Visit Nis, one of the oldest cities in Europe and long considered a gateway between the East and the West. You’ll enjoy scenic views on the drive from Sofia. Explore the Roman ruins at Medijana and try a Serbian grill for lunch in the city center.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Duration 9.5 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Live tour guide: English
Pickup included: Outside your hotel or stated address in Sofia. Some areas are difficult to finding parking so please look out for the company’s branded vehicle.

Highlights

See the famous Cele Kula and learn about the sacrifices of Serbian revolutionaries
Visit Medijana to explore the remains of an ancient Roman villa
Drive to a small concentration camp set up by the Germans during WW2
Take some time to explore Nis on your own

Full description

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.

Includes

Guide
Parking fees
Entrance fees

Meals
Personal expenses
Tips

Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card

Know before you go

A valid passport or ID card is needed for crossing the border into Serbia. A visa may be required. Please check before you book the tour.
Recommended period: throughout the year
Driving time: 5 hours, approximately
Walking time: 2.5 hours, approximately
Handicapped accessibility: fairly accessible
Please note: museums may not be open on Mondays

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 26 reviews

Review summary

Guide
5/5
Transportation
4.6/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Safety
4.9/5

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I didn't know until I planned this trip to Bulgaria, but I came to know that there are birthplaces of Emperor Constantine, other historical sights and cheap and delicious restaurants. It takes about 3 hours each way, but I'm glad I went. It was nice that I didn't take much time at the border than I heard.

January 4, 2020

This tour did not take the time to find enough interesting things in Nis. And one of the advertised activities, the Roman ruins where the Emperor Constantine was born and raised, have been closed for a couple of years and the Serbian government has not announced when it will be reopened. That was the major attraction and we had to look through from a distance and could see nothing. Our guide, Georgi, was very good. But we realized later that having a Serbian guide would have been more enlightening as to Serbia’s view of the world, which was one of the reasons we were visiting Serbia. Also, the border crossing in the day we took the tour took 1 hour and 45 minutes. The tour company has no control of that but it was a long wait and took the momentum out of the experience.

September 4, 2019

Very fun and varied trip

A lovely tour with lots of interesting things to see. It was so easy to arrange and you were taken everywhere so you didn't have to do anything. The drive was lovely and you enjoy a lot of incredible scenery. There are a few things included which are fun and different and the free time is just enough to see the centre without it dragging on for too long. The guide was nice and friendly and knew a lot about the history of the region. I would definitely recommend this trip if you want to do something a little bit different.

June 10, 2019

Nis City Tour: Full-Day Trip from Sofia

Nis City Tour: Full-Day Trip from Sofia

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Very fun and varied trip