Travel guide

Niš

Constantine's birthplace, and a tower of skulls

🗓️ Best time: May–October💰 Budget · ~$45/day📍 Serbia

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About Niš

Serbia's third city, where the Roman emperor Constantine was born, holding an Ottoman fortress in the centre and Ćele Kula — a tower built from the skulls of Serbian rebels in 1809 — on its edge. Grilled meat here is taken as seriously as anywhere in the Balkans.

⭐ Things to do in Niš

Niš FortressĆele Kula skull towerMediana Roman villaRed Cross concentration camp museumNiška Banja spaSićevo Gorge, 20 minutes eastDevil's Town rock formationsThe fortress hammam

🍽️ What to eat in Niš

Signature local dishes worth seeking out.

Burek from a bakery at dawnPljeskavica grilled pattyLeskovac mixed grillĆevapi

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Compact centre, all walkable; buses from Belgrade take 3 hours.

💡 Local tip

Nišville jazz festival takes over the fortress in August and is one of the best-value festivals in Europe.

🛡️ Safety

Safe; petty theft is the main risk in Belgrade nightlife areas.

🌙 Nightlife

Kazandžijsko Sokače — a lane of grill houses and bars in the old quarter.

Niš