In addition to Moldova, Kosovo is likely to get the the very least frequented and recognized region in Europe.
The Balkans are attaining popularity and attracting A huge number of travelers each and every month. But Kosovo tourism is barely starting to prosper.
Many are still unaware from the existence of Kosovo, the youngest region in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Only one tourist attraction is there, and it's not amongst Balkan highlights. This a single is Prizren. Most vacationers will never know this just one every time they talk to about places to visit in Kosovo.
I have been to Kosovo two times to date, and I'm able to let you know the nation has a whole lot to supply site visitors who are more adventurous and curious.
This really is my minimal cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It will help you decide how to proceed in Kosovo.
Can it be worthwhile to go to Kosovo?
It is necessary to begin with the basics.
You might be wondering if it is really worth visiting Kosovo in the event the close by nations are so gorgeous and fascinating (I am investigating Albania and Montenegro), Croatia, Bosnia), but my remedy is easy: Certainly.
Kosovo tourism will not be nevertheless effectively-known. It is just visited by a couple of people who usually are not concerned to enterprise into unidentified territory.
It is a really beautiful spot to visit, as anything feels actual and not created for travelers. Kosovo's forex is Euro. But that does not signify it is expensive!
My most loved spots in Kosovo: What are you in search of?
In addition to Moldova, Kosovo is probably going to get the least visited and identified country in Europe.
The Balkans are getting popularity and attracting Countless vacationers on a monthly basis. But Kosovo tourism is just starting to flourish.
A lot of remain unaware of your existence of Kosovo, the youngest nation in Europe. It declared independence in February 2008.
Just one tourist attraction is there, and it is not among the Balkan highlights. This a single is Prizren. Most tourists won't know this just one once they question about spots 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 a good deal to provide guests who tend to be more adventurous and curious.
This can be my very little cheat-sheet on Kosovo tourism. It will help you choose how to proceed in Kosovo.
Is Kosovo Harmless?
It is once again a Certainly.
It absolutely was a feeling of full protection that I knowledgeable constantly.
When there have been tensions in Kosovo not too long ago, and there are still tensions there, travelers traveling to Kosovo don't have anything to be worried about.
I traveled by yourself and didn't working experience any uncomfortable situations. I don't know every other vacationers who seasoned any troubles in Kosovo.
All people was so welcoming and willing to assist even after they didn't have time. I was in Prizren and Pristina during the night (largely in central but nevertheless) and never a single man or woman bothered me.
On account of The actual problem in Kosovo, there are lots of foreign forces that look once the state.
It can be done to check out troopers marching up and down Pristina's major boulevard. Even so, there is absolutely no rationale to be anxious. They only desire to seem wonderful and act like They may be on the runway.
You'll be fine, identical to everywhere else. Make use of your popular perception and don't do anything at all you wouldn't in your house. Kosovo is rather Protected
What can you see in Kosovo
Whilst Kosovo isn’t by far the most lovely nation during the Balkans, it does have its times.
Even though the cities is probably not one of the most beautiful, chances are high you may fall in appreciate with its cafes and vibe, landscape, folks, and beautiful surroundings. Kosovo has much to offer tourists!
Listed below are my major picks for spots to see in Kosovo
Prizren
The next largest metropolis in Kosovo, and also the Outdated Town is a shocking gem. Prizren is the destination to go in Kosovo in order to see everything.
You could have found the Photograph of your previous stone bridge, mosque and lush mountains during the track record. That is Prizren! It is more stunning in real existence!
The Aged Town bustles with several cafes and places to eat.
Shadervan, the primary sq., appears to usually be entire of folks just hanging out and performing their organization.
Kaljaja, the fortress with One of the more amazing sights in Kosovo, is the primary attraction of Prizren.
It truly is a brief hike within the Old Town to reach the prime, and you will effortlessly devote your total working day there. Kaljaja is an excellent spot for being in Prizren, in conjunction with Shadervan.
It is alleged to generally be probably the most stunning at sunset. I want I could confirm this, but as I used to be about climbing up there, a thunderstorm passed in excess of Prizren...
I really hope to generally be again in Prizren for Dokufest, a world-well-known International Documentary and Brief Film Festival.
But I also wish to discover the city and live in its backstreets, in which abandoned houses are my house. Prizren is much more than just postcards!
Pristina
It really is The most gorgeous capitals in Europe, but Additionally it is among my favorites!
Pristina includes a vibrant, awesome, stylish and cosmopolitan vibe.
You will see hardly any monuments there. (Until you mention the Nationwide Library of Kosovo, which is considered the most outstanding brutalist creating I have at any time viewed along with the one that inspired my like of the kind of architecture. But Pristina makes it seem so astounding.
This metropolis provides a means of holding you shut and refusing to Permit go.
My story with Pristina was comparable to my enjoy affair with Yerevan and Armenia. Following my first take a look at, I used to be less serious about the town. It was ok but it surely didn't blow my intellect.
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 four times in Pristina. It's the metropolis that can be "accomplished 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 position in Kosovo that I have at any time wanted to see.
The town is split into two components: the Southern (Albanian), and Northern (Serbian), with tensions involving them.
Although I confess which i was a little nervous about viewing Mitrovica, I quickly recognized there was nothing to be afraid of and my brain was just taking part in methods.
I'm fascinated from the divided metropolis, and Mitrovica was a fantastic place to visit.
Almost everything changes after you cross the (blocked, secured by Intercontinental forces like the Italian Carabinieri bridge). The alphabet, currency, license plates, spots of worship, and in many cases the forex. Even individuals glance different.
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 great working day journey from Pristina. It is also a necessity-see when viewing Kosovo!
Peja/Pec
It's really a getaway to Rugova Canyon, Prokletije Mountains, and the home of Patriarchate Of Pec - UNESCO World Heritage Website.
It was a calm metropolis, with the most effective coffee in Kosovo for 2EUR. There exists fantastic Road artwork, decent bazaar and fantastic street art. 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 many 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 destroyed while in the war, but it's now blooming once more following current renovations!
The Grand Bazaar is a unique locale with quite a few craft workshops and cafes. It can be the biggest and oldest bazaar in Kosovo.
It's lined with cafes and decorated with art installations by MimozaRraci. It appears to be awesome. It truly is Just about the most stunning areas I have found for cafes.
Gjakova is a great deal more than just that. The entire city along with the surrounding mountains are a wonderful area to get more info visit, rendering it a terrific day vacation from Pristina/Prizren.
Kosovo Tourism - Functional Info
How can I get to Kosovo?
There are many very low-Expense flights to the Balkans. You are 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 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 save money on journey, my number 1 tip is to work with Revolut Bank Card.
The card is distributed by mail in a issue of times. You should use it any place on the planet. The cardboard is usually topped up inside the application from a telephone. You may have accounts in many currencies and exchange dollars in between them totally free and at pretty appealing costs. It can be Tremendous easy and swift to utilize the application to manage your accounts.
Revolut accepts more than one hundred forty currencies, and means that you can withdraw from any ATM any where on the planet. Revolut card is good! I've made use of it in twelve different international locations on three continents in the main 6 months and experienced no problems. The exchange prices had been really competitive and I used to be capable to help save lots of money!
Click this link To find out more With regards to the Company and Get Your Revolut Card!
General public transportation in Kosovo
I used to be pleasantly amazed by the superb community transportation process in Kosovo.
There are plenty of buses that operate involving metropolitan areas. When they may not be the ideal, These are low cost ample to acquire you throughout the 2-hour journey.
Bus stations will help you find the ideal bus, as Each individual place has its possess platform. If it isn't penned someplace folks will stage you in the best path before you talk to!
Consider, even so, that the last bus may perhaps depart at 6 o'clock each morning.
These are generally the ticket rates for May 2016: Prizren–Gjakova two,50EUR. Gjakova–Peja 2,50EUR. Peja–Prizren 4EUR. Prizren–Pristina 3EUR. Pristina–Mitrovica 2EUR.
Remain in Kosovo
I stayed for 2 nights in Prizren (from there I did an tour to Gjakova, Peja and after that I had been back again in Pristina for 3 evening (having a vacation to Mitrovica).
You can even choose to remain in Pristina and just take day outings. The nation is compact, and only 2 several hours generate from each appealing area.
I stayed inside of a hostel in Pristina, which I did not recommend. Here are several other options!
It is possible to book your resort in Prizren if you are interested in being there (the a single I stayed at is not any much more readily available).
Travel insurance plan
I don't journey without the need of insurance plan because you never ever know very well what could take place and it is healthier to be Protected than sorry ( I've learned my lesson).
I recommend SafetyWing, which presents the insurance which is specially designed for travelers like you and me.