On my recent trip to the Balkans, I finally got to visit Kosovo and based myself in Pristina. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Kosovo: it declared independence from Serbia in 2008, meaning it’s one of the newest countries in the world! This was after a very horrible war in the late 1990s, which culminated in NATO airstrikes against Serbia. Only 100 out of 193 UN member states recognize Kosovo as a country—the rest do not recognize its independence and recognize it only as a region of Serbia.

Kosovo today is a fascinating place and safe to visit. About half of the population is under the age of 25, so it is a young country with young people! But more than that, the people are so friendly, Balkan café culture is well and truly alive here, and Pristina is vibrant and buzzing—especially in summer. And even more interesting, Kosovo is one place that actually really loves America! So here is a guide to Pristina—one of my new favorite cities in all of Europe!

What to See in Pristina

Newborn

This monument was unveiled in 2008 to mark Kosovo’s independence. The sculpture frequently changes themes, based on different artistic interpretations and current events. This is definitely one of the main sights to see in Pristina so don’t miss it! It’s right in front of the Youth Center building, which is a funky socialist-era throwback.

Bill Clinton Statue

One of the coolest and weirdest things about Pristina was the pro-American sentiment. Not only do they have two of the main streets named after Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, but they even have a statue of Bill Clinton!! Clinton was the US president during the US-led NATO airstrikes against Serbia during the Kosovo War in 1998-1999. For that reason, Kosovans have a huge respect for Clinton and America. So make sure you pay a visit to Bill on Bill Clinton Boulevard!

Hillary Store

Right around the corner from the Bill Clinton statue is a store aptly named “Hillary.” They have a poster up on the wall of Hillary Clinton herself! The store sells pantsuits (amongst other formal wear for ladies) which I thought was awesome.

National Library of Kosovo

A lot of people say the National Library of Kosovo is one of the ugliest buildings in Pristina, in Kosovo, and in the world in general! I think it’s pretty awesome though. It’s the highest library in Kosovo, and the most important in Pristina. Make sure to peek inside too, it’s free!

Heroine Monument

Across from Newborn is the Heroine Monument. This is one of the most interesting sculptures I’ve ever seen. It’s dedicated to the women who suffered from war and rape during the Kosovo War. It memorializes their contributions and sacrifices. I’ve never seen anything like this before, and it was very touching to visit.

Mother Teresa Cathedral

A Catholic cathedral, Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina is understated and peaceful. Definitely stop by and take a look inside. It was only consecrated in 2017, so it is still very new!

Cathedral Tower

If you’re visiting Pristina, don’t miss a trip up the cathedral tower! It only costs €1, and you get whisked up by an elevator to the top of the tower! You get an incredible view of the city spread out before you. It’s a small charge but I definitely think it’s worth it!

Church of Christ the Savior

This church is a Serbian Orthodox church. However, it’s never been completed—construction began in 1992 and its building was interrupted by the Kosovo War. There’s not much there, as it’s really just a shell. But still somewhere to visit and another very poignant reminder of the way.

Kosovo Museum

Pristina’s main museum is the Kosovo Museum. It’s a small museum, with most of the information only in Albanian. The exhibits are mainly on prehistoric objects from Kosovo, and the Kosovo war. My favorite part was the room with all of the flags of countries that recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Nena Tereza Boulevard

It gets so hot in the Balkans in summer, so in the evening once it cools down everyone goes for a stroll in town. Nena Tereza (Mother Teresa) Boulevard is the main pedestrian drag in Pristina, and it’s where everyone goes once the sun goes down! You can also see the Skanderberg Statue in the square at one end. There was a giant “Happy 4^th of July, America” poster on a building when I was there!

Historic Center of Pristina

Pristina’s historic center is small, but if you have the time you might as well take a stroll. Right across from the Kosovo Museum is Jashar Pasha’s Mosque. There’s also the historic clocktower, which dates to the 19^th-century. There is another mosque as well as the Ethnographic Museum.

Cool Bars and Cafes in Pristina!

People in the Balkans love their cafes, and Pristina is no exception. Kosovo’s capital is full of cool bars and cafes. There’s so many good ones I wrote a post on the best cafes and bars in Pristina! But some of my favorites were Soma Book Station, Half and Half, Dit e Nat, Tirona Taverna (where I got a free shot of rakija from the owner), and MIQT Pub.

Take a Daytrip to Prizren

Where Pristina is new, Prizren is old. This city is full of historic architecture, and you shouldn’t miss it on any trip to Kosovo! There is a beautiful mosque, some gorgeous churches, and the views from the fortress are incredible. It’s just about 2 hours away from Pristina by bus—so it’s doable in a daytrip, but it’ll be a decent amount of time spent on buses. Read my full blog post on a daytrip to Prizren here!

Take a Half-Daytrip to Gračanica Monastery

One of the most interesting experiences I had in Pristina was visiting Gračanica Monastery. It’s only 15 minutes outside of Pristina by bus (and easy to get to!). But it did feel a bit like I was in a different world. Gračanica is a primarily Serbian town, and I even saw a shop with prices in Serbian Dinar (the currency in Kosovo is Euros!). Gračanica Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery, one of the four religious monuments of that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kosovo. You used to have to give your passport over in order to visit, but you don’t need to anymore—but there is still barbed wire surrounding the monastery. Check out my full blog post on how to visit Gračanica here!

The Basics

Kosovo is the second-youngest country in the world, having declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The official language is Albanian, and the official currency is Euros. Just over half of the countries in the world recognize Kosovo as a country. Kosovo is not a member of the European Union. The population of Kosovo is about 1.8 million, of which about 200,000 live in Pristina.

Getting Around Pristina

Pristina has a good city bus network. A ride costs €0.40, which is bought on board from the ticket/money collector after you get on. Buses may not stop completely for you, and you might have to jump on board the bus as it’s still technically moving! Much of the center of Pristina is easily walkable—especially the main drag Nena Tereza Boulevard!

Where I Stayed in Pristina

I stayed at Oda Hostel in a 6-bed dorm for my three nights in Pristina. I absolutely loved this hostel. The location was ideal, right in the city center but across the street from a bus stop to get to the bus station. The beds were SO comfortable, and had curtains, individual plugs, and reading lights. There was also a free breakfast included, and the staff were really helpful in giving advice on buses for our ventures outside of Pristina! Oh yeah, and they have two adorable kittens!! I’d absolutely stay here again—check out my full review here!

Planning Your Trip

A trip to Kosovo does require a bit more planning than usual. As Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, if you enter Kosovo from another country and then travel through Serbia, you will likely face big issues leaving Serbia—Serbia will class it as entering Serbia illegally. It’s best to enter Kosovo from Serbia and leave it from Serbia, or enter Kosovo from any other Balkan country (North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, etc.) and exit the way you came or through another country that isn’t Serbia. I entered via North Macedonia and exited via North Macedonia.

Pristina does have an airport, although you may find more flights from Belgrade (Serbia), Skopje (North Macedonia), Podgorica (Montenegro), or Tirana (Albania). I always use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights. You can search for hostels in Pristina here, and for hotels here! You can also sign up to and search accommodation on Airbnb here. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Pristina is easily one of my new favorite cities in Europe. It’s so much fun, and with so many young people and so many great bars you just can’t go wrong! I hope this helps in planning your trip to Pristina and Kosovo!

You might like my other posts on Kosovo:

The Best Cafes And Bars In Pristina, Kosovo

A Daytrip To Prizren From Pristina, Kosovo

How To Visit Gračanica As A Half-Daytrip From Pristina

Hostel Review: Oda Hostel, Pristina

How Much Does it Cost to Travel the Balkans For 2.5 Weeks?

Have you been to Pristina or Kosovo before? What were your first impressions like?

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