Coupled with Moldova, Kosovo is likely to generally be the least visited and acknowledged country in Europe.
The Balkans are getting level of popularity and attracting thousands of travelers monthly. But Kosovo tourism is simply starting to prosper.
Many remain unaware with the existence of Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Only one tourist attraction is there, and it isn't amid Balkan highlights. This one particular is Prizren. Most tourists will likely not know this a person whenever they question about destinations to go to in Kosovo.
I are to Kosovo 2 times thus far, and I am able to inform you which the place has quite a bit to offer guests who are more adventurous and curious.
This really is my small cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It will allow you to choose what to do in Kosovo.
Is it worthwhile to go to Kosovo?
It can be crucial to start with the basics.
There's a chance you're thinking whether it is value browsing Kosovo once the nearby nations around the world are so wonderful and interesting (I'm investigating Albania and Montenegro), Croatia, Bosnia), but my remedy is easy: Sure.
Kosovo tourism is not nonetheless very well-acknowledged. It is only frequented by a few individuals that are not frightened to undertaking into mysterious territory.
It is an extremely attractive put to visit, as every thing feels genuine and not created for travelers. Kosovo's forex is Euro. But that doesn't mean it is dear!
My preferred sites in Kosovo: What exactly are you searching for?
Together with Moldova, Kosovo is probably going for being the the very least visited and recognised region in Europe.
The Balkans are attaining acceptance and attracting thousands of travellers every month. But Kosovo tourism is only starting to flourish.
A lot of remain unaware in the existence of Kosovo, the youngest state in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Only one vacationer attraction is there, and it's not amid Balkan highlights. This one is Prizren. Most vacationers won't know this just one once they check with about places to visit in Kosovo.
I are actually to Kosovo twice to date, and I am able to tell you the nation has quite a bit to offer site visitors who tend to be more adventurous and curious.
This is my tiny cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It can assist you decide what to do in Kosovo.
Is Kosovo Risk-free?
It is really yet again a Certainly.
It was a feeling of full basic safety which i experienced all the time.
Although there have been tensions in Kosovo not far too way back, and there are still tensions there, travellers viewing Kosovo don't have anything to be concerned about.
I traveled on your own and did not knowledge any uncomfortable predicaments. I do not know another travelers who knowledgeable any troubles in Kosovo.
All people was so helpful and prepared to enable even every time they did not have some time. I had been in Prizren and Pristina during the night time (mostly in central but nevertheless) and never one particular particular person bothered me.
On account of The actual predicament in Kosovo, there are several international forces that seem following the nation.
It is feasible to view soldiers marching up and down Pristina's principal boulevard. Nonetheless, there's no purpose to be concerned. They simply just choose to glance wonderful and act like They can be on the runway.
You're going to be wonderful, similar to just about everywhere else. Use your popular feeling and don't do anything You would not in your own home. Kosovo is quite Secure
What can the thing is in Kosovo
Whilst Kosovo isn’t by far the most lovely country during the Balkans, it does have its moments.
Even though the metropolitan areas may not be quite possibly the most spectacular, chances are you'll fall in appreciate with its cafes and vibe, landscape, folks, and delightful surroundings. Kosovo has so much to supply travelers!
Here's my leading picks for sites to find out in Kosovo
Prizren
The 2nd greatest town in Kosovo, plus the Previous City is a stunning gem. Prizren would be the place to go in Kosovo if you'd like to see it all.
You will have seen the Photograph of your outdated stone bridge, mosque and lush mountains in the qualifications. That's Prizren! It truly is much more wonderful in actual everyday living!
The Previous City bustles with lots of cafes and dining establishments.
Shadervan, the most crucial square, seems to generally be full of individuals just hanging out and executing their business.
Kaljaja, the fortress with one of the most gorgeous sights in Kosovo, is the most crucial attraction of Prizren.
It is a short hike from the Previous Town to reach the top rated, and you will easily devote your total day there. Kaljaja is an excellent place to get in Prizren, coupled with Shadervan.
It is alleged to be essentially the most lovely at sunset. I desire I could validate this, but as I had been about mountaineering up there, a thunderstorm handed around Prizren...
I really hope for being back again in Prizren for Dokufest, a planet-popular Global Documentary and Shorter Movie Competition.
But I also would like to take a look at town and are now living in its backstreets, where by deserted residences are my house. Prizren is more than just postcards!
Pristina
It is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, but it is also one of my favorites!
Pristina has a vivid, neat, stylish and cosmopolitan vibe.
You can find not many monuments there. (Except if you speak about the Nationwide Library of Kosovo, which is among the most extraordinary brutalist developing I've at any time witnessed along with the one that inspired my like of the kind of architecture. But Pristina makes it feel so awesome.
This town incorporates a method of holding you close up and refusing to Allow go.
My Tale with Pristina was just like my really like affair with Yerevan and Armenia. Following my to start with check out, I was fewer keen on the city. It absolutely was all right nonetheless it didn't blow my head.
But, I began to consider Pristina far more often and dreamed of returning to it To find out more. That was what precisely I did.
I put in 4 days in Pristina. It's the metropolis that can be "finished in 2 several hours" and I'd return in a heartbeat!
My days were being stuffed by many of my favored cafes, brutalist architecture, delicious foodstuff, warm evenings, and outstanding people.
Kosovska Mitrovica
This is considered the most difficult put in Kosovo that I have at any time wanted to see.
The town is split into two elements: the Southern (Albanian), and Northern (Serbian), with tensions involving them.
Even though I confess which i was a bit anxious about visiting Mitrovica, I quickly recognized there was nothing to be afraid of and my mind was just taking part in methods.
I'm fascinated from the divided metropolis, and Mitrovica was a fantastic place to visit.
Anything changes after you cross the (blocked, secured by Intercontinental forces just like the Italian Carabinieri bridge). The alphabet, currency, license plates, spots of worship, and perhaps the forex. Even men and women glimpse different.
Even though I could not pick which facet I preferred, Northern had among the Spomeniks although Southern experienced an excellent cafe with umbrellas.
Politics apart, Mitrovica is a wonderful working day vacation from Pristina. It is also a must-see when checking out Kosovo!
Peja/Pec
It is just a getaway to Rugova Canyon, Prokletije Mountains, and the house of Patriarchate Of Pec - UNESCO Earth Heritage Web-site.
It absolutely was a peaceful town, with the most beneficial espresso in Kosovo for 2EUR. You can find good Avenue artwork, first rate bazaar and terrific Avenue artwork. I went to Patriarchate in Pec for espresso, but I failed to go.
Even though it was a pleasant location to chill out, It's not necessarily the preferred of the many destinations in Kosovo.
Peja is a fantastic solution if you like mountains!
Gjakova
My most significant surprise in Kosovo! Gjakova was severely damaged during the war, but it is currently blooming yet again soon after the latest renovations!
The Grand Bazaar is a novel spot with a lot of craft workshops and cafes. It really is the largest and oldest bazaar in Kosovo.
It is lined with cafes and decorated with artwork installations by MimozaRraci. It seems to be remarkable. It is website one of the most wonderful parts I've seen for cafes.
Gjakova is way more than simply that. The complete city plus the bordering mountains are a gorgeous location to go to, which makes it an excellent working day journey from Pristina/Prizren.
Kosovo Tourism - Practical Information and facts
How do I reach Kosovo?
There are several minimal-cost flights to your Balkans. You'll be able to fly immediate from Germany, France or Hungary to Pristina (I flew from Berlin to Pristina for 60 EUR/return in May 2016). Or it is possible to travel to Skopje or Macedonia to go ahead and take bus to Kosovo. It truly is so easy!
The journey from Skopje to Pristina normally takes just more than two hrs. Buses depart much less commonly than each and every hour. For just a a single-way ticket, I compensated 5EUR in November 2014 and will 2016.
Kosovo: Dollars
The currency of Kosovo could be the Euro.
To save money on journey, my number 1 tip is to work with Revolut Bank Card.
The cardboard is sent by mail within a make any difference of days. You should utilize it anyplace on the earth. The card could be topped up from the app out of your cell phone. You might have accounts in numerous currencies and Trade revenue in between them totally free and at pretty appealing costs. It is super uncomplicated and brief to use the app to handle your accounts.
Revolut accepts about a hundred and forty currencies, and allows you to withdraw from any ATM everywhere on this planet. Revolut card has long been great! I have employed it in 12 diverse international locations on three continents in the main 6 months and experienced no problems. The exchange costs ended up pretty aggressive and I was in a position to conserve a lot of cash!
Just click here to Learn More In regards to the Provider and Buy Your Revolut Card!
Community transport in Kosovo
I used to be pleasantly shocked by the excellent public transport system in Kosovo.
There are lots of buses that run between towns. Though they might not be the very best, They're cheap enough for getting you in the two-hour journey.
Bus stations will assist you to uncover the correct bus, as Each and every location has its own System. If it is not composed somewhere people today will place you in the best path before you talk to!
Consider, even so, that the last bus may perhaps go away at 6 o'clock in the morning.
These are the ticket price ranges for May possibly 2016: Prizren–Gjakova 2,50EUR. Gjakova–Peja two,50EUR. Peja–Prizren 4EUR. Prizren–Pristina 3EUR. Pristina–Mitrovica 2EUR.
Stay in Kosovo
I stayed for two nights in Prizren (from there I did an tour to Gjakova, Peja and afterwards I was again in Pristina for 3 night time (by using a trip to Mitrovica).
You may as well elect to stay in Pristina and just take day outings. The nation is compact, and only 2 several hours generate from Each and every interesting spot.
I stayed inside a hostel in Pristina, which I failed to suggest. Below are a few other options!
You may e-book your lodge in Prizren in the event you have an interest in staying there (the just one I stayed at is no far more available).
Journey coverage
I don't journey without insurance policies as you in no way determine what could occur and it is best to generally be Secure than sorry ( I've discovered my lesson).
I like to recommend SafetyWing, which features the insurance policy that is definitely specifically made for tourists such as you and me.