Finding Your Niš: 3 Travel Itineraries for Serbia
Plan the perfect Niš, Serbia trip with 3 custom itineraries: a comfortable 3-day history tour, a 2-day budget blitz, or a rugged nature trail escape.
THE BALKANS AND CENTRAL EUROPETRAVEL BLOGSERBIAITINERARIES
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These help cover the costs associated with operating this website. Thanks! Learn more here.
Following the popularity of our Niš Travel Guide, we’ve designed a few custom itineraries to help you maximize your time in Serbia's overlooked southern city.
Niš is Serbia’s third-largest city and home to centuries of complicated and fascinating history. From the Ottoman era and Nazi occupation to being the birthplace of some of the Roman Empire's most famous rulers, it’s surprising how much of this city's forgotten history lies in plain sight.
We won’t dive into all the details of every location here— Samantha’s Niš Guide has already done that. We recommend reading it as a primer or referencing it when you need more information. The answer you're looking for is almost guaranteed to be there.
Instead, we’re giving you three different itineraries you could use to explore this underrated destination.
Choose Your Perfect 2 or 3 Day Niš Itinerary
If you're traveling through more of Serbia, be sure to check out our guides on:
→ The capital city of Belgrade
→ The always charming Novi Sad!
The frescoed apse of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Црква Васкрсења Христовог), just south of the Skull Tower.
Different Travel Styles
- Different Itineraries-
The Classic 3-Day Vacation
The essential history, cozy dining and comfortable accommodations.
The Nature Escape
This is a Traveling Moose and Bugs classic. All the history plus an extended hike into the Suva Planina Range.
The Budget Blitz
Crush Niš's essential sights, feel the local vibe, go for a hike, and do it all for under $40 a day.
Click the button to purchase the PDF download for the itinerary below. The small cost helps cover the operation of this website. Thanks!
The Classic 3-Day Vacation
Let’s jump right in with our “Classic 3-Day”. This itinerary is a balanced mix of historic landmarks, local markets, and enjoying the scenic surroundings of Niš. This is an itinerary well-suited for a traveling couple or a family. We've got a few great restaurant recommendations and this would be my recommendation for anyone traveling to Niš for the first time. This can all be done on foot and using local free buses or taxis, but a rental car would provide an additional layer of freedom and offer easy access to our first, and preferred hotel recommendation.
I've also included maps with walking routes to help you visualize each day so you never miss an important site or a coffee shop!
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel→ Garni Hotel Zen: About two miles from city center, this is a great choice if you rent a car. A 4-star rating, solid breakfast, and you can get an adjoining room for the kids. (rooms from $60)
Apartment→ Leo Lux 2: Located in the heart of town these well-appointed one or two bedroom apartments would be comfortable home base. (1bd $56 / 2bd $91)
Stambol Gate at the entrance to Niš Fortress
Day 1: Heart of the City & An Historic Introduction
Morning: Start your morning with a hot, fresh burek pastry from Srbijanka to carb-load before beginning the day. Dive into local daily life browsing stalls at the Green Market before you explore Niš Fortress (Stambol Gate, public park). Work up an appetite here, because you need to eat one more hearty Niš specialty: the stuffed chicken thigh sandwich, grilled to order at Kod Ujche right outside the Green Market. Walk off your lunch and stroll through King Milan Square.
Afternoon: Visit the archaeological hall of the National Museum of Niš to ground yourself in the city's complex Roman and Ottoman past.
Evening: Grab dinner near the town center at a local kafana. Our recommendation is Kafana Meze.
The Skull Tower, built by the Ottoman Empire from the skulls of Serbian rebels.
Day 2: The Ottoman Empire & Roman Roots + Local Life
Morning: Start your morning with a bus or short taxi ride to Mediana Archaeological Site to explore Constantine the Great's ancient estate. Jump back on a bus or take a short 30 minute walk to visit the Skull Tower (Battle of Čegar history) and contemplate your own mortality. If you're interested, there is the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Црква Васкрсења Христовог) about a 20 minute walk south (1.6km). Consecrated in 2007, it may not be from antiquity, but it has some impressive frescos finished by contemporary masters.
Afternoon: Enjoy a classic grilled kebab or pljeskavica (Serbian style burger) from Srbski Roštilj NON STOP right next to the Skull Tower. Next head back across town to the Red Cross Concentration Camp.
Evening: Finish your day with a stroll along the south bank of the Nišava River beginning near the Kneginje Ljubice crossing. Grab a beer and a bite to eat at Kolektiv Beer Bar, or a coffee, dessert, or cocktail at Caffe Moda. There are plenty of dining options in the area.
A thermally heated stream flowing through Niška Banja Park.
The original uploader was Intermedichbo at Serbian Wikipedia., CC BY 3.0 RS <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/rs/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons
Day 3: Nature and Radioactive Hot Springs
Morning: Take Bus #1 or a taxi to Niška Banja Park for an outdoorsy nature fusion filled morning. Wander the large park, check out the local craft vendors, or maybe hike a few miles south on the beginning of the E7 trail into the mountains before visiting a thermal spa. We recommend small and private Velnes studio, Bazen br. 3 for a soak in one of the unique, and slightly radioactive* hot springs. Sauna access from 1500 Serbian dinars, massage available with advanced booking (+381 64 8609162 some staff speak English).
Afternoon: Grab lunch at a local grill in Niška Banja. Banjska Kućica is conveniently located right in the park or you can visit nearby Restoran Letnja Pozornica for sit down alfresco dining and a larger classic Serbian menu.
Evening: A quiet evening enjoying one last Serbian meal if you have the appetite. Just northeast of the city center you’ll find Nišlijska Mehana, highly recommended for their southern Serbian style grilled meats (roštilj), charming atmosphere, and live traditional music. The restaurant has two seating areas, “the Ethno part" (Ethno deo, entrance on Prvomajska Street, summer outdoor garden seating available) with a warm folksy vibe and the "new part" (Novi deo, entrance on Kralja Stefana Prvovenčanigo Street) which is slightly more modern and connected to their wine cellar. (+381 18 511111 reservations recommended for dinner, mains from 1000 dinar)
*The hot springs here are mildly radioactive. The limestone bedrock contains radium-226 that the water dissolves as it percolates through. The exposure during an hour soak is pretty low and is even considered therapeutic by many, but do understand that you are exposing yourself to a low dose of radiation.
If you're traveling further around the Balkans be sure to read our guides on:
→ Budapest, Hungary: Home to some of my favorite European architecture, anywhere. Period.
→ Skopje, North Macedonia: A quirky city that's been forced to reinvent itself throughout history and a gateway to nearby mountains.
The Nature Escape
This might be my personal favorite. An ideal blend of immersive history and an outdoor adventure to keep things fresh.
We've offered two variations for day 2 of this itinerary. Option 1 includes a day hike beginning in Niška Banja and heading into the foothills of the Suva Planina Range. Option 2 (what I'll do next time) concludes with a multi-day hike along the E7 European Long Distance Path. You'll need a little experience and the right gear, but this plan is right out of the Moose and Bugs playbook.
WHERE TO STAY
Apartment→ Riverside Nis: This cute little modern apartment is centrally located near the Nišava River. (from $33)
Apartment 2→ Comfy Studio - 1 minute walk to Delta Planet: We stayed here and enjoyed having coffee on the private balcony in a quiet residential area. (from $46)
Day 1: Local History & the Essential Sites
Morning & Afternoon: Start with a relaxed stroll through the sprawling public park spaces of Niš Fortress to stretch your legs after travel. Visit the Green Market (Зелена пијаца) to check out the local seasonal produce and grab a fresh burek from one of the several bakeries in the area. Walk 1 mile (1.6km) to Nazi Concentration Camp "Red Cross” for some solemn but important history.
Afternoon/Evening: Take a bus east to Roman Emperor Constantine the Great’s ancient estate at Mediana. Walk back towards town along interesting residential streets south of the railroad tracks to the Skull Tower to finish your day.
Night: Kick back with a local craft beer or bite to eat right by the Nišava River at spots like Kolektiv Beer Bar or grab a post-walk coffee and dessert at Caffe Moda.
For Day 2 we’ll present two options. Option 1 with a long day hike beginning in Niška Banja and following the E7 route towards Suva Planina. Option 2 also begins from Niška Banja but you’ll begin a multi-night wilderness backpacking route (some self-planning still required).
Day 2: The E7 Long-Distance Trail & Hot Spring Therapy
Morning: Head out to Niška Banja Park (via Bus #1 or a quick taxi) for an outdoorsy, nature-heavy morning. Wander the park and check out local vendors before lacing up for a hike.
Day Trail: Hit the E7 European long-distance path, which officially terminates in Niš. The trail begins on a well-signed path at the south side of the park. Hike as far as you’re comfortable into the surrounding mountains for a day trek. (We hiked to Presklan Peak, about 7.5 miles (12km) round trip and it took 4.5 hours with a long lunch at the summit.)
Post-Hike Recovery or Keep Hiking: Hike back down into Niška Banja and take a dip in a hot spring if you’re interested. Check out private setups like Velnes studio, Bazen br. 3 for a soak in the mineral-rich, slightly radioactive hot springs, or book a massage if your legs need some recovery (+381 64 8609162 some staff speaks English). Or continue your hike by following the trail on the south shore of the Nišava River all the way back to Niš.
The interior wall of Niš Fortress.
Moose (me, the author) hiking along the lower portion of the E7 Trail near Niška Banja Park.
Day 2: The E7 Long-Distance Trail Multi-Day Trek
Morning: Head out to Niška Banja Park (via Bus #1 or a taxi) for an outdoorsy, nature-heavy day. Wander the park and check out local vendors and maybe eat a grilled chicken sandwich before lacing up for a hike.
Day Trail: Hit the E7 European long-distance path, which officially terminates here in Niš. The trailhead is located at the south side of the park and immediately climbs up a series of switchbacks into the hills. You could make a number of routes this way but I would recommend hiking the main trail as it follows the ridgeline towards 5938 foot (1800m) Trem, the highest peak in the Suva Planina Range (Dry Mountain Range).
Trem is only about 13 miles (21km) from the trailhead, but with an elevation gain of almost 6500 feet (2000m). So you may want to break this up over two days. From Trem you can continue across the Suva Planina, deviating from the primary E7 route here to follow the center of the range and descend east on trail and dirt road into the town Babušnica in 17 miles (27km) or make an extended route hooking southwest covering more of the mountains, a spring or two and a cave, totalling about 29 miles (46km).
There are endless possibilities at this point but terminating in the town of Babušnica gives you easy access to guesthouses and regular buses back to Niš and elsewhere.
The view looking back at the Nišava River Valley and the city of Niš.
OPTION 2
Want a little more help planning your trip?
Check out the hassle-free tours offered through Viator so can easily explore Niš and the surrounding area.
The Budget Blitz
This is for those of you on the go. You're probably traveling with just a backpack and you arrived on a bus. You want to see the sights, try the local food, and feel the vibe. But you've got a limited budget; this is just another stop on a much larger trip, perhaps across the Balkans, or maybe even longer. We know this because this is how we traveled through Niš our first time.
This quick itinerary will give you a sample of what you can do with a two-day stopover in Niš including a cost breakdown so you can make the most of your Serbian dinars!
WHERE TO STAY
Hostel→ Sleep Hostel: A favorite with budget travelers and a short walk from city center and the central bus station. (beds from $15)
Ready to Pick Your Niš Itinerary?
Remember this is your vacation, your journey. Hike some of the E7 in Niška Banja, soak in a radioactive hot spring, and get the luxe hotel in town. Mix and match these itineraries to your heart's desire and create your own medley. However you approach it, Niš is a friendly, walkable small city with its own southern Serbian charm and it will work its way into your memory forever if you allow it. May these itineraries inspire you to dig even deeper. Until next time and safe travels everyone!
-Don M.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, your continued support means the world to us! If you haven't already, please sign up for emails so you can stay up to date. And remember, step out of your comfort zone when you travel; try new foods, stay in traditional accommodations, try and speak the native language, even a few phrases is appreciated, talk with strangers, accept invites into their homes, and leave the tourist districts whenever possible. If you're not embracing their culture and their way of life you're missing the most rewarding experiences traveling has to offer!
Meet the Author
Hello, I'm Don, a.k.a. Moose. I have a penchant for history, especially ancient Greece and Amir Timur's rule in Central Asia. I'm also an adventurous eater with a love for global street food (naem/แหนม, anyone? Thai-style raw fermented pork is a personal favorite).
But my true passion is rugged, long-distance hiking. The more remote the location and unknown the route, the happier I am. You'll find me most at home wandering the deserts of the American Southwest, or the fringes of Amenia along the Iranian border, or traversing a steep snowfield in the Washington Cascades.
I hope I can share my love for adventure with you.
Thanks to All our Supporters!
Brandon (Exxon)
Ann M.
Jennifer McDonald
Jonel Wachtman
Akash Mondal
Damien Rounds
Robin & Kevin Tice
Gail & Greg McCarty
Erin Bergen
Clair Blume
Kent Rewis
Kris & REW Palmer
Andrew & Justine Knox
Seth Yoder
Cheryl & Hap Reeves
Robert Kooken
Linda Koening-Warren
Kathleen Thompson
Janet McCarty
Diane & Lowell Richardson
Ann Slagle
Stephanie Bender
Kay & Bill Massong
Danielle & Michael Robinson