From mountain lakes and vineyard sunsets to open-air films, live music and family adventures, here is how to make the most of the final weekend before September.
August may be coming to an end, but summer in Serbia is not over yet. The final weekend of the month brings one more opportunity to leave the routine behind – whether that means waking up beside a mountain lake, following a road through the vineyards or spending the evening beneath an open sky.
Across the country, the weekend of 29 and 30 August offers an enticing combination of nature, culture, food and late-summer events. Here are six ways to enjoy it.
1. Reset in the Mountains – Tara and Zaovine
If August has felt busy and crowded, spend its final weekend somewhere that encourages you to slow down.
Tara National Park offers dense forests, quiet walking trails and some of the most memorable viewpoints in western Serbia. Begin with Banjska Stena, where the landscape opens dramatically above the Drina Canyon and Lake Perućac, before continuing towards the quieter roads and villages around Zaovine.
The area is ideal for an unhurried weekend: morning walks through the forest, a picnic beside the lake and long evenings on the terrace of a mountain cabin. Although the days still feel summery, nights on Tara can already carry the first hint of autumn.
For a longer road trip, stop in Bajina Bašta and Perućac on the way. The famous little house on the Drina and the riverside landscapes add another dimension to a weekend shaped by water, forest and mountain silence.
Best for: Nature, viewpoints and a peaceful weekend away from crowds
Ideal duration: 2 days
2. Follow the Wine Road – Sremska Mitrovica and Fruška Gora
The end of August is one of the most atmospheric times to explore Serbia’s wine regions. Vineyards are full, harvest season is approaching and warm evenings invite visitors to stay outdoors long after sunset.
On Saturday, 29 August, Sremska Mitrovica hosts Wine Park, bringing wineries, local flavours and music together in the city’s green surroundings. It is an opportunity to discover Serbian wines in a relaxed open-air setting rather than through a formal tasting.
Turn the event into a complete road trip by arriving through Fruška Gora. Stop at one of its monasteries, follow the vineyard roads around Irig and Sremski Karlovci, or take a short walk through the national park before continuing to Sremska Mitrovica.
The combination of landscapes, heritage and wine makes this one of the most complete late-summer experiences on the list.
Best for: Couples, wine lovers and relaxed road trips
Main event: Wine Park, 29 August
3. End August with Live Music – Zaječar
For a louder farewell to August, head east to Zaječar for the final night of the 59th Gitarijada.
One of the longest-running rock festivals in this part of Europe, Gitarijada has shaped the regional music scene for decades while continuing to give emerging bands a place on its stage. The final programme on Saturday, 29 August, includes the competition finale and performances by Goran Bare & Majke, Divlje jagode and an Iron Maiden tribute band.
Zaječar also works well as the centre of a wider Eastern Serbia road trip. Before the concerts begin, visit the National Museum or travel to nearby Gamzigrad–Romuliana, the UNESCO-listed remains of a Roman imperial palace built for Emperor Galerius.
Those with an extra day can continue towards Felix Romuliana’s surrounding countryside, Gamzigradska Banja or the dramatic landscapes further north towards the Danube.
Best for: Live music, nightlife and cultural discoveries
Main event: Final night of Gitarijada, 29 August
4. Watch Serbian Films Under the Stars – Niš
Few settings capture the atmosphere of a summer film festival quite like the open-air amphitheatre beside Niš Fortress.
The Niš Film Festival begins on 29 August, bringing Serbian actors, filmmakers and audiences together for evening screenings beneath the sky. The festival has a long tradition of celebrating acting and remains one of the country’s most recognisable cinematic events.
During the day, explore the fortress, walk along the Nišava and discover some of the city’s historic landmarks. Kazandžijsko sokače, Skull Tower and nearby Mediana reveal different layers of Niš’s past, while its traditional restaurants provide a convincing reason to stay for dinner before the films begin.
With culture, history, local food and summer evenings on the river, Niš is an excellent choice for travellers who want a city break that feels connected to a specific moment.
Best for: Film, culture, history and local gastronomy
Main event: Opening weekend of the Niš Film Festival, 29–30 August
5. Spend a Late-Summer Sunday in Subotica and Palić
Subotica offers a different kind of city weekend – colourful, elegant and easy to explore on foot.
Begin among the Art Nouveau landmarks of the city centre. The richly decorated City Hall and Synagogue are its best-known sights, but some of Subotica’s charm lies in the details: ceramic façades, decorative windows, quiet streets and cafés hidden behind grand architecture.
On Sunday, 30 August, the Subotica Half Marathon brings additional energy to the city. Even visitors who are not participating can enjoy the lively atmosphere before continuing to nearby Palić.
Spend the afternoon walking beside the lake, admiring the Water Tower and Grand Terrace or simply finding a peaceful place beneath the trees. Subotica and Palić are close enough to experience in a single day, but staying overnight allows the trip to unfold at a much slower pace.
Best for: Architecture, city walks and a relaxed lakeside afternoon
Main event: Subotica Half Marathon, 30 August
6. Plan a Family Day in Nature – Sokobanja
For families hoping to fit one more adventure into the summer holidays, Sokobanja combines outdoor activities with an event dedicated to local traditions.
On 29 August, the nearby village of Čitluk hosts a gastro exhibition of traditional Serbian dishes and old crafts. It offers children an accessible introduction to local heritage, while adults can discover regional recipes, handmade products and customs that remain part of everyday life in this area.
Continue the day in Sokobanja with an easy walk through the central parks or along the route towards Lepterija. Families looking for more time beside the water can head towards Bovansko Lake, while the surrounding countryside offers space for picnics and short walks.
Sokobanja is particularly suitable for a flexible family trip: activities can be adapted to the weather and the children’s energy, without requiring a tightly planned itinerary.
Best for: Families, local food and gentle outdoor activities
Main event: Traditional food and old crafts exhibition in Čitluk, 29 August
One More Weekend Before September
The last weekend of August does not need to be an elaborate holiday. Sometimes one night in the mountains, an evening at an open-air festival or a spontaneous road trip is enough to make summer feel a little longer.
Choose Tara for silence, Fruška Gora for wine, Zaječar for music, Niš for cinema, Subotica for architecture or Sokobanja for a family day outdoors. Whichever direction you take, leave some room in the itinerary for the unexpected – that is often where the best late-summer memories begin.
Event dates and programmes may change. Check the latest information from organisers before travelling.
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