Why to visit Kosovo?

Interview with the Ambassador of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Dren Doli.

I have been living abroad for 4 years now and anytime someone asks where I’m from and I say Kosovo, I’m usually met with the same response: ‘Kosovo? It’s the little country south of Europe, right?’. And honestly, I don’t blame them. However, I’ll use this opportunity to show that, even though Kosovo is indeed a small country, it still is a bucket-list place to spend a great weekend in.

Kosovo is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula and direct flights to Prishtina International Airport are offered by many airlines such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, Austrian Airlines, TuiFly. However, if you find yourself in a situation where a direct flight is not an option, then opt for landing in Skopje and traveling by car or bus to Prishtina for only one and a half hours. The climate in Kosovo is central continental with hot summers and cold winters.

Let me walk you through the Embassy’s chosen top spots to visit when in Kosovo, and we’ve got something for everyone.

Hello, nature lovers! Kosovo has some great nature sites that will steal your breath away. Let’s start with our beloved Brezovica. Brezovica is located north of Kosovo and it’s a perfect destination both during spring and winter. Spring brings out the greenery and the fauna, while winter gives it its beautiful white coat and makes it perfect for winter sports, like skiing and snowboarding.

Next, we’ve got Liqenat in Peja. A little warning, there is a little hiking involved, but the picturesque lakes make it all worth it. This site is also perfect for camping for those that are too tired from the hike😊.

The Mirusha waterfalls consists of 16 cascades with a great natural, scientific, and cultural importance. And the frozen waterfalls of the winter make no exception to its beauty.

For those with a big imagination, the Gadime stalactite cave (also known as the Marble Cave) is the spot for you. The crystals of this limestone cave can sometimes look like fish or the ears of an elephant, while melodies on its stalactite can be played.

One of the longest and deepest canyons in Europe is located in Kosovo, and that is the Rugova canyon. Its impressive landscape combines views of mountain peaks, charming lakes and waterfalls, and numerous caves, some of which are yet to be explored.

Want the top view to the Rugova canyon? Then enjoy the longest Zip Line in the region, with 700 metre in less than a minute.

For our history lovers, Kosovo is full of important historical sites. In its capital, Prishtina, there is the national museum, which hosts the departments of Archeology, Ethnology, Natural Science, History and National Liberation Struggle.

Prizren cannot be left unmentioned. This whole city is an important historical site to not miss when in Kosovo. Its mosques and its centre date back to the Ottoman Empire. Check out the Fortress of Prizren as an architectural example of this period. And remember to drink from the Shadervan, because as the legend has it, if you do so, you’ll for sure come back.

Destinations that represent Kosovo’s Illyrian roots of the 1^st to 7^th centuries AD is Ulpiana. Ulpiana was an ancient Illyrian-Roman city and with a great administrative, economic, and cultural importance, both for the Dardan Kingdom and the Roman Empire.

And for the foddies, Kosovo offers a delicious traditional cuisine. Out of which you must try are burek and different types of pite, flija, sarma, stuffed peppers and tave kosi. An interesting fact: Kosovo is home to the best macchiato in the world, or so we’d like to believe😊. Kosovo also has an excellent wine-making tradition, so you’d want to pair your meal with an amazing glass of local wine.