Home » 2-Day Trip to Nis, Serbia and Skopje, North Macedonia

2-Day Trip from Sofia to Nis, Serbia
and Skopje, North Macedonia

Visit 3 Balkan countries in 2 days

The UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery included
Available year-round from January to December
English-speaking guide and comfortable private car

Price: 970 EUR (1-3 people) | 1250 EUR (4-7 people)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Top rated on TripAdvisor

Niš is a city located close to the Bulgarian border, known as one of the oldest cities in Serbia with history dating back to 5,000 BC. Today, the. During the sightseeing of Nis, you will visit the Nis fortress, the skull tower, which was built in 1809 by order of Sultan Mahmud II. where the skulls of more than 900 Serbs were walled during the First Serbian Uprising; It is The only preserved concentration camp from World War II turned into a museum called “The Red Cross”. If you are looking for more travel ideas around Sofia, we also offer 6 different day trips from Sofia, and a 2-day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia.

Tour Details

Itinerary: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Skopje, North Macedonia – Nis, Serbia – Sofa
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Start/end point: Sofia, Bulgaria
Best period: January – December
Tour language: English
Price for 1-3 people: 970 EUR in a car
Price for 4-7 people: 1250 EUR in a minivan
Transportation: private car or minivan
Tour type: Historical, multicultural
Top attractions: Rila Monastery, Skopje Old Bazaar, Macedonian Square, Nis Fortress, the Concentration camp “Red Cross”, The skull tower, and The Mediana.

Highlights

Explore the picturesque Rila Mountains and the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Discover the monastery’s historical significance as a spiritual and cultural hub in Bulgaria, as well as its striking frescoes and museum.
Local guides will provide you with intriguing insider information about not only Skopje and Nis but also the culture, history, and local life in both North Macedonia and Serbia.
Discover the history of Nis, one of Serbia’s oldest cities, which dates back to 5,000 BC.
Try both Bulgarian, Macedonia, and Serbian cuisine at local traditional restaurants
See the ancient Nis Fortress, Nis’s Skull Tower, and discover the Red Cross internment camp, a noteworthy World War II location.

Neoclassical building and old stone bridge reflected in a river in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Christmas market in Skopje, North Macedonia

Sofia to Nis, Serbia Itinerary

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Transfer from Sofia to Skopje, North Macedonia with a stop at the Rila Monastery	Skopje
Day 2	Transfer to Nis, Serbia, walking city tour

See the full tour program

DAY 1: RILA MONASTERY AND SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA

Depart from Sofia in the morning after breakfast, pick up from your hotel
→ Transfer to the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria (2 hours)
→ Explore the Monastery of Rila, the largest Orthodox monastery in the Balkans.
→ Lunch at a Traditional Fish Farm is optional.
→ Transfer (3.5 hours + border) to Skopje, North Macedonia
→ Skopje City Tour with a local guide, including the Old Bazaar, Macedonia Square, and the monuments and statues that give the city its distinct personality.
→ Free time for dinner

Overnight in Skopje

DAY 2: NIS, SERBIA

→ Transfer to Nis, Serbia (2.5 hours)
→ City tour of Nis, Serbia with a local guide – Visit the Nis fortress; the Concentration camp “Red Cross” (The only preserved concentration camp from the Second War War in the Balkans); The skull tower and The Mediana (the birthplace of Constantin the greatest)
→ Free time in Nis to have lunch
→ Transfer to Sofia, Bulgaria (2.5 hours+ border)
→ Drop-off at your hotel or other preferred location in Sofia

END OF THE TOUR

Let’s plan your day trip to Nis, Serbia

Explore 3 Balkan countries in just 2 days – see Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Send us your details to receive a custom quote.

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What to Expect During The 2-Day Adventure

Multicultural Exploration

Experience the unique blend of Bulgarian, North Macedonian, and Serbian cultures, all in one trip.

Expert Local Guides

Gain insider knowledge and hear captivating stories about the history, culture, and traditions of North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Flexibility in Accommodation

Choose your preferred hotel for the overnight in Skopje to suit your style and needs.

Customizable Itinerary

Tailor the tour to match your interests — skip or add landmarks you want to visit, make convenient breaks and photo stops as you wish.

Effortless Logistics

Sit back and relax in the comfort of a private vehicle while your guide and driver handle all the details, ensuring a stress-free journey.

UNESCO Heritage Sites

Visit world-famous landmarks like Rila Monastery, adding cultural depth to your trip.

What’s Included in the Price

Private transfer with a car or a minivan;
All transportation costs along the route, fuel, VAT and parking fees, border fees;
English-speaking driver;
Licensed local guides in Skopje, Macedonia, and Nis, Serbia.

What’s Not Included

Food and Drinks: Meals are not included in the tour price
Tips and Gratuities: Tipping is optional but appreciated. A gratuity is a customary way to thank your guide for their expertise and hospitality.
Accommodation: Hotel stays are not included, allowing you the flexibility to choose your preferred accommodations.
Entrance Fees: Admission fees depends on your group size are not covered . You can pay directly at each location.
Personal Expenses: Any additional personal expenses are not covered by the tour.

Good to Know

Border Crossing: Be ready for border procedures when you enter Macedonia and Serbia because you will be going between three different nations. Make sure you are carrying your passport and any other required travel documentation. Patience may be needed because border wait times and sporadic delays may vary.
Respectful Clothes: Please be aware that skirts longer than the knee and shorts are not allowed within Rila Monastery. It is important to dress modestly because it is a sacred location. When entering the monastery’s church, make sure to cover your arms with a scarf or long-sleeved garment.
Exchange of Currency: Since most stores and smaller vendors in Macedonia and Serbia do not accept USD, EUR, or Bulgarian currency, it’s recommended to exchange for Macedonian Denar (MKD) and Serbian Dinar (RSD) before the tour.
– 1 USD is equivalent to about 59 MKD / 110 RSD
– 1 EUR is roughly 62 MKD / 117 RSD
It’s a good idea to check before completing any transactions because these rates are susceptible to minor fluctuations.
Lunch Options: For convenience, particularly when traveling between locations, you are welcome to bring sandwiches, fruit, or snacks. We can also stop at a nearby restaurant for a genuine meal.

What Our Previous Clients Say

We spent two days with Nadya traveling to Nis, Serbia and Belogradchik, Bulgaria! Greatest time ever! We loved her and wish her the best in every endeavor! Her English was super great and we felt her communications in answering our questions were sincere and honest which is what we really want when we travel! We are really glad we chose to use this company, even if at the last moment, as it made our days in Bulgaria feel more personal and local! Much appreciated and well worth it! We definitely plan on returning to the Balkans in the somewhat near future. Nadya inspired us to visit more Balkan countries and we would definitely use Private Guide Bulgaria again!

Christina A., USA

tours@privateguidebulgaria.com
+359887070037

More about Nis, Serbia

Niš is a city located close to the Bulgarian border, which is known as one of the oldest cities in Serbia with history dating back to 5,000 BC. Today, the. During the sightseeing of Nis, you will visit the Nis fortress, the skull tower, which was built in 1809 by order of Sultan Mahmud II. where the skulls of more than 900 Serbs were walled during the First Serbian Uprising; The only preserved concentration camp from World War II turned into a museum called “The Red Cross”

It is easy to visit Nis from Sofia for a day. But if you want to explore more of the Balkans I can include Nis, Serbia as part of a longer Balkan tour. Just drop me a text and I will send you an example program as soon as possible.

More about Skopje, Macedonia

Skopje is the energetic city of North Macedonia, where history and contemporary living coexist harmoniously. Skopje, located beside the Vardar River, offers tourists an intriguing trip through time, complete with modern architecture, vibrant city life, and historic ruins.

Start your tour at the famous Skopje Fortress, often called Kale, which provides sweeping vistas and an insight into the city’s illustrious history. The Old Bazaar and the busy modern hub are connected by the neighboring Stone Bridge, a surviving Ottoman-era building. One of the biggest and oldest marketplaces in the Balkans, the Old Bazaar itself is a veritable gold mine of traditional crafts, quaint cafes, and neighborhood stores.

Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, and it is a must-see to see the contemporary Memorial House honoring her life and legacy. The city’s Macedonia Square, on the other hand, is a dazzling sight, adorned with statues, fountains, and the colossal “Warrior on a Horse,” which represents Alexander the Great. With its neoclassical structures and imposing monuments, the ambitious Skopje 2014 Project has brought a bold new identity to the landscape.

Stone Bridge of Civilization and neoclassical buildings in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Horses Fountain, Phillip II Square, Skopje, North Macedonia.

More about Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

The Rila Monastery welcomes ancient buildings, rich exhibitions, and an abundant library of rare old books. It also has special exhibitions showing the monks’ livelihood, with objects used in agriculture, forestry, etc. On the ground floor is the old monastery kitchen. Its tapered chimney is 22 meters tall; other interesting features are the large cauldrons which the monks used to prepare soup for monastery guests during holiday times. The monastery’s ethnographic museum boasts fabrics and national costumes from different regions of the country. Just 4 kilometers away is the cave that the monastery founder, Saint Ivan Rilski, inhabited.

In front of the monastery gates are parking spaces for buses and cars. The Rila Monastery provides accommodation. The small shops abound in icons, souvenirs, cards, as well as objects made by local artisans. Around is the Rila Monastery nature park which is among the largest such parks of the country.