Kosovska Mitrovica or Mitrovicë is a city in the north of the Republic of Kosovo although the northern part is controlled by Serbia.

Understand

KFOR troops are guarding near the New Bridge

The city of Mitrovica is divided into a North and South by the Ibar river.

The Northern section is mainly populated by Serbs, with some Albanian sole and mixed neighbourhoods along the banks of the Ibar. The southern section is mainly populated by Albanians, with few Serbians.

There are several bridges that connect the two sections. Much has been made of the main Mitrovica Bridge running from the Albanian side to the Serbian side. It has been the scene of violence in the past, notably in 1999. It is completely safe to cross by daylight but may be less safe at night, depending on the general political climate. There were no reported disturbances on the bridge on the evening of the Serbian general election in May 2012 - the type of event which would ordinarily spark trouble.

Get in

• North Mitrovica bus station. Taking a bus from Belgrade (or Southern Serbia) you will arrive at the North Mitrovica improvised bus station. Daily one direct bus to Nis, two via Novi Pazar 
• 1 South bus station (Stacioni i autobusave), Ramadan Peci St (Opp. Motel Genti, a kilometer and a half south of the city center along Mbretesha Teutë.). Coming from Pristina (~1 hour, €1.50, 3 times per hour) catch the bus go to the bus stop near the city's main mosque, with dueling minarets. To Peja (~2 hours, €3.50) 

• A taxi from Pristina should not cost more than around €35, or there is a bus for much cheaper. When arriving from the Albanian side of the bridge, your taxi driver will often urge you not to cross the bridge for fear for your personal safety. While noble, this is a largely inaccurate impression is largely created by the international media. Smile politely, tell him you know what you are doing and he will take you to Mitrovica bridge. The word for "bridge" is the same in Albanian and Serbian and is pronounced "mosht".

• 2 Kosovo Polje train station. The train from Zvečan to Kosovo Polje has now stopped running. 

Get around

The usual combi system applies in the south, in the North you can walk anywhere you need to get to. If you want to travel on further to towns to the north of Mitrovica such as Zvecan or Zubin Potok, you will have no trouble finding a cheap taxi service.

If you are coming from Belgrade to North Mitrovica and planning on going on to Priština you have two options.

1. You can walk across the main bridge (about 400 meters to the south of where the bus dropped you off) and then find a combi to Priština for €1.50
2. Get off the bus in Zvecan (before arriving in Mitrovica) where you can transfer onto UNMIK Railways. The trains run about every three hours. The train will take you to Kosovo Polje where you can then take a combi to Priština

Taxis are as cheap as they are anywhere in Kosovo, but once again don't count on taking a taxi across the bridge.

See

• 1 New Bridge. The main bridge in Mitrovica guarded by KFOR soldiers. The bridge connects the northern and southern parts of the city. 
• Miner's hill. The Miner's hill is situated on the northern part of the city. On the top of hill is a panoramic view. Additionally there is a orthodox church and iconic monument of the miners. 
• 2 Catholic Church (Kisha Katolike), Marin Barleti. 
• 3 Orthodox Church (Kisha Ortodokse), Shemsi Ahmeti. 
• 4 Haji Veseli Mosque (Xhamia e Haxhi Veselit). 

A view from the hill in northern part of Mitrovica

Mitrovica is an old industrial mining town (some creative theorists say NATO bombed Kosovo to capture the 'rich' mines of Mitrovice).

For those with an interest in ruined communist industrial architecture, there is a wealth of it on display in and around Mitrovica, particularly around the Trepca complex.

At the center of the south (Albanian) side, there are a number of cafes, pizzerias, restaurants, and shops, as well as a mall. There is also outdoor, public market just south of the mall. Internet cafes abound in Mitrovica. If you take a walk around various parts of town, you can still see a part of town marked by destruction (toward the west on the Albanian side - the gypsy quarter), craftsmen and artists, rolling hills, etc. Bread, pizza, and doners are available all over town for a good, inexpensive meal.

Sights on the south side include a market square with mosque, historic building (spared during 1990s fighting). People watching and relaxing along southern bank of Ibar River, near Mitrovica Bridge.

Do

Walking around the town on foot is the best way to explore it. Evenings are full of young people going up and down the main thoroughfares. So expect to meet the same faces many times around.

Buy

In North Mitrovica near the main bridge you can purchase post cards with a picture of an F-117 Stealth fighter with a target on it and the text 'Sorry, we didn't know it was invisible.' A wealth of such memorabilia is available for purchase.

In South Mitrovica you will find American and Albanian flags for sale. Local crafts found in stalls and department stores. Also look out for local and national football (soccer) clothing.

Currencies

In most of Kosovo the Euro is used, so ATMs will dispense euros. However in North Mitrovica the Serbian Dinar is expected by most cafes and shops. Some taxis will accept both dinar and Euros.

Eat

• Ibri: This outdoor (and indoor) restaurant is located in South Mitrovica on the road to Zubin Potok. It serves fresh fish from a fish pond located in the restaurant complex itself and their speciality is open grilled or fried trout fish. Very pleasant in summer evenings. If you are with your family, it has lot of open space for kids to play around. Ample parking space as long as there are not too many cars!

• Srpska Soba restaurant (North). The restaurant running in the same building with NorthCity Hotel. If you want something to eat, but not fast food, this is a good option. Here you can find soups, meat courses etc. 

Drink

Dolce Vita (north side of bridge): Once a smoke filled cafetaria that played music of the Serbian nationalist variety, it is now a fairly upmarket cocktail bar.

Sleep

It will be extremely difficult to find accommodation in Mitrovica you have a huge number of motels and hotels in and around Mitrovica where to have accommodation where you can rest and sleep.

• Hotel Palace. Popular with international organizations for holding their conferences. 
• 1 Hotel Mitrovica, Rruga e Spitalit (Center). 
• 2 Hotel Adriatik, Shemsi Ahmeti. 
• Motel Seadi-Petrol
• NorthCity Hotel, Čika Jovina 3, info@northcity.rs. Price includes the breakfast. Twin room: €37/night. 

Connect

• 3 Post Office (Posta), Bul. Shemsi Ahmeti. 

Go next

Novi Pazar, Serbia

• Pristina - Kosovo's capital city

• Peja - town with much Ottoman as well as Orthodox (Serb) heritage. A hub for outdoor sports in the spectacular surrounding mountains: the nearby Rugova Canyon is one of the outstanding areas of the country and a ski site in the winter

• Nis is the largest city of southern Serbia

• Novi Pazar daily bus connection. A multicultural area of Muslims and Orthodox Christians, many monuments of both communities like the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul and the Altun-Alem mosque are found in the region