Kosovo (Albanian: Kosova (definite form) or Kosovë (indefinite form), Serbian: Косово и Метохија, Kosovo i Metohija) is a largely mountainous country in the Balkan region of Europe. Its attractions for travelers include its archaeological and religious heritage, natural beauty, hiking and skiing. Kosovo has Ottoman, Christian Orthodox and modernist heritage to share with the world. Being still new to tourists, Kosovars are welcoming to foreign visitors and happy to help. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, which still opposes the act.
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While the independence of Kosovo is disputed by some states, from a visitor's perspective it exercises control over its land, with its own entry requirements. For this reason, Wikivoyage treats Kosovo as a country. This is not an endorsement or refutation of either side of the dispute. |
Regions
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| Central Kosovo Contains the capital Pristina, which has a lively centre with bustling cafes and bars, galleries and museums, the "Newborn" independence monument and the Germia National Park right on the edge of the city. Cultural events are hosted here year-round and it has regular transport links to towns and cities throughout Kosovo. Outside of the city, lies the town of Gračanica with its 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery and nearby Ulpiana archaeological site. The region also includes two monuments to the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, a tower at Gazimestan and the Tomb of Sultan Murad I. |
| Western Kosovo The west is Kosovo's most scenic region and has a rich cultural heritage. Its two biggest cities are Peja, with its scenic location and 13th-century UNESCO-protected Patriarchate, and Gjakova with its Ottoman old town restored in the 21st century. Behind Peja lies the dramatic Rugova Gorge, a national park and playground for outdoor activities, while east of Gjakova is wine-making country, with vineyards surrounding the town of Rahovec. Serbian heritage can be explored in the medieval village of Velika Hoca, where rakija (brandy) is still made in the traditional way, and the Visoki Decani monastery with its 14th-century original frescoes. Two sets of waterfalls in the west can offer a refreshing getaway, including Mirusha on the road from Prishtina to Gjakova and Radavc, between Peja and Montenegro, where the source of the White Drin River can be found. |
| Southern Kosovo The city of Prizren lies at the heart of southern Kosovo, with its historic old town, hilltop castle, and impressive array of mosques and churches. South of Prizren is the remote mountainous area of Dragash, home to one of the Balkans' most picturesque villages, Brod. The Sharri mountains stretch across Kosovo's southern border, and offer ample opportunities for hiking and skiing, on the slopes of Brezovica. |
| Northern Kosovo At the centre of the northern region is the city of Mitrovica, with its mixed Albanian and Serb population divided by the River Ibar. Nearby is the town of Vushtrri, the oldest settlement in Kosovo that has a centuries old castle and stone bridge. At Prekaz, close to Skanderaj, visitors can get a glimpse into Kosovo's more recent history, at a monument to the Jashari family, whose massacre in 1998 is often seen as the trigger to the escalation of violence at the end of the 20th century. Opportunities for hiking are provided by rural regions in the north, including in Shala e Bajgores east of Mitrovica and around the lake outside of Zubin Potok. |
| South-eastern Kosovo The rolling hills of Kosovo's southeast are home to the bustling city of Gjilan, a medieval fortress at Novo Brdo and the church where Mother Theresa received her calling at Letnica. On the road from Prishtina to Skopje lie the cities of Ferizaj and Kacanik, with their murals and post-industrial heritage, and a chance to explore the Gadime caves. |
Cities
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- 1 Pristina — the capital of Kosovo.
- 2 Ferizaj
- 3 Gjakova — its Old Bazaar has a mosque that was built in the 15th century. It is one of the rarest of its kind
- 4 Gjilani
- 5 Kacanik
- 6 Kamenica
- 7 Klinë — visitors come to see the Mirusha Waterfalls
- 8 Mitrovica
- 9 Novo Brdo
- 10 Peja — host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surround by stunning nature
- 11 Podujeva
- 12 Prizren — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.
- 13 Viti
Other destinations
[edit]Understand
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| Capital | Pristina |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Population | 1.5 million (2024) |
| Electricity | 230 volt / 50 hertz (Schuko) |
| Country code | +383 |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
| Emergencies | 112 |
| Driving side | right |
| edit on Wikidata | |
Kosovo was last to go its own way following the break up of former Yugoslavia; it declared independence in February 2008 but Serbia has not recognized it.
By 2019, the Republic of Kosovo was recognized by more than half of the UN member states. The vast majority (92%) of the population is ethnic Albanian. Small minorities include Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, and Gorani. Most Albanians, Bosniaks and Turks, are Muslim, but the Republic of Kosovo is a secular state and all religious groups freely observe their key feasts and celebration dates.
Kosovo is also young in terms of average age of population, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 35 (as of 2017).
History
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History in Kosovo has been highly politicized and is wrapped up with the histories of its Balkan neighbors.
Control of Kosovo changed hands many times in the medieval period, passing variously from being part of the Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire and the Serbian Empire. From the 15th century Kosovo was part of the Ottoman Empire for almost 500 years, before the empire collapsed at the beginning of the 20th century. Wars and border disputes continued as Kosovo was annexed into the Kingdom of Serbia, which expanded into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes at the end of World War I, and changed its name to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929.
At the end of World War II, and the defeat of the invading Axis powers by socialist partisans, Kosovo became an Autonomous Province in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, led by Josip Broz Tito.
After Tito's death in 1980, and the rise of nationalism throughout Yugoslavia, Kosovo was stripped of its autonomous status at the end of the '80s by the regime of autocratic leader Slobodan Milosevic. With Yugoslavia breaking apart, Kosovo's Albanians were stripped of many of their rights during a decade of repression during the 1990s, which ended in the war of 1998-99, as Kosovar Albanians stood up against the Serbian regime to fight for their liberation. A NATO bombing campaign against Serbian military and industrial targets brought the war to an end in June 1999, and led to a period in which Kosovo was administered by the United Nations.
On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, and was quickly recognized by the Western-aligned world powers, including the United States and most member states of the European Union. However Serbia continues to refute Kosovo's independent status. It is also not a member of the United Nations as its independence is not recognized by Russia and China, both of whom have used their veto power on the Security Council to block any UN recognition of Kosovo. Domestically, while ethnic Albanians support Kosovo's independence, most ethnic Serbs do not and still consider Kosovo to be a part of Serbia.
Climate
[edit]The climate is continental, with very warm summers and cold and snowy winters.
Religion
[edit]Kosovo is a multi-ethnic, secular state whose population practises a diverse selection of religions. The majority Albanian population is mainly Muslim, though with a significant Catholic minority. That said, most ethnic Albanian Muslims do not practice the religion, and view it more as a cultural identity. Kosovo's Bosniak, Gorani and Turkish communities are also predominantly Muslim, while Kosovar Serbs tend to practice Serbian Orthodox Christianity.
Visitor information
[edit]Get in
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Visa restrictions:
Serbia
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Citizens of countries such as Albania, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey do not need a visa, but if you are planning to stay in Kosovo for more than 90 days you should register at the Police Department for the Registration of Foreigners. This is next to the central police station in Pristina. Citizens of other countries that have significantly contributed to the rebuilding of Kosovo probably also do not need visas either, although Kosovo is starting to implement a stricter visa regime. The 90-day rule for the registration of foreigners applies to everybody.
You can enter Kosovo through the northern border with Serbia through Mitrovica or near Pristina. There are bus connections from Belgrade and Nis to Pristina and Prizren and from all the major towns in Serbia to the northern parts. The most used transport route is through North Macedonia and Pristina Airport. Skopje is only one and a half hour from the capital city of Kosovo, Pristina. Travelling from Pristina to any other city of Kosovo does not take longer than an hour and a half. For instance, from Pristina to Prizren by car takes 45 minutes, or to Prizren, Gjakova or Peja by bus takes an hour and a half.
By plane
[edit]- Pristina International Airport (PRN IATA). Several European airlines offer direct flights from their hubs to the Pristina International Airport, including easyJet, WizzAir, Eurowings, TUIfly Belgium, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Swiss, Edelweiss Air and Austrian Airlines. During the summer, several additional charter flights are available for travellers.
- Other nearby airports are in Skopje, Nis and Tirana.
By bus
[edit]Since most buses will go into Pristina, see according article for more details:
- From Montenegro, you can enter through Rozaje to Peja/Pec (ca. 2 hr).
- From North Macedonia (Skopje), you can take a bus to Pristina (less than 1½ hr).
- There is a border crossing in the Presevo Valley in Serbia.
- From Albania, you can enter through Prizren on the highway. One way trips from Tirana to Pristina and Prizren cost €15 (as of 2022/23) and take 3-4 hr, with two stops.
By train
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There are also trains crossing the Kosovo border. Two daily services connects Kraljevo in Serbia with all towns in northern Kosovo. Connections from Beograd are possible but includes a long stay between train at Kraljevo, thus bringing the journey to more than 12 hours for 399 km. Serbian Railways run a twice daily service from Kraljevo, Serbia to Zvecan (just after Mitrovica). Check their homepage for details.
By car
[edit]International Motor Insurance Cards are not accepted. At the border you will need to pay for separate insurance, which will cover you throughout Kosovo for up to two weeks. Costs depend on the vehicle but two weeks' cover is usually under €20. Ensure also that you have your vehicle registration and a power of attorney from the car's owner if it is not yours.
From Serbia during the summer holidays in Germany and Switzerland expect long queues at the border crossing in Merdare (up to 3 hours). You also can enter to the country at Dheu i Bardhe near Bujanoc and at Jarinje near Nis.
From Montenegro, the only legal border crossing is at Rozhaja.
From North Macedonia you can enter near Hani i Elezit in Bllaca or at Bellanice (Stanqiq).
From Albania you can cross at Morine or at Qafa e Prushit near Gjakova.
Get around
[edit]By bus
[edit]The best way to travel intercity in Kosovo is by bus. The buses are relatively cheap and comfortable (for example from Pristina to Peja is €4), with discounts available for students. Payment is usually made on the bus to a representative of the bus company coming around once the journey has started - you may or may not receive a physical ticket, depending on the company. However, tickets for crossing the border can be bought in the bus station in Pristina and with travel agents in Prizren. The latter sometimes gives you the opportunity for a slight discount, in case you know the actual fare (see Gjirafa).
Between some cities you may also have the option of minivans, running from nearby the main bus station. These leave when full and are usually a similar price to the regular buses.
For major regional (but also country crossing) bus connections see Gjirafa for times and prices. It won't cover minibuses though, which also run but mostly between or to and from smaller towns.
By train
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The only connections seem to be two daily trains from Pristina to Peja which are a comfortable way to make this journey (€3).
The timetable is available (not working as of 2 April 2023) at the Kosovo Railways website.
By car
[edit]Major construction of highways in the 2010s has cut car travel times between major cities significantly, and more highways are being built and improved.
Driving in Kosovo, particularly in cities, can be a little stressful to begin with, and it can be best to go in with the attitude of "expect the unexpected." Pedestrians crossing in front of you unexpectedly, cyclists coming towards you on the wrong side of the road, and potholes appearing out of nowhere are all familiar sights, as are just-in-time overtaking maneuvers and swerving lane-changes, while roundabouts bring with them their own unique customs. You are likely to quickly get used to it, though, and as long as you stay alert - and look out for sudden changes in road surfaces - you should be fine!
Parking can be a challenge, particularly in Prishtina and major cities, but there are plenty of informal car parks (at €1-2 for the day), where your vehicle should be safe. Lots of locals choose to park up at the side of the road, on pavements, or wherever there are a few square meters, although the police have begun to remove illegally parked vehicles in some areas.
Road signs and place names usually appear in both Albanian and Serbian, although it is not uncommon for the minority language to be scratched out – a useful indication of the majority population of the area you're in.
By taxi
[edit]It is best to use registered taxis as they have fixed prices and are metered. Registered taxis are clearly marked with a company name and phone number printed on the vehicle. Unregistered taxis are usually cars with a yellow taxi sign affixed to the roof, they are safe, but the price is entirely at the driver's discretion. For more information on taxi companies see the pages for individual cities.
By ride sharing
[edit]Udhë is trying to establish something like BlaBlaCar for Kosovo. The offers are sparse, but using it might grow its popularity. At least between Pristina and Prizren, there are several offers.
By thumb
[edit]Hitchhiking is not as easy as it is in Albania—locals rarely do it and since COVID sentiments have been impacted negatively. But considering most Kosovars are a young bunch of folk with many speaking English or even German, their curiosity should do the trick.
As always, consider the regular advices for Hitchhiking and watch out for any Scams.
Talk
[edit]Most people in Kosovo speak Albanian, while in Serb-majority areas, such as the north, Serbian is spoken - both are official languages and appear on road signs, etc.
Young people, particularly in the major cities such as Pristina and Prizren, are likely to understand English, whereas the older generation are more likely to understand German.
Turkish can be useful, and the Turkish minority which is concentrated mainly in Prizren speaks both Turkish and Albanian.
See
[edit]- Mirusha Waterfalls, between Prishtina and Gjakova, on the way to Klinë., is a sequence of cascading waterfalls surrounded by towering rock formations, featuring a spacious natural swimming pool.
- The Waterfall of the Drini River north of Peja is fantastic during the summer. The road to the river is an amazing: a narrow road with wires on one side and the river on the other.
- The Pec Patriarchy, 2 km to the northwest of the Peja city center, was the seat of the Patriarchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church for about 200 years of its history and for many Serbs is considered to be of extreme national importance. It is a beautiful monastery with many spectacular paintings.
- Rugova Gorge, to the northwest of Peja, has extremely steep walls reaching possibly up to 300 m.
- The Grand Bazaar in Gjakova, is a very beautiful old "shopping centre" from 17th century.
- The Mitrovica Bridge is an interesting symbol of the division of the population in Kosovo. This bridge is the dividing line between Serbs and Albanians in Mitrovica#The Mitrovica Bridge#Mitrovica. It will almost always be safe to approach the bridge and look at it.
- Novo Brdo Fortress has the remains of a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today.
- Ulpiana, near Gracanica, is one of the oldest cities in the Balkan peninsula. It was re-constructed by Emperor Justinian I.
- White Drin Canyon is a small canyon near Gjakova. Relatively short, only being about 900 m long and 45 m deep. At its start is Fshajt Bridge, an old Ottoman bridge which attracts divers from all around the region.
Medieval monuments
[edit]A UNESCO World Heritage listing consisting of four religious edifices:
- Gračanica Monastery near Prishtina – One of the most beautiful examples of Serbian medieval (14th-century) ecclesiastical architecture. This monastery was built by the Serbian king Milutin in the Serbo-Byzantine style, reportedly its shape being inspired by a cloud. It is noted for its frescoes, and being the only medieval Serbian monastery found in an urban setting complete with an old school and archives.
- Decani Monastery in western Kosovo – One of the most important monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. It is famous for its elegant and peculiar architecture. As an orthodox monastery from the 13th century, it successfully mixes western and eastern church building elements to form a particular hybrid style only known on the territory of old Serbia. This monastery is particularly noted for some of the world's finest medieval frescoes adorning its walls.
- Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć in Peja, northwestern Kosovo.
- Our Lady of Ljeviš – in Prizren, southern Kosovo.
Do
[edit]Though Kosovo is not yet well known for its tourism, this is changing rapidly and definitely has something to offer for every type of traveller. Surrounded by high mountains and still coming into its statehood, Kosovo is easily accessible in many aspects and one of the cheapest European destinations to travel. With cross-border hiking trails like the Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans bringing an influx of new visitors to Kosovo that can be traversed in a day, but can take years to fully absorb, now is the perfect time to discover the potential of this once-unknown region. Exploring Kosovo's rural areas you will find a land rich in stunning scenery, cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality. Visitors can enjoy hiking over the jagged Sharri, Pashtrik and the Accursed Mountains, ski pristine and less-trodden slopes in Brezovica, appreciate the well-preserved Ottoman architecture of Prizren, sample raki or homemade wine around Rahovec, visit a traditional stone Kulla in Junik or Drenoc, dive into the coffee-drinking culture in one of Prishtina’s many wonderful cafés, or explore both Islam and Orthodox Christianity at beautiful monasteries and mosques (sometimes found side by side) around Kosovo. As a place full of lively cafés and wide-ranging restaurants, a thriving outdoor adventure scene, the warmest locals you can imagine and some of the cheapest prices across a vast region, Kosovo definitely deserves the attention not only of the intrepid, but of anyone looking to avoid the regular tourist traps.
- GuideKS (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), guidesinkosovo@gmail.com, ☏ +38349372639, guidesinkosovo@gmail.com. umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity.
- The Brezovica Ski Centre has old infrastructure but great slopes.
In general, Kosovo offers various activity-based tourism:
Buy
[edit]Money
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Exchange rates for euros
As of October 2024:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com |
Kosovo uses the euro, like several other European countries. One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.
All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on the reverse, expressing the value, and a national country-specific design on the obverse. The obverse is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design of the obverse does not affect the coin's acceptability.
ATM generally charge €5 for any money withdrawal. The exception is Credins Bank, which however is only available in Prishtina, Prizren and Ferizaj.
Credit cards are not widely accepted.
Money exchange is available in most cities and larger towns.
In Serbian-majority municipalities
[edit]The Serbian dinar is used in the Serbian-majority municipalities in Kosovo. Exchange offices are found almost everywhere. Note that in these locations while euros are accepted generally, all prices are listed in dinars.
In Albanian-majority municipalities
[edit]The Albanian lek is used in the Albanian-majority municipalities in Kosovo. Exchange offices are found almost everywhere. Note that in these locations while euros are accepted generally, all prices are listed in leks.
Shopping
[edit]Souvenirs
[edit]There are many options: From fine handcrafted Filigree silver to traditional Albanian wool hats (a plis) and musical instruments (the stringed ciftelia). Local food and drink specialties to take home could include honey, raki, a high strength alcohol distilled from fruit, ajvar, a pepper based spread or feferona, spicy local peppers.
Tipping
[edit]In Kosovo generally tipping is not expected from locals, but as it is done by foreigners, it is welcome. In more upmarket venues it might be more likely for tipping to be expected. In taxis you can tip to the nearest euro or half euro.
Eat
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Best restaurants to eat at are those that are located in the villages near by big cities; they tend to have the best meat dishes and the best sea food. Trout, seabass and salmon fish are very common and popular and are kept fresh in their pools and are nearly always fried when you order. Prices are pretty average and, for some countries' nationals, cheap.
Lots of great burek (baked pastry stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach). Try the drinkable yogurt (Ayran) — it's superb. Lots of kebabs and other Ottoman Turkish style food.
As far as you are in an Albanian territory, you could try Albanian food as well. Fli, a very good pastry, can be found in different traditional restaurants.
At the bakery, you can buy a fantastic loaf of bread for under €1.
The grocery stores have a plentiful supply of Western food.
Drink
[edit]Alcoholic:
Beer brewed in Peja and named after the city of its origin can be found across Kosovo. Peja Premium is a slightly stronger beer from the same brewery but less widely available. Other local beers include Grembeer and Prishtina.
Kosovo was known for wine production with vineyards in its southwest in the Rahovec-Suhareka region, with Stonecastle one of the larger wine producers. Even though the Albanians are predominantly of Muslim heritage, attitudes to drinking are quite liberal.
Raki is another alcoholic beverage popular in Kosovo. It is made from local fruits (most commonly from grape, plum, pear and quince).
Non-alcoholic:
Yogurt/ayran is a common local drink and is often consumed with pastries. Boza is a malt drink from fermented maize (corn) and wheat and often drank with cakes and pastries.
Local company Frutomania produce 100% natural juices, alongside traditional fruit drinks like limonata (from lemons) and boronica (from blueberries).
Sleep
[edit]Accommodation in Kosovo can be expensive in hotels, but in Pristina, Prizren, Peja and Gjakova in particular, cheap accommodation (hostels or apartments) are very easy to find.
Accommodation options:
- Apartments
- Hostels
- Small hotels (motels)
- Two- and three-star hotels (more common)
- Three five-star hotels in Pristina.
Guesthouses are also dotted around throughout Kosovo, offering inexpensive alternatives.
Stay safe
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Note: The tension between the ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo and the Kosovo Government deteriorated after boycotted local elections in spring 2023, with the results carried out after a local voter turnout of less than 4%. There have been violent demonstrations and the situation is unstable in northern Kosovo which you should avoid for now. Travel between Serbia and Kosovo could also be disrupted. |
| (Information last updated 20 Jun 2023) |
People in general are friendly and hospitable to tourists and you generally do not need to worry about crime. Since the end of the war, more than 200,000 international workers from over the world have worked in Kosovo and local people are used to foreigners.
Don't let the politics stop you from visiting; tensions have risen now and then since the turn of century, but nearly all have been in the divided city of Mitrovica in the north of Kosovo. There is an international 5,000-person NATO peacekeeping force (a reinforcement was sent in June 2023).
Like in much of the Balkans, land mines were heavily used during the Yugoslav wars. Mines were a major problem in Kosovo in the first four years after the war; now they are generally left in remote areas and there are clear signs advising not to enter a certain space. Most of the mined areas are places where conflict took place (rural Central Kosovo and the Kosovo–Albania border region). Before hiking and camping, ask in order to make sure it's not an area that may still have mines. Most hiking and camping takes place in areas where the war did not occur, like the Sharr mountains, where there is a ski and camping resort.
As with the region as a whole, homophobia is fairly widespread and public displays of affection are almost non-existent.
Stay healthy
[edit]It is possible for foreigners to obtain treatment at the public hospital in Pristina (staff from your accommodation may come in handy as translators). However, the state of the hospital is far from ideal: the toilets have no soap, infusions are hanging from improvised stands. Kosovo has no public health insurance system and you will be required to pay your bill in cash. A visit to the doctor and a few pills from the pharmacy will cost you around €20. If you know what you need you may visit the pharmacy directly as no prescription is needed.
Tap water in most cities is safe and drinkable.
Connect
[edit]You can buy a local SIM card for €3, with the two major carriers being Vala and Ipko. You must provide an ID (passport) and register.
Many mobile providers in the Balkans provide free roaming across Balkan countries. So, in case you are planning to cross the border, ask on how to use the local SIM card in other Balkan countries. For instance, a One.al SIM card from Albania works flawlessly in North Macedonia and Kosovo with a regular Albanian package.
Most bars, cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi connection that customers can use.
Go next
[edit]Kosovo has easy access to destinations in neighboring countries such as Skopje in North Macedonia, Northeastern Albania and North Montenegrin Mountains.
There are direct bus links to major cities in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Albania, Turkey, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia.