Scratch below the surface of this unusually friendly university city and you'll
be rewarded. People-watch as you sip a glass of cherry juice in the huge bazaar. Go for
a walk or jog in Germia Park in the hills to the east of town and admire the
beauty of centuries-old mosques everywhere. Chat with locals over a Peja beer or
macchiato coffee with frothy milk in a Santea cafe or bar.
Background
Established at the crossroads of trading routes dating from Roman times, Pristina is
Kosovo's capital and largest city. Splendid mosques and colonial buildings
have survived numerous wars, conflicts and socialist 'urban
planners'. Many of the sights centre on the 19th-century Clock Tower near
the junction of Nazim Gufurri and Emin Duraku streets. Nearby, government buildings
line Agim Ramadani street. Virtually all city streets are named after local
historical figures and heroes, so Boulevard Bill Clinton comes as a bit of a
surprise.
First-time visit
Learn about the country's history and see a Neolithic-era clay statue at the
Kosovo Museum, housed in a fine colonial building. Admire the
15th-century Fatih Mosque in the Old Town centre. Wander the vast
bustling bazaar offering everything including the kitchen sink. Stroll along the
paths and forest trails of leafy Germia Park: in summer, swim in its huge
open-air swimming pool and refresh yourself with a Peja beer. After dark, experience
the local nightlife in the city-centre bars and clubs around Fehmi Agani and
Garibaldi streets ("-rruga"). Head to the village of
Gracanica three miles away to see its 14th-century Serbian Orthodox
monastery.
Return visit
Snack on a burek filo pastry with cheese or minced beef filling washed down
with a tangy yoghurt drink. Visit the 19th-century Jewish Cemetery on Tauk
Bahqe hill, a reminder of a community that thrived in Pristina for 500
years. Dig deeper into local culture and heritage at the Ethnographic Museum.
In Prizren, Kosovo's cultural capital, you can admire Ottoman
houses, a 15th-century bathhouse, and the 11th-century Kalaja Fortress.
Before heading back to Pristina, relax with a drink in a cafe on Shadervan
Square.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
