Many of the highlights of Prizren, Kosovo involve walking around the historic center to view churches and mosques. Compared to many other cities in Kosovo, the Old Town is actually enjoyable and has a little bit of charm. There’s great restaurants, plenty of shopping, and of course there’s the historic sights that you can visit.
Here’s what I recommend for your trip to Prizren, Kosovo.
What to See in Prizren, Kosovo
Of course you’ll find more in Prizren than just what is on this list. However, for most visitors, especially first time visitors to this city, these are the things that you’ll want to focus on the most.
Prizren Fortress
One of my favorite things in Prizren was the view overlooking the city. To get that view, you can climb up to the Prizren Fortress where you’ll find the ruins of what once stood there. Like all fortresses, it was built on top of the hill for defensive purposes and now, looking down at the Old Town, you get a great view.
While I’d love to say you could spend some time exploring the ruins of the fortress, there’s not a ton that’s left. Plus, when I was there, a lot of areas were fenced off, so while you could still get the views of the city below, there wasn’t a ton of exploring you could do. Hopefully one day they’ll open it back up, but for now, just hike up the hill, enjoy your views, and head back to the city below.
Sinan Pasha Mosque
Throughout Prizren’s Old Town, you’ll find several churches and mosques. In fact, it feels like most of your sightseeing here is just walking from one church or mosque to the next. So, if churches and mosques aren’t your cup of tea, you might find yourself a bit bored in this city.
But, let’s talk about some of these religious buildings and I’m going to start with the Sinan Pasha Mosque, which is the most important mosque in Prizren. This mosque was originally constructed in the 1600s during Ottoman Rule. It’s one of the religious structures that stands out in the city skyline and was named as a Monument of Cultural Importance. Inside you’ll find not only verses from the Qur’an but also flower motifs decorating the walls.
Nearby you’ll find a handful of restaurants and what better place to eat than with a view of one of Prizren’s most famous buildings.
Old Stone Bridge
There’s a few bridges that cross the Lumbardhi River, but the Old Stone Bridge is the most picturesque. In one photo, you can capture the bridge and the Old Town of Prizren leading up the hill.
Prizren is more photogenic than the other cities in Kosovo that I visited and I think this spot was one of my favorites.
Serbia Orthodox Cathedral of St. George
Just a few blocks away from the Sinan Pasha Mosque is where you’ll find a Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. As you make your way through Prizren, notice how many different religious buildings are close to each other. You can find mosques, orthodox churches, and Catholic Churches all within a few blocks of each other. It reminds me of Albania where these different religious groups exist in harmony.
But back to the Cathedral of St. George. This is Serbian Orthodox and was first built in the 1800s. Remember when I mentioned that things can feel a bit harmonious? It hasn’t always been like that. During the war in Kosovo in the 1999, the building was badly damaged and in 2004, it was looted. However, it’s since been restored.
Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor
I’ve talked about mosques and orthodox churches, so let’s also talk about a Catholic church. That’s the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor. Yes it’s a Catholic cathedral, but if I’m honest, it’s not my favorite Catholic cathedral I’ve ever seen. It’s more plain than what you normally expect from Catholicism, but I still think it’s worth visiting just to remember how many different religions exist in this one small area of Prizren.
Prizren’s Old Town
Prizren’s Old Town isn’t massive, but it’s still a nice place to stroll. You’ll find cafes, restaurants, and shops lining the streets and plenty of churches and mosques intermingled around. While you’ll inevitably be in the Old Town to visit many of the other sites on this list, I had to explicitly list the Old Town as a separate option. Give yourself a little time to stroll the streets and enjoy the area.
Serbian Orthodox Church Bogorodcia Ljeviška
I’m going to cover one more Serbian Orthodox Church on this list and it’s the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš which has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally built in the 1300s, this church is famous for its historic, centuries old frescoes that decorate the interior.
Like with the Orthodox Cathedral of St. George, this building was heavily damaged during the civil unrest in 2004 and it’s still undergoing renovations. When I visited, the church was closed and I wasn’t able to get inside. Actually, I had every church I visited in Prizren was closed, so I just had to appreciate them from the outside.
How Long Do You Need in Prizren, Kosovo
I think that one day in Prizren is enough to see the highlights. I do believe that Prizren is the prettiest city in Kosovo, but there’s only so much to see in the city and one day is plenty.
With more time, consider visiting some other destinations in Kosovo. You can visit the capital city of Pristina or head toward the mountains near Peja.
How to Get to Prizren, Kosovo
Prizren is well connected with many of the major cities in Kosovo. Many travelers will be connecting to either Pristina or Peja. Buses to Pristina run frequently while buses to Peja are less so, but still exist.
You will also find some international connections as well. I was heading to Macedonia and there is exactly one direct bus from Prizren to Skopje each day. There are also buses from Tirana, Albania but make sure that you pay attention to where exactly the buses depart from. Many of the buses from Prizren to Albania actually depart from a gas station outside of the city. International departures can be found in the back of the station (platforms 10+).
The best resource for finding buses within Kosovo is GjirafaTravel. While I would recommend using the site for timetables, it’s easiest to just purchase your ticket once you’re on the bus.
How to Get Around Prizren, Kosovo
Once you’re in the historic center of Prizren, it’s easy to walk to all of the top sights. Therefore, if you’re spending the night, it’s worth getting a hotel near the historic center.
The furthest destination for most tourists is the bus station, but compared to other bus stations in the Balkans, the bus station in Prizren is located relatively close to the historic center. It’s just a 15 minute walk.
Final Thoughts
Of the three cities that I visited in Kosovo (Pristina, Prizren, and Peja), Prizren was by far the prettiest and would be my top pick for tourists looking to get a glimpse of Kosovo. There’s a reason that most of the day trips from Albania and Macedonia stop in Prizren rather that Pristina. So, spend a day and see the highlights of this beautiful city.
