By Liam Kosovo is the youngest country in Europe, as the Balkan nation only gained independence in 2008. The Albanian majority country is still at the center of a territorial dispute, as bordering Serbia, which is well worth a visit, does not recognize its independence. Despite a past fraught with ethnic conflict, Kosovo is very safe to travel to, especially south of Mitrovica. In 2022, I spent one week in Kosovo without any expectations coming in. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed traveling through the country and how hospitable the people were.
Kosovo is a crossroads of cultures. Throughout its history it has been part of the Dardani, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Ottoman empires. After the First Balkan War, Kosovo became part of Serbia and, later, Yugoslavia. So, it wears its influences on its sleeves.
There are plenty of remaining Ottoman structures and some famous Serbian orthodox monasteries. Plus, there is some excellent hiking in the young Balkan nation and it makes for a great Balkan road trip stop. It’s also relatively unspoiled by tourism, as it tis the third-least visited country in all of Europe. With plenty to do, let’s discuss how to spend one week in Kosovo.
One Week in Kosovo: Pristina – Two Days
Pristina, the capital, is Kosovo’s most populous city and has the country’s only international airport. So, it’s the natural starting point for one week in Kosovo. Plus, it’s only 90 minutes away from Skopje, North Macedonia by bus, which is how I arrived.
Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe, as the median age is just 32. While not exactly a beautiful city, Pristina is a vibrant one and is the center of nightlife in Kosovo. The best way to see Pristina is on foot. It is not a very touristy city, so you’ll quickly be able to get a sense of what it’s all about.
Regardless, there are a few key tourist attractions you can visit. Pristina’s Great Mosque is over 550 years old and well worth a stop. Then, walk on the Mother Teresa Boulevard, which is the main pedestrian street in the city.
You’ll see the Statue of Skenderbeg along the route, as well as the busy Mother Teresa Square. Further south, there is an eerie unfinished Serbian Orthodox Church next to Kosovo’s National Library. The latter is definitely the most unique building in the city, with bizarre architecture.
That’s not the only weird part of Pristina, as there is also a Bill Clinton Statue. Ethnic Albanians credit him for the NATO bombing campaign in 1999 which brought the Kosovo conflict to an end.
I had a gourmet dinner for a reasonable price at Thana & Redon and would highly recommend it. I also liked the food at Baba Ganoush & Meze as well.
On your second day in Pristina, you can venture out of the center to visit the impressive Gracanica Monastery. The ruins of the former Roman town of Ulpiana are nearby, as well as the Pristina Bear Sanctuary.
One Week in Kosovo: Peja – Three Days
Kosovo is a small country, so the main tourist sites are quite close to one another. During one week in Kosovo, don’t miss the chance to spend time in Peja. Peja is nestled in the Accursed Mountains and the fourth-most populous city in the country. It’s also just an hour and a half away from Pristina by car.
Peja has some sights worth seeing in town and it is perfectly located from some excellent day trips. On your first day in Peja, walk through the city center and the Old Bazaar.
Then, head out to the Peć Patriarchate Monastery. It’s about a 30 minute walk from the city center and is well worth it to see the strikingly red monastery with mountains in the background. If you have time, and a car, you can venture into the beautiful Rugova Canyon, one of the deepest in Europe. There are plenty of trails nearby, including in the Bjeshkët e Nëmuna National Park to the South.
One of the most beautiful places in Kosovo is the Visoki Decani Monastery, which is under 30 minutes away from Peja. You’ll have to leave your passport with the UN peacekeepers when you arrive and no shorts are allowed. Regardless, the 14th century monastery is incredibly well preserved and worth a visit.
You can also take a day trip to the White Drin Waterfall, which is just 20 minutes north of Peja. There is also a nearby cave you can explore.
I stayed at Hostel Bora in Peja and it was a highlight of one week in Kosovo. It was very peaceful, with great breakfast, mountain views and friendly staff. I also had a good meal at Hotel Kulla e Zenel Beut, along with Flo’s Restaurant.
Prizren – Two Days
Prizren, Kosovo’s second largest city, is just an hour and 20 minutes away from Peja. It is quite possibly the most beautiful city in the country At the very least, it has the nicest Old Town in the country and is regarded as the historical capital of Kosovo. It was the capital of the Serbian Empire before the Turks took over and even after, it was a cultural and intellectual center of the Ottoman Empire.
Don’t miss the beautiful Old Stone Bridge which connects the northern and southern parts of the city. After crossing the bridge to the south, check out the Sinan Pasha Mosque which cuts a distinctive figure on Prizren’s skyline. Then, take a 20 minute walk up to Prizren Fortress, the most iconic place in town.
The fortress has amazing panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside and is completely free. After walking up and down the hill, you’ll undoubtedly be hungry. I had an incredible seafood risotto at Marina Fish House and it was the best restaurant I went to in Kosovo. For more traditional cuisine, head to Hani i Vjeter.
You could do the highlights in Prizren in a day but you might want to consider a trip to the Sharr Mountain National Park to finis up your week in Kosovo. There are plenty of hiking trails in the park, which is an hour away from Prizren. It is especially beautiful when the leaves start changing in the Fall.
What’s Next?
There are certainly other places to visit in Kosovo if you’d like to extend your stay. Gjakova is south of Peja and has another nice Old Town. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could head to the divided city of Mitrovica. Meanwhile, Gadime Cave is another potential day trip from Pristina.
If you’re ending your Kosovo trip in Prizren, you can catch a bus from Prizren to Shkoder, one of the most beautiful cities in Albania, to continue your Balkan journey. From Kosovo, you can head into any of Serbia (barring protests that close the border), North Macedonia, Albania or Montenegro by bus/car or catch a flight elsewhere from Pristina.