Nis

The Niš Fortress, entered through the monumental Stambol Gate, is now a large park with cafés and summer festivals. Inside its walls you will find the Bali Bey Mosque, a lapidarium of Roman stones and the remains of ancient buildings. Just across the river, King Milan Square forms the heart of the modern city.

History is close at hand at Mediana, the remains of Constantine’s imperial villa, with its floor mosaics, and at the sobering Skull Tower (Ćele Kula), a memorial to the 1809 uprising, now protected inside a small chapel. Kazandžijsko Sokače, the old coppersmiths’ lane, is the place for traditional grilled food and a relaxed evening.

Niš is a convenient stop on routes between Belgrade and Sofia or Skopje, and it is included in our All the Balkan Countries: A 16 Day Tour and the Tour of Yugoslavia in 12 Days. A few hours are enough for the main sights, but an overnight stay lets you enjoy the city’s food and atmosphere.

The city has an airport named after Constantine the Great and lies on the main motorway through Serbia, so it is easy to reach. Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons for sightseeing, while summer brings festivals and concerts to the fortress.

Gallery photos: MrPanyGoff (CC BY-SA 3.0), Djina (CC BY-SA 3.0), J tomic m (CC BY-SA 3.0), Ванилица (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ванилица (CC BY-SA 4.0), MrPanyGoff (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons