Explore Prishtina like a local with our pocket guide! After living in Kosovo for three years, we know all the best places to eat, drink, and stay as well as the coolest spots to explore.
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In this guide you’ll find:
- What to see & do in Prishtina
- Where to eat & drink in Prishtina
- Where to stay in Prishtina
- How to get to Prishtina
- Other essential information for your visit
Prishtina is one of the youngest, most vibrant capital cities in the Balkans - if you know where to go!
If you love affordable local food, free museums & film screenings, and a buzzing nightlife (whether you want to drink or not!) you shouldn’t miss a stop in Prishtina on your Balkan adventure.
Kosovo uses the Euro. Cash is queen in Prishtina - make sure you have plenty of cash on you to pay for food, activities, and accommodation.
There are ATMs all around the city that you can use with any major card. If possible, select to receive small bills, or bring some from home, as many restaurants will not have change for large bills.
If you need to break a bill, head to a large grocery store such as Viva Fresh - they’ll have change for you!
Transport
Prishtina is well connected by bus. You can check Google Maps for accurate bus directions as well as the Trafiku Urban app for more local bus routes.
You can take the bus from the airport directly to the city center for a few Euros. Check Google Maps for the closest bus stop and an updated schedule!
Taxis are also readily available in Prishtina. Taxi drivers will often be found hanging around Mother Theresa Square and other main tourist areas.
Scheduling a taxi can be difficult if you don't have a local number. Luckily, Blue Taxi offers booking by WhatsApp!
Message them at +383 44 800 900 to book a taxi - messaging in English is ok ✅
When to Visit
Late spring, summer, and autumn are the best times to visit Prishtina.
Essentially, you just want to avoid winter when the hilly sidewalks become icy and the winter pollution sets in.
Set in a valley in the center of the country, the smog from cars, nearby factories, and coal burning stoves settles on top of the city, significantly reducing the air quality between November and April.
How Long to Stay
We recommend staying for AT LEAST two days in Prishtina. There are plenty of things to do, visit, and eat to fill two full days in the city.
If you are planning a weekend trip to Prishtina, be aware that many attractions and restaurants are CLOSED on Sundays! Make sure to plan your itinerary (or let us plan it 😊) around Sunday closures so you don’t leave Kosovo disappointed.
If you’d like to take a day trip to surrounding sites such as the Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Gračanica, spend at least one additional night in the city.
Cafe culture in Prishtina is one of the best aspects of the city. We think it’s worth spreading out the site seeing over a few days and spending your afternoons people watching and cafe hopping.
How to Get There
Plane
If you are coming directly to Prishtina for a city break, or starting your Balkan trip in Kosovo, Prishtina International Airport is easily accessible from the city.
A number of budget airlines like Easy Jet and Wizz Air fly to Prishtina. You can also look for fares to Skopje, and take a 2 hour bus directly to Prishtina.
If you have some cash to spare and don't want to organize transport to and from the airport yourself, you can also pre-book a private transfer here 👇
Prishtina offers a vast range of accommodation options to fit any budget. From the opulent Swiss Diamond Hotel to $7 per night hostels, you’ll have no problem picking a place to stay.
Even if you aren’t a guest at the Swiss Diamond, you can still eat in the restaurant and have a drink in the cafe there.
Our recommendation: Head over to the hotel and enjoy pot of tea. We like the ginger tea, and every pot is accompanied by some local honey and little biscuits.
Hotel International is located a little ways out of town, but the amenities and sweeping views of the surrounding hills make up for it.
If you have a little cash to spend and are willing to take a quick taxi into the city, Hotel International is well worth the splurge.
A Prishtina hostel institution, Oda Hostel is full of charm. Situated a few blocks off of the Main Street in the city, you’re close to all the main attractions at an affordable price.
Another classic hostel, we’ve stayed here a number of times. The rooms are clean, the location is ideal, and the common room is cozy.
The staff here is always incredibly helpful!
The entrance can be a little tricky to find- it’s located at the back of an apartment block and up multiple flights of stairs. There will be signs pointing you in the right direction.
Moon Hostel is clean and central with a coffee shop downstairs for an easy morning.
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What to Do
There is so much to do in Prishtina! As former residents, we’ve scoped out the best local spots worth visiting.
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A must-visit monument in the center of Prishtina. An ode to an independent Kosovo, the monument is repainted with a new theme every February for independence day.
Walk up and down the boulevard to see and be seen here. A classic evening spot for locals, post up in one of the many cafes along the way to people watch, or grab an ice cream at Aurora and stroll the length of the square and back again.
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The National University Library of Kosovo "Pjetër Bogdani"
Deemed “the ugliest building in Europe” by some, the National Library definitely speaks for itself.
Take a walk through the park surrounding the library, then head inside to admire the beautiful floors and domes from below.
Make sure you walk upstairs to check if there are any art or history exhibits being displayed and to watch students and professors work and study from above.
Kino Armata is one of the coolest spaces in Prishtina for art & culture events.
Indie films from around the world are screened regularly here! Check the Facebook page of Kino Armata for the film schedule as well as for other workshops, professional speakers, and local events.
Entry to events here are almost always free and there is a bar inside selling soft drinks and beers.
Dhe is a shop owned by a local artist selling handmade ceramics with Albanian motifs, postcards, and other local goods.
Anything from her shop would make a fantastic souvenir from Kosovo or gift for someone at home!
An iconic, historic hotel in the center of Prishtina. Some say its haunted! You can still stay here, but its more for the experience than any sort of amenities.
The hotel also hosts art exhibits and a nightclub on the roof. Check it out for no reason other than to party on top of a 1978 Brutalist icon.
Our all time favorite restaurant in Prishtina!
Baba Ganoush is a local favorite, serving Mediterranean fare filled with vegetables and tons of flavor.
The restaurant itself is also uber stylish with mid-century modern decor and paintings of the city.
If you eat one place in Prishtina, go here! Just try to avoid typical lunch hours because it fills up quickly with locals looking for a bite to eat!
A classic Turkish restaurant in the center of Prishtina.
Our advice: Order a llamaxhun (pronounced llama - june) or a doner with an ayran (a typical Turkish yogurt drink).
Llamaxhun is a quick-fired thin bread with minced beef, onion and pepper spread on top. It’ll come with a lemon slice and some parsley to squeeze on top. If you’d like it a little spicy, ask for “llamaxhun djegës (pronounced dee-ex).”
This will only set you back a few euros and is the perfect quick and delicious lunch.
If you’re looking for a more upscale spot to sample some classic Albanian food, Tiffany is the place.
Order a few dishes to share with the table - ask your waiter what they recommend! Tiffany will be more expensive than your average restaurant in Prishtina, but it’s still very affordable especially considering the quality of food and service!
The classic hip spot with cool locals and a resident cat. Dit’ e Nat’ (Day and Night in Albanian) is the ultimate chill hang out spot.
Order a coffee or beer with a side of onion rings and people watch to your heart’s content. Sit outside in the back garden if it’s warm, or cozy up at the bar with a hot drink - you’ll have a great time either way.
Head up the hill to Sonder for your western breakfast and bagel fix. One of the only cafes in Prishtina that sells bagels, it’s worth the trek.
The coffee at Sonder is also good. Sit outside in the back garden for a relaxing brunch.
One of the best cafes in Prishtina for breakfast, coffee, and pastries.
The cheesecake is always good and the quiche never disappoints. This is also a good spot to work on a laptop.
The most popular expat hangout in Prishtina. Owned by a Scottish man, Beer Garden is always a good time. Come in the morning for a full English breakfast or at night for a few beers.
Welcome to the world of The Lavender Travelers! We're Jess & Julia - a Brit and an American living in 🇦🇺 Australia.
Armed with a wealth of experience in both personal travel and trip curation, we pride ourselves on crafting guides and experiences that are as unique as they are unforgettable.
As queer, 30-year-old budget travelers, we understand the importance of making every penny count while still enjoying the finer things in life. Our passion for sharing amazing local food, finding top wallet-friendly accommodation, and curating authentic experiences drives every aspect of our travel planning.
Our guides reflect our current stage of life. Gone are the days of wild parties for us; instead, we embrace the motto of early to bed, early to rise (with the occasional late night thrown in still 😉). We love nothing more than people watching in a café with a morning coffee, exploring in the afternoon, then hitting the night market in the evening.
We plan trips for all sorts of people, but we’re particularly passionate about connecting with those who love good food, are culturally curious, and are seeking immersive experiences that transcend the typical backpacker party scene.
So whether you're yearning to wander through historic cobblestone streets or lose yourself in the vibrant colors of a bustling market, let The Lavender Travelers be your compass. With us, the world is yours to explore – authentically, passionately, and unapologetically 🏳️🌈.
