Best places to visit in KOSOVO
Planning a trip to Kosovo and wondering what are the best places to visit in Kosovo?
Kosovo is a partially recognised state in the Balkans. Its borders are Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Kosovo is one of the least visited tourist destinations in the Balkans, but you definitely should give it a chance! You’ll be surprised at how many amazing places are there to visit. Mountains, mountain lakes, cities rich with history, national parks and UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
Sounds nice? Then you should pack your bags and head to Kosovo!
Check out our list of the best things to do in Kosovo before planning your perfect itinerary!
7 best places to visit in Kosovo
Pristina
Pristina is Kosovo’s capital and largest city.
And, most probably, Pristina is where you’ll start your trip in Kosovo.
Despite being one of the least beautiful capital cities in Europe, it’s still an interesting place to visit.
Pristina is an interesting mix of old and new — it’s Ottoman and Byzantine architecture contrast with fairly modern brutalist buildings.
Do not miss the National Library of Kosovo, often referred to as the “ugliest building in the world”. Thanks to its weird design, this brutalist building is one of the city’s most interesting and unique buildings.
Visit the colourful NEWBORN monument, a statue that was unveiled on the day that Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.
Pristina also has several remarkable ancient historical landmarks which you shouldn’t miss:
- UNESCO-listed Gracanica Monastery — a Serbian Orthodox monastery which dates to the 14th century;
- The Great Hamam of Pristina — baths from the Ottoman era;
- The Imperial Mosque — an Ottoman mosque in the Old Town, also called Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque;
- Carshi Mosque — an Ottoman mosque that marks the beginning of the old town, the oldest building in Pristina;
- Shadërvan — a marble fountain and a quintessential component of Ottoman architecture.
Prizren
Prizren is the second-largest city and one of the best places to visit in Kosovo.
It used to be the intellectual and cultural centre of Ottoman Kosovo. Now the city is considered the capital of the culture of Kosovo.
Prizren is home to a beautiful old town with a 16th-century stone bridge and an ancient Ottoman mosque.
With a backdrop of lush mountains and its historic architecture, Prizren is probably the most beautiful city in Kosovo.
The cobbled streets of the ancient old town are filled with historical sites, cafes and restaurants.
Do not miss Shadervan, a pretty main square, and visit the UNESCO-listed Our Lady of Ljeviš Church.
Visit Prizren Fortress — one of the most beautiful landmarks in Prizren. This 11th-century fortress offers spectacular views of the city. This place is especially beautiful during sunsets.
As Prizren is located at the foot of Shar Mountains, it is a gateway to Shar Mountain National Park. Do not miss it when visiting Prizren!
Sharr Mountains National Park
The Sharr Mountains National Park is a national park in southwestern Kosovo. It is situated not far from Prizren.
The national park is a part of the Sharr mountain range which also extends into Albania and North Macedonia.
In the national park, you will find several alpine and glacial mountain lakes (Šutmansko Lake, Big and Small Jažinačko Lakes, Štrbačko Lake and more).
Sharr Mountains National Park boasts some of the most beautiful hiking and walking routes in Kosovo.
Peć (Peja) & Rugova Canyon
Peć (Peja) is one of the most populous cities in Kosovo.
It is home to Patriarchate of Peć — a UNESCO-listed medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery built in the 13th century.
What else? Peć’s beautiful historical centre, the Old Town, is worth a visit. It is filled with lovely shops, beautiful historical buildings and traditional restaurants where you can enjoy hearty local food.
If you are visiting Peć, do not miss Rugova Canyon, as it is located only 14 km from the city centre.
With a length of 25 km and a depth of up to 1 km, Rugova Canyon is one of Europe’s longest and deepest canyons. It is also one of the best places to visit in Kosovo.
Gjeravica in the Prokletije Mountains
Prokletije Mountains (or Accursed Mountains) are a mountain group and subrange of the Dinaric Alps range.
The mountains are known for their craggy cliffs, steep topography and glacial features.
At 2656 m, Gjeravica is the second-highest mountain peak in the Prokletije mountain range and the highest mountain in Kosovo.
One of the best things to do in Kosovo is to hike to the top of Gjeravica. The hike is about 10 hours long, and you will see stunning views. You’ll visit glacial lakes and the Ereniku River which begins in one of the glacial lakes.
Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park
The Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park is a national park in western Kosovo, some 50 km from Peć.
The national park boasts varied landscapes — pretty lakes, dense forests and alpine landscapes.
Walking, hiking and biking are the most popular activities for national park visitors. And there are plenty of trails to choose from.
Also, in the national park, you will see its biodiversity. It is home to rare, endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. So Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park is a paradise for every nature lover!
Gjakova
Gjakova is a city located in the south-western part of Kosovo, about halfway between Peja and Prizren.
It’s home to the longest bazaar in the Balkans — the Old Bazaar of Gjakova. The bazaar is approximately one kilometre long. It is also the oldest bazaar in Kosovo.
Also, do not miss the Hadum Mosque and St. Paul Church — these are important landmarks in Gjakova.
Kosovo travel tips
- Citizens of many countries can visit Kosovo without a visa.
- You can fly directly to Kosovo, or combine a trip to Kosovo with a trip to any other nearby Balkan country.
- If you want to visit both Kosovo and Serbia in one trip, visit Serbia first and then travel to Kosovo.
- Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as an independent country and thus its border with Kosovo. If you want to travel from Kosovo to Serbia, you will be denied entry into Serbia due to the lack of a Serbian entry stamp in your passport. That’s why you have to visit Serbia first and then travel to Kosovo.
- The Euro is the official currency in Kosovo.
- Public transport in Kosovo is good. There are frequent and cheap buses between the cities. Bus tickets cost just 2-5 euros, depending on the length of the journey.
- The best time to visit Kosovo is between May and September.
