Why You Should Visit Kosovo At Least Once In Your Lifetime

While it is rare for Kosovo to make it onto most people’s travel wish lists, this small and unspoiled country located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula has plenty of things to offer visitors. Read our list to learn why everyone should visit the newest country in Europe at least once in their lifetime.

For the people

The first reason to come to Kosovo is for the people. The country is home to some of the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world, always ready to help visitors in case of difficulties. Kosovars love to chat and talk with tourists about their beautiful country and ask them why they decided to visit.

For the vibrant capital

For the natural landscapes

Despite its small size, Kosovo is home to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes of the Balkans. Most of them are situated in the western area of the country, near the Montenegrin border, and particularly in the Rugova Valley, a terrific natural area with gorgeous forests, high peaks, and breathtaking panoramas.

For the historical towns

Kosovo is more than nature and Pristina. The country hosts two of the most charming towns on the peninsula: Prizren and Gjakova. While Prizren is famous for its Ottoman-era buildings and ancient mosques, such as the spectacular Sinan Pasha Mosque, Gjakova has the largest bazaar in the country known for its cafés and artisan boutiques.

For the café culture

No one has been to Kosovo without experiencing the famous Kosovar café culture. In the Balkan country, a coffee is more than just a coffee: it is a way of life, a cultural moment. Don’t be surprised to find cafés full of people of various ages at every time of the day – it’s normal. Espresso, Turkish coffee, or macchiato? Just choose one and enjoy it.

For the mountains

Did you know that Kosovo is home to one of the coolest ski areas in the Balkan Peninsula? Brezovica, a mountainous area near the Macedonian border, is mostly frequented by the expat community living in the country, but in recent years more tourists have been heading to Kosovo in the winter to appreciate its ski resorts.

For the summer festivals

Summer is one of the best times of the year to visit Kosovo, because the two main towns of the country host interesting festivals. Pristina is home to PriFest, a film festival dedicated to Kosovar and Balkan movies that takes place every July. Meanwhile, Prizren hosts DokuFest, an event dedicated to documentaries of the country and surrounding nations.

For the food

Kosovo has an excellent gastronomy scene. Many restaurants serve typical Albanian cuisine, such as fërgesë (chopped cheese cooked with peppers and meat), tavë kosi (a casserole of yogurt sauce, rice and lamb), byrek, and fried kaçkavall cheese, plus in Pristina it is also possible to sample a variety of different cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, and Persian.

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.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.