Bradt Guide - Kosovo

Ringed by high mountains and overcoming a turbulent past, increasingly serviced by low-cost flights and benefitting from investment in travel infrastructure, Kosovo is enjoying a tourism renaissance. What was once a hub for adventurous backpackers and international organisations, Europe’s youngest country has become a leading outdoors destination in its own right. On mega-hiking trails like the Via Dinarica and the Peaks of the Balkans, you can hike up saw-toothed mountains, with 20 peaks exceeding 2,500 m altitude. This edition features new via ferratas – climbing routes – in the country’s north and west, plus thrilling new opportunities for off-piste skiing, zip lining and paragliding.

Prishtina’s ever-changing café and restaurant scene remains a must, while fresh for this edition are new tourist attractions, such as Reporting House. Enthusiasts of Brutalist architecture have plenty to admire, notably Prishtina’s National Library, while recently restored archaeological sites, such as Ulpiana and Novo Brdo, offer a haven for history buffs. Gjakova has complemented its flourishing café and shopping scene with new nature-tourism offerings. Kosovo has become a leading venue for international DJs, while Grammy-winning popstar Dua Lipa’s Sunny Hill Festival has put the country firmly on the musical map, doing for music what Dokufest (Kosovo’s documentary and short-film festival) has done for film.

Whether you enjoy a traditional meal and overnight stay in a well-preserved kulla (stone tower-house), relax by sampling raki at a vineyard, or rejuvenate through the dynamic vibe of a country where half the population is aged under 25, Kosovo will surprise and excite. This fourth edition of Bradt’s Kosovo contains all the up-to-date information critical to a smooth visit, making it an indispensable travelling companion.