Niš

Tours

During this day tour you will travel through history with the professional lead of your guide. Your journey through time will start from the Roman period, when Nis gave to the world the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. You will then continue through the Middle Ages and the period of the Ottoman rule, which left constructions like the Nis Fortress and the Skull Tower, a symbol of the struggle for freedom and independence from the Ottomans, as well as a representation of the violence of the time. The latter of the tour will pay attention to modern history, in particular the period of Nazi occupation of former Yugoslavia by visiting a Nazi concentration camp. Following this concentration camp visit, it will be time for some rest. During this stop you will have the chance to taste typical Serbian cuisine, which is one of the most delicious of the Balkans. You will also have free time for a walk in the historical old part of the old city. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be returned back to your accommodation in Sofia.

Get an early start with a 7 am pickup from your accommodation in Belgrade. Journey directly to Niš, the third largest city in Serbia and birthplace of three Roman emperors. Begin your guided sightseeing tour of the city with a visit to Skull Tower, a morbid reminder of the ill-fated First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman empire in the early 19th century. Built from the skulls of fallen rebel fighters, the tower was initially constructed by the Ottoman's as a warning against further rebellion. Visit an important historical monument that today is enclosed by a chapel in remembrance of the fallen Serbs and as a testament to the country's hard-won independence.  Expose yourself further to the darker side of Niš with a visit to the Crveni Krst Concentration Camp. Operated by the Nazis during the Second World War, the camp was used to detain as many as 35,000 Jews, Roma, and Serbs. Enter the three-story complex and familiarize yourself with a lesser-known Holocaust site that speaks to the complex history of WWII-era Serbia. Contemplate the area's dark past by viewing the personal belongings of prisoners, hearing stories about the first major escape from a Nazi concentration camp in Europe, and seeing ten prison cells. Mourn the victims of the camp with a stop at Bubanj Memorial Park where more than 10,000 people were executed. Continue on with the sightseeing tour, making stops at Niš Fortress, the Banovina Building (one of the most beautiful buildings in Niš and former seat of the Serbian government at the start of WWI), King Milan Square and the Monument to the Liberators, Cair's Fountain (a well-preserved drinking fountain that forms an important part of the city's architectural heritage), Memorial of Constantine the Great, and City Hall (a stunning example of neoclassicist architecture built in 1925). Finish your tour in Kazandzijsko Sokace or "Tinkers Alley," a picturesque, cobble-stoned street located in the old town. Take a photo at the iconic Stevan Sremac and Kalča Monument, located at the entrance to the alleyway, and stop for a coffee break before making the drive to Devil's Town. Enjoy a beautiful drive through the countryside of southern Serbia on the way to Devil's Town, a unique rock formation that has been nominated to be one of the new Seven Natural Wonders for good reason. Go on a short hike through the forest to reach the observation platform where your guide will point out the features of this stunning natural landscape and share local lore about the site. Admire 202 striking earthen towers formed during a period of intense volcanic activity millions of years ago. Check out the extremely acidic springs flowing at the base of the towers that have earned it the name Hell Gully.    Take a break for dinner at a nearby local restaurant located nearby before making the drive back to Belgrade and getting dropped off at your accommodation. 

Your tour will begin once you are collected from your accommodation. After just over 2 hours of driving, you will reach Niš. From here your day is reserved for your exploration of the birth city of the famous Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. You will begin by visiting the Niš Fortress, which lies on the bank of Nišava River. It assumed its final shape in 1723, at which point the Turks completed it whilst facing the end of their reign in this area. Its construction required that over 40 stone cutters from Constantinople, and around 400 bricklayers from Niš had to be hired. You will continue your sightseeing of the most important sights in the city including the Banovina Building, The Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, the Monument of well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac. You will then explore the Mediana Archeological Site and the infamous Skull Tower (which was erected by the Turks as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule). Your tour will then conclude with a visit to the Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, which is today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. After that, you will have free time for individual activities in Niš and to try some of the traditional delicacies for which Niš is widely famous.

Take a full-day tour to South Serbia and visit its most famous destinations, the city of Nis and Devil's Town. The tour is led by professional English speaking tour guide. Nis is the largest city in this part of Serbia, known as the birthplace of Constantine the Great. After exploring the city and listening to the story about this famous Roman emperor, the tour continues to Skull tower, where you will learn about The First Serbian uprising against Ottomans in 19th century and its victims.  Finally, explore Devil's Town, a natural monument comprised of two natural phenomena: the soil figures (specific forms of relief) and two springs of extremely acid water with high mineralization. In fact, Devil's Town is a New Seven Wonders of Nature nominee.

The Serbian city of Nis is growing in popularity as a tourist destination. On this full-day trip from Sofia, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to this picturesque, relaxed city that dates back to Roman times. Nis was the birthplace of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. It is home to one of the oldest churches in Serbia, dating to the 4th century, located in the suburb of Medijana. You’ll find some fortress remains, a shopping street, and lovely gardens. The approach to Nis is very scenic, with the road passing through a river gorge. Your first stop is to visit the famous Cele Kula (Skull Tower). Learn about the atrocities committed by the Turks and see the unique monument to the sacrifice of Serbian revolutionaries. The next important site is in suburban Medijana, where you’ll explore an archeological site of a Roman estate. See remains of an ancient villa, a granary, villas, and baths. The museum houses sculptures and portraits of Roman gods and goddesses, utensils for daily use, and other objects unearthed at the site. You’ll have some free time to walk around the central square and try the famous Serbian grill for lunch. After lunch, your driver will take you to a small concentration camp that was set up by the Germans during World War 2 to imprison and exterminate Jews, Romas, and other minorities. At 16:00 you’ll begin the trip back to Sofia, expecting to arrive at about 18:30.

Following a pickup from your hotel, travel directly to Nis in Serbia. Arrive in Nis after a 2-hour drive and explore the town known as the birthplace of the famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Your first stop will be the Skull Tower, also known as Chele Tower. Marvel at the stone structure embedded with human skulls. It was constructed by the Ottomans following the Battle of Cegar of May 1809, during the First Serbian Uprising. The next stop is the former concentration camp, opened in 1941 during World War II. More than 10,000 people are thought to have been killed at the camp. Today, you can explore the museum and learn about its dark history. The final stop leads you to the city museum in Nis where you can find all archeological findings from the area and learn about the long history of the town. After a guided tour of the most important monuments, enjoy 1.5 hours of free time to explore the city. Take a stroll along the central pedestrian street and visit the local shops and restaurants with their delicious food. You’ll return to Sofia at around 6:00 PM.