There are so many wonderful things to do and places to visit in the underrated country of Kosovo! In this post, I’ll take you through my favourite places for sightseeing in Kosovo, alongside discussing if the country is safe to visit for solo travellers.
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If you’re already set on travelling to Kosovo and just want to know the best things to do, feel free to skip ahead to my Kosovo itinerary!
In November 2019, I spent four months solo backpacking The Balkans, including four days in Kosovo. It’s safe to say this small country impacted me significantly. From its rolling green countryside, the beautiful mosques (the majority of Kosovo inhabitants are Muslim) and kind locals, I only wish I had longer there.
Introducing Kosovo
Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, making it Europe’s newest country. Unfortunately, many people in Europe still only associate Kosovo with the Kosovo War, even though this occurred in the late 90s. Sadly, much of the Balkans was embroiled in conflict at some point during that decade following the breakup of Yugoslavia. This period led to a devastating loss of life and huge economic cost, which the Balkans are still coming back from today. However, this does not mean Kosovo is less safe or interesting to visit in 2020 than countries in Western Europe.
IS KOSOVO SAFE TO VISIT?
Personally, I felt incredibly safe in Kosovo as a solo traveller and had no issues travelling here. In particular, I found the locals to be exceptionally friendly. I mean… out of this world friendly – interested in speaking to me about my solo travels and answering my questions about their country. Often I was offered free coffee after my meals. Seriously, that happened like 5 times? Is that a thing haha? It was very friendly, either way.
Bear in mind, it can be impolite to ask about political issues unless the local person brings it up first. Be friendly and patient.
You will feel safe in the major cities, such as Pristina and Prizren. If you want to explore more remote parts of Kosovo, you can always arrange a tour or guide if you feel unsure.
THE WAR ENDED 20 YEARS AGO…
There are no contentious political issues at the time of writing that will affect your safety. American and English visitors will be particularly welcome due to the part Bill Clinton and Tony Blair played in easing the tensions during the Kosovo war.
In fact, if American royalty exists anywhere, it’s Kosovo – check out the Bill Clinton statue and giant posters of his face around the capital city Pristina. ‘Tonibler’ is also now a male given name in Kosovo, thanks to the former British prime minister’s role in ending this conflict.
At the time of writing, 5 EU countries still do not recognise Kosovo as a country, including Spain. This means citizens of Kosovo are considered to have weak passports and cannot move easily across Europe or elsewhere. It helps us appreciate our passport privilege, right?
Despite the downsides of being the world’s newest country, it is a beautiful and thriving place. Put preconceptions aside and show the brilliant locals there that we are interested in discovering more about what beautiful Kosovo is like today.
UK Government Guidelines on if Kosovo is safe to travel to…
‘Most visits to Kosovo are trouble-free.’
The general advice is that tourism to Kosovo is safe. There are no known issues in the popular tourist destinations Pristina, Peja and Prizren.
The Only Parts of Kosovo you might want to avoid:
NORTH KOSOVO: ‘The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the municipalities of Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and the northern part of the city of Mitrovica.
Be cautious and avoid public gatherings, particularly around the Austerlitz Bridge area which separates Mitrovica north and south.’
CITIES DURING PROTESTS: ‘Protests have the potential to turn violent, you should take care if you see large crowds gathering during heightened political tensions in the city. (Though this largely still relates to Northern Kosovo)
People still visit these areas and enjoy their time here, including the city of Mitrovica, so don’t let this put you off. If you’re visiting these areas, check the information first with a local and plan your itinerary properly. Be particularly careful as a solo traveller when visiting Northern Kosovo.
Check current safety advice for Kosovo: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kosovo
Ah, deep breaths. Remember, many, many countries have warnings for sections of the country. It’s definitely something to bear in mind, but it’s far from an indication of danger. We hear about safety issues in Thailand, and tourists still visit in droves, so it’s a real shame if people are unfairly negatively biased towards Kosovo. There’s been no news of tourism issues here so far.
I found Kosovo safer to travel around than much of Southeast Asia, though partly as I was left alone due to blending in. Of course, this is the privilege of travelling as a white European backpacker.
As always, keep your wits about you and your belongings safe.
You still cannot enter Serbia from Kosovo
It’s possible to travel from Serbia into Kosovo and back into Serbia again.
However, you cannot enter Serbia from Kosovo if you entered Kosovo from anywhere but Serbia itself. This is because Serbia does not yet recognise Kosovo’s independence.
You’ll have no issues entering Kosovo itself from any country and there are absolutely no issues exiting Kosovo other than into Serbia.
Do you need a visa to enter Kosovo?
Many countries, such as the UK, EU and Australia, are not required to have a visa to enter Kosovo.
It is worth checking your visa requirements in advance.
Do you need travel insurance to travel to Kosovo?
Absolutely. Always travelling with insurance is in your best interest.
Solo Female Travel in Kosovo and The Balkans
I felt very safe as a solo traveller in The Balkans. I didn’t feel any different here than travelling solo in countries in Western Europe, such as Portugal. However, it is worth noting I’m a very experienced solo traveller.
It is trickier to book transport in Kosovo than, for example, the popular Southeast Asia route (Thailand, Vietnam etc) and Western Europe. But… it’s still pretty simple. If you’re only travelling between Pristina, Prizren and Peja (and also Gjokova), you don’t have to worry about it.
Despite the small challenges, many people speak English and will help you if you get stuck. It’s unlikely you’ll have any trouble in Kosovo, and should expect a fun and fascinating journey.
If you’re nervous, consider travelling in a high or shoulder season. I travelled in the off-season, which meant it was trickier than usual, and I didn’t meet many other tourists. Often accommodations were eerily quiet—more info about travelling the Balkans in the off-season here.
If you are a first-time solo traveller, consider visiting Croatia or Slovenia as your entry point into The Balkans. They are typically more tourism-friendly and easier to travel around, easing you into solo travel. I was very comfortable throughout the Balkans but found Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro were more suited for tourism than Kosovo.
Check accommodation reviews beforehand for words like ‘helpful host’. Having an English-speaking host who will answer all your questions is seriously the best way to keep your mind at rest as a solo traveller.
Check out my list of safety tips if you’re a newbie solo traveller: 18 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers – solo travel series
Friendly hostels for solo travellers:
Peja – Central Hostel
Just 2 euros per night for a dorm room in the off-season and an incredibly friendly host. It also has a cafe downstairs with good coffee and a kettle outside the dorm room to make tea.
Prizren – Hostel Han
A popular and social hostel with twin rooms from only 12.50 euros, dorms from 7.6 euros. It was very chilled here in the off-season.
Prizren Fortress from below (left) and the views from Prizren Fortress
What’s the best way to get around Kosovo?
I took what seemed to be the standard route around Kosovo. This also meant I felt very safe as these buses always had other passengers, albeit locals rather than backpackers. The bus routes were incredibly easy to book tickets for – just head to the bus station beforehand or pay on the bus.
Ask your accommodation to check timetables for you as the main ticket website does not operate in English.
Buses around Kosovo only cost me 3 or 4 euros each time. Journeys took between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
The buses in Kosovo – and around The Balkans in general – are incredibly comfortable with modern designs. You can stow your luggage below.
If you’re travelling by car, of course, you can be much more flexible with your itinerary!
What are the best things to do in Kosovo?
VISIT PRISTINA
Pristina is the exciting new capital of Kosovo. As a university city, it’s full of surprisingly trendy cafes and amazing vegetarian eateries (yas!) alongside quirky sights and activities. It is a fun and friendly city to visit as a solo traveller too, and one of many unique things to do in the Western Balkans.
Things to do in Pristina include:
- Visit the Newborn Monument (left), which was unveiled in February 2008, the day Kosovo claimed independence from Serbia
- See the ‘world’s ugliest building’ (middle) – The National Library of Kosovo
- Visit the Kosovo National Art Gallery or the National Theatre of Kosovo
- spot the cat street art (right, below)
- see the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
- visit a trendy cafe such as Half&Half Cafe (left) which had the friendliest staff
- See the Bill Clinton statue
VISIT PEJA (and Rugova Mountains)
After visiting Pristina, I took the bus to Peja. I intended to visit the Rugova Mountains from here, but as it was off-season and I was feeling ill, I decided to visit the nearby monastery instead.
Popular hikes near Peja (The Rugova Valley)
- Lake Liqenat (half day)
- Hasani Peak (half day)
- Via Ferrata (the adventure option), zip-lining or rock-climbing
- Hajla Peak (7-8 hour hike)
Getting to the Lake Liqenat hike on public transport:
This is a popular hike from Peja as it’s fairly easy to access.
The only bus to the Lake Liqenat hike was at 7am from Peja Bus Station (get off at Kuqishtë, on the bus is heading towards Boge). The bus back is at 3pm. I doubted it would take me this long to do the hike so, since it was off-season, I didn’t fancy waiting alone. Not out of feeling unsafe as a solo traveller but rather due to potential boredom.
If you are taking this route, pin Kuqishtë to your google maps, so you know where to get off. It is also worth pinning ‘Te Liqini’ to your map, which is a restaurant. The hike starts from behind this restaurant.
If you’re travelling solo, check the details with your accommodation before you go.
You could also arrange a cheap taxi.
Go hiking with a guide (a nice option for solo travellers and groups alike):
You could also contact top-rated tour group bnadventure.com for a guided hike, taking the pressure of using public transport. They have many options available and appear committed to providing a great experience for their guests.
The only downside is that this costs 120-150 euros which feels very expensive when you’re on a budget but isn’t so bad if you’re a couple.
More things to do in Peja:
While in Peja itself, be sure to check out the Old Bazaar.
However, the best thing to do in Peja is to visit the Patriarchate of Peć, which you can walk to from the town centre in under 30 minutes. Alternatively, take a taxi.
This 13th-century monastery is now classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s still in use today, and you will see the nuns going about their work.
TIP: Serbian monasteries in Kosovo are still guarded. You may need to take your passport to enter, as I did when visiting the Patriarchate of Peć. If you forget your passport, you won’t be able to enter. Some travellers have noted they felt uncomfortable speaking to the police forces. Still, I personally had a very positive experience with a welcoming man and a cute dog at the entrance.
VISIT PRIZREN
Often referred to as Kosovo’s ‘cultural capital’, the centre of Prizren was bustling even in the off-season in its old town centre. Complete with cobbled streets and the stunning architecture of its old mosques, Prizren was the most beautiful of the three places I visited. (Though quirky, Pristina remains my favourite!)
Things to do in Prizren:
- Walk up to Prizren Fortress and enjoy the view (on the right)
- Visit Sinan Pasha Mosque
- Walk over the old stone bridge (left) and walk through the old town
- See Our Lady of Ljevis (a beautiful cathedral)
- Albanian League of Prizren Museum
Where else did I travel in The Balkans?
How to spend one or two days in Sarajevo
The Balkans Guide. What to know before you go.
thanks so much for the tips! I would love to go back and spend more time in Kosovo!
hey great post,
Next time in kosovo you have to lass Ferizaj and Kacanik has amazing landscapes towards macedonia border. To the left is Brezovica mountains, im still left speechless after going in 2018 and 2019. Shtima about 10kms west km Ferizaj has an underground tunnel which is 16 degrees all year round (shpella e gadimes). Theres many more to add, but i think you need 2 weeks in kosovo
This is a brilliant story Alan. Thanks so much for sharing it with me! Kosovo really is a wonderful country and I didn’t think I could rate the people there any more than I already did!
I went to Pristina for the weekend at about the same time last November, to watch the England football match against Kosovo, and stayed at a hostel in the centre for two nights. I have been watching England away for some 20 years and can confirm that this was one of the friendliest places I have ever visited. On the Sunday I went to church at the Mother Theresa Cathedral which you show in your picture.
I have a good story about how I left, which was by train to Skopje. Supposedly a train runs once a day from Pristina to Skopje at 7.10 am. The “train” consists of an old Norwegian locomotive pulling an old German coach. Although the timetable says that it goes to Skopje, in fact it only goes to the Macedonian border from where you have to take a taxi to Skopje. The train ticket cost Euros 2.30 and the taxi 10 Euros, so not expensive. The station master was late to open up and apologised for being late. At 6.45 a.m. I was the only passenger waiting, and he told me to wait in the cafe next door. I told him it did not open till 7.00 at which point he got out two bottles of vodka from a fridge in his office, one of Finlandia and one which looked home made and had what looked like wood chippings in it. He poured me half a mugful of Finlandia and himself the same of the wood chippings. I asked him how they were and he poured me half a mugful of that (very rough). So I left Pristina very happy – It’s that kind of place
thanks so much!
Definitely much less developed which I guess goes hand in hand with low cost. It’s amazing to see just how much the tourism industry is changing across the Balkans!
Prizren is very beautiful! The whole region is fascinating 🙂
thanks Em, hope the tips come in handy!
This is great – I’m planning to backpack the Balkans in the summer! Thanks!
Never thought of visiting Kosovo but it definitely looks like an amazing underrated destination! I think I would really love to explore Prizren! It looks like a city with lots of history!
It is nice to know that the travel cost there is so low. According to the pictures, the development of the country is way behind the Croatia. Maybe you are right, it is better to enter the country from Croatia. We will see Bosnia in the coming summer when we will stay in Croatia for two weeks. Balkan has been popular in the recent years in tourist industry.
it certainly is an interesting country to visit. Thanks for sharing it