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Serbia🇷🇸 | festivalsBelgrade Rakija FestŠljivovica flights, barrel-aged spirits, distiller families, folk accordions | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Belgrade Rakija Fest
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated November 6, 2026

Rakija Fest began as a modest gathering of distillers and curious locals, and it has grown into a crowded weekend where the sheer number of plum brandies can defeat a confident adult by Saturday afternoon. It takes place in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, at a venue that changes from year to year. Expect traditional brass and folk music, food stalls and a mostly Serbian crowd, plus a growing number of foreign visitors. The vibe is loud, friendly and slightly sticky. Small tasting tickets add up fast, so buy a few at a time. Eat before you start, because tastings on an empty stomach end badly. Skip anything sold without a label. Brandy fans and social travelers will love it. Teetotalers and anyone wanting quiet will not.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Serbia Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 festival in SerbiaReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Rakija Fest gives you a quick education in the spirit that Serbian households treat as both medicine and hospitality. Distillers pour their own plum, quince, apricot and grape brandies, so you can compare šljivovica against kajsijevača in one afternoon and hear how each is made, usually from someone who made it. That conversation is the real draw, and it tends to continue at a shared table with strangers who become friends by the third glass.

It also fits neatly into a longer trip through the Balkans. Belgrade is the region’s transport hub, so the festival slots easily between visits to Novi Sad, Sarajevo or Sofia. Compared with similar spirits events in Western Europe, tasting samples are cheap, and a modest budget goes a long way. Add the live folk bands and you get culture without needing a guide.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Plum brandy tastings (šljivovica): Serbia’s national spirit is the centerpiece. Producers pour young and barrel-aged versions side by side, so you can taste how wood changes the flavor.
  2. Quince and apricot brandies: Softer and more perfumed than plum, these are the easiest entry point for first-timers and often the ones people buy to take home.
  3. Meeting the distillers: Many stalls are staffed by the families who make the drink. They explain the double distillation, the fruit and the aging, and they enjoy being asked.
  4. Live folk music: Brass bands and singers with accordions keep the crowd moving. By evening, strangers are linking arms and dancing.
  5. Serbian food stalls: Grilled sausages (ćevapi), smoked meats, kajmak cream and fresh bread are there to line your stomach, and they do the job well.
Rakija … read more 👉
  1. Plum brandy tastings (šljivovica): Serbia’s national spirit is the centerpiece. Producers pour young and barrel-aged versions side by side, so you can taste how wood changes the flavor.
  2. Quince and apricot brandies: Softer and more perfumed than plum, these are the easiest entry point for first-timers and often the ones people buy to take home.
  3. Meeting the distillers: Many stalls are staffed by the families who make the drink. They explain the double distillation, the fruit and the aging, and they enjoy being asked.
  4. Live folk music: Brass bands and singers with accordions keep the crowd moving. By evening, strangers are linking arms and dancing.
  5. Serbian food stalls: Grilled sausages (ćevapi), smoked meats, kajmak cream and fresh bread are there to line your stomach, and they do the job well.
Rakija Fest works best when you pair the distiller conversations with the food stalls, since eating between tastings keeps the afternoon going and makes the advice you get from producers much easier to remember.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Belgrade Rakija Fest?

Rakija Fest in Belgrade is held in spring over one or two days, with the 2026 edition on 25 and 26 April at the Belgrade Fair and the 2025 edition on 11 May at Barrel House in Dorćol.
  • Best day: Go on the first afternoon, when producers pour freely and stalls have full stock. Later hours get louder and busier.
  • Weather: Expect roughly 12 to 20°C (54 to 68°F) with the odd spring shower. Bring a light rain jacket and layers for cool evenings.
  • Booking: Buy tickets a week or two ahead. Belgrade beds around the date cost a little more, so reserve two to three weeks early.
  • Getting around: City buses, trams and trolleybuses are free, so skip taxis. Leave before the final tasting rush to avoid crowded stops.
Rakija Fest is best timed for the opening afternoon, arriving with a full day ahead and a place to sleep already booked.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Stari Grad, the old center around Knez Mihailova and Skadarlija, is the best base for backpackers, because the festival is a short tram or taxi ride away and you can walk home after tasting.
Stari Grad has the highest concentration of social hostels in Belgrade, with common rooms where solo travelers meet quickly. Streets stay lit and busy late, which makes walking back feel safe.
Savamala, near the river, is a good second choice. It is cheaper than the old center, full of bars, and gets rowdy on weekends, so choose a room away from the street.
Vračar, around Slavija Square, is quieter and more residential. … read more 👉
Stari Grad, the old center around Knez Mihailova and Skadarlija, is the best base for backpackers, because the festival is a short tram or taxi ride away and you can walk home after tasting.
Stari Grad has the highest concentration of social hostels in Belgrade, with common rooms where solo travelers meet quickly. Streets stay lit and busy late, which makes walking back feel safe.
Savamala, near the river, is a good second choice. It is cheaper than the old center, full of bars, and gets rowdy on weekends, so choose a room away from the street.
Vračar, around Slavija Square, is quieter and more residential. It has bakeries, cafés and good tram links, and it works well if you want a good night’s sleep after a day of rakija.
Avoid staying far out in New Belgrade. It is cheaper, but the commute back after dark is long and dull.
Best hostels in Serbia


Best quality hotels in Serbia

👛 Costs (as of 6 November 2026)How expensive it really is

Rakija Fest costs about €67 to 118 a day for an independent traveler, including a dorm bed, tastings and food.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival tickets€0 to 10Entry is often free or low, with tastings paid separately in dinars at each stall.
Accommodation€15 to 30A dorm bed in Stari Grad runs €15 to 22 normally and toward €30 on the festival weekend.
Local transport€2 to 8City buses and trams are free. A short taxi ride after dark costs €4 to 8.
Food & drinks€15 to 35Tasting pours cost €1.50 to 4 each. A grilled meal costs €6 to 10.
Miscellaneous expenses€5 to 15Covers a bottle to take home (€10 to 25 for craft producers), water and cash withdrawal fees.
Total Daily Budget€67 to 118Plan around €85 to 90 for a comfortable weekend day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Rakija is the point here, so expect plum (šljivovica), quince (dunja), apricot and pear (kruška) poured by small family distillers, alongside honey and herb-infused styles. Many producers offer a small tasting pour for a few euros, and bottles are sold at the stall.
Food is built to go with the drinks. Look for kajmak (a creamy fresh dairy spread), pršuta (dry-cured ham), smoked sausages, sir (white cheese) and warm pogača bread. Grills serve ćevapi and pljeskavica, which are the best fix between tastings.
Try a young and an aged rakija side by side from the same distiller. The difference in smoothness is the quickest education you will get. Ask about the fruit and the village, since producers love to talk.
Pour sizes are small, so pace yourself and drink water. Say živeli and make eye contact … read more 👉
Rakija is the point here, so expect plum (šljivovica), quince (dunja), apricot and pear (kruška) poured by small family distillers, alongside honey and herb-infused styles. Many producers offer a small tasting pour for a few euros, and bottles are sold at the stall.
Food is built to go with the drinks. Look for kajmak (a creamy fresh dairy spread), pršuta (dry-cured ham), smoked sausages, sir (white cheese) and warm pogača bread. Grills serve ćevapi and pljeskavica, which are the best fix between tastings.
Try a young and an aged rakija side by side from the same distiller. The difference in smoothness is the quickest education you will get. Ask about the fruit and the village, since producers love to talk.
Pour sizes are small, so pace yourself and drink water. Say živeli and make eye contact when you clink glasses. Bring cash in dinars, since some small stalls do not take cards, and share a plate to taste more.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Belgrade Rakija Fest

Rakija Fest usually takes place in Belgrade in late April or May, though the exact dates and venue change each year. It runs for one or two days. Check the festival’s social media a month ahead for confirmed dates.
Attending Rakija Fest costs about €0 to 10 for entry, and tastings are paid for separately at about €1.50 to 4 a pour. Budget €15 to 35 for food and drinks over a day. A dorm bed in central Belgrade runs €15 to 30 on festival weekends.
Rakija Fest usually does not need tickets booked far ahead, as entry is often sold at the gate or online shortly before, and some editions are free. Arriving early on Saturday avoids queues at the door. Book your bed two to three weeks ahead, since Belgrade hostels fill up on busy weekends.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Serbian festivals near Belgrade Rakija Fest

Explore more nearby:

  • EXIT Festival—Petrovaradin ramparts, tunnel stages, techno arena, Danube sunrise
  • Guča Trumpet Festival—Brass orchestras, first-trumpeter contest, meadow campsites, spit-roast lamb
  • Belgrade Beer Fest—Ušće riverside lawn, Jelen and Lav taps, grill smoke, communal benches

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Belgrade Rakija Fest

Rakija Fest catches people out when they treat tastings like a race and buy bottles at the first stall. Walk the whole venue once, sip slowly, drink water between samples and eat early. Then buy from the producer whose brandy you remembered, ideally a sealed, labeled bottle you can pack safely.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Serbia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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