The Best Places to Visit in Kosovo
Kosovo is Europe's youngest nation, a landlocked country in the southeastern Balkans (Southeast Europe), nestled in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. It’s a controversial country, currently in dispute with Serbia over its independency and international recognition. The vast majority of residents in Kosovo are ethnic Albanians, and the country declared independency on February 17, 2008. Kosovo’s tourism levels are increasing, and you’ll found mountainous regions blended with Ottoman-era architecture in the country. It’s also a very cheap destination.
Capital: Pristina
Currency: Euro
Language: Albanian
When to visit: May to December
1) Prizren
Prizren is by far the most charming city to visit in Kosovo. The city is filled with stone bridges which cross over the Bistrica River, as well as a lively old town and historic architecture. It is seen as the main stop in Kosovo for culture, and is the countries second largest city. It feels authentically Balkan inside the city.
Things to do:
Make the effort to walk up to the Prizren Fortress, where you get incredible views of the cities greater area, as well as the chance to go inside the fortress and see some historic pieces. Walking up at sunset is a great idea. Alongside that, just head to the Old Town and walk around. The streets are narrow and cobbled and have an abundance of cafes and shops for you to see. It is situated right along the river.
How to get there:
You can take a bus from Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, or from Skopje in North Macedonia. There may be an option from Shkoder in Albania.
2) Pristina
Pristina is the vibrant capital and largest city of Kosovo, with a population of under 250,000. It is found in the central eastern part of Kosovo, about 60km from Prizren. While it isn’t exactly a city packed with sights and can be seen in a day, it is interesting to see the thriving capital of Kosovo which symbolizes resilience in Kosovo.
Things to do:
There are a few pretty cool sights in Pristina. Most famous is the Newborn Monument, the symbol of Kosovo’s independence. They regularly change the pattern on this sign. Next is the National Library of Kosovo, a brutalist-style library which is very unique. Finally, I would say you can see the Bill Clinton statue and Banner. The statue was unveiled to honor USA for their assistance in the Kosovo War. You may see many USA flags around the city.
How to get there:
Pristina International Airport (PRN) is Kosovo’s only airport, and you can actually find connections from around Europe.
You can just take a bus from Prizren, they run regularly. From surrounding countries, you can find buses from Skopje too.
3) Peja
Peja is a charming mountain town in western Kosovo, known for its proximity to the Accursed Mountains and scenic surrounding areas. Whilst the town itself is medieval and authentic, Peja is a great base for hikes and trails in and around the Rugova Region. If you’re already in Kosovo, Peja is a great place to stop in.
Things to do:
Explore Peja’s Old Bazaar in and around the City Center, it has a very traditional Ottoman style to it. Just outside the town you can visit the UNESCO site named the Patriarchate of Peć Monastery. It is a 13th century Serbian Orthodox monastery. But the main part is the nature, so you should get out to Rugova Canyon, one of Europe’s deepest gorges with rivers and cliffs all through it.
How to get there:
There is an accessible bus service from Pristina to Peja.