Kosovo: population, area, capital, cities ... Kosovo Description of Kosovo Kosovo is a country situated in South-eastern Europe, the central of Balkan Peninsula. Kosovo, a poverty-stricken and landlocked country, has limited water resources, a variety of topographical features and ringed by mountains. It’s ranked 169 with a total of 10,887 km(square) area. The capital city of Korova is Pristina. History Kosovo became a sovereign province of Serbia after World War II. In 1989, a new constitution instituted that revoked Kosovo’s status of the self-governing province of Serbia. Formation of the Kosovo Liberation Army and launching an insurgency in early 1990’s. 1996 – Albanese of the Kosovo established an army of Independence. Kosovo War – In 1997, Serbia counterattacked with the military, police and paramilitary forces. In 1998-1999, the international community sent NATO troops to violence the Serbians to stop attacking Kosovo.

In 2005, a UN-led process began to resolve Kosovo’s final status, but in 2007 finished without agreement among Belgrade and Pristina. Kosovo’s independence declared in 2008 in Kosovo assembly but still deliberately as its own Sovereign province of Kosovo and Metohija. Kosovo Genocide: It was a part of Kosovo conflict (1998 – 99). Like in the propaganda war, it plays the same role as cruise missiles and cluster bombs in the air war destroying enough of Serbia’s economy and killing 2,000 civilians. Also, the Albanians disputed national Serbs and the Yugoslavian government in Kosovo where as Serbs strategy was to do major tribal cleansing of Albanians but the NATO’s intervention ultimately resolved the conflict. Map and Language Kosovo is based in the Blakan Peninsula; adjoining by the Albanian and Macedonia to the south, the arbitrary territory of Serbia to the north and east, Montenegra to the west. Also, Adriatic sea is in the closet to the west. Albanian and Serbian are the official languages of the Kosovo.

The majority of the population speaks Albanian where as minorities of people spoke Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian. English, German and other European languages are also spoken by an enormous number of people. Culture For centuries, Kosovo’s people with its principles and customary rules follow personal honour, the equality of persons, and the word of honour known as “besa” making a situation of holy trust. Traditional Clothing – Mostly there are 5-6 parts that make up the full bodied traditional dress of Kosovars and it resembles much of the Albanian clothing, if not all the same. Music may have appear to an era where it is actively westernized and mixed with many music genres but still traditional Albanian music is very beloved and favoured. Other music played are folk, Serb and Roma. Main instruments include – flutes, trumpets, bagpipes, horns and many more. Dance – Their famous traditional dance style is “Shota” which requires a big quick step and high tempo. Climate and Weather Generally, the climate in Kosovo is continental. In winters, there is cold, relatively dry and summers are warm and humid. But in mountain areas are particularly cooler averaging about 20° C with up to four months of annual snow cover.

The best time to visit climate-wise is May and September. Travelling and Tourism It has been more popular for breach destination for the European travellers. Popular destinations are Pristina, Prizen and Pec. Main Attractions are architecture, religious heritage, unique traditions and natural features – considering mountains, lakes, rivers and farms with the beautiful landscape which makes more tempting to visit Kosovo. Some of the most visited cities like Pristina, Gjakova, Ulpiana and Novo Brda covers various attractions like Kosovo museum, Jashar Pasha Mosque, Historical monuments like – churches, bridges, museums, hospitality. Also, Peja city is manifested by various craftsmen’s shop such as goldsmiths, leather tanners, tailors, etc. Prize is a well- freeze town with Roman built castle and Ottoman quarter. Furthermore, you can hike, climb or ski during the winter. Thus, to visit Kosovo will be a unique and interesting experience. Vacations and Destinations Kosovo is an alluring and inviting country and has a lot in stock for tourists, The very first destination of the visitor must be capital city Pristina.

While unwinding in the city you could visit many places like National Museum, Serbian Orthodox Church, Rugona George, the waterfall of the Drina River and many more places by visiting will definitely delight you. For a fixed holiday period, you can visit Kosovo by the British Air ways, the Australian airline, Bell air and many European airlines. Some facts about Kosovo Pristina Map | Map of Pristina City, Capital of Kosovo Islam and Christanity Point of interest Pristina Ethnographic museum, The national museum, Nazim Gafurri Street, Jashar Pasha Mosque, University of Pristina, Skenderbeg monument, Gërmia Park About City : Pristina is the capital of Kosovo and has a population of about 198,000. It serves as the center of administration as well as education of the country. The most prevalent language is Albanian although some people also speak English. The city served as the capital of Serbia until the year 1342 when Turks invaded and occupied the area in the Battle of Kosovo.

The Austrians captured the city in the 17th century during the Austrian-Turkish War and it remained under Austrian rule until the Serbs took over in 1912. During the Balkan War in 1915, Bulgaria invaded the whole country and subsequently, the French occupied the area in 1918 and established it as the First Yugoslavia. In 1920, the Serbs again occupied the area until in 1941, Yugoslavia surrendered itself to Albania. Germany also ruled Pristina for a brief amount of time in the 1940s until the city was declared as the capital of Kosovo in 1947. After suffering through several more wars and political conflicts, the country was finally declared an independent nation in 2008 with Pristina as the capital. Geography : Pristina is located at the north-eastern side of the country and lies very close to the mountains of Goljak. To its south lies the Sar Mountains and Lake Badovac. It is situated between the towns of Obilic and Kosovo Polje. It covers an area of about 850 sq km and is at an elevation of about 652 m.

How to Reach (Transport) : Pristina is served by the Pristina International Airport which is located about 15 km to the south of the city. It is served by Australian Airlines, Belair, Croatia Airlines, Helvetic Airways and Turkish Airlines which operate flights to and from cities like London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Istanbul, Brussels, Geneva and Munich. Taxis to the city are easily available outside the airport. The city is accessible via buses from places like Duress, Podgorica, Skopje, Belgrade and Sarajevo. Trains also connect Pristina to Macedonia and Serbia. Inside the city, taxis and city buses are the preferred means of transport. While the buses are very cheap but crowded, the taxis are readily available and slightly more expensive. Several car rental services are also available. When to Visit : Pristina features a typical oceanic climate with warm summers and cold winters. Snowfall is a frequent occurrence. Temperatures never surpass 30 degree Celsius and as a result, the city has a pleasant climate all year round. The best time to visit is from May to September when the weather is pleasantly warm.

Fairs and Festivals : Pristina celebrates several festivals honoring the traditions as well as patriotism and also the religions of Islam and Christianity. The following are some of the important festivals in the city: Independence Day, celebrated on 17th February, is the most important holiday in the nation. Parades, street dances and flag hoisting are held across the city as the whole capital honors the long and tedious battle the country had to undergo for its freedom. Pristina Film Festival, held in September, is hosted at the Kino ABC cinema. It features an array of international movies. Pristina Jazz Festival, held in the month of October or November, is hosted at various venues all around the city. Local as well as international jazz artists perform at this annual music festival. SURF Urban Festival, or the Summer Urban Festival, is held from June to August and involves several events like exhibitions, workshops and concerts. Other festivals include Christmas, New Year’s Day and Freedom Fest.

Points of Interest (Places to Visit) : The following are the popular tourist destinations of this small city : The Kosovo Museum, founded in 1963, has several artifacts although a lot of the exhibits were looted in 1999 and are currently in Belgrade. The terracotta Neolithic Goddess on the Throne is the most famous exhibit here. Germia Park, located in the hills of the eastern area of the town, is famous for its greenery. It also has a large swimming pool, almost as big as a lake. The Gračanica Monastery, located just south of the city, is one of the country’s most prestigious religious monuments. It was built by the Serbian king in 1321 and has beautiful fresco paintings inside it. The Fatih Mosque was built under the Turkish King, Sultan Mehmad II Fatih in the year 1461. Floral decorations and Arabic engravings graced by a grand 15- meter dome make it one of the most spectacular buildings of the city. Other places to visit are the Mother Teresa Boulevard, Skanderbeg Monument and the Stone Mosque.

Accommodation : Pristina has an array of accommodation fit for people of all walks. The Buffalo Backpackers, Hajde Hostel, Pejton Hotel, Hostel Han and Velania Guesthouse are for the budget travelers offering modest accommodation, breakfast and sometimes even computer access. Hostel Pristina even has facilities for free pick up from the bus station and free wireless internet all over the building. For a longer stay, Dot Apartments is also a good option as it offers fully furnished apartments at a really low cost. Hotel Ora, Hotel Afa, Hotel Princi I Arberit and Hotel Sara are popular mid range hotels equipped with free wireless internet, comfortable and friendly surroundings as well as a restaurant. Swiss Diamond Hotel is perhaps the most popular hotel in the city as well as the most expensive. Other luxury hotels are Grand Hotel Pristina Unio Commerce, Hotel Sirius and Golden Hotel, all supremely decorated and have lot of facilities. Prishtina Capital of Kosovo - YouTube Prishtina Capital of Kosovo Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented.

This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Aug 26, 2012 To see Pristina from street-level is best: start off in the Dardania neighborhood. The city is buzzing with its new found freedom and self identity. You won't find many cities in Europe with such an exciting atmosphere. Pristina really is a city where politics, recent history, ancient history and day-to-day life collide. Where stark communist blocks lie next to striking remnants of its Ottoman past. Beautiful 15th century mosques, hamams, clock towers and bazaars are all here to give you that distinctive eastern feeling. Amongst all this you'll find the hustle and bustle of the city's community life, mostly through the hum of the open-air cafes that flank the streets, particularly in Dardania. Sitting and drinking coffee is a national pastime and you'll be hard pushed to get a better macchiato anywhere in the world. And when they're not feeding their caffeine addictions the locals like nothing better than to hit the bars around Rexhep Luci and Peyton, where musical preferences range from dance and rock to hip-hop and jazz.

And throughout the city you'll find fabulous eateries selling everything from local dishes to high-class cuisine, not to mention good quality kebab vendors on every corner. It might be Europe's newest capital city, but Pristina is already proving itself in the tourism stakes. A city full of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and a café culture to rival any in Europe. If you're heading to Kosovo, Pristina is a great place to start, and the best place to get a feel for this new country's exciting vibe. And what's more, the friendly locals just love visitors, so expect a very warm welcome. Video brought to you by Travelindex Network and Travel & Tourism Foundation. Travelindex.com is the World's largest Travel Directory. We invite you to submit your tourism, travel or destination site for publication, its free, at More travel and tourism information and travel videos at: Kosovo - definition of Kosovo by The Free Dictionary Kosovo - definition of Kosovo by The Free Dictionary Ko·so·vo (kô′sə-vō′, kō′-) A republic of the western Balkan Peninsula.

Settled by Slavs around 600, the area was under Turkish rule from 1389 to 1913 and became part of Yugoslavia after World War I. An autonomous region of Serbia after 1946, Kosovo lost much of its autonomy in 1990, leading to ethnic violence between Kosovo's Albanian and Serb populations. Intervention by NATO and the United Nations reestablished peace in 1999. In 2008, Kosovo declared independence; however, its sovereignty was not universally recognized at that time. Priština is the capital and largest city. Ko′so·var′ (-vär′) adj. & n. Kosovo Capital of Kosovo - crossword puzzle clues & answers - Dan Word «Let me solve it for you» Capital of Kosovo Today's crossword puzzle clue is a quick one: Capital of Kosovo. We will try to find the right answer to this particular crossword clue. Here are the possible solutions for "Capital of Kosovo" clue. It was last seen in Premier Sunday quick crossword. We have 1 possible answer in our database. Possible answer: Kosovo profile - BBC News BBC News Read more about sharing.

Close share panel Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, after years of strained relations between its Serb and mainly Albanian inhabitants. It has been recognised by the United States and major European Union countries, but Serbia, backed by its powerful ally Russia, refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo. After the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Serbia responded to separatist pressure from Kosovo by launching a brutal crackdown on the territory's Albanian population, which was only brought to an end by Nato military intervention in 1999. Until 2008 the province was administered by the UN. Reconciliation between the majority Albanians, most of whom support independence, and the Serb minority remains elusive. Broke away from Serbia in 2008.

UN-administered Capital Pristina Area 10,887 sq km (4,212 sq miles) Major languages Albanian, Serbian Image copyright Getty Images President: Hashim Thaci Hashim Thaci was elected by parliament to the largely ceremonial role in February 2016, at the end of a day marked by violent protests by the opposition which did not want him to be president. Mr Thaci was a guerrilla leader during a conflict that led to Kosovo's independence. He has played an important role in Kosovo's politics for nearly two decades, most recently as foreign minister from 2014 until his election as president. He served two terms as prime minister, from 2008 until 2010 and from 2011 until December 2014. He also served as prime minister of the provisional government of Kosovo between 1999 and 2001 and oversaw Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. He has been the chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosovo since May 2000.

Mr Thaci fell out with many opposition groups after helping to negotiate with Serbia a deal that gave more autonomy to Kosovo's minority Serbs. Prime minister: Isa Mustafa Parliament elected veteran politician Isa Mustafa to head a broad coalition government in November 2014, ending the six-month political deadlock that gripped Kosovo since snap elections earlier in the year. He replaced Hashim Thaci, who had served as premier since independence was declared in 2008. Mr Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won the most votes in the June 2014 poll, with Mr Mustafa's Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) following close behind. Neither party was able to form a government without the other and finally agreed to team up. MEDIA Television is the most popular medium. Most households have cable, meaning that domestic stations face strong competition from popular channels based in Albania. Public broadcaster RTK was set up as an editorially independent service. Some 84% of the population was online by 2015. Some key dates in Kosovo's history: Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, a Serb nationalist, stripped Kosovo of autonomy.

Serbs regard Kosovo as the birthplace of their nation 1st century AD - The Romans gain control of the area, populated by a people known as Dardani, who are thought to be either Illyrian or Thracian in origin. 6th century - Slavs begin to settle in the area, which slips from Roman/Byzantine control and becomes a disputed border area. 12th century - Serbia gains control of Kosovo, which goes on to become the heart of the Serbian empire. The period sees the building of many Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries. 1389 - Epic Battle of Kosovo heralds 500 years of Turkish Ottoman rule. Over the centuries the religious and ethnic balance tips in favour of Muslims and Albanians. 1912 - Balkan Wars: Serbia regains control of Kosovo from the Turks. 1946 - Kosovo is absorbed into the Yugoslav federation. 1974 - Yugoslav constitution recognises the autonomous status of Kosovo, giving the province de facto self-government. 1990 - Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic strips Kosovo of its autonomy and imposes Serbian administration on the territory, prompting Albanian protests.

1991 - Start of the violent break-up of Yugoslavia. Kosovar Albanians launch a passive resistance movement, but fail to secure independence. 1996 - The rebel Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) steps up attacks on Serbian authorities in Kosovo. Their campaign grows, along with a Serbian crackdown. 1999 - After international efforts fail to stop the Kosovo conflict, Nato begins aerial bombardment of Serb targets. Yugoslav and Serbian forces respond with a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Kosovar Albanians, prompting an exodus. Following a peace agreement, Yugoslav and Serbian forces withdraw from Kosovo and a UN sponsored administration takes over. 2008 - Kosovo unilaterally declares independence. 2012 - Group of countries overseeing Kosovo since 2008 ends its supervisory role. Nato-led peacekeepers and EU rule-of-law monitors remain. 2013 - Kosovo and Serbia reach a landmark agreement on normalising relations that grants a high degree of autonomy to Serb-majority areas in northern, while both sides agree not to block each other's efforts to seek EU membership. Pristina, capital city of Kosovo All...

Pristina, capital city of Kosovo A bustling capital with an international vibe, Pristina is filled with personnel from foreign agencies. The capital of Kosovo accommodates them by offering a wide range of Internet cafes, coffe houses, bars and restaurants, and English is widely spoken throughout the city. The sprawling city lacks the historic charm of many other European capitals, but it does have many delightful open green spaces. One of the best is Germia Park. Families and young people flock there on the weekends to swim in the lake-sized pool, play ball, hike through the dense woods and relax on the grassy spaces. Surrounding the park are a handful of good restaurants, and the nearby cluster-bombed police bunker is worth a visit. Other sights to explore in the city include the Pristina Ethnographic Museum, the University of Pristina's library and the Jashar Pasha Mosque. Termokip slobode in Pristina Pristina Geographical Location Pristina is located in the northeast of Kosova near the Goljak mountians and is its largest city. The approximate population of Pristina is 200,000.

Pristina Language Albanian and Serbian are the official languages of Kosovo. Bosnian, Turkish, and Roma are also common in certain areas. Pristina Predominant Religion 3% Roman Catholic 1% Protestant Muslims, predominately of the Sunni denomination, comprise the majority of the population. There have been large financial contributions to Kosovan Muslim infrastructure by Middle Eastern Charities since 2000. Pristina Currency The Euro is the official currency of Kosovo. Pristina Climate Pristina has a humid climate but rarely sees uncomfortably hot summers. The remainder of the year is quite cool and winters are cold with precipitation present every month. Spring is the rainiest time of the year. Pristina Main Attractions VisitCapitalCity.com , descriptions with © All rights reserved by the author Rute Alle Chandra , official traveller blogger Divido Ltd CONTACT Divido Premium Domain Auctions Divido Ltd has been selected as the exclusive auction services provider ccTLD registries, and is operating an auction of premium domain names that are being released by the highly attractive .AC, .IO, and .SH top level domains. This includes most of the 1 and 2 character domain names that had been previously unavailable for registration.

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The following TLDs are currently aucitoning premium 1-2 character domain names with Divido: Kosovo travel guide - Wikitravel Time Zone UTC +1/+2 ( Albanian : Kosova , Serbian : Kосово) is a disputed territory and de facto independent country in South Eastern Europe , in central Balkans . After a lengthy and often violent dispute with Serbia, Kosovo declared independence in February 2008 and (as of 16 October 2012) 110 UN states recognise this and it has become a member country of the IMF and World Bank as the Republic of Kosovo, despite heavy Serbian opposition . Kosovo, though a secular republic, is largely Albanian-speaking and Muslim but there are also significant numbers of minorities living within its borders, especially Serbs. Kosovo's far north, along with two small regions elsewhere, have a Serb majority and are under local control. Kosovo borders Albania to the west, Montenegro to the north west, Macedonia to the south, and Serbia (from its perspective) to the north east; the latter frontier is viewed by Serbia as being an internal boundary separating Kosovo (as an internal province) with Central Serbia.

While the legitimacy of the Kosovar government is disputed by many UN countries, from a traveller's point of view the Kosovar government has de facto control of most of the the country; local Serb authorities administer five municipalities in the north. This is not a political endorsement of claims by either side in the dispute. Understand[ edit ] The population of Kosovo is about 92% Albanian, who use the name Kosova in their Albanian tongue. Although the official name in English Republic of Kosovo is approved by Kosovo's Albanian-speaking authorities, the word Kosova still finds its way into the English vernacular of locals. Many people in Kosovo can speak English and German; they are more than willing to help you and tell you their stories. If you are interested in more than just seeing beautiful mountains and ancient ruins on your vacation to 'the region', Kosovo strongly recommends itself. The four Serbian Orthdox church complexes that make up UNESCO World Heritage Site of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo - three monasteries, in towns of Gračanica , Peja/Peć and Dečani , and the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš in the city of Prizren .

There are also many more Orthodox monuments of importance throughout the region. Hospitality as a sacred duty - anywhere out of the cities you will be welcomed into people's homes and treated royally. Beautiful countryside for walking with wonderful wild flowers. Nightlife and cafe culture in Prishtina, with the buzz that comes from Europe's youngest population. Seeing the UN and the international community in action (or not!) is quite interesting. You'll get a first hand view of more than 6 different cultures (Albanian, Serb, Roma, Ashkalia, Bosniak, and Turkish). You'll gain an understanding of what happens when governments allow industry to function when both environmental regulations and solid, defensible property rights are scarce. The Kosovars tend to be very friendly towards the UK and USA for its support of their independence (eg: they have "Bill Clinton Boulevard" in Prishtina, as well as a large picture mural of him on the side of a building). They also are very friendly to Western European and Middle Eastern countries. Cities[ edit ] Map of Kosovo Prishtina (Serb. Приштина/Priština) — the capital; a lively city centre with some interesting museums and monuments.

UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Monastery of Gračanica is located in the eponymous village southeast of the city. Brod (Serb. Брод/Brod) — one of the most spectacular mountain villages in the Balkans. Ferizaj (Serb. Урошевац/Uroševac) — local church and mosque are literally side by side. Gjakova (Serb. Ђаковица/Đakovica) — although heavily damaged in the war, this city currently features the best nightlife in Kosovo by far, as well as trips to nearby lakes. The çarişa (market) has been renovated and is well worth several hours. It has tekkes of 7 Sufi sects and is home for two of them. Gjilan (Serb. Гњилане/Gnjilane) — city with summer nightlife and close to Draganac Monastery. Kaçanik (Serb. Качаник/Kačanik) — a peaceful and quiet town, with an ancient fortress. Mitrovica (Serb.

Косовска Митровица/Kosovska Mitrovica) — town divided into southern (Albanian) and northern (Serb) sides. The river dividing the city is the political and ethnic dividing line of the region. Peja (Serb. Пећ/Peć) — town with much Ottoman and Serbian Orthodox heritage. UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Patriarchate of Peć is located in the eastern outskirts of the city, and another World Heritage Site, Monastery of Visoki Dečani is located in the nearby eponymous town of Deçan to the south of Peja. Hub for outdoor sports in the spectacular surrounding mountains. The nearby Rugova Canyon is one of the outstanding areas of the country. Prizren (Serb. Призрен/Prizren) — Capital of the Serbian Empire in the XIV century, this is the most historical city of Kosovo, overlooked by a grandiose medieval fortress. UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš is located in the city. There is also a well-preserved Ottoman quarter. A town in which you may still hear Turkish spoken. It also houses the League of Prizren Complex.

Podujeve (Serb. Подујево/Podujevo) — A town in the northeast of Kosovo close to the administrative border with Serbia. It has about 75 surrounding villages hence having a lot of traffic. At night time it's bustling, and the cafes and bars are always busy. Velika Hoča (Alb. Hoça e Madhe) — Beautiful medieval village with a centuries-old tradition of viticulture near the town of Orahovac. Other destinations[ edit ] Kullas are traditional stone houses seen only in Kosovo and Northern Albania. Their design stems from the requirements of the traditional Albanian kanun code for hospitality and for murder to be avenged on the family of the murderer, resulting in blood feuds. A few of these defensible stone houses remain, including in the village of Isniq (where one has opened as a museum), and in the village of Junik and Dranoc (near Peja ) where you can stay in a kulla overnight. The village of Velika Hoča has 12 monasteries and churches, excellent wine and raki, and a homestay programme meaning there is accommodation in four restored old houses.

Novo Brdo Fortress is the site of a ruined castle with good walking opportunities nearby as well as homestay possibilities see the local tourism website for more information . In May/June the hill of Novo Brdo Fort is covered in wildflowers. Brezovicais a mainly Serbian village in the Strpce municipality in the South of Kosovo, close to the Sharr Mountains National Park. It is a popular winter destination due to its ski resort. It can also be an interesting place to visit in the summer too as it is an excellent hiking spot and the visitor can enjoy the beauty of the National Park and its surroundings. Prizren . Gadime is a town just half an hour away from pristina that has an amazing network of caves that you can get a guided tour through. Hajla is the highest peak in Rugova and very adrenaline place for climbing in winter. Visas[ edit ] Foreign nationals, subject to the Law on the Status, Immunities and Privileges of Diplomatic and Consular Missions and Personnel in Republic of Kosovo and of the International Military Presence and its Personnel, as well as foreign nationals, holders of UN Travel Documents, are exempted from the obligation of visa possession.

Foreign citizens, subject to visa regime application, but bearers of valid multiple entry Schengen visa may enter the Republic of Kosovo and stay up to 15 days without having to obtain a Kosovo visa. Citizens of EU states, Albania, Monaco, Montenegro and Serbia may visit Kosovo for max 90 days with a valid biometric ID card (NB: Many ID cards, e.g. French, Greek and Austrian, are not biometric, so those nationals need a passport) For the list of country citizens who require a visa to enter Kosovo: [1] If you are planning to stay in Kosovo for more than 90 days you should, as in any other Balkan country, register at the Police Department for the Registration of Foreigners. This is is next to the central police station in Pristina. The 90 day rule for the registration of foreigners applies to everybody [2] . You can enter Kosovo through the northern border with Serbia through Kosovska 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.

Most used transport route is through the Republic of Macedonia and Prishtina airport. Skopje is only one and a half hours 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 it takes an hour and a half, if there is no traffic, but the most that it will take is two hours. The distance to Peć is also similar. UN-sign at the Kosovar border station of Deneral Jankovic welcoming visitors arriving from Blace, Macedonia [Photo: RP] By plane[ edit ] Several European airlines offer direct flights from their hubs to the International Airport of Pristina There are many direct flights from Germany, Switzerland and some Scandinavian countries, while the main connecting hubs are via Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Lufthansa Group (via Munich or Frankfurt). During the summer, several additional charter flights are available for travellers. It is sometimes cheaper to fly into Skopje in Macedonia, which is approximately 2 hours drive from Prishtina.

Although there is no direct public transport from Skopje airport to Kosovo, a one-way taxi will cost 60-65 euros. Prishtina-based taxi companies offer this service, including Taxi Victory + 377 44 111 222 (viber also), or Taxi Roberti +377 44 111 999. By bus[ edit ] From Montenegro, you can enter through Rozaje to Peja/Pec(approximately 2.0 hours). There are direct daily buses on the Prishtina-Ulqin/Ulcinj route, which takes approx 5 hours. From Macedonia, you can take a bus from Skopje to Prishtina (approximately 2.5 h) or Prizren. From Serbia, there are direct buses on Prishtina-Belgrade route, taking approx 6 hours. From Albania, you can enter through Prizren on the new highway. The trip from Tirane costs 10€ and takes 4 h, with two stops.

Elsewhere, there are a couple companies offering buses from Istanbul via Skopje, as well as Prishtina-Vienna route. By train[ edit ] There are also two train lines crossing the Kosovo border: 1. Two trains/day from Kraljevo (Serbia) to Mitrovica operated by Serbian railways and costing 628 Serbian dinar (see timetable ); 2. One daily train from Skopje (Macedonia) to Pristina (see timetable ). There is a track from Mitrovica to Fushë Kosovë west of Pristina, but it is currently not served by any trains. By car[ edit ] To enter Kosovo, the validity and acceptance of the International Motor Insurance Card is in doubt. At the border you will need to pay €30 for an insurance extra which will cover you throughout Kosovo for two weeks (Kosovo insurance Bureau [3] has offices selling insurance at all border crossings). Ensure also that you have your vehicle registration and a power of attorney from the owner if the car is not yours. During the summer holidays in Germany and Switzerland expect long queues at the border crossing in Merdare (up to 10h).

By Motorcycle[ edit ] At the border the European Motor Insurance/Green Card is not accepted, insurance for a short stay is €15 (as of September 2012). The roads are generally in good condition, and the standard of driving is typical of other countries in the Balkans. However expect large farm animals to be wandering the roads. By bus[ edit ] The best way to travel intercity in Kosovo is by bus. Buses are relatively cheap; Pristina to Peja is €4.00, for example. Within Pristina, rides cost €0.40. By train[ edit ] Kosovan Railways (Kosovske Zeleznice - Hekurudhat e Kosovës) [4] are currently (2006) running the following passenger train services: from Fushë Kosovë (Serbian: Kosovo Polje; a city near Pristina ) to Leshak (a town North at the Serb frontier) three trains a day.

From Fushë Kosovë at 07.35, 11.18 and 14.15 and from Leshak at 09.55, 13.19 and 16.50. The train passes through most of the Serbian enclaves that are strung up through the northern part of Kosovo. The system is seen as a way of helping to make the lives of the Serbs in the enclaves easier but also as a way to help integration. The service is free of charge to local people. Another service runs twice a day from Fushë Kosovë at 04.17 and 19.00 to Hani i Elezit (former General Jankovic) on the border to Macedonia, return journeys from Hani i Elezit starts at 05.53 and 20.44. A local suburban services runs from Fushë Kosovë to Grazhanica with departures from F. Kosovë at 05.40 and 19.17, returning from Grazhanica at 06.30 and 20.05.

There are two daily trains from Pristina to Peja/Pec which are a comfortable way to make this journey (€3) The service to Gracanica has been suspended, and the service Fushe Kosovo to Leshak seems to have been taken over by Serbian Railways between Zvecan and Lesak (no trains between Fushë Kosovë -Mitrovica) By taxi[ edit ] You can get a superb atlas of Kosovo from the OSCE that has detailed ethnic maps (before and after the war), vital statistics, along with navigational maps. To get the map, ask for the NGO Information office near the OSCE building in Pristina . Talk[ edit ] Most people in Kosovo speak Albanian . Although almost everyone understands Serbian , it may result in hostile reactions from the mostly Albanian population. Though this is typically not so much of a problem in the southeastern portion of the country which retains a more significant Serb population and tensions are far lower. You can also just ask if someone speaks Croatian instead of Serbian (as they're in fact the same language). English and German are languages that the majority of population speak especially by the younger population. Italian is also spoken but much more rarely than English and German.

The Turkish minority speaks Turkish and Albanian. Turkish is also spoken by some Albanians, especially the older generations. Most people in northern Kosovo are ethnic Serbs, so Serbian will come in handy there. In the southeast the towns of Ranilug , Silovo, Štrpce, Kllokot, Parteš, as well as a few other villages surrounding Gnjilane have Serb populations as well. English and Russian are common second languages See[ edit ][ add listing ] Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George in Prizren. Peja is known as the "City of Tourism", in western Kosovo, sits at the mouth of the Rugova Gorge and adjacent to the newly formed Accursed Mountains National Park. At the Tourist Information offices in the city center (open all year) or on the road leading to Rugova (open summers only) you can obtain maps of the historic sites, and information on everything from adventure sports in the nearby mountains to peaceful guest accommodations, and nearby attractions. [5] Prishtina is the capital city of Kosovo. Places that should be visited in Prishtina is the quarter near the National Museum of Kosova.

In addition to visiting the museum where a lot of archaeological artifacts are presented, in both ways when you exit, you see the old mosques, since the Ottoman Empire. Prizren . The most historical city in Kosovo, capital of the Serbian empire in the XIV century. It has plenty of beautiful examples of Serbian and Ottoman medieval architecture. UNESCO World Heritage Site - Serbian Orthodox church of Our Lady of Ljeviš (XIV century) is located in the city. UNESCO World Heritage Site - Patriachate of Peć lies 2 km to the west of the Peja city center. It is the mother church of the Serbian Orthodoxy, and it was established in the XII century. It is a beautiful monastery with many spectacular frescoes. UNESCO World Heritage Site - Visoki Dečani Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is famous for its elegant and peculiar architecture. As an orthodox monastery from the XIII century, it successfuly 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. It is located near Peja .

UNESCO World Heritage Site - Gračanica Monastery is one of the most beautiful examples of Serbian medieval ecclesiastical architecture. This monastery was built by the Serbian king Milutin in the Serbo-Byzantine style. 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. It is located near Prishtina . Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Assumption of Holy Virgin Mary, Gračanica. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Velika Hoča , a beautiful village with 13 medieval churches and a centuries-old tradition of wine-making. Waterfall Of The Drini River - Located north of Peja behind the Berdynaj village. During the summer, this place is fantastic, and the road to the river is an amazing, narrow road with wires on one side and the river on the other; this is a great part of Kosovo. The Rugova Gorge. The Rugova gorge is also to the north west of Peja and can be found by following the same road that leads to the Peć Patriarchy, and driving further. The canyon has extremely steep walls reaching possibly up to 300 metres.

The Gjakova Old Bazaar. A very beautiful old "shopping centre" from 17th century. It was burned down during the war in 1999 and reconstructed recently. In the centre of the bazaar is an old mosque that was built in the 15th century. The Mitrovica Bridge. An interesting symbol of the division of the population in Kosovo. This bridge is the dividing line between Serbs and Albanians in Mitrovice/Mitrovica. It will almost always be safe to approach the bridge and look at it, although the French soldiers who guard it may not let you cross if the political situation is worse than average (average not being so good). The Roma quarter (mahalla) in Gjilan. Gjilan is located to the South East of Pristina. Brezovica Ski Centre - Old infrastructure but great slopes, located in Southern Kosova. Novo Brdo (in Latin documents written as Novaberd, Novus Mons or Novamonte; and in Saxon miners' documents as Nyeuberghe) was mentioned in the historical documents as early as 1326.

Novo Brdo was a metropolis at the time, with a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today, and residential sections sprawling all around. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle dates back to the Byzantine Empire. Novo Monte Fortress Ulpiana, one of the oldest cities in the Balkan peninsula, is just 20-30 minutes away from Pristina towards Gjilan . It was re-constructed by emperor Justinian I. Visiting a coffee shop in Prishtina, having a macchiato and people watching is quite a popular sport in Kosovo - and you could also try it sometime. If you wish to experience something more active, here are some ideas: Hiking[ edit ] Almost 11% of Kosovo's territory is protected as a National Park. In Europe, Kosovo comes only second to Iceland in this aspect. Sharr Mountains - is a mountain range in the South of the country, home to Sharr Mountain National Park and the ski resort of Brezovica.

This region is very popular in the winter as a destination of skiers but also has a lot to offer in the summer as it is an excellent choice for hikers and nature lovers that want to explore its paths, peak, small lakes and forests. The remoteness of the area helps travellers to enjoy the environment in tranquility and peace. The Peaks of the Balkans Trail will take you through three countries, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania. The trail is 192 km, can be started in any of the three countries, and its 10 segments completed in 10-13 days. [6] As such, Kosovo has an impressive array of mountains, which you can visit yourself - or with the help of some the Alpine/hiking clubs or guides in Kosovo. Rugova Guide - offers hiking and adventure tours in Rugova & climbing VIA FERRATA. The company is based in the western town of Peja or Pec. Services are offered in English and Albanian. You can book different tours with them the cost is from euro 15 and higher.

You can book on +377 44 746 001 & +386 49 110 450 (VIBER), they can speak english. Price per person is normally 15 euros, which includes transport, although it depends also on the distance of the mountain, thay own Log Cabins in Rugova for longer stays. Visit Klubi Alpin Prishtina - is one of the oldest hiking clubs, with some guides that are internationally licensed as mountain guides, first aid etc. Their website has info on the mountains, but as of 15/11/15 it is only in Albanian. However, it is worth knowing that they organise at least one group hiking event a week (normally Sundays), which is open to the public. The post destination details weekly on their Facebook page [7] . All you need to do is call and reserve your place, they speak English. +377 44 312 744. Price per person is normally 10 euros, which includes transport, although it depends also on the distance of the mountain.

Balkan Natural Adventure- Is one of the leading companies in offering hiking and adventure tours in Kosovo. The company is based in the western town of Peja or Pec. Services are offered in English and Albanian. You can book different tours with them the cost is from euro 15 and higher. Other than daily tours the company organises also longer stays. facebook page [8] [9] or call 00 386 49 66 11 05 Hiking njeri- normally organises one public hiking trip per week, on the weekend. You can check out their facebook page [10] for upcoming hikes, information provided in Albanian and English. You can pre-book on 049 248 716 (viber) or 045 834 141. Price per person is normally 10 euros, although it depends also on the distance of the mountain.

Rock-climbing[ edit ] Klubi Alpin Dardania- is a group of rock-climbing enthusiasts who, in addition to organizing rock-climbing expeditions, spend a lot of their personal time building safe climbing paths, including one at the beautiful Mirusha waterfalls. They also post their public events on Facebook [11] or you can enquire with Menton on 044/153-093. Price per person is normally 6 euros, excluding transport. Marimangat - based in Peja, close to the Rugova Gorge. They offer guided hikes, rock-climbing and climbing on via ferrata, the first of its kind in Kosovo - built together with the Alpine Club in Trento , Italy . website or contact +386 49 661 105 Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Kosovo has the euro (€) as its sole currency along with 24 other countries that use this common European money.

These 24 countries are: Austria , Belgium , Cyprus , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Ireland , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , the Netherlands , Portugal , Slovakia , Slovenia and Spain (official euro members which are all European Union member states) as well as Andorra , Kosovo, Monaco , Montenegro , San Marino and the Vatican which use it without having a say in eurozone affairs and without being European Union members. Together, these countries have a population of more than 330 million. One euro is divided into 100 cents. While each official euro member (as well as Monaco, San Marino and Vatican) issues its own coins with a unique obverse, the reverse, as well as all bank notes, look the same throughout the eurozone. Every coin is legal tender in any of the eurozone countries. The Serbian dinar is the official currency in the Serbian-ruled four northern municipalities as well as in larger enclaves with Serbian majority such as Gracanica and Strpce. Exchange offices are found almost everywhere.

Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] 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 European countries consider, cheap. Lots of great burek (baked pastry stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach). Try the drinkable yoghurt (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, that is similar to pie made of layers of crepes 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 ][ add listing ] Like most European countries there is no drinking age in Kosovo. Beer at Peja is a pretty good brew. It is brewed in Peja (Pec).

Peja Premium is a slightly stronger beer from the same brewery but less widely available. Since 2012, Kosovo is also home to an artisanal brewery called Sabaja, a joint venture between a home brewer named Alex Butler from New York City and his kosovar friends Etida and Genc Zeka. Sabaja produces several brews, including ales. Its still not available widely, but you can find it in most bars in central Prishtina. Wine is also widely consumed when eating out, some local wine and also Vranac from Montenegro are the most common ones. Even though the Albanians are predominantly of Muslim heritage, drinking is quite liberal. Raki is also another alcoholic beverage in Kosova. It is made from local fruits (the most common one is from grape) and can be best described as a hard liquor similar to brandy. It can be quite strong so if you have a weak stomach or do not often drink liquor avoid this beverage. While raki is typically served in a shot glass it's meant to be sipped with mineral water or interestingly coffee. Amongst Serbs, raki or rakija in Serbian is typically made from plums and commonly offered to guests.

This is almost always homemade and a source of great pride by the one offering. While in other parts of the world there is good reason to be suspicious of homemade alcohol, in this part of the world no one wants to be known as the person who's raki/rakija poisons their guests. So often it's a safer bet to drink homemade rakija rather than factory made rakija. When toasting local hospitality customs mandates that one cannot toast with coffee or water, but typically with some form of alcohol. If you do not wish to drink alcohol then ask for juice or soda which an acceptable alternative. Yogurt/Ayran is also a common local drink and is consumed with pastry foods often Burek. Boza is also another common sweet drink drank with cakes and pastries. Crème de la Crème, Mujo Ulqinaku (Peyton Neighborhood), ☎ +38649315783, [12] . 21:00-03:00; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Crème is probably the best all-round bar in the city.

It’s run for the amusement of the young, arty owners and not for profit, which explains the more-than-generous pricing arrangements, especially for the perfectly executed cocktails. Its five tiny floors heave on Fridays and Sundays with Pristina’s cool to the variety of beats. €1-5. (42.657024,21.154687) edit The White Tree Terrace (Druni i Bardh'), Mujo Ulqinaku 15 (Peyton Neighborhood, behind Crème de la Crème), ☎ +38649166777, [13] . 08:00. It's a beach in the middle of concrete! It's a very cozy place, a good collection of beers and rakia (local spirit/liquor), very good music and nice urban people. It's also the terrace of a nice hostel. 23:00.

(42.657095,21.154912) edit Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Accommodation in Kosovo can be expensive, meaning it is probably the same as hotels in surrounding countries (starts at €25 and goes over €100), and primarily designed for people working for development agencies. Your best bet for finding a place to stay is to look outside of Prishtina (if you're with the car) and to have a contact there ahead of time (even if its just somebody you met over the internet) and stay with them. Or possibly contact some of the smaller development organisations, such as Balkan Sunflowers and online listing of Kosovo hotels, and ask if they can help you with accommodation staying in a rural community, or in the city for a higher price. Try to find a motel -- they are cheaper (around 10€ or 15€ one night), and conditions are usually excellent. You can find one around any major city in Kosovo.

Buffalo Backpackers, 274 Musine Kokolari (next to the ambulance in Ulpiana), ☎ +377 45 643 261, [14] . checkin: 12pm; checkout: 11am. Located in the city center, great, young staff very passionate about Kosovo, breakfast included, Free Wifi and computer access, free coffee and tea, kitchen with cooking facilities, homemade raki and ice cold beer, large garden, exhibition room about Kosovo's history, XL jenga and Cornhole toss, fire pit, multiple balconies, luggage storage, lockers, lounge area and more! 10€. edit The White Tree (Druni i Bardh'), Mujo Ulqinaku 15 (Just 5 minutes from the city center, Peyton Neighborhood, behind Crème de la Crème), ☎ +38649166777, [15] . checkin: 12:00; checkout: 11:00. The best hostel in Pristina?

Drawing from our hostel experiences while traveling, we decided to bring together the best of what we saw internationally with the well-known local hospitality. After much deliberation, we rented a ramshackle space with a dead tree in the middle. We painted it white, added colorful twinkling jar lights and we gave life to the White Tree Terrace and Hostel! Great staff and owners, great cozy atmosphere, capacity of 28 people, one private room, 3 bathrooms, fully operational kitchen, Free WiFi and computer, lockers, lounge area, quality mattress, a great terrace outside and the best nigh club right behind. It's a 3 in 1 experience! €10-30. (42.657095,21.154912) edit Stay safe[ edit ] Avoid getting too much into politics in Kosovo, although ask as many questions (within reason) as you like. They are very open about their hatred of each other and more than willing to tell you about it.

Don’t let the politics stop you from visiting; tensions have risen in a few moments in the past decade, but nearly all have been in the divided city of Mitrovica in the north of the country and with a 10,000+ NATO peace keeping force and a large international Police force, you are very safe from pretty much everything and the chance of a full out conflict is very low with such international supervision and even if one is to occur, all foreigners would be evacuated within 48 hours. You will most likely find peacekeeping soldiers from your own country to help you if you need it. There are few physical or criminal dangers you need to worry about in Kosovo. People in general—both Albanians and Serbs—are extremely friendly and hospitable to tourists. Kosovo is a country that is used to having a vast amount of foreigners from all over the world: since the end of the war, there have been more than 200,000 international workers aiding and rebuilding around the country.

The corruption level is extremely low, thanks to the supervision of the EULEX international police, which means it is one of the only countries in Eastern Europe where bribery is pretty much unheard of (unless you have committed a major crime). It can be a different story between the police and organised crime, but this has nothing to do with regular people and tourists. Use only registered taxis, as they have fixed fares and you will not get scammed. Unlicensed taxis are safe, but they will always scam you if you use the meter, so if you have to use an unlicensed taxi, make sure you come to a deal beforehand so the meter is taken out of play. Even though homosexuality isn't illegal, it isn't recognized. Homophobia is somewhat of an issue; people don’t take kindly to homosexuals, but again, physical harm is not an issue unless you openly display affection. Sharr Mountain Dogs[ edit ] As with many other rural and mountainous locations in the region (Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania), you may encounter a Sharr Mountain Dog guarding a flock of sheep or someone's property. The dogs are easily identifiable as being considerably larger than your typical stray dogs with a gray/black coast and wolf like appearance.

Sharr Mountain Dogs are very intelligent and very good at their guardian roles. If they see you with their owners they're typically very friendly, if not they can be extremely territorial. As a rule of thumb, if one is barking at you just give it plenty of room and walk around whatever it's trying to guard, whether it's a home or flock of sheep. Land mines[ edit ] Like much of the Balkans, land mines were heavily used during the Yugoslav civil wars. Though this was a major problem in the country in the first four years after the war, now it’s a very rare that you encounter them; most suspicious areas are listed in local tour guide books (in particular, the Central Kosovo countryside and Kosovo–Albania border region). It's very safe to go hiking and camping — just ask before you do so to make sure it's not a suspicious area. Most hiking and camping takes place in areas where war did not occur, like the Sharr mountains, where there is a ski and camping resort. Open manholes[ edit ] Open manhole in Pristina Likely stolen to sell as scrap metal, one should keep an eye out for this potential hazard.

Whilst not an issue on busy city streets, walking even a few kilometres outside downtown Pristina can be dangerous - particularly when walking in tall grass beside roads or pavements. Local residents use a small pile of sticks and stones to cover open sewer pits, and care should be taken not to step on these either. 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. Rabies[ edit ] Don't pet dogs — stay away from them!!! Whilst most are not aggressive when they are in packs, they can very well be, so make sure you stay away and don’t run away from them either as dogs chase you when you run; sometimes, the best defense is an attack so charging at them a little usually scares them away.

But again, this is only a problem in the outskirts of the cities and at night, as during the day, you will hardly encounter them and they will stay away from humans. There are direct flights from Pristina International Airport to London , New York City , Zurich , Geneva , Gothenburg , Copenhagen , Vienna , Zagreb , Hamburg , Hannover , Dusseldorf , Berlin , Frankfurt , Podgorica , Munich , Stuttgart , Bremen , Rome , Milan , Verona , Ljubljana , Budapest , Tirana , Istanbul and Antalya . Soon, there will be direct flights to Sarajevo and other destinations. There are direct bus links to most cities in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Albania, Turkey, Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia. Note that if you plan to go to Russia after Kosovo, you may encounter a bit of trouble entering the country as Russia considers the declaration of independence of Kosovo to be illegal.

Question: What is the capital of Kosovo?
Answer: PRISTINA