Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo

Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo

Kosovo is not a destination many tourist tend to travel to. They are certainly missing out! With quaint villages, rugged peaks and amazing food, this country is well worth visiting. Prizren is Kosovo’s second city and is full of Balkan charm and history. In this post, we highlight all the very best things to do in Prizren, when to visit, how long you will need to explore the area and loads more!

Where is Prizren

Let’s start with the basics. Prizren is an ancient city in south western Kosovo, not far from the Albanian border. It is the second largest city in Kosovo and the historic capital. This small, quirky city has a beautiful location by the foothills of the Šar Mountains.

How do you get to Prizren?

There are several ways to get to Prizren. Most people visit either from Pristina, Kosovo’s capital city, or Tirana, in Albania.

Travelling from Pristina to Prizren

The drive from Pristina to Prizren takes just a little over an hour if you take the E851 south and the R7 route. There are regular buses between Pristina and Prizren as well – around every 2-3 hours. The bus ride takes about 2 hours and costs less than €5 each way.

Travelling from Tirana to Prizren

Driving from Tirana to Prizren takes you through the spectacular Albanian Alps. The drive is long and winding and takes over 2.5 hours, depending on Tirana traffic. Taking the bus to Prizren is an easier option if you don’t fancy the drive – and you can enjoy the amazing scenery.

There are 3 departures per day and the journey is around 3 hours. We bought our tickets onboard and it cost 2500Lek (€24) for a return trip. You will need to pay in cash. Tickets can be bought online in advance but they were a little more expensive.

What are the Best Things to Do in Prizren?

There are so many unexpected things to do in Kosovo. Here are the very best things to do in Prizren. Most of these sights are within the town and can be explored on foot.

Climb up to Prizren Fortress

This hilltop castle overlooks the city of Prizren and the river running through it. Only a shell is left today but it is certainly worth the hike up the hillside to see the amazing views across the city. There has been a fort on this location since the 6th century so it is a really beautiful historic site. It is also and excellent location for taking some panoramic photos. A visit to this fortress is certainly one of the best things to do in Prizren.

Things to do in Prizren – Sinan Pasha Mosque

The Sinan Pasha Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques we have visited. It was built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, bey of Budim and sits right in the centre of the city. In the courtyard there is a beautiful fountain for ablutions and some little stalls.

Visit the Serbian Orthodox Church

Also known as Our Lady of Ljeviš, this Church was built in the 14th century by the King of Serbia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning frescos inside have been sadly damaged. However, it is currently being restored to its former glory.

Things to do in Prizren – Walk Across the Stone Bridge

The Ottoman stone bridge in Prizren is a fantastic view point in the city. Take a walk over the old stone crossing and gaze up the river or across to the Sinan Pasha Mosque or beyond, to the fortress. This is a great sport for taking photos in Prizren.

Do Some Shopping at ABI Çarshia

This upmarket, outdoor mall is located just near Prizren bus station. It’s a nice way to spend some time before taking the bus. There are many western shops and some nice cafes and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a cinema and bowling.

Things to do in Prizren – Try Some Amazing Food

There are plenty of great restaurants in town. However, our favourite is te Syla with its traditional dishes and seating on the banks of the river. It is pretty much in the centre of town and the staff are friendly and efficient.

If you are looking to stop for a coffee, try Ponte Coffe and More 2. The coffee and snacks are way better than the name!

Do a Little Hiking in Prizren

As Prizren is perched in the mountains, there are plenty of hiking options. The Sharr Mountains National Park is a must for all nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts. About an hours drive from Prizren, this is a perfect opportunity to get out of the city and into some incredible nature.

There are miles of amazing trails in this area so check out a website like WIKILOC for more Prizren hiking inspiration.

When to visit Prizren?

This town definitely gets busier in the summer! Everything is open, the streets are busy and restaurants are in high demand. However, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and the higher prices (still cheap by western standards) try visiting off season. Spring and autumn are beautiful as the weather is pleasant and the town is still quite quiet.

How Long to Visit For?

Prizren is pretty easy to visit from Pristina or from Tirana, Albania, and can be done comfortably in a day. You could also stay for a few days if you want to explore the surrounding countryside a bit more.

How expensive is it?

Kosovo is one of the cheapest countries in Europe to visit and it is really great value so your holiday money will go far! Kosovo also uses the Euro (unofficially). A coffee will cost about €1 – 1.50, a meal at one of the amazing BBQ restaurants will cost about €30 for two people and an air BnB can be found for around €40 per night. These are average prices during the summer months. Most things are cheaper off season.

Is Prizren safe?

Yes, Prizren is a safe town. As two females we never felt in danger at any point – including while using public transport. However, we were approached by quiet a few beggars when eating outside.

Generally, we found people to be very helpful and curious about what we thought of their country. Take the same precautions as you would in any other town and you will really enjoy your visit.

What to pack for a trip to Prizren

Here’s a super easy packing list to make sure you don’t forget any of the essentials

• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses 
• A good book 
• Hat 
• Cell phone- keep in mind that Kosovo is not in the EU so data might be more expensive as roaming charges will apply.
• power bank and charger 
• Adaptor (European)
• Cash – Euros are unofficially used here
• Map downloaded on phone (especially if you’re going exploring)
• Walking boots or comfy shoes
• Day backpack
• Decent camera (or phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery

The Language in Kosovo

Around 90% of Kosovans speak Albanian, with the rest speaking Serbian, Bosnian and even Turkish. In the cities, many younger people speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Albanian. Like all Balkan languages, it is certainly not an easy language for English speakers. However, any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:

Hello Tungjatjeta (toon-jah-TYEH-tah)

Please Ju lutem (yoo LOO-tehm)

Thank you Faleminderit (fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)

Yes Po (poh)

No Jo (yoh)

Goodbye Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem)

Where to go Next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try some of Albania’s incredible beaches? Perhaps you want to visit nearby northern Albania? Don’t miss Tirana, the country’s vibrant capital city!

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Kosovo already? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop us a message below, we would love to hear from you!

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