Hotels in Niš

Niš: Serbia's Southern Crossroads

Niš, Serbia's third-largest city, sits at the confluence of the Nišava and Southern Morava rivers, roughly 230 km south of Belgrade on the E75 motorway. The city is the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (c. 272 AD), and that legacy is visible at Mediana, a 4th-century imperial estate 4 km northeast of the centre. The Skull Tower (Ćele Kula), built by Ottoman commanders from the skulls of Serbian rebels after the 1809 Battle of Čegar, stands on Bulevar dr Zorana Đinđića and draws historians and travellers in equal measure.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster around Tvrđava — the restored 18th-century Ottoman fortress beside the Nišava — and along Obrenovićeva, the main pedestrian street. The fortress grounds host summer concerts and a craft market, making riverside properties the most practical base. Budget guesthouses concentrate in the Palilula quarter, a short walk east of the fortress.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Niš Constantine the Great Airport (INI) operates seasonal routes to several European cities; Belgrade is 2.5 hours by train.
• Getting around: The city centre is compact and walkable; taxis are metered and inexpensive.
• When to visit: July's Nišville International Jazz Festival fills fortress venues; temperatures average 27 °C in summer.
• Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD); most hotels accept cards.