Destinations, Opinion, Roots: Central and Eastern Europe, Video

Why Kosovo should be your next destination

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6th June 2025

On 13th May 2025

By Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Having visited over 50 countries, I can confidently say: put Kosovo on your bucket list. Or better yet—go now, before this youngest European country, nestled in the western Balkans, is discovered by mass tourism.

Kosovo, the homeland of global music stars like Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, and for football fans, Xherdan Shaqiri, is a destination that enchants, captivates and fascinates. Though small in size, this culturally rich nation offers a stunning blend of ancient history, diverse traditions, and spectacular natural beauty.

From the lively streets of Pristina to the picturesque towns of Gjakova, Prizren, and Peja, Kosovo delivers a broad palette of experiences that appeal to history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and curious travelers seeking something authentic and special. With UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient monasteries, and vibrant cultural landmarks, Kosovo is a must-visit destination.

Nature that takes your breath away

Flying into Kosovo, the first thing that struck me was how green and mountainous the country is. Forests cover nearly 40% of the land, and though Kosovo makes up just 2.3% of the Balkans’ total area, it is home to 25% of Balkan flora and around 18% of Europe’s. The rugged western and southeastern regions are habitats for a rich array of wildlife, including brown bears, lynxes, wild cats, wolves, roebucks and deer.

Bird lovers will be thrilled to know that 255 species of birds have been recorded here, including majestic raptors like the golden eagle, eastern imperial eagle, and lesser kestrel, especially in the mountainous regions.

The views are postcard-perfect—from high plains and rolling hills to crystal-clear lakes and dramatic mountains like the Accursed Mountains (west), Šar Mountains (south), and Kopaonik (north). The country’s highest point, Velika Rudoka, rises to 2,660 meters. Don’t miss Rugova Canyon, one of Europe’s longest and deepest canyons, stretching 25 km and plunging to depths of 1,000 meters.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Cities full of character and culture

Pristina, the lively capital of Kosovo, is the place where striking modernity meets deep historical roots. The city offers unique architecture and memorials—among them, the futuristic looking National Library, the Newborn Monument commemorating Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, and the powerful Heroinat Memorial, which honors the 20,000 women who survived sexual violence during the war.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

At the heart of the city is Mother Teresa Boulevard, a bustling pedestrian avenue lined with cafes, shops, and cultural venues. Just nearby stands the impressive Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, whose bell tower offers sweeping panoramic views of Pristina.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

For a glimpse into the city’s past, don’t miss the Great Hammam of Pristina and the Çarshi Mosque—built in 1389, it is the oldest building in the city and a key part of its Ottoman heritage. The Ethnographic Museum offers a deeper look into Kosovo’s cultural traditions.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Iconic landmarks are also the Skanderbeg Statue and Skanderbeg Square while the statue of Bill Clinton and the Brotherhood and Unity Monument—one of the most recognizable Yugoslav-era memorials—add to the city’s symbolic landscape.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Just outside Pristina, the Bear Sanctuary in Mramor is one of Europe’s largest, offering a humane refuge for bears once kept in captivity. Nearby, the Gračanica Monastery, built in 1321 by King Stefan Milutin, stands as a prime example of medieval architecture and is part of the UNESCO-listed Medieval Monuments in Kosovo.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Not far from Mitrovica in Prekaz, the Adem Jashari Memorial Complex is located, being a significant cultural and historical site. It commemorates the Prekaz Massacre, in which Adem Jashari—a founding member and commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)—was killed along with his brother Hamëz, their father Shaban, and 56 other family members, including women and children, during an attack by Serbian forces in March 1998. The complex includes a cemetery, the preserved family home, and a museum.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

In Gjakova, often called the coziest town in Kosovo, stroll through the charming Gjakova Bazaar, lovingly restored after wartime damage by the locals themselves. Don’t miss the Hadum Mosque, an elegant example of Ottoman architecture and admire traditional architecture: unique kulla—traditional stone-and-wood tower houses. The town is also known for its exquisite wooden craftsmanship.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Peja, nestled in the Rugova Valley, offers both stunning scenery and spiritual heritage. It’s home to the Patriarchate of Peć, a 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cornerstone of Orthodox Christian history. Also nearby is Visoki Dečani Monastery. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Visoki Dečani houses the largest preserved collection of medieval frescoes in the world, covering over 4,000 square meters and featuring more than 1,000 original fresco compositions.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

Prizren, Kosovo’s cultural capital, is a jewel of Ottoman-era architecture and multiethnic heritage. With its Sinan Pasha Mosque, Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš (UNESCO-listed), and the Old Stone Bridge, this city offers a rich blend of history and scenic beauty. Climb to the Prizren Fortress for panoramic views, then relax with a macchiato at Shadervan Square—they say if you have one here, you’re bound to return. By the way, it is believed that the best macchiato in the world is served in Kosovo, and I can confirm it.

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

©Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska

A cultural powerhouse

Kosovo’s cultural calendar is as rich as its landscapes. The Sunny Hill Festival, founded in 2018 by Dua Lipa and her father Dukagjin Lipa, brings global stars like Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, and Miley Cyrus to Pristina each year. The Prishtina International Film Festival, launched after independence, has helped establish Kosovo’s growing film scene.

Classical music also thrives, with the Chopin Piano Fest, celebrating both tradition and talent, and the DAM Festival, showcasing young musicians from around the world.

In Prizren, DokuFest—one of Europe’s top documentary film festivals—turns the city into an open-air cinema each August, creating an unforgettable atmosphere and in Mitrovica International Jazz Days festival gathers young musicians and composers from across the region.

Food, Hospitality and Affordability

The food in Kosovo is delicious and affordable. Whether you’re meat-loving or vegetarian, you’ll find flavor-packed options everywhere: Shopska salad with Šar cheese, burek, flija, stuffed peppers, and various styles of tava, like Tava e Prizrenit or the version from Peja. Kosovo is not only great for food but also amazing beer for example from Peja and many sorts of delicious wines.

Service in Kosovo stands out. In restaurants, hotels, and shops, you’ll find genuine hospitality—people are helpful, warm, and refreshingly un-pushy, a rare quality these days.

Visiting Kosovo was not just a trip—it was a true experience. It is a country of incredibly courageous and warm-hearted people, a place with a difficult past but a bright and promising future. Kosovo will enchant you with its authenticity, its stories, and its spirit—and you’ll find yourself wanting to return for more. Even if you didn’t manage to sip that famous macchiato in Shadervan Square, something about this place will stay with you long after you leave.

Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska would like to express her sincere gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in the Netherlands, particularly to H.E. Mr. Dren Doli, ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and his wife, Ms. Shqipe Hairedini, Phd for their warm hospitality and for guiding the tour through Kosovo.

This article is the first in a series that will highlight specific locations across Kosovo in more detail. Upcoming publications will focus individually on destinations such as Pristina, Gjakova, Peja, Prizren, Gračanica Monastery, Visoki Dečani Monastery, the Bear Sanctuary, the Adem Jashari Memorial Complex, the Monastery of Peć, Mitrovica, the Heroinat Memorial, the Newborn Monument as well as exclusive footage from the visit to General Tito’s suite in the glamorous Grand Hotel in Prishtina. Follow us for more!

Author: Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska is a Dutch-Polish journalist, author, and the editor-in-chief of the Central and Eastern Europe Center. She serves on the board of the European Institute on Communist Oppression. Born in Warsaw and currently residing in the Netherlands, Beata has roots in Lviv, Ukraine and has Armenian heritage.