Bustling streets and an ever-growing collection of trendy cafes, bars and restaurants give Pristina an infectious atmosphere. The city features an eclectic mix of architectural styles and feels both traditional and modern at the same time. Visit excellent museums and galleries, dine on traditional Balkan cuisine and venture into the hillside neighbourhoods to visit beautiful mosques and explore colourful bazaars.
Things to do in Pristina
Admire modern art at the National Gallery of Kosovo. This contemporary space hosts rotating exhibits by local and international artists. Expect to see works by Kosovar and Albanian artists like Sislej Xhafa and Flaka Haliti, as well as international icons like Henry Moore and Rosemarie Trockel.
Learn about local history, culture and tradition at the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum. It occupies a pair of beautifully restored Ottoman buildings set in a walled garden. Inside are rooms filled with Kosovar antiques, clothing, kitchenware, jewellery and weapons. You can dive deeper into local history at the Museum of Kosovo. It charts the rich narrative of the Republic, from the Bronze Age to modern times. Don’t miss the collection of Balkan deity statues.
Albanian culture is alive and flourishing in Pristina. The city is dotted with restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Albanian dishes like “ferges” creamy bell pepper stew and “byrek” pie filled with spinach and feta. Finish your meal with a glass of raki, an anise-flavoured fruit liqueur.
You can pull up a table at a hip cafe in Pristina, with many featuring outdoor terraces that are perfect for soaking in the summer sunshine. After dark, head to a jazz bar to enjoy live music and sip “slivovica” plum brandy.
Getting around Pristina
Pristina is compact and easy to get around on foot. Taxis are a fast and affordable way to cover longer distances or travel after dark. Prishtina International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.