If you googled ‘what to visit in nis Serbia’, you probably plan to visit Serbia soon.
But even if you don’t plan to travel to Serbia this winter, don’t worry—the places we mentioned here are worth visiting any time of the year!
Shall we start by introducing the beautiful Serbian town of Niš?
What You Should Know About Niš in Serbia
Niš is one of the largest cities in Serbia and one of the oldest cities in Europe.
When you visit Niš, you can enjoy a unique journey through time, from its role in the Roman Empire, then in the Ottoman Empire, to today’s dynamic life.
Niš also preserves the beauty and traditional values of the region in the best possible way.
It is recognizable by its characteristic dialect, tasty gastronomic specialities, and many cultural and historical monuments and locations.
#1 What to Visit in Niš: Niška tvrđava (Niš Fortress)
Located right next to the city centre, this fortress reminds us of the city’s strategic importance throughout history.
It is assumed that the Niš Fortress was built in the 2nd century AD.
However, the Ottomans, who built it in the 18th century, are responsible for the fortress’s current appearance.
This magnificent building has four large gates: the Stambol Gate, the Belgrade Gate, the Water Gate and the Vidin Gate.
Today, the fortress includes numerous tourist attractions, such as souvenir shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
An important feature of the Niš Fortress is the summer stage, which becomes a cultural centre during the summer months.
#2 What to Visit in Niš: Spomenik na Čegru (Čegar Monument)
The Čegar Monument is 6 kilometres outside the centre of Niš, but you can quickly reach it.
It was built in memory of the fallen soldiers and their leader, Stevan Sinđelić.
During the First Serbian Uprising, Stevan Sinđelić fired at a nearby gunpowder centre to prevent the advance of the Turks. He tried to save his soldiers, but they decided to fight alongside him. After the battle in 1809. the Turks built a tower of skulls from the heads of Serbian soldiers who died in this battle.
#3 What to Visit in Niš: Ćele-Kula (The Skull Tower)
A one-of-a-kind history monument is located in this Serbian city.
This chilling monument is a reminder of the brutal consequences of the Battle of Čegar in 1809, where Serbian rebels fought against the Ottoman Empire.
After the battle, the Ottomans constructed the monument Ćele-kula using the skulls of Serbian soldiers. Ottomans thought about skulls as a symbol of their victory and as a warning to other rebels.
Source: Wikipedia
In 2014, the American magazine Mental Floss listed this monument as the largest building made of human bones.
Today, the Skull Tower is a memorial to people who lost their lives in the battle.
Visiting this site gives a deeper understanding of Serbia’s struggles for independence and the sacrifices made by the Serbian people.
#4 What to Visit in Niš: Koncentracioni logor Crveni krst (The Concentration Camp Red Cross)
On April 9, 1941, Nazis opened the camp in the abandoned military warehouse next to the rail station called Red Cross.
People who were characterized as opponents of the Third Reich, or Nazi Germany, were brought to the camp.
The conditions in the camp were terrible and unhygienic; there was only enough food to survive, prisoners slept on thin straw mats, and in addition, they were forced to do hard labour.
More than 10,000 people were shot on Bubanj Hill.
On February 12, 1942, the first major escape from a camp in Europe took place in this camp. 105 people managed to escape.
Today, you can see the poignant messages left by the camp inmates, personal photographs, documents, and letters, as well as the weapons used in the camp.
This place of terror was shut down in 1944, and today, it serves as a memorial complex, known as Memorial Complex 12th February. The preserved buildings and artefacts provide a reminder of the terrible war costs.
#5 What to Visit in Niš: Memorijalni park Bubanj (Bubanj Memorial Park)
3 kilometres from the centre of Niš is the Bubanj Memorial Park.
This memorial park commemorates the victims of the Nazi occupation during World War II.
Within the Memorial Park there is the ’Three Fists’ monument, a memorial trail, a chapel and an amphitheater.
The inspiration for the ’Three Fists’ monument was the resistance of one of the camp inmates when he ran in front of the firing squad and proudly raised his fist in the air.
#6 What to Visit in Niš: Spomenik Stevanu Sremcu i Kalči (The Monument to Stevan Sremac and Kalča)
One of the guides through Niš says this is the best place for taking photos in Niš.
When you see how the monument looks, you can understand why is this a favorite spot for taking pictures. The chair is here so that anyone who wants to could join them!
This monument is dedicated to the famous Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, who spent part of his life in Niš and left a significant mark on its cultural life. The other person sitting across him is his good friend, who is also a character from his novel Ivkova Slava, called Kalča.
#7 Kazandžijsko sokače
Kazandžijsko sokače is an alley which was a part of old Niška čaršija (čaršija is an old Turkish word that signifies the commercial part of the city, the market, a bazaar) from the 18th century.
Back then, this alley was full of old craftsman’s shops. There were stores where craftsmen made cauldrons and other copper utensils, wooden barrels, and weaving shops.
Besides skillfully making various objects in their shops, craftsmen always found time to gather in front of their shops to socialize and chat.
It is interesting and characteristic of the Serbian people that although the street’s name was changed to Kopitareva Street after World War I, people still most often call it by its old name. Numerous cafes and restaurants have opened on this street since the 1990s, and they are still very popular today.
#8 Narodni muzej u Nišu (The National Museum of Niš)
Visiting this Museum will help you to get to know the culture, history and tradition of Niš.
It was founded in 1933, and today it houses over 40,000 objects.
Here, you can see artefacts from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages.
One of the museum’s most famous artefacts is the statue of Constantine the Great, the Roman emperor (from AD 306 to 337) who was born in the territory of today’s Niš. He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and founder of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul).
In World War II, a bomb destroyed a huge number of artefacts from the ethnographic collection in September 1944, and the museum building was renovated in 1945.
After that, the NATO bombing destroyed the main museum building in 1999.
We can say that this guardian of Serbian history has suffered the consequences of historical events itself.
#9 What to Visit in Niš: Medijana (Mediana)
Medijana is an archaeological park and one of five city municipalities of Niš.
During Constantine the Great’s reign, Medijana was a Roman settlement and summer residence with many villas. Today, remnants of Roman villas, bathrooms, and mosaics can be seen.
There is also a small museum at the site that explains the history of Constantine’s birthplace and the region’s significance during the Roman period.
#10 What to Visit in Niš: Park Čair
This is the largest park in Niš. The Turks named it Čair, which means ’garden’. The reason for this is its rich nature.
Source: Turistička organizacija Niš
This is a great place for walking and spending time in nature.
The park is divided into two parts: one has large green areas, and the other has sports and recreational facilities.
Numerous cafes and restaurants surround the park, so you can enjoy it to the fullest!
What Else You Can Do in Nis
Besides these sites and monuments, there are many more things to do when you come to Niš.
Here are some ideas more than worth mentioning:
- Visit the city centre
The heart of the city is its well-arranged centre, with its most important part — King Milan Square. The large and spacious promenade is full of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy Serbian cuisine (for example, one of the most famous kafana in Niš is Nišlijska mehana) and international cuisine. The centre of Niš is also a great place to soak up the energy of the city!
- Walking by the Nišava riverbank
Sometimes, there are organized walks beside the riverbank of Nišava, but even if you don’t find one, you can still enjoy your peaceful walk.
- Visit a Nisville Jazz Festival
The Nisville Jazz Festival takes place in August, so if you visit Niš in summer, you know what to do. Niš is a town with rich culture, and this festival is one of the most popular in the region. It is held at the Niš Fortress and it brings together the most famous names from the jazz world.
Other festivals, such as Filmski susreti (Movie Encounters), are also worth visiting to enjoy domestic cinematography.
We assume we’ve answered your doubts on what to visit in Nis in Serbia and that you will have a great time in this amazing city! 🙂
If you want to understand the locals and experience the city in the best possible way, you can start with Serbian lessons for beginners.
