Niš (pronounced Neesh) is the third-largest city in Serbia and a fun day-trip destination both from Sofia, Bulgaria, and Belgrade, Serbia. This humble city will take you on a historical merry-go-round and, if you scratch just beneath the surface, is full of fun things to do.

Here are the best attractions and unusual activities in Niš, as experienced during our last trip (you’ll find a map with all the locations at the end of the article).

#1 Look over the city from the walls of Niš Fortress

Niš Fortress | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Niš Fortress was built by the Ottoman Turks and, despite its historical significance, remains free to visit. Nowadays, families amble along the fortress’ paths, shaded by an abundance of greenery. Children (and sometimes adults) ride the tourist ‘train’, while hip young people wash down beers and chat in cafes. Climb the stairs to get to the top of the main gate, then enjoy views over the city from between the stones. There’s an archaeological hall at the fortress too.

#2 Explore the summer villa of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (who was born in Niš)

Mediana, the summer villa of Emperor Constantine the Great (the handsome guy on the right) in Niš, Serbia | Photos: © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com and WikiCommons

Niš happens to be the birthplace of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (if you skipped this history class, he was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and the one who proclaimed tolerance to Christians in the Roman Empire with the Edict of Milan in 313). Constantine’s journey from Niš to the throne was complicated.

Challenge: trace the chain of political events that lead to Constantine’s ascension to the throne of the Roman Empire. 

What you can see today is Mediana, Constantine’s huge summer villa. Most of the findings are not exhibited in situ, so you’ll mainly see floor mosaics and wall foundations. The guides are very friendly and super talented at transferring you back to the fourth century.

#3 Remember the horrific past at Crveni Krst, a Nazi concentration camp

The Nazi concentration camp in Niš, Serbia | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Red Cross Concentration Camp (Crveni Krst) is one of the few Nazi camps that remains completely intact. Communists, Jews, partisans and Serbs were all held here during the Nazi occupation of Serbia in WWII. During your visit you’ll see lines etched into the cell walls by desperate prisoners counting the days of their captivity, as well as photos, stories of prisoners and floors covered in barbed wire.

Counting the days | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#4 Sit at a table with legendary local writer Stevan Sremac

The monument of Stevan Sremac and Kalča in Niš | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

This lovely urban sculpture is one of the photo hotspots of Niš. Here you can figuratively share shots of rakija (the local highly alcoholic spirit) with Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, his character Kalča the hunter, and Kalča’s faithful dog. From this monument you will see a narrow street branching off from the main pedestrian boulevard – it used to be the main street for the city’s artisans. Today it’s full of cafes and traditional restaurants (kafana) where you can try grilled meat and spicy salads.

#5 See the tower made of skulls

The Skull Tower, Niš | WikiCommons

The Skull Tower (Ćele-kula in Serbian) is a monument to a major battle during the Serbian uprising movement (1804-13). When the 40,000-strong Ottoman army engaged in fighting with 12,000 Serbian revolutionaries, the tragic result was predestined. The dead Serbs were decapitated and their heads were built into the walls of a roadside tower. Only about 50 out of almost 1,000 skulls remain today, because many of the dead people’s relatives risked their lives to steal the skulls and bury them.

#6 Have a glass of wine while soaking in the mineral pools of Niška Banja

Niška Banja (literally Niš Spa) is where your hectic day of galloping through history should end. The spa resort is 10 km away from the center of Niš and is extremely popular in summer thanks to its hotels, swimming pools, and wide range of luxury therapies. There’s even a popular Serbian song about the hot water in Niška Banja (if you have Serbian friends, they’ll be extremely impressed with your local knowledge when you mention this song).

>>> Read more about Serbia

Useful information:

If you visit Niš for a day, you can tour all four of these paid attractions (the Skull Tower, Red Cross Concentration Camp, The Archaeology Museum and Mediana) with a single ticket costing 200 Serbian dinars (around 1.50 euros). Alternatively, you can visit each site separately for 150 dinars per attraction.

Map of the main attractions in Nis:

Tip: 

If you like cycling, Niš is one of the best cities in Serbia to do it. You can see all of the mentioned attractions by bike stopping here and there for a portion of grilled meat, or join a group bike tour. Bicycle rentals and tours you can find at Eco Bike Tours Nis. 

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The trail and the legends

Krali Marko Trails is the largest trail running event in Macedonia (this year taking place for the seventh time), named after a Balkan historical and legendary figure, Krali Marko, known for his heroic feats. He ruled from Marko’s Towers, the hill and fortress above the city of Prilep (where all the trail running races pass). All the races lead you through Marko’s Towers, a natural rock formation that consists of giant granite stones scattered all over the hills. A lot of these rock formations have their own names inspired by real-life objects and animals: the Elephant, the Turtle, the Lion etc.

In 2016, more than 300 runners from 13 countries and and 100+ kids participated in the races.

The races

There are a handful of different all-ages races, as well as a special kids’ race.

– Krali Marko Ultra Trail: 110 km, 5300 m of denivelation, start 22 September, 2017, 11 pm local time, 5 points for UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – ITRA verified.

– Kozjak Trail: 65 km, 3000 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 8 am local time, 4 points for UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – ITRA verified.

– Kamena Baba Trail: 31 km, 1250 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 10 am local time.

– Treskavec Trail: 16 km, 800 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 10 am local time.

– Markukule Trail – Kids’ race: 1 km, start 23 September, 2017, 10:30 am local time.

The trails are quite technical and distinctive, sometimes carved into stones and granite boulders.

When and where: 22/24 September, starting and finishing in the city of Prilep in the southern part of Macedonia. Registration is open from April 1 until September 1.

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

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This collection of interesting off-the-beaten-path places in Sofia (all recommended by locals!) will take you on an amazing adventure to spots sometimes forgotten even by those who live there. From cozy reading places to the biggest collection of dolls in Bulgaria, and even an original piece of the Berlin Wall, here they are (map below!):

1. Go down into the Catacombs of Saint Sofia Basilica 

Saint Sofia is an important stop of your Sofia tour for at least three reasons:

1. Sofia was named after this basilica, which used to tower on a hill outside the town.

2. Although the church doesn’t look like anything special at first sight, go down the stairs at the left and you will enter a labyrinth of a Roman necropolis that existed here before the church’s construction. Spare at least half an hour for a walk through the Catacombs (there are short movies providing historical background screening down there, too). 

3. You have a special challenge: find the bell tower of the church! *[you’ll be rewarded with the vital clue to this challenge at the end of the article].

Another part of the necropolis, with a separate entrance right opposite the church (but accessible with the same ticket!), is the colorfully decorated Tomb of Honorius. This is one of the newest sights in Sofia, and the only late-antiquity tomb discovered in Bulgaria with its occupant’s name inscribed on it.

Address: 2, Paris Str., Sofia

2. Make a wish at the Russian Church

This golden-domed, Russian-style church is one of the highlights of a trip to Sofia. While most people take a photo and walk on, your challenge is to enter the church (not from the main entrance but from the side door to the left) and write your wish on a piece of paper. Then you should put it in a special box and hope for the late bishop Serafim to work his miracles.

Address: 3, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia

3. Have a beer and play chess at the park in front of the National Theater

… which is in fact officially called the City Garden, but nobody uses its official name – it’s known as the Park in front of the National Theater, and it’s the oldest public garden in the capital. This is where the youth of Sofia gathers for a beer in summer and old men play (and quarrel over) chess all year round. In December, the park hosts the city’s most famous Christmas market.

Address: 5, Dyakon Ignatiy Str., Sofia

4. Find something golden and naked on the facade of the National Theater

While you sip your beer in the company of the local society of chess players, you have another challenge to complete. This is something few Sofia dwellers have noticed on the facade of one of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia. Take a careful look at the figures adorning the National Theater; you’ll spot an angel, whose tiny body part is golden AND suffers from a lack of pants.

Address: 5, Dyakon Ignatiy Str., Sofia

5. Read Bulgarian authors in English at Chitalnyata (The Reading Room)

If you like to read and a glass pavilion in the City Garden sounds like the perfect place to do it, the literary hub of Chitalnyata (ЧиталнЯтА, meaning the Reading Room) is exactly what you need on a rainy day (or in the baking heat of summer). Here you can read books by Bulgarian authors in English, get inspiration from beautiful albums showing photos from Bulgaria or ask for tourist information about Sofia.

Address: 4, Knyaz Alexander I Sq., Sofia

6. Explore the history of Sofia at an interactive exhibit

If you want to learn something about the history of Sofia, the Sofia History Museum offers a fun walk through the past of the city.

Your particular challenges are:

1. Get on (half of) a retro tram to see a movie about the history of trams.

2. Flip through the interactive boards to see old photographs of how people used to dress and what Sofia looked like a century ago.

3. Admire the golden chariot of the Bulgarian King Ferdinand, his golden desk, thrones and a Mercedes from 1905.

4. Find out which Roman emperor was quoted as saying “Sofia is my Rome”. 

5. Go out of the building, turn left and drink mineral water for free from the tap on the museum’s wall. 

Address: 1, Banski Sq., Sofia

7. Feel like a child at the Dolls Museum

Remember your childhood or just stop by for a look at the biggest collection of dolls in Bulgaria – more than 3,000 dolls of all sizes and all ages await you at The Dolls Museum and Art House. In addition, you can also make a doll yourself (if you make a reservation in advance).

Your particular challenge is to find the tiniest doll in the collection.

Address: 34, Tsar Samuil Str., Sofia

8. Touch a piece of the original Berlin Wall

On May 16, 2006, the citizens of Berlin gave a piece of the original Berlin Wall to the citizens of Sofia as a sign of peace and good will. Today the piece is located a one-minute walk from the National Palace of Culture (see the map below).

Fun fact: a few years ago, it was mistakenly painted by municipality workers who thought the graffiti on the monument had been scrawled by local vandals. Afterwards, the original drawings had to be restored. 

9. Try Bulgarian wines at Vino Orenda

Vino Orenda is the only wine shop in Sofia that sells only Bulgarian wines, produced mainly by small family wineries. The knowledgeable shopkeeper will give you the best advice based on your preferences. They often hold themed wine-tasting evenings dedicated to various wine regions or grape varietals. Wine tasting is available upon request too (send them a message on their Facebook page).

Address: 50A, Makedonia Blvd., Sofia

10. Climb a 2,290-m (7,513-ft) peak only a 30-minute drive from Sofia

Sofia is lucky enough to have the high Vitosha mountain only a short drive from the city center, and it’s possible to climb its highest peak – Cherni Vrah – in a day. You can a) take the chairlift from Dragalevtsi district and then hike for around an hour to the peak or b) climb all the way from the outer districts of Sofia to the peak. In both cases, it’s a good idea to take a map or a local with you (on a sunny day, you’ll meet many hikers on the various routes, so you can always ask for directions). There’s a tea house on the top, but expect to wait an eternity for a hot meal or a cold beer.

BONUS: The Buddhist stupa

Although Bulgarians are Orthodox Christian, there is one Buddhist stupa built near the village of Plana. (Read more information about the Buddhist stupa here)

Map of the spots mentioned:

*Answer to the whereabouts of the bell tower of Saint Sofia Basilica: The church doesn’t have a bell tower and the bell is tied to a tree branch against the main entrance.

READ MORE ABOUT BULGARIA

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Even if you are slim and skinny as a beanpole, you may wish to skip breakfast on the day you plan to visit the narrowest street in Prague.

Its width of a mere 50 cm (1.6 ft) is the reason why even a traffic light has been installed to regulate the flow of people. To find it, you should head to the Charles Bridge and Kafka Museum and make sure to look carefully to your sides, because you may miss it if you don’t know what to look for.

How to get to the narrowest street in Prague – see its location on the map:

Not exactly a street, in fact…

Further research has revealed that the street is not actually a real street, but in fact one of the last fire brigade passes left in Prague. The traffic lights were installed for fun and thanks to coverage from a few publications on the internet, it turned into a tourist attraction. At the bottom of the lane, you get a view of the Charles Bridge and there’s a small restaurant (with, as it seems from its reviews, a very dubious reputation and an owner spoiling for a fight).

The other narrowest streets you can walk in Europe

The struggle for the “Narrowest Street in the World” title has been bitter, although the numbers can’t be argued with. Here are a few other tiny lanes around Europe that have turned into tourist attractions:

Spreuerhofstraße in the Old Town of Reutlingen, Germany. At its narrowest point it is only 31 cm (12.2 in) wide. This is, in fact, the world’s narrowest street according to the Guinness World Records. 

Strada Sforii in Brasov, Romania is 109 cm (42.9 in) at its narrowest point. 

Parliament Street in Exeter, England is 64 cm (25 in) wide at its narrowest part.

>>> Read the full article: The narrowest streets in Europe to squeeze through

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But it’s not all bass and bling. Belgrade also offers a ludicrous selection of places to enjoy an afternoon beer overlooking the river(s), or a quiet evening drink with friends. So grab your BusPlus card – we’re heading to some of the White City’s best and most relaxed watering holes.

Here’s a map of all the venues to help you plan your route:

Samo Pivo

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Takav dan. #samopivo

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Samo Pivo means ‘only beer’. Remember that Serbs can be very literal; you really can only get beer here. But what a selection of beer it is! Samo Pivo’s beer bible has more than 100 options from all around the world, as well as an ever-changing selection of brews on tap. The spacious, industrial-style terrace is one of the best places in Belgrade to begin a boozy afternoon.

Blaznavac

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This moustache-themed bar in the old neighborhood of Dorćol has it all: beer, wine, rakija (a traditional Serbian spirit), food, barbers’ chairs and even a horse-drawn carriage. The unusual seating and eccentric décor make Blaznavac seem like some kind of incredible, acid-trip-induced other world that you’ll wish you never had to leave.

Dorćol Platz

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Naar de rommelmarkt in Belgrado

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The sketchy, post-industrial streets of lower Dorćol are undergoing a revitalization, and Dorćol Platz is leading the charge. This former wasteland has been converted into a super cool courtyard that is now home to regular events and performances. You can juggle your drink while playing table tennis, attend a craft workshop, or simply relax under the sun.

Zaokret 

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Nedjelja u Zaokretu #36mountains #zaokret #silkscreen #exhibition

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Zaokret just drips hipster. Spilling out into the inner-city nightlife hub of Cetinjska, this trendy bar is all about craft beers, designer beards and DJs playing underground Scandinavian electro from the late ’90s on vinyl. Oh, you’re not into Röyksopp? How mainstream…

Ljutić

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Eden like 🌺 #vscocam

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You’ll think you’ve somehow discovered Wonderland when you step into this cute courtyard bar. Floral designs, colorful graffiti and even a treehouse(!) create a fairytale-like atmosphere that makes Ljutić perfect for a date or a lazy afternoon. Enjoy the ambiance with a glass of homemade wine, a cocktail, or even just a cup of tea.

Villa Maska

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Plan za ovu nedelju u Masci je više nego zanimljiv i potrudili smo se da kao i svake nedelje provod počinje već utorkom kod nas, uz sjajan program, najbolje koktele i najukusnija jela👌🏻 Utorak: ❤LOVE DAY ON TUESDAY -Cocktail night ❤Za mix pultom DJ Goran Starčević od 21h Sreda: Sjajan DJ Nebojša Intruder koji se nalazi za mix pultom od 21h i vrti najveće hitove 👌🏻🎶 Četvrtak : DJ Sale Groovyman i back to the 80s od 21:30h 🎶 Petak: 🎶Electric Funx🎶- najbolja žurka na petak 13ti, ovaj bend uvek donosi sjajnu energiju i odličan provod🎶❤️ Subota: Sjajni De Puta Madre- uvek fenomenalni provod sa njima, garantuju najbolju subotu u Villa Masci od 22h ❤️🎶 Osmeh i dobro raspoloženje obavezni, rezervacija poželjna na broj: 062221873, Vaša Villa Maska

A post shared by Villa Maska (@vilamaska) on Oct 10, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

Maska is one of a kind. Located in the fancy neighborhood of Vračar, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Sveti Sava temple, this bar/restaurant might just be the most elaborately decorated drinking establishment you’ll ever see. Paintings and artifacts from all corners of the globe decorate every inch of space on the walls, and most of the furniture looks like it cost several thousand bucks a pop. Try not to think about how the owners can afford all this and just enjoy your surprisingly affordable meal and cocktail combination. You’ll know you’ve reached Maska when you see the grass-covered car out the front.

Brodić

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#brodic #savariver #wood #sun #brodicnasavi

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Never was there a better place to while away a sunny afternoon than this floating oasis of tranquillity on the Sava. Brodić literally means ‘little boat’, and this bar is indeed an old wooden boat – with a shaded floating deck added on for good measure. Grab a seat at an outdoor table, order a handmade pizza and a frosty Paulaner, and settle in for the city’s finest sunset view.

Stenka

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MatOranti. #ig_belgrade #most #stenka #nightlights #bridge #mostnaadi

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Just down the river from Brodić – hidden away behind Belgrade Fair – is a traditional Serbian gem. Stenka is part fish restaurant, part kafana (a traditional Serbian tavern), all fun. Share a bowl of riblja čorba (fish soup), order a plate of girice (bite-sized fried fish) and try the homemade wine. Make sure you have a couple of hundred dinars on hand to tip the sweaty tamburaši band, who will serenade you with traditional Serbian songs until you just have to get up and dance on the table.

Vox

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Belgrade’s original blues club looks like an abandoned house from the outside, but open the wobbly gate and you’ll find an unexpected slice of Americana. This smoky, cabin-style bar nestled on the hill in Banovo Brdo hums with live gigs most nights. Don’t be intimidated by the long-haired bikers and beardie music nerds; they’re usually up for a chat and a beer.

Gavez

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🌳

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Bonus points for finding this secluded forest bar on your first attempt. Hidden away in a peaceful corner of Ada Ciganlija, Gavez is a hippie hangout offering cheap drinks, home-cooked meals and a beer garden shaded by leafy green trees. If it starts to rain, grab your drinks and find a table inside the quirkily decorated wooden house.

Paradoks

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#refreshing #cocktails #friday #aperitivorosato #aperitivorosatoramazzotti #rosatomio

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Hop on a water taxi from Ada across to New Belgrade, then turn left. You’ll soon reach Paradoks, a floating bar that not only offers fruity cocktails and comfortable lounge chairs, but also serves as the perfect place to take a dip in the river. Park yourself on one of the bar’s rubber rings and let it do the floating for you.

Srpska Kuća Piva

Наточи, понеси и другима однеси! 🙂 Ми смо се потрудили да за све наше драге госте издвојимо неке од најбољих домаћих занатских пива из Србије! Добродошли! #српскакућапива #пивозапонети

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A micropub in the old socialist blocks of Belgrade? Yep, that’s a thing. This tiny, cozy bar’s name literally translates as ‘Serbian House of Beer’, which should be a good sign in anyone’s book. You can choose from around 20 Serbian craft beers, all on tap and all for insanely low prices. After all, you are in Studentski Grad: the neighborhood built to house Belgrade’s thrifty student community.

Lakat

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Štek bašta. Ako ne želite da vas primete tu smo mi! #gdenapivo #pivo #beer

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The old Austro-Hungarian town of Zemun – now incorporated into Belgrade’s urban sprawl – offers some great spots to grab a drink. Nestled among these cobblestone streets, Lakat’s stylish design contrasts with the filthy but fun ex-Yugoslav punk rock blasting from the stereo system. Even if the loud music is not to your taste, the range of artisan beers and the unbelievably tasty BBQ ribs definitely will be.

BONUS: Magic Garden

Okay, this last bar isn’t so much of a bonus as a punishment, or a last-ditch attempt to get a drink. We’re assuming after your bar crawl that you’ve somehow made it back to the city center and are looking to finish off your night with one last 4am tipple. Magic Garden is the place for you, assuming that you no longer have any standards. Make your way across from Republic Square, through the passage and into this unbearably smoky den, where you’ll laugh, cough and drink the night away, only to pay for it all the next morning…

***

So, there you have it: a tour of Belgrade and a hangover to remember! Tell us if you’ve found any other amazing bars on your Belgrade travels.

Nick Johns-Wickberg is an Australian traveller/writer/digital nomad/lost cause. When he’s on the road, he assumes his alter ego: The Tragic Traveller. Nick currently lives in Belgrade, Serbia, where he spends his time eating, drinking, wandering and – very occasionally, when he absolutely has to – working.

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I wonder if Socrates and Plato took a house on Crete during the summer. – Woody Allen

Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea. – Nikos Kazantzakis

I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else. – Nikos Kazantzakis

There us a kind of flame in Crete – let us call it “soul” – something more powerful than either life or death. There is pride, obstinacy, valor, and together with these something else inexpressible and imponderable, something which makes you rejoice that you are a human being, and at the same time tremble. – Nikos Kazantzakis

Gradually the magic of the island [Corfu] settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen. – Gerald Durrell

My childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood. – Gerald Durrell

We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts have their root in Greece. – Percy Bysshe Shelley

On a summer night, I have sat on the balcony drinking Ouzo, watching the ghosts of Greek Heroes sailing past, listening to the rustle of their sail cloths and the gentle lapping of their oars… and lain alongside Pythagoras watching him study the myriad of triangles in the constellations twinkling above us. Whether it was Crete, the heat, the Ouzo, or a combination, it is unequalled anywhere other than Santorini, in my humble opinion. – Phil Simpkin

In a way, it’s nice to know that there are Greek gods out there, because you have somebody to blame when things go wrong. For instance, when you’re walking away from a bus that’s just been attacked by monster hags and blown up by lightning, and it’s raining on top of everything else, most people might think that’s just really bad luck; when you’re a half-blood, you understand that some divine force is really trying to mess up your day. – Rick Riordan

You can’t swing a cat in Ancient Greece without hitting one of Zeus’s ex-girlfriends. – Rick Riordan

Experts in ancient Greek culture say that people back then didn’t see their thoughts as belonging to them. When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. Apollo was telling them to be brave. Athena was telling them to fall in love. Now people hear a commercial for sour cream potato chips and rush out to buy, but now they call this free will. At least the ancient Greeks were being honest. – Chuck Palahniuk

Alcohol makes other people less tedious, and food less bland, and can help provide what the Greeks called entheos, or the slight buzz of inspiration when reading or writing. – Christopher Hitchens

Greece has got something like 1,400 islands. There is so much of Greece you can’t know even if you’re Greek. It’s sprinkled out all around the edge of the Aegean, all over the place. It’s already a secret place wherever you go, even if it’s somewhere huge like Athens or Corinth. The place enchanted me. – Joanna Lumley

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>>> Discover more thematic collections of travel quotes.

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Try to ignore the eyes watching you from all roofs in the historic center

You don’t even have to be paranoid to freak out at the feeling that someone (or something) is watching you all the time as you stroll through the historic center. Are they watching you or are they just sleepy and trying to close their eyelids? The City With Eyes, a.k.a. Sibiu, got this interesting architectural influence from the Germans centuries ago. Urban legends had it that these attic windows – designed to appear as if they are looking down on you – were added to control and monitor the population. They did their job perfectly.

The roofs with eyes in Sibiu, Romania | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Visit the square where people were once kept in cages

Okay, this is a bit of an overreaction: don’t imagine a zoo-like scene but more like a kind of public humiliation for those who didn’t respect their neighbors. Grand Place (or Piața Mare in Romanian) has been the main stage of urban stories for centuries, and this is where a cage was installed for a little more than 30 years in the 1700s. Its purpose? To lock up people caught disturbing the city at night.

Sibiu, Romania | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Explore the home of homeopathy at the Pharmacy Museum

This museum dedicated to old-time remedies is set in a more than 400-year-old Gothic house (where a pharmacy called The Black Bear used to exist). Peek into jars with medicinal plants and potions arranged in long rows, see your travel partner’s nose enlarged through the glass of the measuring flasks, then head to the back room dedicated to homeopathy and Samuel Hahnemann, the father of homeopathy. It is known that Samuel spent two years in Sibiu, where a local nobleman offered him a librarian and a physician to help him with his research.

Tell the truth and cross the Bridge of Lies

Think of the biggest lie you can tell and try to cross the iron Bridge of Lies. It was built to replace an older wooden bridge, which according to legend could tell if a person crossing it was telling the truth or not. If the bridge ‘heard’ a lie, it started shaking and squeaking. Today’s iron bridge is the oldest of its kind in Romania, and the second oldest in Europe.

The Bridge of Lies, Sibiu, Romania | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

See trophies at the August von Spiess Hunting Museum

August von Spiess was a famous hunter whose legacy was preserved in his mansion, turned into a museum by his daughters. The walls of the rooms are covered in animals from both Romania and abroad (you’ll see lots of African game trophies) and hunting arms, while the yard is green and serves as the perfect spot for a short rest by the pond with the turtles.

Get the best rooftop view from the Evangelical Cathedral

Rooftop views make my heart rate rise (confession time: sometimes I even enter skyscrapers illegally, um, without authorization to have a small bottle of wine on the roof or on a terrace). If you also get overly euphoric at the mere thought of a high place with a panorama of the city, head to the Evangelical Cathedral (Catedrala Evanghelică C.A. Sfânta Maria). As Sibiu is a really cool city, it also has a second notable vantage point: the Council Tower (where the view is not as rewarding but still beautiful).

The view from the Evangelic Cathedral in Sibiu

Travel back in time at Astra open-air museum

While you wait for time travel to be invented (or finally disclosed by the military as it is rumored to be a fact already), you can take a short drive out of the center of Sibiu to experience the next best thing. Astra Museum spreads across a huge area where you can amble among wooden and stone houses, windmills and wooden churches. When you get tired, sit down for a drink or a bite at one of the traditional inns.

Astra Museum near Sibiu, Romania

If you prefer to explore the city with locals – see tours in Sibiu by Romanian friend.

Here are the aforementioned spots on the map of Sibiu (except the roof eyes, they are all over the historic center):

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See also: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Romania

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Even if you think you know it well, Prague is ready to knock your socks off with its crazy stories from the past and present. Here are some of our favorite fun facts about the capital of the Czech Republic, which will enrich your trip.

1. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest castle in the world is in Prague. With the incredible area of 18 acres, ladies and gentlemen, this is the Prague Castle!

2. After the murder of John Lennon in 1980, a portrait of the rock star was drawn on the wall opposite the French Embassy in Prague. Although the wall was repainted numerous times after that, until today it’s been known as the John Lennon Wall, always covered in quotes, images, and lyrics from his songs. It is located in Mala Strana. Read the full story of the John Lennon Wall in Prague.

[Fun fact: John Lennon never visited Prague.]

3. Every hour the Prague Astronomical Clock strikes but not in a way you would expect. A whole procession sets off including the Twelve Apostles and Death and finishing off with a golden rooster crowing. The clock can also give you accurate information about the day of the year, the zodiac signs and the Medieval perception of the Universe with the Earth in its center.

4. Speaking about the Astronomical Clock, it’s good to know that Prague is not the only place you can find it. There’s a replica of the building thousands of miles to the East – in Seoul, South Korea. The Korean twin of the Clock serves as a restaurant and expo center.

5. The Jewish Quarter of Prague was not demolished in World War II. The legend goes that the reason was that Hitler planned to retire in Prague. He wanted to turn the Josehof Quarter in a museum, dedicated to an extinct race.

6. Charle’s Bridge was inaugurated at 5:31 in the morning on July 9, 1357. The reason behind this peculiar decision is that the king at the time was a maniac when it came to astrology and numerology. He believed it would be a good fortune if he arranged the numbers symmetrically: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1.

7. The narrowest street in Prague is barely 50 cm (20 inches) wide, yet it has deserved the right to have its own traffic light. The traffic light prevents pedestrians from meeting in the middle and then wondering how to walk past each other. You can find it close to Charle’s Bridge. Read more about the narrowest street in Prague.

8. Both loved and hated, the TV tower is probably most famous for its black crawling babies – sculptures by David Černý. Very few people are aware, however, that there’s a one-room hotel in the tower with an amazing view over Prague from 70 m.

9. Rumor has it that after one of their first major concerts in post-communist Prague the members of Rolling Stones liked the Prague Castle so much that they wanted to pay to make it more beautiful at night. They shared their idea with the former Czech president Václav Havel, who explained to them that the country had more serious problems to cope with. The band members offered to pay for art night lighting for the castle. So, $32,000 later, their stage light technician created the lighting of the castle, still in use today.

10. Prague was the first post-communist country to have a Michelin-star restaurant. 

Read more: Museum of Miniatures, Prague: where the Eiffel Tower is 3 mm high

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11 facts about the Eiffel Tower you probably didn’t know

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Over the Bistrica River there are several small bridges bearing the ceaseless buzz of tourists of all nationalities. In the Old Town of Prizren, you can sit at one of the outdoor cafes, a Turkish tea house or any of the grillrooms offering the local type of grilled delicacy oblong rissoles (only veal meat offered). The meals are delicious, the waiters speak English, the coffee is perfect, and the prices are more than affordable. Here you will find yourself surrounded by the minarets of century-old mosques, bell towers of Orthodox and Catholic churches – all existing peacefully together. All of them are situated within 2-3 minutes walk from each other and you will get easily orientated which way to take following the information signs.

Prizren, Kosovo | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Prizren, Kosovo | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

When we saw a huge Catholic church that was locked, we asked a keeper, whom we saw in the yard, to open it so as to take a look inside. He agreed with a kind smile and even left us alone to take our time inside, only asking to close the door when we finish.

Prizren, Kosovo | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

You should not miss doing some climbing exercise, too. A V-century stronghold is towering over Prizren as a real guardian. On your way to the stronghold, you will pass through the old Serbian neighborhood. There are definitely many ghosts from the past hovering about here – the youngest one should be those from the events that followed Kosovo’s declaration of independence, when many Serbs were forced to leave the city and their homes. The half-destroyed and plundered houses are seen along the slope leading to the stronghold.

Prizren, Kosovo | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

When you reach the top of the hill, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the panoramic view before you – Prizren plainly visible and the sides of Sar Mountain into the distance. The stronghold itself, with all its vaults, shelters, secret exits and lonely standing stones, inspires you to jump around and slip in here and there. If you are fond of photography, here you ll have plenty of opportunities to take a lot of snaps of Prizren from a bird’s eye view.

The post Prizren – attractions and fairy tales from Kosovo appeared first on 203Challenges.

You don’t need a time machine to go back to the Stone Age and feel like the Flintstones. All you have to do is set off to the village of Chavdar  and the St Petka hill (Sveta Petka) above it to end up among small Neolithic houses made of mud, poles and straw, and to see how primitive people lived 7,000 years ago.

Topolnitsa Archaeological Park

When archaeologists were digging up an orchard by the River Topolnitsa, not far from Chavdar, they accidentally found a mound from the Neolithic period (a prehistoric time when people still didn’t use metal). The excavations reveal how our forefathers lived in this period. The Topolnitsa archaeological park above the village gives us a peek at five Neolithic houses.

In the museum, you will learn what life was like in the Neolithic period. Bring some wheat to grind as the primitive people did, with a device called a chromel (a mill made of two stones).

One of the houses available to spend the night for as little as 6$ per night per person

Everything is simple inside, the bed is right under the roof.

>>> Read more: How to practice aylyak in Bulgaria and be happy

Other things to do at St Petka hill

• light a candle in the beautiful temple on the top of the hill and enjoy a panoramic view of Chavdar from above (it’s especially beautiful at sunset)
• bake food in the furnace for free or grab a bite at the summer house
• have something in the restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking
• visit the children’s corner with a sensory garden, two climbing walls and a rope garden

Taking a walk in the village of Chavdar is also a must – it is one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria.

The chapel St Petka

The contemporary village of Chavdar, Bulgaria

Read more: 7 strange places to spend the night (real stories)

Useful information:

Chavdar is 70 km from Sofia and 120 km from Plovdiv. The archaeological park is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. You have to pay BGN 2 (a little more than 1$) to get inside, and a family ticket will cost you BGN 3 (2$). You can stay for the night in three of the houses, which can accommodate 4 people per house (BGN 10/6$ per person, you need to book in advance). The beds are wooden, right under the roof, with soft hay laid on them. The conditions are primitive, but the bed sheets are clean and the experience is unforgettable. Contact details: +359 7189/ 2448.

All photos: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

>>> Discover more fun travel challenges in Bulgaria!

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