Rakia is a type of brandy made from fruit, and it is very popular in Serbia where it had been brewed for hundreds of years. Rakia can be made from all sorts of fruit, but the most common and most famous is Šljivovica which is made from plums. It is a very strong drink, that normally has 40% alcohol by volume, but homemade Rakia is often stronger, it can be a worthy rival to Absinthe. You can get rakia in any souvenir shop, as will as in any supermarket, but those are mostly not sold in representative bottles.
2. Čokanji
A čokanj is a glass bottle used for storing beverages, mostly alcoholic. They range from very small, used for a single serving of rakia from which one would drink directly, to large ones for serving wine to groups of people. It has a specific shape, large on the bottom and then thinner towards the top with very long neck.
3. Čuture
Čutura, also known as Buklija, can be used for stashing water, or any other drink, especially rakia, and it is most commonly made of wood. It's round and has an opening at the top. You can drink directly from it, or pour the liquid in glasses. Mostly, when there is rakia inside, everyone just drinks it directly from one Čutura, especially when enjoying the great outdoors, since Serbian rakia is usually strong enough to kill 99% of bacteria anyway.
4. Opanci
Opanci are peasant shoes in Serbia. They are made from leather with laces and a horn-resembling thingy at the front of the shoe above the toes. Now no one really wears them anymore, but they make great souvenirs, you can buy the real thing or some opanak-looking variation, like tiny opanak keychain, or opanak for storing pencils, etc.
5. Licitar Heart
A Licitar Heart is a heart-shaped cookie, which is mostly just for decorative purposes since it is not too tasty. They are made from a special dough of flour and honey. It is usually red, heavily decorated with different shapes and colours and often has a tiny mirror in the centre.
6. Ajvar
Ajvar is something very special for every Serb and there are few who dislike it. Ajvar is made from red paprika and is served as a side dish, or can be spread on a piece of bread and consumed that way. It used to be stored for the winter months when there were no fresh vegetables, but with supermarkets it became available all year long. It can be neutral or piquant (spicy), so be careful when buying it. Ljutenica and Pinđur are similar to ajvar, and we suggest trying those as well.
7. Souvenirs with Tito
Whether it be a bronze bust or a print on a shirt, Tito is always popular among tourists. There is a range of creative ideas that are sold in Belgrade's souvenir shops as variations of this popular type of souvenir.
8. Novak Đoković souvenirs
Novak Đoković is one of the most popular Serbs nowadays, and souvenirs with his face on them are popular accordingly. From t-shits to fridge magnets, he is all over the place.
9. 500 Billion Dinar Banknotes
Now this one is a product of unfortunate Serbian history during the times of hyperinflation in the 1990s. Money was printed in large amounts and the sum on banknotes was rising leading to banknotes with more than ten zeros. But the banknotes were worthless almost as soon as they were out of the printer. Due to this, many of them were saved and are now sold as souvenirs to tourists.
10. Šajkača
Šajkača is a traditional Serbian cap for men. It's olive green and has an unusual shape. The cap was a part of the uniform in Serbian army and is a symbol of Serbia. Just like Opanak, apart from real Šajkača, different Šajkača-looking souvenirs can be bought.
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