What to Do in Pristina: The Capital City of Kosovo
Did you know that the capital of Kosovo was once rated the ugliest city in the world? You may be wondering why we went, but it was to prove them wrong! We're here to tell you what to do in Pristina and around it, so that you can have a new appreciation for Kosovo's capital city.
While the city itself doesn't have a ton to do, we definitely suggest spending a night to experience the culture and cuisine of Kosovo.
In this guide we're going to share our favorite spots in and outside of the city, as well as what to do in Pristina for the perfect 24 hours. Come see why we're happy we went to Pristina, and why it's worth a visit.
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📍 Where is Pristina in Kosovo?
Pristina is the capital of Kosovo, and is located in the north east of the country. Kosovo is a tiny country that is situated in the Balkan region of South Eastern Europe.
Located inland, it is surrounded by different countries on all sides. Montenegro borders Kosovo to its north west, Albania to the south west, Macedonia to the south, and Serbia to the north and to the east,
How to Get to Pristina, Kosovo
Pristina can be a tricky capital city to get to, and that's due to the previous war in Kosovo. While Kosovo is in fact its own country, it still isn't recognized by Serbia as its own, complicating the border situation (which we'll explain further in a moment).
✈️ Traveling to Pristina by Flight
The easiest way to get to Pristina is definitely via air. While it doesn't have the biggest airport in the world, you can find quite a few other European cities that fly direct to Kosovo's capital.
These include Basel, Berlin, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Istanbul, Ljubljana, Malmo, Munich, Munster-Osnabruck, Nuremburg, Oslo, Stuttgart, and Zurich.
The Pristina airport is located 18 km outside the city, and is 30 minutes away by car, or 40 by bus. There are taxis that are right outside of the airport that can take you for around 20 euros, or you can take the A1 bus for just 3 euros.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates to fly to Pristina.
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🚗 Traveling to Pristina by Land
Being that Kosovo is landlocked, and in the middle of a ton of other beautiful countries, it is actually pretty popular to visit here via the land borders. However, you can't cross from just any land border to get to Pristina (unless you are a local).
The largest border that Kosovo has with another country is Serbia, and foreigners cannot cross this border since it is not 100% official.
The land borders that can be crossed by tourists are from Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. We drove our rental car from Skopje, and found this the easiest way to visit the city of Pristina. If you'd like to take a bus, there are a few cities that connect to Pristina including Tirana, Podgorica, and Sofia.
Entry Requirements for Kosovo
Now that you know where Pristina is located and how to get there, it's important to know the requirements for entering the country.
🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for Kosovo
Due to where Kosovo is located, and the war in Kosovo a few decades ago, you already know that visiting Kosovo from Serbia can get complicated. However, visiting via another surrounding country is pretty easy.
Kosovo grants visa-free access for up to 90 days to all nationalities in Europe (including the UK), the USA, Australia, and plenty of other nationalities. If you're not sure whether or not you need a visa, ensure to check the official website of foreign affairs in Kosovo, or to contact your local embassy.
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Local Adjustments for Pristina
Whenever traveling to a new destination, there will be certain things that differ from home, such as the language, currency, or electrical outlets used. Here are a few of the "local adjustments" to keep in mind while traveling to Pristina, Kosovo.
🗣 What Language is Spoken in Pristina?
The official language in Pristina is Albanian, which is classified as an Indo-European language. 92% of people living in the country of Kosovo are actually of Albanian decent, while only 6% of the population are Serbian and speak Serbian.
💶 Currency in Kosovo
The currency used in Kosovo is the euro (the same as the neighboring country, Albania). The center of Pristina has plenty of places that accept credit card.
However, if you are visiting smaller restaurants or staying in cheaper accommodation, there is a big chance that you'll need to pay in cash. Always make sure to have euros on you in case the place doesn't not accept credit card.
🔌 What Plugs are Used in Kosovo?
The outlets in Pristina, Kosovo support the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which is primarily plug type F. The standard voltage in Pristina is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
If you are from the Americas, you'll definitely want to purchase a travel adapter that converts the energy as well, this way you won't burn out your electronics.
🚰 Can I Drink the Water in Pristina, Kosovo?
The tap water in Pristina is perfectly safe to drink, so you'll have no issues drinking from the tap. We suggest carrying a refillable water bottle with you to stay hydrated.
💸 Is Tipping Customary in Kosovo?
The tipping culture in Kosovo can be a bit confusing, as many websites claim that tipping is not common or necessary.
However, many locals from Pristina told us it is very much appreciated and it definitely seemed expected in nicer establishments. We personally suggest leaving 10% as a tip (in cash) if you feel that you received good service while eating out.
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What to Do in Pristina, Kosovo
Now that you know the basics of visiting, here is a list of what to do in Pristina, Kosovo during your trip.
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🚶🏻♀️ What to Do in Pristina #1: Stroll Around the Downtown Area
We aren't going to lie to you- Pristina definitely isn't the most exciting city in the world. However, what we did enjoy were the restaurants and bars in the center, and the atmosphere is the downtown area in general.
Before you go out in the evening, take a moment to walk around the center where you can find plenty of shopping, restaurants, and bars.
📚 What to Do in Pristina #2: Visit the Library
If you're looking for what to do in Pristina that sets it apart, it's this. Remember we mentioned that Pristina was rated the ugliest city in the world? Well, it's because of this building.
You may be wondering-but why would I want to visit a hideous building? Well, it truly is a sight for sore eyes, but it also makes it something that you'll definitely want to see. The library of Pristina has a pretty unique architecture, and is worth seeing both from afar and up close.
🍸 What to Do in Pristina #3: Enjoy the Nightlife
While the city itself isn't something to write home about, we truly enjoyed going out here! There is an incredible vibe here, and people love to party. We'll tell you about some of our favorite spots in the food & drink section of this article.
⛪️ What to Do in Pristina #4: Check Out Monastery Gracanica
Just under 15 minutes south of the center, is one of the most popular religious sites in the area. Monastery Gracanica is a Serbian Orthodox Monastery that was built upon the ruins of a 6th century Basilica.
It is open for visitation for both locals and tourists, but just make sure to be dressed appropriately while entering the grounds.
What to Do in Pristina #5: Stop by an Ancient Roman City
Right down the road from the Monastery Gracanica is another point of interest to stop by. Ulpiana was once an ancient Roman city, and now is just a small site with a few ruins remaining. Stop here for free and read the signs explaining the history of the city, take a quick stroll to appreciate the little that does still stand today.
🐻 What to Do in Pristina #6: Explore the Bear Sanctuary
Located just a little further past Monastery Gracanica and Ulpiana lies the Pristina Bear Sanctuary. Just 30 minutes from the center, you can experience 20 different bears that have been saved from circuses and restaurants that used to use bears for entertainment.
Due to the fact that they would no longer be able to survive alone in nature, they have been places at the bear sanctuary to ensure they can live their best life without being in danger.
The Bear Sanctuary is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, and there is a trail that takes you around to view the bears safely, and learn about each individual bear in the sanctuary. In addition, there is a restaurant on site, with a gift shop to take something home with you.
What to Do in Pristina #7: Take a Tour of Gadima Cave
We're all about natural beauty, and Gadima Cave was definitely a cool place to check out just outside of the capital. Make sure to get here early, as the first time we went we found them to be closed already (it was around 3 pm when we went).
The entrance is just 2 euros, and the people working there are super friendly. Another thing that we loved about this spot, is that unlike most caves, there are no tours required, and you can visit at your own pace. We spent about 20 minutes, and then ate at the restaurant right next door.
🏕 What to Do in Pristina #8: Go Glamping
Want to get out of the city? Well, Pristina is surrounded by mountains, and has some beautiful Glamping spots.
Kalaja has a small castle perched on top of a mountain, and a tiny town with a few places to choose from. Additionally, there is a great restaurant that has local food and beautiful views and is called Nuovo Monte.
Nuovo Monte has delicious food, cute puppies, a playground, and great views.
The Glamping site we chose to stay (Villa Kalaja Novoberde) had adorable A-frame cabins, with beautiful views, and even a few that has jacuzzis inside. If you're looking for a unique experience without spending a fortune, then this is a great place to do it.
🚐 What to Do in Pristina #9: Take a Day Trip
Being that Kosovo is such a small country, most of our favorite things to do in the country can be seen on a day trip. One of our favorite spots is Migusha Falls, a set of waterfalls that you can enjoy just an hour from the city.
Another one of our favorite places in Kosovo is Prizren, which is the perfect weekend getaway from Pristina. If you don't have a ton of time though, you can sign up for a tour that will take you to enjoy the city for a few hours and see the highlights.
Stay tuned for next week's travel guide about Prizren, so that you can learn all about why this is our favorite spot in Kosovo, and learn about all of the things you can do there.