Pristina is the capital of Kosovo and many people visiting will add it to their itinerary. While there are a few interesting things to see in Pristina, this city doesn’t have as much as you might think. Still, you can wander down pedestrian streets, visit one of the city’s many mosques, and even see what some consider the world’s ugliest building.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Kosovo, here’s what you can do in Pristina.
Things to See in Pristina, Kosovo
Pristina is not like many of the other capitals in Europe with a long list of sights and more things to do than you possibly have time for. It’s a more modern city and I just didn’t find that much in Pristina to warrant days and days of time. Are there interesting things to do in Pristina? Absolutely. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself scratching your head and looking for more to do on your visit.
Here’s my top picks for Pristina, Kosovo.
National Library of Kosovo
The National Library of Kosovo has a unique distinction of being referred to as the “ugliest building in the world”. It’s definitely a unique building and the architecture can definitely be off putting to some.
Do I think it’s the ugliest building in the world? No. I’d honestly be hesitant to even call it ugly. Unique? Absolutely. But ugly feels like a bit of a stretch, especially when I consider some of the other buildings I’ve seen around the world. One particular building in Montevideo, Uruguay still holds the title of ugliest building in my book.
So while you can absolutely just stop by and see the building from the outside, you can also step inside and visit the library. Personally, I liked it more from the outside, but I met a tour guide in Skopje, Macedonia who preferred the interior. Visit both and decide for yourself.
Bill Clinton Statue
Across Kosovo, you’ll find tributes to the former US President Bill Clinton. There’s statues and several cities have “Bill Klinton” avenues. So what’s the big deal? Well, Bill Clinton visited Kosovo in 1999 and was helpful while Kosovo was struggling with the government of Yugoslavia. Many say that Clinton helped to make the world aware of their problems and as appreciation, they’ve renamed streets and erected statues.
On the corner of Bill Klinton Boulevard, you’ll find a large statue of Bill Clinton. Notably, just around the corner, you’ll find a boutique called “Hillary” that specializes in pantsuits.
Cathedral of St. Mother Teresa
So many cities in Europe have a church or cathedral included on their list of things to do, but so many of these cathedrals are old and have a lot of history. The Mother Teresa Cathedral is a bit different. This cathedral began construction in 2007 and was first consecrated in 2017, making it a very modern cathedral.
As you step inside, it feels more modern. It’s less lavishly decorated and the stained glass windows depict scenes from more recent memory. One that stood out to me was a depiction of Popes Francis and Benedict together.
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje in what is now Macedonia though back then was part of the Ottoman Empire. Albanians, Kosovans, and Macedonians all have a special fondness for Mother Teresa even though she left Skopje at 18 and rarely returned.
One of the City’s Many Mosques
While Kosovo does not have an official religion, the dominant religion within the capital city of Pristina is Muslim, with more than 90% of residents identifying as such. That said, it’s a much more relaxed and liberal form of Muslim. So to support worshipers, there are several mosques throughout the city and it’s your choice which mosque you choose to visit.
The Green Market
If you’re looking for fresh produce or just like wandering through a local market, check out the Green Market. Located slightly north of the center, this market can be a great way to get a glimpse of local life.
Skanderbeg Square
Every city has a major square and here in Pristina, you’ll find Skanderberg Square. The large statue that you see is of Skanderberg. He was an Albanian from medieval times who fought against the Ottoman Empire. It was erected after the end of Kosovo War, where Kosovo fought with Yugoslavia in 1999.
Mother Teresa Boulevard
This pedestrian street gets its name from one of the most famous people of the region. Mother Teresa Boulevard is a great pedestrian only street that’s lined with cafes and restaurants.
As I’ve traveled through Kosovo, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that they love their cafes here. It felt like I rarely saw people eating food, but there were always people sitting in the cafes enjoying a coffee or another drink. So, if you want to feel like a local, grab a seat at one of the cafes and enjoy a drink.
How Long Do You Need in Pristina, Kosovo
Honestly, I don’t think you need a lot of time in Pristina. One day is plenty of time to see the highlights of this city. There just isn’t as much to see compared to many of the other European capitals. That’s not a bad thing. It’s just different.
I got through my sightseeing in Pristina in just a few hours. Admittedly, I wasn’t feeling well while I was in Pristina so I didn’t wander like I might have, but I still felt like I was able to leave Pristina having seen everything I wanted to.
How to Get Around Pristina, Kosovo
Most of Pristina is walkable. I walked all over Pristina and had no issues, but it can be a long walk from the bus station to the main center. Buses and taxis can help with the longer journeys.
How to Get to Pristina, Kosovo
Pristina is well connected with many major cities. For those flying in, you’ll want to look at Pristina’s airport (airport code PRN). From the airport, you can catch a bus into the city center.
I traveled to and from Pristina by bus. I arrived from Skopje, Macedonia and departed on a bus for Peja, Kosovo. The best place to look for bus routes for Pristina is on the GjirafaTravel website. I wouldn’t book a bus in advance, but would rather use the website for timetables. Purchase your ticket at the station (or on the bus) instead. It’s just so much easier and what everyone else will do. If you purchase online, make sure to print your ticket in advance.
Crossing Into Kosovo from Serbia
Kosovo is not recognized by every country in the world and Serbia is one of those countries that does not recognize it. Serbia sees Kosovo as part of Serbia and that means border crossings can be complicated depending on your direction of travel.
The general rule of thumb is that it’s ok to cross into Kosovo from Serbia as long as you have no intentions of going back to Serbia. By crossing into Kosovo, you won’t get a Serbian exit stamp which can cause issues if you try to re-enter Serbia later.
Honestly, if it’s possible, I’d recommend not crossing directly between Serbia and Kosovo. It keeps things clean and gives you the highest possibility of not running into any issues later.
For me, that meant a bit of a weird route and doubling back through Macedonia. I was in Nis, Serbia and wanted to visit Pristina, Peja, and Prizren in Kosovo as well as Skopje and Ohrid in Macedonia. Geographically, it would have made the most sense to follow this route
Nis, Serbia > Pristina, Kosovo > Peja, Kosovo > Prizren, Kosovo > Skopje, North Macedonia > Ohrid, North Macedonia
Instead, I reorganized my route to avoid any Serbia-Kosovo crossings. That meant my route went like
Nis, Serbia > Skopje, North Macedonia > Pristina, Kosovo > Peja, Kosovo > Prizren, Kosovo > Ohrid, North Macedonia (via Skopje).
It wasn’t messy and some of the bus routes sucked (notably Prizren to Ohrid), but it meant I had no issues with borders.
Final Thoughts
Pristina wasn’t my favorite city, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy Kosovo. The food was great and people were very friendly, but there just isn’t a ton for a tourist to see in Pristina. Does that mean I think you should skip Pristina? Nope. It means that you should set appropriate expectations for your visit. Since your travels through the country will likely bring you through Pristina at some point, spend a few hours exploring this capital city.
