Leskovac

About Leskovac

Leskovac, the unofficial barbecue capital of Serbia (and arguably the Balkans), is a city in the Jablanica District of southern Serbia that has built an entire identity around grilled meat. Every August, the city erupts into the massive Roštiljijada (Barbecue Festival), drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to a week-long carnivorous celebration where giant grills called ražnjevi roast whole animals over open coals. The city's culinary DNA is unmistakable: the aroma of charcoal-grilled ćevapi, pljeskavice, and sudžuk wafts from hundreds of grills lining the streets. The first Roštiljijada took place in 1987 and has grown into the largest barbecue festival in Southeastern Europe, featuring a 50-meter-long grill, the Pljeskavica World Championship, and live Serbian folk music.

Beyond the grill, Leskovac offers a surprisingly rich historical tapestry. The city traces its roots to the Roman era as part of Dardania, and later flourished under the Byzantine Empire before Ottoman rule (1459-1878). The Ottoman legacy is visible in the city's older quarters with surviving mosques and hans (caravanserais). The National Museum of Leskovac houses important archaeological collections from Neolithic settlements through the medieval Serbian period, including artifacts from nearby Caričin Grad (Justiniana Prima) — a 6th-century Byzantine city built by Emperor Justinian I, 20 km from Leskovac. The city was a major textile and industrial hub in socialist Yugoslavia, and its Gradski Park offers pleasant green spaces with the feel of a bygone era.

Modern Leskovac balances its industrial past with an evolving tourism identity centered on food, history, and proximity to natural attractions. The surrounding Jablanica region is known for pristine rivers, hiking trails, and traditional mountain villages. Caričin Grad is one of the most important late-antique archaeological sites in the Balkans with reconstructed basilicas, mosaics, and the ruins of Justinian's birthplace (UNESCO tentative site). Vlasina Lake, 30 km east at 1,200 meters elevation, is a vast reservoir surrounded by peat bogs and floating islands of peat that move with the wind. Leskovac's younger generation has begun creating boutique food tours, craft beer collaborations with barbecue masters, and food photography workshops during the festival, aiming to position the city as Serbia's answer to Texas BBQ culture — with a distinctly Balkan twist.

🗓 Best Time to Visit

Early August for Roštiljijada (book accommodation months in advance — 300,000+ visitors fill every room). Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) for comfortable sightseeing, Caričin Grad exploration, and authentic barbecue without the festival crowds.

🍽 Food & Drink

Kod Gurmeta (€8-15) — the definitive Leskovac grill experience: ćevapi, pljeskavica, sudžuk. Stara Srbija (€10-20) serves grilled meats and mućkalica (spicy meat stew with tomatoes and chili peppers). Kod Bake (€6-12) offers home-style cooking with homemade kajmak. Restoran Lipa (€12-25) for fine-dining Serbian-European fusion. The local leskovačka pljeskavica is a spiced, stuffed patty often filled with kajmak (creamy dairy spread) and cheese. Sudžuk (dried fermented sausage) is grilled whole and sliced. Drink lozovača (grape rakija) or Jablanica-region wines. Several new craft breweries collaborate with local grill masters for barbecue-and-beer pairings.

🚗 Getting There & Around

45 km south of Niš via the E75 highway (40 min). Frequent buses from Niš (45 min-1h, €3-5). Belgrade to Leskovac by bus (4h, €12-15). By train on the Belgrade-Niš-Skopje line (slower than bus). Nearest airport is Niš Constantine the Great (INI, 45 km north) with Ryanair and Wizz Air to European destinations. Leskovac is walkable — most grill restaurants are within a 15-min walk of the main square.

🏨 Where to Stay

Hotel Leskovac (from €50) is the city's best option, centrally located. Hotel Bella (from €35) offers basic but clean rooms. Guesthouse Grad (from €25) is budget-friendly. During Roštiljijada (first week of August), book months in advance — consider staying in Niš (45 min north) and commuting daily if Leskovac is fully booked.

🎯 Things to Do

Roštiljijada Festival: First week of August — world's largest Balkan barbecue festival, free entry, live music, and the famous 50-meter-long grill. Caričin Grad (Justiniana Prima): 20 km away — remarkably preserved 6th-century Byzantine city with reconstructed basilicas and mosaics. Taxi from Leskovac ~€10. National Museum: Neolithic to Ottoman artifacts including Roman funerary monuments. Vlasina Lake: 30 km east — vast mountain lake at 1,200m with floating peat islands.