Niš, Serbia: what the city offers a visitor
Niš lies on the Nišava river in southern Serbia. The spa association gives the distance from Niška Banja as about 10 km, a rounded figure and not a travel time. From the spa, the city works as a half-day or full-day trip.
The main sights are in the center or a short ride away: the fortress on the riverbank, the Skull Tower (Ćele Kula), the Red Cross camp memorial, the Bubanj memorial park and the Roman residence at Mediana. Three of them, the Skull Tower, the Red Cross camp and Mediana, belong to the National Museum, which publishes one ticket list and one set of opening hours.
The Niš fortress on the Nišava
The fortress is a well-preserved Ottoman fortress from the 18th century on the bank of the Nišava, in the city center. The former mosque inside, known as the Bali-Bey mosque, is used as a gallery. An open-air stage hosts cultural events, and the Nišville jazz festival used the fortress plateau for its 2026 edition, from August 13 to 16.
Check entry and opening hours at the entrance on the day you go. Interiors and event areas can have their own rules. Do not plan around night access.
Our picks: tours of Niš
Guided days in the city with Mediana, the Skull Tower and Crveni Krst, starting in Belgrade.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Niš and Devil's Town private day trip
Hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide and a driver. A combined ticket for Mediana, the Skull Tower, Crveni Krst and the archaeology hall, Devil's Town entry and 0.5 l of water are included; lunch is not.
Check availability →
Niš with Mediana and the Skull Tower from Belgrade
Pickup and return at your accommodation, a licensed guide and private transport. Entry to Mediana, the Skull Tower and the Crveni Krst camp is included; meals, drinks and tips are not.
Check availability →Full-day Niš city tour from Belgrade
Hotel pickup and return, a guide and private transport, with all entry fees included. The programme covers Crveni Krst, the Skull Tower, the fortress and Kazandžijsko Sokače; meals, drinks and tips are not included.
Check availability →Niš tours and day trips
City walks, fortress visits and trips around Niš, with live prices and availability.
National Museum sites: prices and hours
As listed by the museum in October 2026. All three are closed on Monday.
| Site | Adult | Reduced | Tuesday to Friday | Saturday and Sunday | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ćele Kula | RSD 300 (about €2.50) | RSD 250 (about €2) | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 15 minutes before closing |
| Red Cross camp | RSD 300 (about €2.50) | RSD 250 (about €2) | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 30 minutes before closing |
| Mediana | RSD 500 (about €4) | RSD 400 (about €3.50) | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 30 minutes before closing |
| All museum sites | RSD 1,200 (about €10) | RSD 1,000 (about €8.50) | – | – | – |
Children up to 7 years enter free. Reduced tickets exist for pupils, students (index or ISIC), pensioners (ID for 65 and over, or proof of pension) and groups of more than 10. Ask at the ticket desk how long the combined ticket is valid. Check the hours again before a long trip, as they can change.
Two memorial sites
Both belong to the history of the Second World War. Visit them with time and quiet.
The Red Cross camp (Crveni Krst)
The visitor name is Memorijalni kompleks 12. februar. The museum reports a breakout attempt on February 12, 1942. Of 147 people taking part, 105 escaped and 42 died. Tickets and hours are in the table above.
Bubanj memorial park
Bubanj was the execution site for Serbs, Jews and Roma who were brought from the Red Cross camp. The memorial by Ivan Sabolić was unveiled in 1963. Three monumental concrete forms stand for the raised fists of a man, a woman and a child. Check fees and opening hours locally before you go.
Ćele Kula and Mediana
Two sights that have their own pages.
A day in Niš, in a sensible order
The opening hours decide the order. Mediana and the Red Cross camp close earliest, at 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and at 3 p.m. on the weekend. The Skull Tower stays open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on the weekend.
Start with Mediana, about 5 km from Niš. The museum gives it as a distance from Niš, so do not read it as a distance from Niška Banja. Go on to the Red Cross camp, then to the Skull Tower and the fortress. Leave the riverside for the evening. Allow for the last entry, 30 minutes before closing at Mediana and the camp.
Between Niš and the spa
Where to go next.
City bus line 1 connects Niš and Niška Banja. Check the current timetable and the last departure before you go. From the airport, buses 34A and 34B run into the city. More detail is on the page about getting there.
Niš, Serbia: frequently asked questions
How far is Niš from Niška Banja?
About 10 km, a rounded figure from the spa association. It is not a travel time. City bus line 1 runs between the two.
Which sights in Niš are worth the time?
Start with the fortress, the Skull Tower, the Red Cross camp memorial and Mediana. Bubanj is a memorial park for a quieter visit.
Is Monday a good day to visit?
No. The three National Museum sites are closed on Monday. Plan the museum visits for Tuesday to Sunday.
Is there a combined ticket?
Yes. All museum sites together cost RSD 1,200 for adults (about €10) and RSD 1,000 reduced (about €8.50) in the 2026 list. Ask how long it is valid.
Can I pay in euros?
The Serbian dinar (RSD) is the currency. Do not count on paying in euros. Carry dinars.