9 Things You Miss When You Move Away From Kosovo

Kosovo is one of those places that is often overlooked by visitors, but once discovered is impossible to not fall in love with. There are many things that everyone misses after moving away from the youngest country in Europe, such as the fantastic food, the vibrant culture, the beautiful natural landscapes and, most of all, the Kosovar people. Let’s discover them together.

The people

The thing that everyone misses the most when moving away from Kosovo is the people: Kosovars are among the most hospitable and polite people in the world. If someone is in trouble or needs help, locals are always happy to help and solve the problem. Today, Kosovo is a safe country, so don’t hesitate to ask Kosovars for help if you need it.

The incredible nature

Gurit Bridge in the Rugova Valley, one of the most beautiful natural destinations to visit in Kosovo

The food

It’s impossible to resist Kosovar food: it is amazing. Restaurants, cafés and bars serve great dishes prepared using the freshest seasonal products from local markets. To taste excellent vegetarian food, head to Babaghanoush in Pristina, one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the Balkans. For meat options, the best choice is Liburnia, a traditional Kosovar restaurant situated near Pristina’s Old Town.

Kosovar gastronomy is made with the freshest seasonal products

The quirky architecture

Kosovo is home to some of the quirkiest works of architecture in the world. The National Library of Kosovo, situated in Pristina, is one of the most interesting Brutalist pieces of architecture in Europe. The immense building is made with iron and has 99 glass domes. Make sure to venture inside to admire the domes from a different perspective.

The National Library of Pristina is one of the quirkiest buildings in the world

The Old Town of Pristina

Pristina might not be the prettiest town in the Balkans, but it has its charm. The most interesting area in the capital is the vibrant Old Town with its old mosques, clock tower, Ottoman-era houses, antiquity shops, the Great Hammam and the Emin Gjiku complex that is home to the ethnographic museum of Pristina.

The café culture

No one can say they have been to Kosovo without spending some time drinking coffee and chatting with locals. Kosovo has a strong café culture and is a true haven for the coffee lover. The towns are full of beautiful cafés, such as the stylish Soma Book Station and Dit’e’Nat’ in Pristina. For traditional Turkish coffee, head to Gjakova, an historical town located near Prizren, with the oldest bazaar in Kosovo and plenty of typical cafés.

Kosovo is famous for its important café culture

The multiculturalism

Kosovo is a multicultural country where many ethnic groups live together. The principal group is made up of Albanians, but Serbs, Turks, Croatians, Bosnians and a wide community of expats live in the country, too. It is undoubtedly one of the most multicultural places in the Balkans and, as a consequence, the country is home to a variety of religious buildings, such as mosques and Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Prizren

Prizren is the most beautiful town in Kosovo, and everyone misses it when they move away from the country. The Old Town, which is one of the most interesting to visit in the Balkan Peninsula, is filled with Ottoman-era houses, ancient mosques, lovely churches and stone bridges. But the place that everyone misses the most is Kalaja, the old fortress that offers breathtaking views over Prizren.

The day trips

Kosovo is a small country and can be easily visited in one week. The best place to stay is Pristina, which is a great base to explore the whole country. The capital is centrally located, and there are regular buses that lead to every city in Kosovo, and Skopje, too, for just a few euros.

Architecture and buildings in Skopje, one of the several towns that can be easily visited in one day from Kosovo

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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