As well as Moldova, Kosovo is likely to generally be the least visited and regarded country in Europe.
The Balkans are gaining acceptance and attracting Many vacationers monthly. But Kosovo tourism is simply starting to prosper.
Lots of remain unaware of your existence of Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Only one tourist attraction is there, and it isn't amongst Balkan highlights. This a single is Prizren. Most vacationers will not likely know this just one after they question about spots to go to in Kosovo.
I are to Kosovo two times thus far, and I'm able to inform you the place has a great deal to offer guests who are more adventurous and curious.
This is my little cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It can help you determine what to do in Kosovo.
Can it be worthwhile to go to Kosovo?
It's important to start with the basic principles.
There's a chance you're thinking whether it is value checking out Kosovo once the nearby nations around the world are so wonderful and fascinating (I am investigating Albania and Montenegro), Croatia, Bosnia), but my remedy is easy: Sure.
Kosovo tourism is not nonetheless very well-acknowledged. It is only visited by a couple of individuals that usually are not scared to venture into not known territory.
It is an extremely appealing put to go to, as everything feels genuine instead of made for tourists. Kosovo's forex is Euro. But that doesn't necessarily mean it is pricey!
My favorite destinations in Kosovo: What are you on the lookout for?
Along with Moldova, Kosovo is probably going to be the minimum visited and acknowledged country in Europe.
The Balkans are getting recognition and attracting Countless visitors each month. But Kosovo tourism is only beginning to prosper.
Several remain unaware from the existence of Kosovo, the youngest place in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Only one tourist attraction is there, and it isn't really amongst Balkan highlights. This just one is Prizren. Most vacationers will not know this a single every time they request about sites to visit in Kosovo.
I are already to Kosovo 2 times up to now, and I am able to tell you which the country has a good deal to provide visitors who are more adventurous and curious.
This is certainly my little cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It will assist you to make your mind up what to do in Kosovo.
Is Kosovo Protected?
It's once more a Of course.
It absolutely was a sense of total security which i expert all the time.
Whilst there have been tensions in Kosovo not far too long ago, and there are still tensions there, visitors traveling to Kosovo don't have anything to be concerned about.
I traveled on your own and did not expertise any uncomfortable conditions. I do not know every other vacationers who knowledgeable any troubles in Kosovo.
All people was so welcoming and prepared to assistance even when they did not have the time. I was in Prizren and Pristina during the night (generally in central but nonetheless) rather than just one man or woman bothered me.
Resulting from The actual condition in Kosovo, there are plenty of overseas forces that glance once the place.
It can be done to check out troopers marching up and down Pristina's key boulevard. On the other hand, there isn't a explanation to be troubled. They merely wish to appear fantastic and act like they are on the runway.
You'll be fine, identical to in all places else. Use your typical perception And do not do anything at all you wouldn't in your house. Kosovo is rather Protected
What can you see in Kosovo
Even though Kosovo isn’t the most wonderful region within the Balkans, it does have its times.
Although the towns will not be one of the most beautiful, chances are high you are going to drop in love with its cafes and vibe, landscape, persons, and beautiful landscapes. Kosovo has a great deal to provide vacationers!
Here are my prime picks for locations to discover in Kosovo
Prizren
The second most significant metropolis in Kosovo, and also the Outdated Town is a shocking gem. Prizren is the location to go in Kosovo if you want to see all of it.
You may have seen the Image on the aged stone bridge, mosque and lush mountains while in the history. That's Prizren! It can be much more attractive in genuine daily life!
The Aged Town bustles with a lot of cafes and places to eat.
Shadervan, the key sq., appears to always be entire of folks just hanging out and doing their organization.
Kaljaja, the fortress with One of the more beautiful sights in Kosovo, is the main attraction of Prizren.
It really is a short hike from the Previous Town to reach the top rated, and you will easily invest your total working day there. Kaljaja is a wonderful location to generally be in Prizren, together with Shadervan.
It is claimed to generally be probably the most gorgeous at sunset. I want I could confirm this, but as I used to be about climbing up there, a thunderstorm handed in excess of Prizren...
I actually hope being again in Prizren for Dokufest, a environment-famous International Documentary and Limited Movie Pageant.
But I also desire to check out the town and are in its backstreets, the place abandoned properties are my residence. Prizren is much more than just postcards!
Pristina
It's Probably the most stunning capitals in Europe, but It is additionally one among my favorites!
Pristina incorporates a lively, great, chic and cosmopolitan vibe.
You'll find very few monuments there. (Except you take a look at the Countrywide Library of Kosovo, which is considered the most outstanding brutalist creating I have at any time seen and the one which motivated my really like of this variety of architecture. But Pristina causes it to be look so incredible.
This town incorporates a means of holding you shut and refusing to Allow go.
My Tale with Pristina was similar to my appreciate affair with Yerevan and Armenia. Soon after my initial visit, I used to be significantly less interested in town. It was all right but it surely did not blow my intellect.
But, I started to consider Pristina additional usually and dreamed of returning to it to learn more. Which was just what I did.
I used 4 times in Pristina. It is the town which can be "done in 2 several hours" and I'd return in a heartbeat!
My days were being loaded by a number of my most loved cafes, brutalist architecture, delightful food, warm evenings, and incredible men and women.
Kosovska Mitrovica
This is the most challenging put in Kosovo that I have at any time desired to see.
The town is split into two elements: the Southern (Albanian), and Northern (Serbian), with tensions concerning them.
Despite the fact that I admit that I was slightly anxious about checking out Mitrovica, I shortly realized there was nothing at all to be scared of and my mind was just enjoying methods.
I'm fascinated from the divided metropolis, and Mitrovica was a fantastic place to go to.
Everything adjustments when you finally cross the (blocked, protected by Worldwide forces much like the Italian Carabinieri bridge). The alphabet, forex, license plates, sites of worship, as well as the currency. Even persons glimpse various.
Though I could not choose which facet I favored, Northern had one of several Spomeniks when Southern experienced a fantastic cafe with umbrellas.
Politics aside, Mitrovica is a superb day trip from Pristina. It's also a must-see when checking out Kosovo!
Peja/Pec
This is a getaway to Rugova Canyon, Prokletije Mountains, and the home of Patriarchate Of Pec - UNESCO Entire world Heritage Internet site.
It absolutely was a comfortable town, with the best coffee in Kosovo for 2EUR. There is great street art, first rate bazaar and great 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 at all the most well-liked of each of the sites in Kosovo.
Peja is a wonderful possibility if you're keen on mountains!
Gjakova
My most important surprise in Kosovo! Gjakova was severely broken in the war, but it is currently blooming all over again immediately after new renovations!
The Grand Bazaar is a singular place with numerous craft workshops and cafes. It is the most important and oldest bazaar in Kosovo.
It can be lined with cafes and decorated with art installations by MimozaRraci. It seems to be wonderful. It really is Probably the most beautiful parts I've noticed for cafes.
Gjakova is much more than simply that. The complete town as well as encompassing mountains are a gorgeous place to go to, making it an awesome working day trip from Pristina/Prizren.
Kosovo Tourism - Simple 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 perhaps 2016). Or it is possible to travel to Skopje or Macedonia to go ahead and take bus to Kosovo. It is really easy!
The journey from Skopje to Pristina requires just about two hours. Buses depart a lot less regularly than each hour. For your a single-way ticket, I compensated 5EUR in November 2014 and May 2016.
Kosovo: Dollars
The currency of Kosovo would be the Euro.
To economize on journey, my number 1 tip is to work with Revolut Bank Card.
The card is shipped by mail in a issue of times. You should use it any place in the world. The card can be topped up inside the application from your cellphone. You may have accounts in many currencies and exchange income concerning them at no cost and at quite interesting prices. It really is Tremendous very simple and quick to use the app to control your accounts.
Revolut accepts around 140 currencies, and enables you to withdraw from any ATM any where in the world. Revolut card is wonderful! I've applied it in twelve distinctive countries on 3 continents in the very first six months and had no troubles. The Trade premiums ended up pretty aggressive and I had been ready to save a lot of money!
Click Here to Learn More Concerning 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 many buses that operate concerning towns. When they may not be the top, They can be low cost adequate to obtain you through the two-hour journey.
Bus stations will let you come across the appropriate bus, as Just about every desired destination has its have System. If it is not created someplace persons will position you in the proper direction prior to deciding to question!
Remember, nonetheless, that the final bus may well depart at 6 o'clock each morning.
They're the ticket costs for May perhaps 2016: Prizren–Gjakova 2,50EUR. Gjakova–Peja 2,50EUR. Peja–Prizren 4EUR. Prizren–Pristina 3EUR. Pristina–Mitrovica 2EUR.
Remain in Kosovo
I stayed for 2 evenings in Prizren (from there I did an excursion to Gjakova, Peja after which you can I had been back again in Pristina for three evening (having a vacation to Mitrovica).
You can even choose to remain in Pristina and consider working day journeys. The state is tiny, get more info and only two hrs travel from Every single interesting site.
I stayed within a hostel in Pristina, which I failed to advise. Below are a few other options!
You could e-book your lodge in Prizren should you have an interest in keeping there (the a person I stayed at isn't any extra obtainable).
Vacation insurance coverage
I do not vacation with out insurance plan because you never ever know what could take place and it is healthier to become Safe and sound than sorry ( I've discovered my lesson).
I like to recommend SafetyWing, which features the insurance coverage that is definitely specifically made for vacationers such as you and me.