What to Do in Leskovac, Serbia: Food and Vučje

If you are wondering what to do in Leskovac, start with the food, then make time for the Vučjanka River canyon and its historic hydroelectric power plant. This city in southern Serbia gave us good grilled meat, generous hospitality, and an excursion that took us from the dinner table into the history of electricity.

The city center itself was not the highlight of our trip. The people were. We made friends in Leskovac, ate well, and left with a promise to return. That is the experience behind this guide: a food-focused visit with a worthwhile trip into the surrounding countryside.

What to Do in Leskovac: Start with the Grill

Leskovac is known for its roštilj, or grilled meat, and sitting down to a proper meal is a good place to begin. Ćevapi, also called ćevapčići, are small rolls of ground meat cooked on a grill. Pljeskavica is the larger, flattened patty you will also see associated with the city. Calling it a hamburger gives you an idea of its shape, though it hardly explains an entire local food tradition.

For us, the food and the welcome belonged together. We enjoyed the local specialties and the easy company of our new friends, which made Leskovac much more personal than a stop for lunch. If you want to know why those little grilled rolls deserve attention, our separate story about ćevapčići and our search for the best ones goes further into the subject.

Roštiljijada, the Leskovac Grill Festival

Roštiljijada is the annual grill festival that puts Leskovac’s food tradition at the center of a larger celebration, with cooking competitions and concerts. One of the competitions is devoted to making an enormous pljeskavica, so there is plenty to watch between meals.

We did not attend the festival on that trip. We promised our friends we would come back for it, and it remains a tempting reason to return. If it is the reason for your journey, check the official Roštiljijada website before booking. The 2026 edition took place from August 24 to 30; those dates should not be used to plan a later edition.

Visit Vučje Hydroelectric Power Plant

Vučje combines industrial history with the setting of the Vučjanka River canyon. The Leskovac tourism organization places the power plant about 17 kilometers from the city, near Vučje. It began generating electricity in 1903, making it an interesting excursion even if power stations do not usually feature in your travel plans.

Professor Đorđe Stanojević was instrumental in the project, which brought electricity to Leskovac’s homes, streets, and industry. In 2005, the plant received IEEE Milestone recognition for its contribution to electrical engineering. This is the specific international recognition behind descriptions of Vučje as part of the world’s technical heritage.

In May 2025, the operator, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), reported that Vučje had returned to operation after refurbishment, with equipment replaced and infrastructure reconstructed. Its long history now continues with modernized machinery.

Walking in the Vučjanka Canyon

The paths around the plant gave us another reason to make the excursion. We enjoyed being out in nature, even though the weather limited our photography. Ian also tried to film with his drone. Three or four birds began circling it, and he ended the flight after about ten minutes. Our plans for a fuller photo reportage would have to wait for another visit.

For a visit now, ask the local tourism office about access to the power plant and the condition of the canyon paths before setting off.

More Things to See in and Around Leskovac

Beyond the places we visited, the National Tourism Organization of Serbia’s Leskovac guide points to Hisar Hill and the National Museum for more local history. It also highlights the textile museum in Strojkovac and the archaeological site of Caričin Grad, or Justiniana Prima, in the wider area. These are useful additions if you want to extend a food stop into a longer stay. Check their individual visiting arrangements before adding them to your route.

Planning a Visit to Leskovac

For a first visit, I would plan around a meal in Leskovac and an excursion to Vučje, allowing a day for both if you want an unhurried pace. The canyon and power plant are outside the city center, so arrange transport separately. Leave more time if you want to include the museums or archaeological sites.

Is Leskovac Worth Visiting?

Yes, particularly if food is one of your reasons for traveling. Our strongest memories of Leskovac are the people who welcomed us and the meals we shared. Vučje added a worthwhile excursion, with both engineering history and time outdoors. I would recommend the combination to travelers who enjoy local food and want to explore a little beyond the table.

This article is still a thank-you to our friends in Leskovac. Their hospitality is a large part of why we want to return.

Leskovac FAQ

Sources and Further Reading