Wedged between the Sharr and Accursed Mountains, Kosovo rewards curious travelers with welcoming café culture, Ottoman-old towns, and mountain air. This 7-day itinerary blends Pristina’s modern energy with Prizren’s cobbled romance and layers in side trips to medieval monasteries and limestone caves.

Once a Roman crossroads and later part of the Ottoman Empire, Kosovo’s cities still hum with bazaars, mosques, and Orthodox heritage sites. You’ll trace history at the League of Prizren, climb to hilltop fortresses, and sip macchiatos in bookish cafés as the Bistrica River rushes by.

Practical notes: The euro is the currency; ATMs are common. Dress modestly at religious sites (shoulders/knees covered). English is widely understood in tourism areas; Albanian is the primary language. For arrival and intercity travel within Europe, compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio, Omio Trains, and Omio Buses.

Pristina

Pristina is a capital of cafés, ideas, and striking architecture. The honeycombed National Library, the soaring Mother Teresa Cathedral tower, and the ever-changing “NEWBORN” monument tell a modern story; the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum and Old Bazaar preserve older ones.

• Top sights: Mother Teresa Cathedral (elevator to the tower), NEWBORN Monument, National Library, Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum, the Ottoman Clock Tower, Heroinat Memorial, and nearby Gračanica Monastery and Ulpiana.
• Food & coffee: Kosovo’s macchiatos are legendary; try book-cafés and old-town tavernas serving flija, pite/burek, grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables with ajvar.
• Where to stay: City center along Mother Teresa Boulevard for walkability. Browse stays on VRBO Pristina or hotels on Hotels.com Pristina (expect ~$45–110 per night for mid-range).
• Getting there: Fly into Pristina International (PRN). Compare fares on Omio. Airport bus 1A to the center (~30 minutes, ~€3) or taxi (~25–30 minutes, ~€15–20).

Day 1: Arrive in Pristina

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along Mother Teresa Boulevard to the NEWBORN Monument, repainted annually with new motifs. Pop into the National Library to admire its Brutalist-meets-futurist façade.

Evening: Dinner at Liburnia (ivy-draped courtyard; slow-cooked lamb, stuffed peppers, village bread; ~€12–18 pp). Post-dinner, a nightcap at Soma Book Station—a literati hangout with vinyl and local craft beers (ask for a Sabaja IPA).

Day 2: Capital Icons and Café Culture

Morning: Coffee and a warm croissant at Dit’ e Nat’ (bookstore café; vegetarian-friendly brunch). Ride the elevator up the Mother Teresa Cathedral tower for city views (small donation). Walk the University campus to the National Library for photos.

Afternoon: Taxi or stroll to the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum (restored Ottoman houses; textiles, tools; ~€2). Continue to the Old Bazaar, the Clock Tower, and the Heroinat Memorial (a powerful installation of 20,000 pins). Lunch at Oda (wood-beamed rooms; qofte, flija by order, yogurt-based tarator; ~€8–12).

Evening: Sunset walk in Germia Park (easy pine-scented trails). Back in town, dine at Pishat (grills, village salads, house wine) or Tiffany (daily-changing, home-style dishes served on vintage plates). Digestifs at Hera Wine Bar or a late macchiato at Prince Coffee House.

Day 3: Gračanica, Ulpiana, Bears, and Marble Caves (Day Trip)

Morning: Short ride to Gračanica Monastery (UNESCO-listed Serbian Orthodox; 14th-century frescoes; dress modestly; free/donation). Nearby are the excavation fields of Ulpiana, a Roman city once on the Via Lissus–Naissus. Coffee and mantia (mini dumplings) at a local bakery by the monastery.

Afternoon: Continue to the Bear Sanctuary Prishtina (rescued brown bears in forested enclosures; ~€4), then the Gadime Marble Cave (guided tours through calcite halls; ~€4; bring a light jacket). Return to Pristina.

Evening: Dinner at Renaissance (“Rilindja”)—ring the bell for entry into a family-run townhouse serving seasonal, set-menu Kosovo classics (reserve if possible). Alternate: Green & Protein for a lighter bowl and fresh juices.

Prizren

Prizren is Kosovo’s postcard: a riverside old town stitched with Ottoman bridges, minarets, and stone lanes that climb to a fortress with sunset views. Turkish-scented pastry shops and grill houses fuel strolls between mosques, churches, and atelier-lined alleys.

• Top sights: Shadervan Square, Old Stone Bridge, Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren Fortress (Kalaja), League of Prizren Complex, Marash Park by the river.
• Food & sweets: Try flija baked in layers, qebapa, mantia, and baklava or tulumba from old-town patisseries. Evenings glow with tea glasses and the clink of rakija.
• Where to stay: Base near Shadervan Square or riverside for atmosphere. Compare stays on VRBO Prizren or Hotels.com Prizren (typical mid-range ~€40–90).
• Getting there from Pristina: Morning buses run frequently (~1h45–2h, ~€5). Compare options on Omio Buses. A taxi/private car takes ~1h30.

Day 4: Transfer to Prizren + Old Town Wander

Morning: Depart Pristina by bus to Prizren (~€5, ~1h45). Check in and drop bags near Shadervan.

Afternoon: Begin at Shadervan Square and the Old Stone Bridge. Visit the League of Prizren museum (Albanian national awakening, period artifacts) and the Sinan Pasha Mosque (Ottoman calligraphy and carpets).

Evening: Golden-hour hike (15–20 minutes) to the Prizren Fortress for the city’s best sunset. Dinner riverside at Marashi (trout, village salads, clay-pot stews) or grill favorite Besimi Beska (qebapa, sausages, kajmak). Nightcap at Hamam Jazz Bar in a historic bathhouse—live sets on weekends.

Day 5: Gjakova and Mirusha Waterfalls (Day Trip)

Morning: Bus to Gjakova (~45–60 minutes, ~€3). Stroll the restored Çarshia e Madhe (Grand Bazaar), the Hadum Mosque complex, and artisan workshops. Coffee at Barista’s or tea in a wood-paneled çay shop.

Afternoon: Hire a taxi from Gjakova for the Mirusha Waterfalls (about 35–45 minutes each way). Hike the limestone gorge to tiered turquoise pools; sturdy shoes recommended. Return to Prizren by early evening (total taxi time ~1.5 hours; expect ~€30–45 round-trip; negotiate before departure).

Evening: Dinner back in Prizren at Te Syla (ask for flija if available; order in advance when possible) or Arasta for meze and warm bread. Dessert: pistachio baklava at a Shadervan patisserie.

Day 6: Sharr Mountains—Prevalla Meadows and Views

Morning: Taxi or minibus to Prevalla in the Sharr Mountains (~30–40 minutes). Easy meadow trails and spruce forests make for a refreshing half-day hike; in winter, small ski slopes open.

Afternoon: Lunch in a mountain inn (grilled trout, bean stew, hot cornbread with ajvar). Return to Prizren to browse handicraft shops for filigree jewelry and copperwork.

Evening: Farewell dinner at Hani near the river (slow-cooked lamb, village cheeses) or a casual spread of qebapa and salads in the old town. Finish with tea and people-watching at Shadervan or a rakija at Te Kinezi bar.

Day 7: Easy Morning + Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast at Mon Cheri or Prince Coffee House (macchiatos, omelets, pastries). Walk Marash Park’s plane trees and visit any final sights.

Afternoon: Transfer to Pristina Airport for your flight (about 1h30 by taxi from Prizren, or bus to Pristina then airport bus). Compare departure options on Omio and, if using regional buses, Omio Buses. Aim to arrive at PRN 2 hours before takeoff.

How to Move Between Cities and Day-Trip Logistics

• Pristina ↔ Prizren: Frequent buses (~1h45–2h, ~€5). Check routes on Omio Buses. Taxis/private cars ~€45–65 one-way.
• Local trains: Limited domestic service (e.g., Pristina–Peja ~2–2.5h, ~€3). Check schedules locally; Omio Trains is useful for regional comparisons in Europe.
• Car hire: Handy for Mirusha/Prevalla; expect ~€30–45/day plus fuel. Roads are generally good; avoid mountain driving in poor weather.

Where to stay quick links: VRBO Pristina | Hotels.com Pristina | VRBO Prizren | Hotels.com Prizren

This week in Kosovo balances big-picture history with small pleasures—espresso rituals, mountain picnics, and fortress sunsets. With easy bus links and compact distances, you’ll cover a lot without ever feeling rushed.