This young country at the centre of the Balcans declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been given significant importance, especially since the Cold War. In fact, this place is quite interesting from the historical point of view, as you will find tangible proof of what it has gone through. Memorials dedicated to the victims of the ethnic cleansing implemented by the Milosevic troops are one of the many things that will help you discover Kosovo. As you might have guessed, it is not a common tourist destination. However, it’s a land with plenty of interesting sites to visit. Read on to get to know more about it.
Useful information before you leave
If you are a European citizen, you won’t need a visa to enter this country. Just take your national ID card or your passport with you. Since 2020, some airline companies have increased the number of flights from many European countries. When booking your ticket, check WizzAir or AirPrishtina for instance. The best time to go to Kosovo is between May and September. This is not just because of the low temperatures in winter, but also due to the fact that in this period you will be able to attend the most important events in the country. Prishtina is where the most important festivals take place, such as the MOS-Meeting of Styles where the theme is street art, and the Sunny Hill Festival, held in the park of Germia. Since 2002, Kosovo’s currency has been the Euro.
Discover Kosovo: the city of Prishtina
Prishtina is the capital of Kosovo and has a rich history and cultural heritage. Here you will find remains of the Yugoslavian times as well as of the Ottomans. You should start your visit by wandering around the streets of the hip district: Bulevardi Madre Teresa. In addition to that, don’t miss the Museum of Kosovo and Santa Madre Theresa Cathedral, the biggest Catholic church in the Balkans, consecrated in 2017. However, the symbol of the city of Prishtina is something else; the Kosovo Pjetër Bogdani National Library. This building might not seem that appealing at first glance, as its design is a little quirky. But if brutalist architecture is your cup of tea, then you certainly are in the right place. Also, remember to stop by the Newborn monument, erected to celebrate Kosovo’s independence.
Prizren and its cultural heritage
Prizen is famous for its rich cultural heritage as well as its multicultural side. In fact, its inhabitants have Serbian, Albanian, Turkish, and Bosnian origins. Therefore, as a second language, Prizren has Turkish, Serbian, or Albanian. In the core of the city, you will find the main historical sites, such as the Sisan Pasha mosque and other constructions dating back to Ottoman times. But the most important symbol of Prizren, is the Lega of Prizren Museum. Here, you will be able to discover more about Prizren’s past. Then, if cinema is your passion, then you should attend the DokuFest. This event takes place at the Kino Lumbardhi and is the most important festival in Kosovo. As a matter of fact, the new releases that are selected for this festival deal with important issues, such as human rights or the environment.
Discover Kosovo: National Parks
To discover Kosovo’s natural highlights and wildlife, there are two important parks where you can go on a hiking adventure. One is the Bjeshkët and Nemuna National Park, and the other is the Monti Sharr National Park. The former is located in the north-west and its landscape is similar to the Alps. The latter is in the south and has many small lakes that date back to the glacial era.
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