Niš

The Niš Tourist Organization has two tourist information centres and a website. In the tourist information centres one can get information related to tourism in Niš. They also sell maps, brochures, souvenirs and postcards. The website is quite comprehensive and detailed (available in English and Serbian).

• Tourist information centre "The Fortress", Tvrdjava, ☏ +381 18 250222, info@visitnis.com. 
• Tourist information centre Niska Banja Spa, Sindjeliceva 3b, Niska Banja, ☏ +381 18 4548588, info@visitnis.com. 
• Tourist Organization of Nis. 

Weekly direct flights are available from Cologne, Frankfurt-Hahn, Istanbul and Ljubljana. Seasonal flights to Turkish, Montenegrin and Greek resorts are offered during the summer. Ryanair has flights to and from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Korfu, Malta, and Vienna. In July 2019 the Serbian government gave a subsidy to Air Serbia to start serving Niš out of a range of central European airports.

🌍 Constantine the Great International Airport (INI  ^IATA) (5 km away from the city centre). Apart from taxis, there are regular buses to the city every 15 minutes from early morning till midnight on workdays. 

Niš is on the north-south corridor connecting Belgrade with Skopje, Sofia and on to Thessaloniki and Istanbul. It's a slow but very scenic route.

As of 2023 major upgrades to the line has been announced and most services are replaced by bus or cancelled all together. Works are expected to finish in 2026-27. Updated timetables can be found on Serbian Railways website.

• 🌍 Niš railway station (Железничка станица Ниш) (2 km west of the main square, a good half an hour walk). (updated Mar 2023)

🌍 Bus station (Autobuska Stanica) (a couple of blocks north of the river). Almost all buses traveling from the northwest into Bulgaria or further southeast to Turkey will stop in Niš. All buses traveling between Belgrade and Greece or North Macedonia will stop in Niš. An average bus ride from Belgrade (three hours), but make sure you opt for a 'direct' bus from Belgrade central bus station, as some buses will stop in a dozen towns on the way, sometimes getting out of the highway, and prolong the ride considerably. 

The quickest route from the bus station to the main square (Trg Kralja Milana) is to go left down the side road past all the market stalls and the covered market. This takes you to the fortress entrance from where you can cross the river and head towards the obvious Ambassador hotel.

• FLiX Prevoz (shuttle service), Bul. Svetog Cara Konstantina 80-86, ☏ +38163456515, info@flix.rs. Airport shuttle services to Nis, Belgrade, Sofia, Skopje, Pristina, Thessaloniki, Timisoara airports, as well as rides to tourist attractions in area by car or mini van. (updated Jul 2020)

The European motorway E75 routes through Niš. From the north, you may use any highway from the Hungarian border over Novi Sad and Belgrade to Niš. From the northwest, you can travel over Austria, via Slovenia and Croatia to Belgrade and then to Niš. These are all modern highways, including the section Belgrade-Niš. It is a fast road with six lanes and 120 km/h speed limit, which locals seldom observe as the road is in a pretty good shape. Beware of the police, though. At this speed, travel time from Belgrade is usually two hours.

The highway continues for another 10 km towards the Bulgarian border, and then turns into a narrower mountainous road to Sofia. Caution is advised here, especially along the 20 km of the beautiful Gorge of Sicevo, starting just after the end of the highway on the outskirts of the city. The other extension of the highway branches to the south, towards North Macedonia and Greece. The fine motorway continues for another 60km south of Niš and then narrows down into a normal road, entering the Gorge of Grdelica, where caution is also advised.

Tolls are paid for highways Niš - Belgrade, Niš - Leskovac (south towards North Macedonia and Greece) and Niš – Sofia.

Downtown area is easily accessible on foot from the bus or train stations, and most hotels and hostels.

For a walk across the whole city in any direction, be prepared to spend at least two or three hours.

Niš is in a small valley, but is surrounded by hills. It is not as bad as in Belgrade, whose central part virtually lies on a number of hills, but in Niš, too, as soon as you get away from broader downtown area, you may find yourself climbing.

Niš has well-established bus lines. Most buses have clear signs stating their directions, and almost all will at one point stop at the central city square, near the Fortress, or five minutes from it, at the King Alexander Square, near the School of Law and Army Headquarters building. There are ticket sellers in the buses. A single ticket, valid for one ride from point A to point B, inside the city zone costs 80 (as of June 2023) Serbian dinars. Weekly and monthly tickets are also available at discount prices in small ticket shops near most bus stops.

Taxi fares range between 150 and 300 dinars, depending on distance (start - 95 dinars + 45 dinars per km). Make sure the taxi driver turns on the taximeter, just in case. Taxis are available practically on every street, and are also reachable by phone - the local 'taxi' phone numbers cover the range from 9701 to 9721 - if you call from your cell phone, don't forget the country and area code +381 18. Pay phones with instructions in five languages are available throughout the town - a phone card must be purchased in any newspaper shop if these are to be used. Most drivers will speak at least basic English. If not, just write the name of the place, site, hotel, or street you are going to and it will be fine. Niš is relatively small and all taxi drivers know all the streets by heart and do not need to consult maps. Taxi rides out of the town (including to Belgrade airport) may be agreed on with the taxi driver (sometimes in a private arrangement, at a much reduced price), but some caution is advised here.

If you come by car, using hotel or hostel parking lots is advised. Car theft is not very common, but foreign license plates and unsecured vehicles parked downtown may be attractive to petty criminals, especially at night. Parking is charged in two zones in downtown area, at about €0.25-0.35/hour. There are clear traffic signs marking the two zones (red - Zone 1, up to 1 hour; green - Zone 2, up to 3 hours, Monday-Friday 07:00-21:00, Saturday 07:00-14:00). This can be paid with a small card purchased in any newspaper shop, where the driver is expected to tick the date and time and leave the card under the windshield of the car so that the traffic warden can see it. Alternatively, you may pay using your cellphone (send an SMS with your license plate number to 9181 for Zone 1 or 9182 for Zone 2 - for instance, NI123456). Failure to pay may result in a €12 fine.

There are a few rent-a-car services in the city. You may check out Euroturs Nis (http://www.euroturs-nis.co.yu/english.php?page=4),Inter Rent-a-car (http://www.rentacarnis.rs) or http://rentalex-rentacar.com/ Rentalex rent a car Nis. Rentalex Rent a car Nis is a young agency to rent a car from Nis. It offers cars from the Volkswagen family. Cars have gasoline engines from 1.2 liters to provide extremely low power costs to be more economical. Expect prices ranging from €20-50 a day, depending on the car type and length of lease. The cars are usually fully ensured, but make sure the clerks you talk to have made this clear prior to any arrangement. Rent-a-car is a good option for sightseeing, as there are many interesting things to visit in the 100 km vicinity of Niš in all directions. The roads are getting increasingly better, but be prepared for possible surprises outside main highways leading to Belgrade, Thessaloniki, or Sofia.

• 🌍 Mediana (on the road Niš - Niška Banja). The 4th-century birthplace of Emperor Constantine the Great. This ancient historical site is a testimony of the wealth and glory of the imperial Naissus . The remains of imperial palace, together with peristyle (range of surrounding columns) have been discovered. Luxury villas with mosaic floors, sacral objects (baptistery room), farming buildings with pithos, Roman bathrooms, water tanks, fort remains etc testify about Naissus culture and wealth from the times of Emperor Constantine the Great, who was born in Nis. Constantine is best remembered in modern times for three great achievements: the Edict of Milan in 313, which fully legalized Christianity in the Empire, the Council of Nicaea in 325, which made the Trinity the orthodox teaching, and the founding of Constantinople, today's Istanbul, in 330. 
• Mausoleum of Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky - lover of Anna Karenina (in Gornji Adrovac (municipality of Aleksinac)). The Holy Trinity Church near Nis was built in the 19th century in commemoration of the death of Nikolai Rayevsky. Rayevsky was celebrated as Count Vronsky in Tolstoy's famous novel Anna Karenina. 
• 🌍 Niška Banja (Niš Spa) (a couple of kilometers to the southeast). There is a large park and some restaurants to accompany the nice view out over the valley. The spa is famous for its mildly radioactive hot water springs which help treat rheumatic disorders. Heart conditions are also successfully treated in the vicinity. 5 km away from the spa are Sicevacka and Jelasnicka Gorges, state-protected natural reserves with intact scenery, ancient monasteries, and endemic species. 
• Villa of the "ill" Prince George (in Gornja Toponica). In 1926, the heir to the Serbian throne, Prince George Karadjordjevic, was committed to the mental hospital on grounds of insanity by his younger brother, Alexander, who was then crowned king. The prince was kept in the spacious villa locked within the mental hospital for 15 years. After World War II, his family were declared state enemies by the communist regime but George was allowed to retire in Belgrade as the only member of the royal family in the country. 

• 🌍 Etno Ćumurko, Milorada Veljkovića Špaje 4. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Ekspres Mali Vikend, Nikole Pašića 2. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Pasta Bar 2x2, Sinđelićev trg 25. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Pekara TVRĐAVA, Đuke Dinić 17. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Pekara Mićko, Dimitrija Tucovića 27 (Opposite of the school (gimnazija)). Small bakery specialising in burek. One of the better burek shops in Niš. The burek is less greasy than in some other bakeries. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Restoran Riblja konoba, Kralja Stefana Prvovenčanog 5, ☏ +381 18-257728. 10:00 - 22:00. Fish restaurant in the centre, where both the cooking and the interior is old-fashioned. The menus are in both English and Serbian, and the waiters speak English. They have salt and fresh-water fish, and other seafood such as squid. During the summer there are tables outside. The cheapest meal would be fried fish (girice) and a potato salad (krompir salata) for about €2 (March 2015). The other dishes are more expensive. (updated May 2022)

Nightclubs in Niš are somewhat different than those typically found in Belgrade or in other larger cities. Firstly, there is relatively little dancing and most clubs don't feature a dancefloor. Instead, clubs have tables and most people stand at their table and drink, while listening to the music. Tables must be reserved beforehand, though this is usually for free.Secondly electronic dance music is quite rare, with most clubs playing folk music instead.

Most clubs have only a Facebook page, so check that to see what they're doing that day.

• 🌍 Feedback, Davidova (Next to the defunct synagogue). This placed is alternative, playing rock and metal and occasionally electronical dance music. 
• 🌍 Vavilon, Nikole Pašića 36. 
• Simphony club, Generala Milojka Lešjanina. Unusual for playing electronical dance music. Also a somewhat "fancy" club. 
• 🌍 Cubo klub, Balkanska 2. Lively atmosphere, and often crowded. They play mostly folk music. 
• Diamond, Prijezdina 4. 

Niška Banja (the Spa) has a couple of older but decent hotels, such as Ozren, with prices from €24 for a single room incl breakfast. Alternatively, it may be possible to arrange a home-stay in Niška Banja. The spa is a few kilometers away from the town, so a bus or taxi ride to the centre is inevitable.

• The Ambassador Hotel. The tallest building on the central square, dominates the downtown area, and is one of the few options for visitors on a budget. The rooms are not as cheap as one might expect and feel a little outdated but they are comfortable enough and the hotel is in a great location. If you want a real Yugo experience, try this hotel, dark brown formica fittings, appliances that might or might not work, and an amazing restaurant with retro sculptures and chandeliers, a flashback to the 1960s. €42 for an apartment with en-suite. Expect ~€30 breakfast included. 
• My Place (just by the Nišava rive). In a quiet quarter in the downtown area, a couple of minutes from the central square on foot From €65.50 (2014). 
• Niški cvet (Nis Flower). Expect €50 or more/night, with buffet breakfast included.. 
• Regent Club Hotel, Obrenoviceva Street. Entrance is via Gorca shopping mall in the city's main promenade street 
• Aleksandar Palace, Njegoseva 81a, ☏ +381 18 562 333, fax: +381 18 562 056. A hotel on the hills overlooking the city from the southern side with a small pool. around €60-80/night. 
• 🌍 Panorama, 51 Svetolika Rankovića Str,, info@panoramalux.co.rs. A bit more remote up the hill, but also with a nice view of the city, and with a bit lower prices. Taxi needed from over here, especially upwards. Sgl/dbl €45/55 (2014). 
• 🌍 New City Hotel and Restaurant, Vožda Karadorđa 12 (Centre of Niš), ☏ +381 18 504 800, info@newcityhotelnis.com. Accommodation, coffee bar and a restaurant with international cuisine, conference rooms with simultaneous translation. The hotel has 48 rooms and suites, two large halls for conferences and banquets and a cafe, bar & restaurant. Free internet access throughout the hotel, separate parking space. (updated Jan 2017)

• 🌍 Sweet-Hostel Nis', Milorada Veljkovica Spaje 11/4 (There is a map on the website). Another hostel in Nis. It is in the centre of town, 5 minutes from The square of King Milan (main city square). They offer comfortable rooms and welcoming, hospitable service for a small amount of money. Hot showers and free towels are there as well, as is a fully equipped kitchen and a shared room with TV, DVD & very slow Internet access. Hostel single/double 1650/2200 dinars; apartments single/double 2200/3200 dinars, including tax (2014). 
• 🌍 Hostel Kosmopolit, Anastasa Jovanovica 15 (in `Ledena Stena` area: taxis are cheap, or you can use a direct bus line number 1 `Ledena stena - Niska banja` exiting at the station called `MIN naselje`), ☏ +381 63 472705, hostelkosmopolit@hotmail.com. Hostel `Kosmopolit` is a beautiful contemporary building with 120 m² of residential space and a spacious garden. Services and amenities include free high-speed internet, WiFi, garden barbecue grill and bar, self-service kitchen with dining room and balcony, lounge room with self-service bar, cable TV and computer with internet, air-conditioning in every room, 24 hour service and assistance. €11 per bed (8-bed dorms and private rooms). 

In case of an emergency, call 192 (police), 193 (fire), 194 (ambulance) or the European standard 112.

In case of injury or illness, the place to go is the Hitna Pomoc (Emergency Aid Centre) of Nis Clinical Centre. If the urgency is not total, you may ask for help in the state Clinical Centre (follow the white signs with this name in the streets) or any of the numerous small private clinics scattered downtown. Be aware that not all medical facilities are well-stocked or have personnel that speak foreign languages, including English. Cash payment on the spot will almost certainly be required for medical services. Consult the embassy of your country, if possible.

Serbia has a social insurance agreement with most European nations. If you get a form from your local health insurance you can obtain free treatment in the local hospitals. You would first need to go to the national social insurance (RZZO) branch office in Niš to hand in the form and get another form for the local hospital or health centre. Since this procedure is complicated to complete without Serbian language skills it may be easier to visit a private doctor or polyclinic. Prices are very reasonable by European standards, starting from €10 for a simple consultation with a PD.

Pharmacies are located all over the central city zone. They are marked with green crosses in front of the entrance. Their working hours are 07:00 to 21:00 or even 22:00 every day, including weekends. The central pharmacy, located in front of the National Theater building, a 2-minute walk from the central city square, is open 24/7. Serbia is still very liberal in terms of purchasing medication, so you are allowed to buy practically any basic drugs over the counter (painkillers, fever medication). However, for antibiotics a prescription is required. Prior consultation with a physician would be a good idea, though.