As well as Moldova, Kosovo is likely being the the very least visited and identified place in Europe.
The Balkans are attaining recognition and attracting 1000s of travelers each and every month. But Kosovo tourism is barely starting to prosper.
Numerous are still unaware in the existence of Kosovo, the youngest region in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Just one vacationer attraction is there, and it isn't amid Balkan highlights. This just one is Prizren. Most tourists will likely not know this a person when they inquire about areas to visit in Kosovo.
I have already been to Kosovo 2 times thus far, and I am able to inform you the region has a good deal to supply website visitors who tend to be more adventurous and curious.
This is certainly 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 get started with the fundamentals.
You could be pondering whether it is worthy of browsing Kosovo once the nearby nations around the world are so wonderful and appealing (I am checking out Albania and Montenegro), Croatia, Bosnia), but my reply is simple: Indeed.
Kosovo tourism isn't yet perfectly-regarded. It's only visited by a handful of those who are not afraid to venture into not known territory.
It is an extremely appealing put to go to, as every little thing feels real rather than created for vacationers. Kosovo's forex is Euro. But that does not suggest it is expensive!
My favored locations in Kosovo: Exactly what are you seeking?
Together with Moldova, Kosovo is probably going to become the the very least visited and identified state in Europe.
The Balkans are getting popularity and attracting Countless vacationers on a monthly basis. But Kosovo tourism is just starting to flourish.
Quite a few are still unaware of the existence of Kosovo, the youngest region in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Just one tourist attraction is there, and it's actually not amongst Balkan highlights. This just one is Prizren. Most travelers will not likely know this 1 if they inquire about areas to go to in Kosovo.
I happen to be to Kosovo two times to this point, and I can inform you which the country has quite a bit to provide site visitors who tend to be more adventurous and curious.
This can be my very little cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It will help you make a decision how to proceed in Kosovo.
Is Kosovo safe?
It really is yet again a Certainly.
It was a feeling of full safety that I knowledgeable constantly.
Though there were tensions in Kosovo not as well long ago, and there are still tensions there, travellers visiting Kosovo have nothing to become worried about.
I traveled by itself and didn't experience any awkward scenarios. I don't know some other vacationers who expert any complications in Kosovo.
Everyone was so helpful and ready 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 still) and never a single particular person bothered me.
Due to the particular situation in Kosovo, there are lots of foreign forces that appear after the country.
It can be done to check out troopers marching up and down Pristina's key boulevard. On the other hand, there isn't any reason to be anxious. They simply just would like to seem excellent and act like They may be on a runway.
You'll be fine, identical to everywhere you go else. Make use of your prevalent feeling and don't do something You would not at your house. Kosovo is incredibly Protected
What can the thing is in Kosovo
While Kosovo isn’t one of the most stunning country within the Balkans, it does have its times.
Although the towns will not be probably the most breathtaking, likelihood is you will tumble in enjoy with its cafes and vibe, landscape, individuals, and delightful scenery. Kosovo has a great deal to provide vacationers!
Here are my top rated picks for locations to check out in Kosovo
Prizren
The next major metropolis in Kosovo, and the Outdated City is a shocking gem. Prizren may be the destination to go in Kosovo in order to see everything.
You could have found the Photograph with the old stone bridge, mosque and lush mountains from the history. That is Prizren! It is really all the more wonderful in genuine lifetime!
The Old Town bustles with quite a few cafes and restaurants.
Shadervan, the principle sq., seems to often be comprehensive of people just hanging out and undertaking their business enterprise.
Kaljaja, the fortress with Just about the most stunning views in Kosovo, is the principle attraction of Prizren.
It can be a short hike through the Aged Town to reach the best, and you'll easily invest your total working day there. Kaljaja is an excellent place to get in Prizren, coupled with Shadervan.
It is said to become one of the most attractive at sunset. I would like I could validate this, but as I had been about mountaineering up there, a thunderstorm handed around Prizren...
I really hope to get back again in Prizren for Dokufest, a earth-famed Intercontinental Documentary and Brief Film Festival.
But I also wish to discover the city and live in its backstreets, exactly where abandoned houses are my house. Prizren is much more than just postcards!
Pristina
It really is Just about the most attractive capitals in Europe, but It's also among my favorites!
Pristina includes a vibrant, awesome, chic and cosmopolitan vibe.
You will find hardly any monuments there. (Except you look at the Countrywide Library of Kosovo, which is easily the most unbelievable brutalist constructing I have ever noticed and the one which influenced my really like of this sort of architecture. But Pristina can make it seem to be so remarkable.
This city features a way of Keeping you close up and refusing to let go.
My Tale with Pristina was much like my love affair with Yerevan and Armenia. Just after my initially pay a visit to, I was a lot less enthusiastic about the city. It absolutely was all right nonetheless it didn't blow my head.
But, I began to think about Pristina more commonly and dreamed of returning to it to learn more. Which was just what I did.
I spent four days in Pristina. It's the city that could be "performed in 2 several hours" and I'd return inside of a heartbeat!
My days were being stuffed by many of my favourite cafes, brutalist architecture, delicious foodstuff, warm evenings, and outstanding people.
Kosovska Mitrovica
This is considered the most difficult area in Kosovo that I have at any time wanted to see.
Town is divided into two areas: the Southern (Albanian), and Northern (Serbian), with tensions between them.
Despite the fact that I acknowledge that I was somewhat anxious about going to Mitrovica, I shortly understood there was nothing at all to be scared of and my mind was just actively playing tricks.
I am fascinated with the divided town, and Mitrovica was an incredible area to go to.
Every thing alterations as you cross the (blocked, protected by Worldwide forces similar to the Italian Carabinieri bridge). The alphabet, forex, license plates, locations of worship, and also the forex. Even individuals search unique.
Even though I couldn't choose which aspect I most well-liked, Northern experienced one of the Spomeniks whilst Southern had a great cafe with umbrellas.
Politics apart, Mitrovica is a fantastic working day vacation from Pristina. It is also a necessity-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 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 good destination to rest, It is far from the preferred of many of the sites in Kosovo.
Peja is a wonderful possibility if you're keen on mountains!
Gjakova
My most important shock in Kosovo! Gjakova was severely broken within the war, but it is now blooming again just after current renovations!
The Grand Bazaar is a unique locale with lots of craft workshops and cafes. It can be the biggest and oldest bazaar in Kosovo.
It really is lined with cafes and decorated with art installations by MimozaRraci. It appears to be awesome. It can be The most gorgeous areas I have witnessed for cafes.
Gjakova is a lot more than just that. All the town and also the surrounding mountains are a wonderful put to visit, making it an incredible day vacation from Pristina/Prizren.
Kosovo Tourism - Realistic Details
How can I get to Kosovo?
There are lots of small-Value flights towards the Balkans. You could fly direct from Germany, France or Hungary to Pristina (I flew from Berlin to Pristina for sixty EUR/return in May possibly 2016). Or you are able to vacation 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 fewer regularly than every hour. For the one-way ticket, I paid out 5EUR in November 2014 and could 2016.
Kosovo: Funds
The forex of Kosovo will be the Euro.
To economize on travel, my primary idea is to make use of Revolut Lender Card.
The card is shipped by mail within a make any difference of days. You need to use it anywhere on this planet. The cardboard can be topped up while in the application from your cellphone. You might have accounts in various currencies and exchange income concerning them free of charge and at incredibly attractive charges. It truly is super straightforward and speedy to utilize the app to manage your accounts.
Revolut accepts in excess of a hundred and forty currencies, and helps you to withdraw from any ATM anyplace on earth. Revolut card has been fantastic! I've used it in 12 various nations on three continents in the 1st 6 months and experienced no complications. The Trade charges ended up pretty aggressive and I had been able to save a lot of money!
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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 to get 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 leave at six o'clock in the morning.
These are the ticket selling prices 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 journey to Mitrovica).
You may as well here opt to stay in Pristina and choose day trips. The region is little, and only two hours push from Every single fascinating locale.
I stayed within a hostel in Pristina, which I failed to advise. Here are some other available choices!
You can ebook your hotel in Prizren in case you are interested in remaining there (the a person I stayed at isn't any additional obtainable).
Vacation insurance coverage
I do not vacation without having coverage since you under no circumstances know what could come about and it is healthier to become Safe and sound than sorry ( I have acquired my lesson).
I recommend SafetyWing, which delivers the coverage that's exclusively suitable for travelers like you and me.