a visit.
From archaeological ruins to cool monuments and a few museums, there are enough attractions to keep you entertained for Niš one or two days. The locals are friendly, rakija is always served cold, and the food is amazing. What more can you ask for?
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Organizing your trip
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- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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