Tour guides Kosovo

5 ideas for guided tours in Kosovo

• Peja

  

  The city of Peja, known as Peć in Serbian, lies in the west of the country in the stunning Rugova Valley. It sits on the banks of the Lumbardh River and boasts a rich cultural heritage.

  Start your visit with a stroll through the town’s bazaar, where the lively streets are lined with stalls selling clothing, fabrics, leather goods, and jewelry.

  Just nearby, don’t miss the beautiful Bajrakli Mosque, dating back to the 15th century. Continue on to the city’s Serbian Orthodox Monastery, which includes four churches and was founded in the 13th century. The nuns who still live there will gladly guide you through the site.

  Peja is also a perfect base for setting out on hikes throughout the surrounding valley.

• Prizren

  

  Often called the most beautiful city in Kosovo (at least by its residents), Prizren lies just 80 kilometers from the capital, Pristina. It offers a fascinating mix of cultures, blending East and West.

  The city unfolds like a gem at the foot of the Šar Mountains, its stone bridges crossing the Prizrenska Bistrica River. Byzantine and Ottoman influences are everywhere, especially around Shadervan Square, the heart of the old town, lined with bars and restaurants. Here you’ll find the striking Sinan Pasha Mosque — one of 30 in the city — and right next to it, the beautiful 15th-century St. George’s Church of the Serbian Orthodox faith. Be sure to climb up to the Kalaja Fortress, which towers over the city, especially stunning at sunset.

  Just 30 km southwest of Prizren, you can set out on scenic hikes in the Dragash region. You’ll walk through valleys rich in rare medicinal plants and meet shepherds who live at over 2,500 meters above sea level.

• Gjakova

  

  Almost completely destroyed during the Kosovo war, the city has been fully rebuilt while preserving its historic character, thanks to the work of local artists. Located south of Peja, Gjakova is perhaps the most authentic city in Kosovo today.

  Its historic center is rich with heritage, featuring the country’s most famous bazaar, dating back to the 17th century. Here you can shop for all kinds of handmade crafts and stop at one of the many cafés to enjoy a strong Turkish coffee. Wandering up through the higher parts of town, you’ll weave through narrow alleys and come across old Orthodox churches standing alongside historic mosques and Catholic churches.

• The Mirusha waterfalls

  

  Just an hour’s drive from Pristina, the Mirusha Waterfalls tumble in a series of cascades linked by clear pools. The sound of rushing water echoes off the limestone cliffs as you follow trails that are sometimes steep, sometimes nearly hidden by vegetation.

  The turquoise basins invite you to pause, especially in the heat of the day when sunlight filters through the trees. Each level reveals a new waterfall, wider or narrower, and together they form a shifting, untamed landscape.

  Not far away, the city of Prizren spreads out with its minarets and hilltop fortress — clear traces of its long Ottoman past. To the west, Peja opens the road to the mountains, with lively markets and ancient monasteries waiting to be explored.

• Rugova Gorge

  

  In the west of the country, near the border with Montenegro, the Rugova Gorge opens into a long corridor of steep cliffs, with a turquoise river winding its way below. The road snakes along the base of the walls, alternating between tunnels and bridges, giving the feeling of a passage carved straight from the rock.

  Mountain trails lead into dense forests, then climb to alpine pastures where the view opens wide. In winter, the Boge ski resort draws snow lovers, while in summer the waterfalls and cliffs mainly attract hikers and climbers.

  Just a few kilometers away, the town of Pec is home to the Serbian Patriarchate, a monastic complex with ancient frescoes and a meditative atmosphere behind its red walls. It’s a striking contrast to the raw nature of Rugova Gorge, one that deepens the journey.

  Farther still, the Prokletije mountains — known as the Albanian Alps — continue the impression of a wild, untamed land. From narrow valleys to steep mountain passes, the landscape leaves a lasting imprint, simple and powerful, long after you’ve left the road behind.