Niš Day Trips by Car: Southern Serbia’s Best Routes from the City of Emperors

Niš is Serbia’s third-largest city and one of its oldest settlements — a place where Roman emperors were born and Ottoman architecture still shapes the streetscape. But what makes it genuinely useful for travellers is its position. The city sits at the crossroads of the Morava and Vardar river valleys, with mountain ranges to the west and the Serbian-Bulgarian border to the east. Pick up a rental car here and you can cover serious ground in a single day — or check our guide to scenic drives across Serbia for longer routes.

This guide covers the best day trips from Niš by car — routes that are practical, scenically rewarding and easy to navigate without a four-wheel-drive. Most work comfortably with a compact or mid-size vehicle, though clearance helps on a couple of mountain tracks.

Devil’s Town (Đavolja Varoš) — The Strange Rock Formations of Southern Serbia

The most photographed natural site in this part of Serbia is Devil’s Town, roughly 90 kilometres south-west of Niš near Kursumlija. Over two hundred stone pillars rise from a hillside, formed by centuries of erosion on volcanic rock. Local legend attributes them to a petrified wedding party — geology attributes them to differential weathering of andesite. Either way, the result is otherworldly.

The drive: Take the E80 west from Niš towards Prokuplje, then follow the signs for Kursumlija and Devil’s Town. The total distance is around 90 kilometres and the journey takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. The road is paved and in reasonable condition, though the last 8 kilometres narrow to a single lane in places. In winter, snow is common from December through February and chains may be required.

Parking and entry: A dedicated car park sits at the base of the trail, with space for roughly 30 vehicles. Parking is typically free during weekdays and 200–300 RSD at peak times. Entry to the protected area costs around 350 RSD for adults. The trail to the viewing platforms takes 20–30 minutes on foot and is moderately steep in sections. Wear decent footwear — the rock surface is uneven.

Combine with: Prolom Banja thermal spa is only 25 kilometres further south and makes an excellent second stop, particularly if you are visiting in autumn or spring when the mountain air is crisp.

Srebrno Jezero (Silver Lake) — A Quiet Escape on the Danube

For something completely different, head north-east from Niš towards the Danube. Srebrno Jezero is a widening of the river near Veliko Gradište, about 140 kilometres from Niš. The water is calm, the shoreline is lined with small beaches and the surrounding hills are planted with vineyards. It is not dramatic, but it is restorative — and the drive itself is pleasant, passing through rolling farmland and small towns that feel untouched by tourism.

The drive: Take the A1 motorway north towards Belgrade, exit at Smederevo and follow regional roads east towards Veliko Gradište. The journey takes roughly 2 hours. The motorway section is toll-bearing — expect to pay around 300–400 RSD each way.

What to do: Swimming is possible in summer, though there are no lifeguarded areas. Several small restaurants along the shore serve freshwater fish and local wine. The nearby town of Srebrna Gora has a medieval silver mine that is open to visitors. If you want to stretch the trip into an overnight, there are guesthouses along the lake shore, though advance booking is advisable in July and August.

Prolom Banja and Mount Radan — Thermal Springs and Mountain Views

Prolom Banja is a thermal spa town tucked into the Radan mountain range, about 110 kilometres south of Niš. The mineral water here is naturally warm and has been used for therapeutic bathing since Roman times. The town itself is small and functional — what you come for is the combination of soaking, hiking and the quiet that comes from being surrounded by forest.

The drive: Head south on the E80 towards Prokuplje, then turn south-west towards Kuršumlija and Prolom Banja. The route is around 110 kilometres and takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. The section between Kuršumlija and Prolom Banja winds through pine forest and offers several viewpoints over the Toplica valley. Fog is common in autumn mornings — drive carefully.

Parking: Most hotels and spa complexes have dedicated car parks. Public parking in the town centre is free and rarely crowded outside the July–August peak. If you are visiting Devil’s Town first, the two sites pair naturally on a single day trip.

Pirot and the Stara Planina Borderlands

Pirot is a small city 70 kilometres east of Niš, close to the Bulgarian border. It is known for Pirot cheese, kilim weaving and a well-preserved old town centre that still functions as a market rather than a museum. The real attraction for drivers, though, is what lies beyond it — and if you are heading further east, see our Niš to Sofia driving guide — the Stara Planina mountain range and the Midžor peak, the highest point in Serbia outside Kosovo at 2,169 metres.

The drive: Take the E80 east from Niš towards Pirot. The road is a main arterial route and in good condition. Pirot itself is 70 kilometres and roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. To reach the Stara Planina foothills, continue past Pirot on the old road towards Kalna and Temštica. Mountain roads here are narrow, unpaved in stretches and steep — a vehicle with some clearance is advisable, particularly after rain.

Parking: Pirot has metered street parking in the centre (around 40 RSD per hour) and a large free car park near the riverfront. For Stara Planina, informal pull-ins exist at most trailheads but space is limited — arrive early on weekends.

Leskovac and the Grdelica Gorge

Leskovac, 60 kilometres south of Niš, is best known for its barbecue — the annual Roštiljijada festival draws serious eaters from across the region. But the drive south from Niš is also worth doing for the scenery. The road passes through the Grdelica Gorge, a dramatic limestone canyon (also on the main Belgrade–Niš route) carved by the South Morava river. The rock faces rise steeply on both sides and the river runs fast and green below.

The drive: Follow the E80 south from Niš towards Leskovac. The gorge section begins roughly 20 kilometres south of Niš and continues for another 15 kilometres. The total distance to Leskovac is 60 kilometres and the journey takes around 55 minutes. The road is a main highway but the gorge section has limited overtaking opportunities — patience is required behind slower trucks.

What to do: Stop for lunch in Leskovac — any restaurant near the town centre will serve pljeskavica, ćevapi and other grilled meat. The town itself has a pleasant pedestrian zone and a small fortress on the hill above. For a longer day, continue south to Vranje and the Vranjska Banja spa, another 50 kilometres.

Practical Tips for Niš-Based Day Trips

• Fuel: Petrol stations are plentiful on the E80 and A1 motorways. In rural areas, fuel up when you see a station — gaps of 40–50 kilometres without petrol are common on minor roads. Current prices are roughly 175–190 RSD per litre for petrol and 180–195 RSD for diesel.
• Tolls: The A1 motorway uses electronic tolls. A vignette is required and can be purchased at petrol stations or online. For short day trips that avoid the motorway, no vignette is needed.
• Navigation: Mobile coverage is good on main roads but patchy in mountain valleys. Download offline maps before you leave Niš.
• Winter driving: From November through March, snow chains are legally required on mountain roads and advisable on any route above 800 metres. Carry them even if the weather looks clear — conditions change fast in the Radan and Stara Planina ranges.
• Vehicle choice: A compact car handles all the routes listed above in dry weather. If you are visiting Devil’s Town or Stara Planina in winter, or if you plan to explore unpaved mountain tracks, consider upgrading to a small SUV for the extra clearance and traction. Our driving in Serbia guide covers road conditions and local rules in more detail.

Booking a Car in Niš

Niš has two main pickup options for rental cars. Niš city centre is convenient if you are staying in the old town and want to start driving immediately. Niš Airport (INI) is the better choice for airport arrivals — it is only 5 kilometres from the city centre and the pickup process is typically faster than at larger hubs.

If you are planning a longer Serbia itinerary, you might also consider picking up in Novi Sad or Belgrade Airport and dropping in Niš, though one-way fees apply. For cross-border trips into Bulgaria or North Macedonia, see our border crossing guide and confirm with your supplier in advance — not all vehicles are permitted across borders and additional insurance may be required.

Final Word

Niš is an underrated base for exploring southern Serbia. The day trips from Niš by car range from geological oddities to thermal spas to mountain hikes, and none require more than a couple of hours of driving. The roads are generally good, the traffic outside Belgrade is light, and the scenery rewards anyone willing to leave the motorway. If you have a spare day in Niš, pick a direction and drive — you will find something worth stopping for.