Niš (Serbia) Tour

Niš overview

Niš is the third largest city in Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and it is one of the oldest cities on the Balkans and Europe. From ancient times it has been considered a gateway between the East and the West. It was named Navissos by the Scordisci in 279 BC, after an invasion of the Balkans. The city was among several taken in the Roman conquest in 75 BC. The Romans built the Via Militaris in the 1st century, with Naissus being one of its key towns whic is also the birthplace of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor and the founder of Constantinople (Istanbul today).

Nis is home to one of the oldest churches in Serbia, dating to the 4th century, located in the suburbs of Medijana. This Roman residence of Constantine exhibits the remains of a granary, craft center, thermae, and the remains of ancient villa with rich mosaics. Most mosaics exhibit geometrical or floral motifs, while two mosaics present figures - the head of the Medusa and a semi-prostrate figure of a river deity (probably Neptune). The museum contains sculptures and portraits of Roman gods and goddesses, utensils for daily use (bowls, pitchers, lamps) and remnants of lead pipes used to provide healing hot water from the nearby Niska Banja (Nis Spa).

Cele Kula (Skull Tower) with embedded skulls was built by the Turks to punish the Serbs for their uprising in 1809 and brings a lot of history from the period of revolutions by the Balkan countries against the Ottoman Empire.

The Nazi concentration camp is a small but very authentic concentration camp set by the Germans during World War 2 to imprison and kill Jews, Romas and other minorities. It is however also a witness of an escape when some of the prisoners successfully disappeared.

Prices

Every Tue, Thu & Sat: from 59€ per person. A minimum group of 3 persons is required to run the tour, fully refundable if cancelled. Every other day the price is based on the number of people in your party and includes hotel pick-up:

Included in the price: transfer to/from the departure point in Sofia, guide in English throughout the whole day, parking fees and entrance fees. Meals, tips and personal expenses are not included. Small group tour. Children (1-16yrs) receive 20% discount.

Check all prices and book online here:

Departure point every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 from Serdika meeeting point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds (see map below).

Departure point every other day from your hotel or accommodation.