Peja is a gateway to the Rugova Canyon and the Accursed Mountains of Western Kosovo. The city itself has some history, but in my opinion, the best thing to do on your visit to get out and explore the nature. The scenery is stunning.
While those with a car will have freedom to explore deeper and at their own pace, it’s still possible to visit Peja without a car. It comes with challenges, but I think it’s still possible to have a good trip as long as you’re willing to be flexible and walk a lot.
Do You Need a Car in Peja, Kosovo?
You can travel visit Peja without a car. I did it, but I will also admit that having a car makes traveling around this region easier. Without a car, you are much more limited in where you can hike and what you can see. Don’t get me wrong, you can still see some really cool sights, but it’s just not as much as if you had your own vehicle.
What to Do in Peja, Kosovo Without a Car
So, if you don’t have a car in Kosovo, what can you see near Peja?
Walk to the Rugova Canyon Viewpoint
In my opinion, the best part about Peja is its close proximity to the Rugova Canyon. There’s a long road running through this canyon and those with a car can drive through and get amazing views. That doesn’t mean that those without a car are completely hopeless. You can walk along the road and walk into the Rugova Canyon.
The important thing to note is that once you leave town, there is no sidewalk so you’ll be sharing the road with cars. In general, drivers seemed to give space and were courteous to walkers, but you absolutely want to stay alert.
It is your choice as to how far you walk into the canyon. When you feel ready, just turn around and walk back the way you came.
On my visit, I walked just beyond the Rugova Canyon Bridge to the Rugova Viewing Platform. On a map I got from the tourist office, this was called the “Selfie Platform” (located here on GoogleMaps). What it offered was a great view of the canyon and a nearby waterfall. It wasn’t a powerful waterfall, but there were stairs nearby so you could walk down to the river.
I tracked this walk starting from my hostel in the city of Peja and logged 7.87 miles roundtrip to the viewpoint. It’s a pretty flat walk with just 500 feet of elevation gain over the entire walk. I never really noticed anything uphill. And of course this is completely customizable. You can walk deeper into the canyon or walk less.
Hike the Mule Trail
There aren’t many hiking trails accessible from the city of Peja but one of the trails that is accessible is the Mule Trail. Ironically, I didn’t actually hike this trail (partially because I got sick on my last day in Peja), but it was recommended to me by the tourist office. So, I want to pass that information on to you.
One piece of advice though is that the there’s a way to cut the trail short. From the advice I was given, the second part of the trail (that which is more in the canyon) can get kinda sketchy.
Hike the Livadhi Sakes Trail
I didn’t hike the Mule Trail, but I did hike the Livadhi Sakes Trail and I really enjoyed it. It took me 40 minutes of walking to reach the trailhead from town, but I’d still recommend it. From the start, you’ll walk up through the forest before reaching a clearing that has some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
My advice is to bring some snacks and make a picnic. I traveled in mid September and I had this area almost entirely to myself for an hour. Only one other person passed through while I was hiking (though I did pass two other people on my descent). It was a great place to spend some time.
From my hostel in the city of Peja, I logged a 6.65 miles with 1,400 feet of elevation gain.
Take the Tourist Hiker Shuttle
You are limited in which hikes you can reach from the city of Peja, but there is a daily shuttle that departs near the Tourist Information Center. The shuttle runs twice per day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. But if you want to do some of those other hikes to mountain peaks, this can be a great option.
You can get more information for the shuttle at the Tourist Information Office, including recommendations on which hikes you can do.
Do a Via Ferrata
While there are only a few hikes available from the city of Peja, there are a few via ferratas available. If you’re experienced and just need equipment, the Tourist Information Center will rent equipment for a very reasonable price (8-10 euros per day). Once you have your equipment, you can walk to the starting point to these via ferratas and have fun.
For those who have never done a via ferrata, it’s best to go with an experienced guide. I asked at the Tourist Information Center and was recommended BNAdventure. In the end, I didn’t end up doing a via ferrata in Peja, but I’m still passing on the recommendation.
Explore the City of Peja
Lastly, you can explore the city of Peja without a car. Since I got sick, I didn’t spend a lot of time in the city and if I’m honest, the little bit that I walked through the city didn’t have me that impressed. Maybe I didn’t walk to the right areas or maybe my cold was messing with my head. But there are several sights (notably mosques and churches) that you can visit.
Or if you enjoy sitting a cafe with a drink, you’ll fit right in. Every city I visited in Kosovo had cafes filled with locals enjoying a drink.
How Long Do You Need in Peja, Kosovo
I’d recommend at least one full day in Peja. This gives you enough time to walk out to the Rugova Canyon Viewpoint and spend a little time in town. However, if you’re making the trip out to Peja, you’ll likely want to do some hiking or other outdoor activity, so you’ll probably want to give yourself at least two full days in Peja.
I had three and a half days in Peja. My first day was a half day and I walked to the Tourism Office to get more information. If you have any questions about hiking trails, tourist companies, or equipment rentals, the people here are super friendly and helpful. On my first full day I hiked the Livadhi Sakes Trail and on my second full day I walked to the Rugova Canyon Viewpoint. I was sick on my third day and didn’t get up to much more exploring.
How to Get to Peja, Kosovo
If you don’t have a car, Peja is easy to reach by bus from many other destinations in Kosovo. From the capital of Pristina, buses depart every 20 to 30 minutes bound for Peja. For connections to Prizren, there are direct buses, but they are less frequent with only three to four direct buses per day.
The best place to look for schedules is GjirafaTravel. I’d use this website as a resource for timetables, but you don’t need to purchase your ticket online. Everyone just pays for their ticket on the bus in cash. If you do purchase your ticket online, you’ll almost certainly need to print it out.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed my time in Peja and I loved getting out into nature. I do wish I could have seen a bit more of this area and fully admit that having a car would have made it a bit easier. However, I don’t regret traveling Peja without a car. While you can’t do everything, I’m very happy with what I was able to see during my time.
