Leskovac travel guide
Serbia’s grill capital, home of the Roštiljijada festival and the most famous pljeskavica in the country.
Photo: Miljan Simonović / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Leskovac
Leskovac, in south Serbia, is famous for one thing above all: grilled meat. Its pljeskavica and ćevapi are copied all over the Balkans, and every late summer the week-long Roštiljijada turns the main street into a giant open-air grill with concerts and record-breaking burgers. Outside festival week it’s a relaxed southern town and an easy stop on the way to Vranje or North Macedonia.
Leskovac at a glance
The basics, the weather this week and where it is.
Key facts
- Type
- City
- Region
- Jablanica District, southern Serbia
- Population
- 58,338 (2022)
- Elevation
- 228 m
- From Belgrade
- about 235 km in a straight line
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
5-day forecast
For Leskovac
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Weather data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), summarised by day.
On the map
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; style © OpenTopoMap (CC BY-SA). The zoomable map loads from OpenTopoMap, which receives your IP address. Open in Google Maps
Best things to do in Leskovac
Where to start, and how long each one takes.
Top-rated tours in Leskovac
Hand-picked. Free cancellation on most. Affiliate links.
Where to stay in Leskovac
The areas compared, with hotels for your dates.
Food and nightlife
This is the place for meat. Order a Leskovac pljeskavica (often spicy), ćevapi and urnebes salad, with fresh lepinja bread.
- Must try: Leskovac pljeskavica, ćevapi, urnebes
- When: Roštiljijada, late August
- Tip: Ask for ‘ljuto’ if you like it spicy
Getting there and around
About 3–3.5 hours by car or bus.
About 45 minutes by car or bus.
Everything central is walkable.
Cheap; licensed taxis.
Tip: Roštiljijada dates change slightly each year, so confirm them before booking. Rooms go fast, and Niš is a practical backup base.
Nearby and day trips
Easy to add from Leskovac.
More Leskovac guides
Leskovac FAQ
When is the Leskovac grill festival?
In late August; in 2026 it ran 24–30 August.
What is Leskovac famous for?
Grilled meat, especially the Leskovac pljeskavica.
Sources
Checked 27 October 2026.
Going to Leskovac? Take the cheat sheet
Prices, apps, transport and scams to avoid, on one printable page.
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