Table of Contents
Christmas in Kosovo was everything I wanted and more. When I told people I was going to Kosovo for Christmas, they all had a lot of questions for me. Why are you going all the way there? What’s in Kosovo? I don’t know, that’s why I’m. going! I was craving a new vibe, something slightly different, and after my recent trip to Serbia, Kosovo kept calling my name. If you’re looking for a pocket-sized Kosovo travel guide, especially for a short winter break, then this is for you.
I’ve always felt that snow helps you ease into the true Christmas spirit. After visiting a few Balkan countries this year, I was curious to see what Kosovo would feel like during the festive season and was hoping to see some snow. It snowed on the day I arrived, but as I was staying in the city of Prishtina, I didn’t expect it to settle like other cities around the world.
It snowed on the morning of my arrival, but since I was staying in the city of Prishtina, I didn’t expect it to settle like it does in other cities around the world. Either way, after my last trip of 2025 came to a close in Kosovo. I knew that as I left Kosovo, after this first Christmas trip. I would always want to make travelling somewhere abroad over the Christmas break a tradition for me! It’s easy and doesn’t require any annual leave if you plan it well.
From the UK, flights to Kosovo take around three hours. I paid roughly £150 return for my flight. To avoid using annual leave, I travelled during the UK Bank Holidays, which made this short trip both practical and annual leave-free!
If you are looking for a Kosovo guide for your next trip, then here it is. I am about to share what to do in a short trip, what to eat, where to stay, and much more.
Related post: 9 Of My Favourite Restaurants Around the World
About Kosovo
Kosovo is a relatively young country, having declared independence in 2008. It is landlocked and has strong cultural, historical, and political ties to Albania, something you’ll notice immediately through the language, food, the flags around the country and the general atmosphere.
The capital city is Prishtina, which serves as the main gateway into the country. And where the airport sits. Kosovo is a predominantly Muslim country, though it is culturally diverse and very welcoming to visitors. Despite the few Mosques around the country, you will see that it is very welcoming.
The currency used in Kosovo is the euro (€). While many restaurants and larger businesses accept cards, I’d strongly recommend carrying some cash, as smaller businesses often operate on a cash-only basis.
Kosovo uses European Type C and Type F plugs, so if you’re travelling from the UK you’ll need a standard European travel adaptor.
One of the biggest highlights for me was the people. Kosovars are incredibly friendly, approachable, and eager to help. As a traveller, I personally felt safe moving around both during the day and at night, which always plays a big role in how much I enjoy a destination.
Sensitivities & History in Kosovo
It’s important to know a little about Kosovo’s political situation as it is complex, and it’s something travellers should understand before considering a visit, particularly if you plan to travel between Kosovo and Serbia.
Despite Kosovo declaring independence in 2008, Serbia still doesn’t recognise Kosovo as an independent country. To Serbian authorities, Kosovo is still considered part of Serbia. This has important implications for border crossings.
Travelling from Serbia to Kosovo is generally straightforward. You won’t receive a Serbian exit stamp when leaving Serbia, but you will receive a Kosovo entry stamp, and you can then continue travelling freely from Kosovo to its other neighbouring countries. However, travelling from Kosovo into Serbia can be somewhat problematic if you have not previously entered Serbia.
If you attempt to cross from Kosovo into Serbia with only a Kosovo entry stamp, Serbian border officials may consider you to be illegally in Serbia, and you may be refused entry. To avoid issues, it’s recommended to either:
- enter Serbia before Kosovo, or
- Travel onward from Kosovo to another neighbouring country instead of Serbia.
Kosovo’s history has been shaped by centuries of occupation, including periods under the Ottoman Empire, Serbia, Bulgaria, and communist Yugoslavia. Conflict over control of the region led to immense loss of life and the destruction of many historical and cultural sites. For Serbia, Kosovo remains an emotionally and politically sensitive territory.
Understanding this context helps explain why the topic can feel close to the surface in everyday life. At the same time, Kosovo today is a young country full of hope, working to build its own identity while preserving peace.
From a personal perspective, travelling through Kosovo as a Black woman, I felt welcomed and treated with kindness. People were curious, respectful, and helpful, and I never felt unsafe. While the history is complex, the day-to-day experience as a visitor was overwhelmingly positive.
Entry Requirements: What Travellers Need to Know
Before travelling to Kosovo, it’s important to check the entry requirements based on your passport. For British and American passport holders, Kosovo is visa-free for short stays. UK citizens can currently stay for up to 90 days within 6 months, while US citizens are generally granted visa-free entry for up to 90 days within a year. At the border, you may be asked for proof of onward travel or accommodation, so it’s worth having these details easily accessible.
Chinese and Nigerian passport holders typically require a visa to enter Kosovo, which must be arranged in advance. Entry requirements can change, so it’s important to check with the nearest Kosovo embassy or official government sources before travelling. For any other countries, it is worth visiting iVisa for entry requirements here.
As with any international trip, ensure your passport has sufficient validity remaining (6 months) and that you’re covered by travel insurance.
Getting Around Kosovo
There are no Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow services in Kosovo. Instead, transport is a mix of local buses, limited train routes, and taxis. The most convenient option for visitors is E-Taxi, which works similarly to Uber. You’ll need to download the app and sign up before using it. I’d recommend booking taxis slightly in advance, especially during busier periods, as traffic can build up and availability isn’t always instant.
For longer journeys between cities, buses/coaches are reliable and affordable, making them a good option for day trips. You can use Gjirafa Travel to check times for the buses. You can then book and pay for your transport fare on the bus. Important to have cash for this.
Where to Stay in Kosovo
I stayed at Hotel Diamond, a five-star hotel located just outside Prishtina. (around 16 mins drive) The hotel offers spacious rooms, spa facilities, breakfast included, and a beautiful on-site restaurant, called Mr Fisher, which for me was the main call for coming out to Kosovo.
Mr Fisher at Hotel Diamond
Mr Fisher is an aquarium-style restaurant specialising primarily in seafood. I didn’t realise until later that it was located inside Hotel Diamond, which made staying there an easy decision. They have two set menus (meat or fish) that consist of 7 courses, which was €31 around. I went for the fish, and my friend went for the meat.
Given it is a fish restaurant I would highly recommend going for the fish one. The seabass, the prawn cocktail and the seafood was exquisite value for money too. I will go more into detail on this in the “What to Eat” section.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, slightly luxurious stay away from the city centre, Hotel Diamond is well worth considering. The staff of the hotel were incredibly welcoming and super helpful. I’ve added a visual map below to show its exact location.
Things to Do in Kosovo
Prishtina is a compact city, making it easy to explore on foot or by taxi. A casual city walk will take you past Mother Teresa Cathedral, the main boulevard, and the National Library of Kosovo, which is one of the city’s most talked-about buildings due to its unique architecture. You can easily walk around yourself or book a tour of the city and see it in half a day here.
If I were going back, I would recommend staying in the city because it is easily walkable. You can find hotels on Booking.com.
Must-see:
- Statue of Bill Clinton
- Newborn Monument
- Statue of Mother Teresa in Pristina
- Skanderbeg Statue Pristina
A Day Trip to Prizren
A day trip to Prizren is an absolute must when visiting Kosovo. The journey takes around two hours by bus from Prishtina, and tickets cost roughly €5 each way. As I mentioned earlier, you can purchase tickets directly on the coach, though you’ll need to check bus times in advance. You can check bus times here.
Prizren is widely considered the most beautiful city in Kosovo, known for its cobbled streets, Ottoman-era architecture, riverside cafés, and fortress views. It offers a completely different atmosphere from Prishtina and is well worth dedicating a full day to.
This is a very easy trip to do solo or with friends. However, if you are keen to have a tour guide, I would highly recommend booking the following tour here.
Must-see:
- Prizren Fortress
- Church of Holy Saviour
- Prizen Bridge
What to Eat in Kosovo
Kosovar food is hearty, comforting, and incredibly satisfying, especially in the winter. Meals are rich, meaty, filling, and full of flavour, and the food is also very affordable, which was a pleasant surprise.
Seafood is clearly taken seriously here, which makes sense once you visit Mr Fisher. I opted for their fish set course menu, which felt more like an experience than just a meal. It included a seven-course meal for just €31!!!! :
- Fish soup (Riblja Čorba) to start,
- Hummus and different sauces with bread,
- A prawn cocktail
- A fresh arugula salad
- Ravioli (tortellini me kërpudha)
- Seabass served with vegetables and potatoes
- A coconut and raspberry jam cake finished with white chocolate
Everything was well presented and beautifully cooked. You can also opt for the meat menu, but I would say the fish menu is so much better!
In Prishtina, I enjoyed dining at Liburnia Restaurant in the city centre. We ordered the casserole with lamb and yoghurt (Tavë Elbasani), and the meat was literally falling off the bone, with just the right balance of fat and tenderness. Alongside this, we shared Fërgesë Kosovare, a saucy, warming dish made with meat, peppers, and vegetables, perfect for colder days.
While in Prizren, we stopped for a light lunch at Thea Lounge, where I ordered a fried chicken salad that was surprisingly delicious. Before heading back, we couldn’t resist a sweet stop at Beli Sweets & More. I chose a pistachio cake with grape juice! Because anything pistachio is always a win for me. My friend went for a red velvet cake. Both desserts and drinks came in at under €5, which says a lot about how affordable eating out in Kosovo can be.
Lots of places I ate out at where less than €20 euros a person which for me is a bargain.
Back in the capital, we dined on the 21st floor at Noya, which serves Pan-Asian cuisine. The restaurant is in a hotel called Derand Hotel. I ordered prawn tempura, dragon sushi, lamb chops, and seabass, and everything was genuinely delicious. It was a nice contrast to the traditional dishes we’d been eating, while still being very well executed.
On the final day, I fancied one last traditional meal, so we took a taxi into the city and ended up at Albanezi Restaurant. We started with Pogaçe, a soft flatbread, followed by Gjizë me speca, a cottage cheese and pepper dish. For mains, we shared Smoked veal ribs and Smoked veal brisket, both came with seasoned veg and potatoes. Both of which were rich, flavourful, and a great way to end the trip.
Overall, the food in Kosovo really impressed me. From traditional comfort dishes to more modern dining, everything felt generous, flavoursome and made fresh with care, and I absolutely loved it all.
A Kosovo Travel Guide Itinerary
- Day 1: Settled in, relaxed, and had dinner at Mr Fisher’s in the evening (the restaurant is just downstairs). If you are staying at Hotel Diamond, you can use the spa facilities. I used the massage chair, which soo good!
- Day 2: Did a tour of Prishtina city. Exploring Prishtina at a slower pace, visiting key landmarks, walking through the city, and enjoying cafés before heading out for dinner in the city centre. You can eat at Liburnia Restaurant, where they serve Kosovan traditional food. I ordered casserole with lamb and yoghurt (Tavë Elbasani), and then shared Fërgesë Kosovare.
- Day 3: You can catch a bus/coach in the morning (we left around 9:05 am) and spend a day at Prizren, stopping for lunch at Thea Lounge. I ordered the crispy chicken salad, and my friend ordered their brownie. So good! enjoying a sweet treat at Beli Sweets & More.
- Day 4: Spend the morning having a slow morning and then a final city walk or lunch at Albanezi Restaurant before heading to the airport.
Travel Tools & Resources
- My Instagram and TikTok have quick reels and specifics of my visit to Kosovo.
- Always carry some cash, for smaller businesses they use Euros, just be sure to have XE to know the daily exchange rates.
- Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
- Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Kosovo. Please read the reviews before booking!
- I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279.
Final Views – Is Kosovo Worth Visiting?
There you have it, a detailed Kosovo travel guide. I am already considering going back this year because it was so good! Kosovo is truly an underrated hidden gem within the Balkans.
With its rich history, beautiful architecture, friendly locals, and low prices, Kosovo is a Balkans itinerary must-see. If you’re planning a trip to the Balkans, consider spending a few days in Kosovo. The next time I go I would like to visit Peja for a couple of days, as I was told by locals it is very beautiful.
If you’re looking for an affordable, underrated winter destination in Europe that feels different from the usual destinations around the world, Kosovo is well worth considering. It is untouched, and I can see the changes it will have in the next few years.
I hope this Kosovo travel guide is helpful, and if you have any questions, please do reach out to me via Instagram. And if you are new here, you can subscribe to the blog here.
What do you think? Have I convinced you to visit Kosovo and add it to your list?
Speak soon,
Adebola MBV X
