Podujeva
Podujeva is a town in northern Kosovo, 40 mins north of Pristina.
Understand
Podujeva also called Besiana in Albanian is a small town in the rural hilly area between the capital of Kosovo Pristina and border with Serbia to the north.
Get in
By bus
The inter-city bus station is at the entrance of the town when coming from Pristina, with easy access to the town.
If you are in Pristina, a bus heads to Podujeva (€1, 40 minutes away) every 10 minutes, Monday to Saturday, and every 20 minutes on Sundays.
By plane
Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari (PRN IATA) is 50 km away from Podujeva. There you can get a taxi or the bus that heads to Pristina. Then take the bus to Podujeva
By car
From Pristina, Podujeva is 35 km away on a partly highway road. Coming from Serbia, through Merdar, Podujeva is the first town. If you come from Albania, the easiest way is through the highway Durrës - Kukës - Prizren - Besi. From Mitrovica, you can use the regional road through Bajgora.
Get around
Since the town is not that big, the best way to get to see it is by walking. Taxis are quite inexpensive: you can get around the city for €2-3 at most.
See
Do
- Hiking (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), ☏ +38349372639, guidesinkosovo@gmail.com. Hiking can be done on your own. If you however wish to engage a local guide, GuideKS is the umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity.
Eat
- 1 Kafja e Sabitit, Zahir Pajaziti, 11000 Podujeva, ☏ +383 44 717 800. 07:00-22:00. A traditional restaurant that first opened in 1958 and is nicknamed the “Parliament of Podujeva.” It is a Podujeva Institution. You can eat Pasul (Traditional bean soup), and unlimited free Turkish tea.
- 2 Restaurant Adriatiku, Batllavë, Orllan, ☏ +383 44 296 222. 07:00-24:00. A must-visit restaurant in Batllava that serves traditional food, pizza, and fish. It offers beautiful views of the lake and it's family friendly.
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- 3 Restaurant ORA, Merdare, Podujeva, ☏ +383 44 166 775, +383 44 377 222, restaurantora1958@gmail.com. 08:00-23:45. A restaurant and banquet hall that’s popular for weddings, proms, and other special events. ORA is an ideal place to spend time with family and children because it has a playground and it offers beautiful views of fields and hills.
- 4 Hotel & Restaurant Era Park, Merdare Podujeva, ☏ +383 45 684 855, erapark12@gmail.com. Has the best outdoor seating of any restaurant in Podujeva. It has a combination of Balkan and international cuisine.
- 5 Restaurant Artela, ☏ +383 44 888 588. 08:00-24:00. You can see the entire city of Podujeva from here. It has playgrounds, tasty food and delicious desserts.
- 6 Restaurant Demë Ahmeti, Fshati Reçicë, ☏ +383 45 825 300. 08:00-24:00. Restaurant Demë Ahmeti is located in the village of Reçicë. A mountain village known for its beauty. The restaurant itself has a very vintage design and a great outdoor setting. Its cuisine is mainly traditional, but with some combinations of international cuisine as well.
- 7 Restaurant Lugu, ☏ +383 45 213 030. 08:00-24:00. Lugu is a traditional restaurant with good food and good coffee.
Drink
- 1 Kafja e Sabitit, Rr. Zahir Pajaziti 79. 07:00-20:00. The best cafe in town! €0.50 for a coffee.
- 2 Centrum, Rr. Zahir Pajaziti, Podujeva, ☏ +383 44 617 777. 07:00-24:00. A good place to rest and have fun with your friends. €0.50 per coffee.
- 3 Sky Caffe, ☏ +383 44 221 638. 09:00-22:00. Sky Caffe Bar is a fun and lovely place to hang out. €0.50 per coffee.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Besiana, Rr. Zahir Pajaziti, ☏ +383 44 577 779, hotelbesiana@hotmail.com. Check-in: 24h, check-out: 24h. $$.
- 2 Hotel Iliria, Podujeva - Merdar highway, ☏ +383 44 577 779. Check-in: 24h, check-out: 24h. $$.
- 3 Hotel Era Park, Merdare, Podujeva, ☏ +383 45 687 855, erapark12@gmail.com. Check-in: 08:00, check-out: 12:00. $$.
Connect
Wireless Internet is widely available in cafés and restaurants throughout the city, although it's a good idea to ask if one is available before you sit down. Free public WiFi is also available around the city through PTK (username: ptk, password: telekomi).
Several private phone calling shops with long-distance calling are available. You may also use the state telco company PTK main Podujeva branch downtown or several of its kiosks around the town to buy calling credit and use phone cabins.
Mobile telephony providers Vala and Ipko provide 3G and 4G internet telephony.
Go next
- A day trip to Batllava Lake can be interesting. Hire a taxi.
- Pristina, Kosovo capital, is 35 km, 40 minutes and €1 away by bus.
- Niš, southern Serbian city, is 105 km, 1:45-2:30 hrs by bus.
| Routes through Podujeva |
| Mitrovica ← Pristina ← | W  E |
→  Merdar → Niš  |