This Niš day trip from Belgrade takes you to southern Serbia for a full day of history, with an English-speaking guide and transport from your hotel. Niš is Serbia’s third-largest city and the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The trip suits travelers who want to see Niš without sorting out transport and tickets themselves. Groups are small, with a maximum of 8 people.
The drive takes a little over two hours each way, all on the highway. Once in Niš, the stops go in this order:
Past travelers mention that the day covers a real range of moods, from the heavy atmosphere of the camp to the quiet of the park and fortress. Several also say the guide knew the history well and took time to answer questions.
Your trip will begin with pick up from your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, and we head toward Southern Serbia. After slightly more than two hours of driving (highway only), we will reach Niš.
The day is reserved for the born city of the famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. In the next three hours, you will see the most important sights in Serbia's third-biggest city, and our guide will share the stories about the city's turbulent history dating back to pre-Roman times
First of all, we are going to pay a visit to Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured around 30.000Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. Red Cross was a transit camp, so few were killed on the premises – they were taken mainly to Bubanj Hill (in Niš) to be executed there, or on to Auschwitz, Dachau, or other concentration camps. The fact that differs the camp from other Nazi camps is that on February 12, 1942. the inmates organized the first mass escape of prisoners in occupied Europe – a total of 105 managed to flee from the camp that day.
To conclude our story about WWII, we'll visit Bubanj Hill. Located 3km from the city center, it is the place where we'll find one of Serbia's most recognizable Yugoslav-era memorials. Three gigantic fists rising from the ground are the work of Croatian sculptor Ivan Sabolić, and they symbolize the resistance and suffering of men, women, and children (or, according to other interpretations, Serbs, Jews, and Roma) during WWII. This hill was the site of mass executions conducted by the Nazis, where they executed close to 10.000 prisoners from the concentration camp.
Our next stop will be the infamous Skull Tower - the monument unique in the world, erected by the Ottomans as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule. Originally there were 952 skulls built into the tower, today there are 59 remaining, but they still illustrate all the horror of the original tower.Destroying the tower was never a question. It was imperative to keep it standing as a reminder to future generations of the sacrifices made by their ancestors towards the liberation of Serbia; thus it still stands as a silent monument to struggle.
Following, we will visit the Niš Fortress, lying on the bank of Nišava River. It assumed its final shape in 1723, when the Turks built it, facing the end of their reign in this area. Its construction required that over 40 stonecutters from Constantinople and around 400 bricklayers from Niš to be hired. Though the Turks built its current incarnation, there have been forts on this site since ancient Roman times. Today, the fortress is a cultural property of great importance and a venue for frequent cultural and artistic events.
We will continue our sightseeing passing by the main sights in the city, including Banovina Building, Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, and the monument of a well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, considered to be one of the greatest Serbian comedy writers in history.Concluding our tour, we'll visit the Archaeological Hall of Nis National Museum, with its numerous exhibits telling a vivid story of Nis history and culture from Neolithic Age and Roman period to the Middle Ages.After that, you will have free time for individual activities in Niš and to try some of the traditional delicacies for which Niš is widely famous.At the scheduled time, we will hop back into our vehicle, and after about two hours, you will be back in your hotel.
Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we'll arrive in the afternoon. End of services.
See available dates and the current price on Viator.
The trip takes 9 to 10 hours in total.
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation in Belgrade are included. You’ll get an email with the pickup details the day before the trip, after 6 pm. On the shared option, pickup is 15 to 30 minutes before the departure time.
For tips, check the details on the booking page.
No. A traditional Serbian lunch is available as an option, but you pay for it separately.
The tour is sold as a private trip, but the booking details also mention a shared option. Either way, the group is small, with a maximum of 8 travelers. Groups of 1 to 3 travel by car, and groups of 4 to 7 by minivan.
No, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. Most travelers can take part, and service animals are allowed.
The operator doesn’t cancel tours. But if you’re the only guest on a shared tour, you’ll be told at least 24 hours before the trip. You can then choose:
The tour is offered in English.
The information provided above is compiled from tour operator listings and customer reviews for informational purposes only. Tour details, pricing, inclusions, and availability are subject to change without notice. We strongly recommend that you verify all current information, including tour schedules, prices, cancellation policies, and specific requirements directly with the official tour provider before making any booking decisions. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all details. Please check the official tour page for the most current information and terms of service.