Kosovo Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Capital: Pristina
Calling code: +383
Drive on the: right

Overview

Prizren's Ottoman old town, the Orthodox monasteries of Peja, Dečani and Gračanica, the Rugova mountains and Pristina's café life: a small, mountainous Balkan land that is still new to tourists.

Kosovo is a small, largely mountainous land in the Balkans, between Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Its draws are its religious and archaeological heritage, its nature, hiking and skiing. Ottoman mosques and bazaars stand beside medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries, four of which form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most people are ethnic Albanians, and Albanian and Serbian are both official languages.

Prizren, with its Ottoman architecture and festivals, is seen as the historical and cultural capital, while Pristina, the capital, is known for its coffee culture. Peja is the gateway to the Rugova mountains, and Rahovec is wine country. Tourism is still young, prices are low and visitors are warmly welcomed. The currency is the euro.

Prizren: The historical and cultural capital, with Ottoman architecture and festivals.
Medieval monasteries: Dečani, Gračanica, the Patriarchate of Peć and Our Lady of Ljeviš, listed by UNESCO.
Rugova: Mountains and a steep gorge north-west of Peja.
Gjakova: An old bazaar from the 17th century.
Rahovec: Vineyards and wine-making in the south-west.
Pristina: The capital, with busy cafés.

Places to visit

City
Mountain
Historic site
Area

Cities

Pristina: The capital, known for its cafés.
Prizren: The historical and cultural capital, with buildings from many periods and many festivals.
Peja: Home of a UNESCO-listed monastery, surrounded by mountains.
Gjakova: A town with an old bazaar and a 15th-century mosque.
Klina: The town near the Mirusha Waterfalls.
Junik: Known for its traditional stone tower houses (kulla).
Gjilan: A town in the south-east.
Mitrovica: A divided city in the north. Canada advises against non-essential travel to the north (Leposavić, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Zvečan); the FCDO warns that protests there can start with little warning.

Beyond the cities

Rugova Mountains (mountain): A gorge with very steep walls north-west of Peja; keep to main roads and marked paths.
Gračanica (site): A 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery near Pristina, famous for its frescoes.
Rahovec (area): A rural area of vineyards and wine-making.
Brezovica (mountain): A ski centre with old infrastructure and good slopes.
Novo Brdo (site): Remains of a large medieval fortress on an extinct volcano.

Things to do

See

Prizren old town Prizren: Ottoman architecture and Our Lady of Ljeviš, part of the UNESCO site.
Patriarchate of Peć Peja: A monastery 2 km from the centre, with many fine wall paintings.
Dečani Monastery: A 13th-century monastery in the west, known for its medieval frescoes.
Gračanica Monastery Gračanica: A 14th-century Serbo-Byzantine church with frescoes.
Mirusha Waterfalls Klina: A chain of waterfalls among rock walls, with a natural pool.

Do

Hiking: The Sharr, Pashtrik and Accursed Mountains, and trails such as the Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans.
Skiing Brezovica: Good slopes on old infrastructure.

Eat

Burek and fli: Filled pastries, and fli, a layered Albanian pastry.

Drink

Wine and raki Rahovec: Local wine, and fruit brandy made from grapes, plums, pears or quince.

Shop

Grand Bazaar Gjakova: An old market quarter from the 17th century.

Tours and tickets in Kosovo PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Pristina, Prizren and Peja in 6 days (6 days)

Pristina (2 nights): The capital and its cafés; Gračanica is nearby.
Prizren (2 nights): The Ottoman old town.
Peja (2 nights): The Patriarchate of Peć and the Rugova gorge.

Western Kosovo in 4 days (4 days)

Gjakova (2 nights): The Grand Bazaar.
Rahovec (1 night): Vineyards and wine.
Prizren (1 night): End in the old town.

Getting around

Main airports	PRN

Buses are the best way between towns: cheap and comfortable, with the fare usually paid on board; minivans leave when full. Two trains a day run from Pristina to Peja. Use registered taxis, marked with a company name and phone number; they are metered or have fixed prices, and are usually ordered by phone. International ride-hailing apps are not available.

Driving: roads range from fair to poor, especially in the country and after bad weather, and local driving needs attention. Green card insurance is not valid: buy local insurance at the border, in euros. From November to March winter tyres are compulsory, and snow chains are needed in the mountains. Many Serbian car-hire firms do not allow their cars into Kosovo.

Flying to Kosovo? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flights

Where to stay

Hostels and apartments: Cheap and easy to find in Pristina, Prizren, Peja and Gjakova.
Guesthouses: Found throughout the country, an inexpensive choice.
Hotels: Mostly two- and three-star; Pristina has a few five-star hotels.

Hotels can be expensive compared with hostels and apartments. Canada notes that visitors must register their presence: hotels and other commercial lodgings usually do it for you, otherwise go to the nearest police station on arrival.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Burek: Baked pastry filled with cheese, meat or spinach.
Fli: A layered Albanian pastry served in traditional restaurants.
Fried trout: Kept fresh in pools at village restaurants near the cities.
Kebabs: Ottoman-style grilled meat.

Drinks

Ayran: Drinkable yoghurt, often with pastries.
Peja beer: The local beer, found all over Kosovo.
Raki: Strong fruit brandy.
Boza: A fermented malt drink of maize and wheat.

Tipping	Not expected from locals, but welcome from visitors; more usual in upmarket places. Round taxi fares up to the nearest euro or half euro.

The best meals are often in village restaurants near the big cities and in agritourism farms. Bread from the bakery costs under €1. Attitudes to alcohol are relaxed.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	Valid for the length of your stay (and undamaged)

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	90-day entry stamp, renewable for longer stays.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	Up to 90 days in any 180-day period; register your presence.
EU / EEA	Visa free	90 days	No visa needed; register with the police for stays over 90 days.
Australia	Visa free	90 days	No visa needed; register with the police for stays over 90 days.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

Official entry requirements

UK, Canadian, EU and Australian visitors need no visa for up to 90 days. Officials may ask for the reason of your visit or proof of funds. For longer stays you need a residence permit.

If you plan to continue to Serbia, read the official advice first: you are likely to be refused entry to Serbia from Kosovo without a Serbian entry stamp, so take a route through a third country. Rules depend on your passport: check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Euro (EUR)
Cards	Limited

Kosovo uses the euro. Canada describes the economy as largely cash-based, with cards accepted in some larger places, while Wikivoyage finds cards widely accepted: carry cash anyway. ATMs are found in towns; the FCDO advises using machines inside banks. In Serbian-majority municipalities prices are in Serbian dinars, though euros are generally accepted.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies: ask a doctor, for people at higher risk
Malaria	None
Tap water	Safe

Public hospitals are poorly funded and short of medicines, and treatment must be paid in cash; private clinics are better and fairly affordable. Have good insurance. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is present, mostly around Malisheva and in summer in other rural areas too, and West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes: protect yourself from ticks and insects. Air pollution can be high, especially in Pristina. Wikivoyage says tap water in the cities is safe to drink. Ambulance: 94 from a landline, 194 from a mobile.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (2026-10-20)
Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)

Canada advises against non-essential travel to the north (Leposavić, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Zvečan); the FCDO warns that protests there can start with little warning. Stay away from demonstrations and large crowds, including the occasional protests in Pristina.

Landmines and unexploded bombs remain in some remote areas, mainly along the border with Albania, in the Dulje Pass and in the mountains between Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro: keep to main roads and marked paths, and report anything suspicious. Pickpockets work at the airport and on public transport; use pre-booked taxis. Watch for potholes and missing manhole covers. Earth tremors are common, and wildfires are possible from April to October. Carry your passport.

Customs and etiquette

Kosovo is a secular state: most Albanians are Muslim by heritage, many do not practise, and there is a Catholic minority, while Serbs are mostly Orthodox. Islamic and Orthodox sites often stand side by side. Road signs are in Albanian and Serbian. Do not photograph military or police sites, staff or vehicles. Society is conservative about same-sex couples, and public displays of affection are less common than in western Europe.

Language

Official languages	Albanian, Serbian
English	Common

Hello	Tungjatjeta toon-jah-TYEH-tah
Please	Ju lutem yoo LOO-tehm
Thank you	Faleminderit fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet
Yes / No	Po / Jo poh / yoh
Excuse me	Më falni mah FAHL-nee
Goodbye	Mirupafshim mee-roo-PAHF-sheem
Do you speak English?	A flisni Anglisht? ah FLEES-nee ahn-GLEESHT

What to pack

Passport: Carry it for identification.
Cash in euros: Much of the economy runs on cash, and car insurance at the border is paid in euros.
Insect and tick repellent: Ticks and mosquitoes carry diseases.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Pristina
Population	1,586,659 (2024)
Area	10,909 km²
Calling code	+383
Driving side	right

Staying connected

SIM and eSIM	A local SIM costs about €3 from Vala or Ipko; you need your passport to register. Some Balkan SIM cards roam free in Kosovo.
Wi-Fi	Most bars, cafés and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.

Staying connected in Kosovo PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Emergency numbers

Police	192
Ambulance	194
Fire	193

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Kosovo?

Not for up to 90 days with a UK, Canadian, EU or Australian passport. Check the official link before you book.

Can I go from Kosovo to Serbia?

Only if you entered Serbia first through another border or airport; otherwise you are likely to be refused. Take a route through a third country.

What currency is used?

The euro; in Serbian-majority municipalities prices are in dinars.

Is northern Kosovo safe to visit?

Canada advises against non-essential travel to the north (Leposavić, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Zvečan); the FCDO warns that protests there can start with little warning.

Can I drink the tap water?

In the cities, yes, according to Wikivoyage.

How do I get around?

By bus between towns, by registered taxi in cities; two trains a day link Pristina and Peja.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Kosovo