Nišava

Niš is Serbia's third-largest city and a historic crossroads between Central Europe and the Balkans, set in the Nišava river valley in the country's southeast. The city combines Roman heritage, Ottoman-era streets and a lively student atmosphere, while serving as the administrative and cultural centre of the Nišava District.

Founded as the Roman settlement of Naissus, Niš is best known as the birthplace of Emperor Constantine the Great. Key historic sites include the well-preserved Niš Fortress above the river, the Mediana archaeological park with remains of a late Roman residence, the Skull Tower (Ćele Kula) from the First Serbian Uprising, and the Red Cross concentration camp memorial.

The city centre is compact and walkable, anchored by the pedestrian Obrenovićeva Street and Kazandžijsko sokače (Tinkers Alley), known for cafés, restaurants and evening atmosphere. Popular attractions include the fortress grounds, the National Museum, the Niš City Museum and the Niška Banja spa district with thermal springs a few kilometres east of the centre.

Niš is also an important economic and university city, with a strong tradition in electronics, mechanical engineering and food production, and a growing IT sector. The University of Niš brings students from across the region, while events such as the Nišville Jazz Festival add an international dimension to the local calendar.

For leisure and business visitors alike, Niš offers accessible history, hearty South Serbian cuisine and a gateway to nearby natural sites such as Sićevo Gorge, Jelašnica Gorge and Stara Planina, with the Corridor X motorway placing it on routes between Belgrade, Sofia and Skopje.