Pristina, the energetic capital city of Kosovo, is slowly starting to get the recognition it deserves. With ever-increasing flight connections across Europe, a wonderfully walkable city centre, and some of the continent’s most budget-friendly food and drink, a visit to Pristina is a compelling choice for a long weekend destination.
Pristina is also a gateway to the rest of Kosovo – from the mountain city of Peja in the west to Prizren, the cultural capital, in the south. Many visitors have just one or two days to explore Pristina before heading elsewhere. Thankfully, most of the city’s main sights can be explored in just one day.
From sunset panoramas to handmade souvenirs, here are our 18 favourite things to do during one day in Pristina.
Note: We’ve laid this post out in vague chronological order, starting with breakfast and ending with evening drinks.
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1) Get your day in Pristina off to a great start with a breakfast burek from Furra Lumi
Best for: Getting your day in Pristina off to a great start.
If you’re short on time in Pristina, we suggest heading to one of the city’s bakeries and nabbing yourself a breakfast burek. It’s the perfect snack to eat on the go.
Indeed, burek is a quintessential breakfast food in the Balkans. Most popular bakeries sell out as soon as the pre-work and school rush raids the shelves.
This delicious pastry – filo wrapped around a filling, usually meat, cheese or spinach – has enough calories to keep you going until lunch and probably beyond. It’s fuelled many of our trips in the Balkans. Upon arriving in the city, we were delighted to find that Pristina had plenty of bakeries to choose from.
Our favourite was Furra Lumi, hidden away on an unassuming back street behind the National Library and the University. We visited late morning, and they still had plenty of burek to choose from. Service was friendly, and we all muddled along despite the language barrier. They heated the burek for us, and it made for a perfect snack to eat while wandering the streets.
How to do it: Furra Lumi is open from 7am to 9pm. Head there in the morning to get the pastries when they are at their most fresh. The bakery also has indoor and outdoor seating and an impressive selection of cakes.
2) Wander around the Green Market bazaar
Best for: Experiencing the energy of a busy Balkans market.
On the northern edge of the city centre, Pristina’s Green Market is a busy maze of tightly packed stalls, tiny shops and casual eateries. Even if you don’t intend on buying anything, it’s worth a stroll here. You can simply wander around and admire the chaos and energy of a classic Balkans market.
Colourful fruit sits in impressive mounds on the side of the road. Workers weave through the crowds dragging two-wheeled carts behind them – some are empty, others laden with goods.
Stallholders don’t tend to shout much. In fact, the market is surprisingly low on noise, other than the constant babble and bartering between buyers and sellers. Don’t expect a bazaar on the scale of nearby Skopje, or an extensive food market like that at Prilep, but a trip here is worth a short detour. This is particularly true if you will be visiting the nearby Great Mosque or Museum of Kosovo.
How to do it: Pristina’s Green Market is open daily from around 7am. It is busiest during the mornings when produce is at its most fresh.
3) Admire Pristina’s Imperial Mosque
Best for: A classic example of Ottoman architecture.
Head away from the market and back towards central Pristina. Along the route, you will pass the gleaming walls of the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih II. Locals know it as the Imperial Mosque.
The mosque dates back to 1461, when it was built by the Ottoman sultan whose name it now bears. The Imperial Mosque’s gleaming yellow sandstone facade and towering minaret make it the most impressive building of its kind in Pristina.
Outside, a few tables stand in the courtyard under the shade of tall leafy trees. There is a small cafe nearby serving coffee and tea. If you’re in need of refreshment, take a seat at one of the tables. Someone will come along to greet you and take your order.
Inside, the mosque is peaceful and quiet. Light blue patterns adorn the walls and domes, and light streams through the myriad arched windows. You should feel free to wander in, provided you adhere to the usual customs. Remove your shoes and cover your knees and shoulders.
How to do it: The Imperial Mosque stands on the northern edge of Pristina’s city centre, a couple of minutes’ walk from the market. Entry is free, although non-Muslims should try to visit outside of prayer times.
4) Explore the Museum of Kosovo
Best for: Adding some culture to your day in Pristina.
A short walk from the Imperial Mosque mosque, Pristina’s Museum of Kosovo is a small but interesting collection of artefacts from the wider region. It is the ideal place to learn about the history of Kosovo, from ancient times to the modern day.
The museum is split over two floors, with the first floor dedicated to ancient history – from Dardanian to Roman periods. Plenty of archaeological finds are displayed, many of which were uncovered nearby. Meanwhile, the second floor tells the story of Kosovo’s modern history. Unsurprisingly, it has a particular focus on the conflict in the late 1990s.
How to do it: The Museum of Kosovo stands on the corner of Ibrahim Lutfiu Street, which leads towards the Imperial Mosque. Set back from the road, the museum is free to enter – although donations are encouraged. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm each day. If possible, we recommend asking for a tour if you want to learn more about the exhibits. Otherwise, we would budget an hour or so for your visit.
5) Take a look at the monument on Sheshi Adem Jashari
Best for: A sit-down break on your way back to Pristina’s pedestrianised zone.
A 60-second walk from the Museum of Kosovo is Seshi Adem Jashari. This small square is named after a fighter in the Kosovo Liberation Army, which fought for the independence of Kosovo in the late 1990s. In the middle of the square stands an impressive obelisk that dates back to the early 1960s.
The monument’s three tall spikes represent three nationalities (Albanians, Serbs, and Montenegrins) who were living in Kosovo. Built in classic brutalist style, the monument rises above the large, concrete square.
Benches line the perimeter. At the eastern of the square, the busy M9 road is a constant blur of traffic. The square is noisy and loud but is very much at the heart of Pristina. A few people sat on the benches, playing on phones or listening to music. A handful of people took photographs of the monument – a quick snapshot before moving on.
We used the square as a handy place for a break – it was a hot day. Grab yourself a spot in the shade and enjoy a few minutes of rest.
How to do it: Sheshi Adem Jashari is a few minutes walk north of Skënderbeu Square.
6) Gaze up at the statue of Skënderbeu
Best for: Gazing upon an impressive statue of an Albanian national hero
The centrepiece of the busy Sheshi Skënderbeu (Skënderbeu Square) is the statue of the Albanian hero who gives the square its name. Skënderbeu, or Skanderbeg, led a famous rebellion against the Ottomans in the fifteenth century. He is one of the most celebrated figures in Albania’s national story.
His statue is one of the most impressive in Pristina. Skënderbeu sits atop a horse, frozen in time. The horse stands poised for action, with back legs bent and right leg raised. Skënderbeu himself looks like he is standing in the stirrups, clasping a sword in his right hand and holding the reigns in his left.
Unsurprisingly, this is one of Pristina’s most popular photo stops. Hundreds of people pose in front of the statue each day.
How to do it: You will find the Skënderbeu statue on the square at the top of Mother Teresa Boulevard.
7) Go for a coffee on Mother Teresa Boulevard
Best for: People watching in the heart of Pristina
Mother Teresa Boulevard is a long, pedestrianised street that connects Skënderbeu Square with Zahir Pajaziti Square. After exploring the markets, mosques and museums of northern Pristina, the boulevard offers the ideal spot for a quiet break over a cup of coffee. Maybe you can even sneak in a slice of cake or ice cream.
Coffee shops and bars line the boulevard. Each place is packed with row upon row of tables and chairs. At all times of day, the cafes and bars will be rammed with people enjoying a catch-up with friends or a quick burst of caffeine. If you are into people-watching, grabbing a drink on Mother Teresa Boulevard will probably be one of the most fun things you do in Pristina.
We love: The Half & Half Café is one of the best on Mother Teresa Boulevard, serving good coffee and boasting a stylish interior as well as tables spilling out onto the street.
8) Gaze up at the brutalist Palace of Youth & Sports
Best for: Admiring one of Pristina’s most impressive buildings from the Yugoslavian era.
Once you’ve had your fill of coffee and cake on Mother Teresa Boulevard, head west towards the striking Palace of Youth and Sports. Overlooking the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, where Kosovo’s national football team plays, the Palace of Youth and Sports is an eye-catching example of brutalism that first opened in 1977. Today, it hosts everything from basketball to volleyball, as well as non-sporting events such as concerts and conferences.
When we visited, it was a baking hot day. The concrete plaza in front of the towering Palace seemed to retain the warmth of the sun, throwing waves of superheated air in our faces. A handful of local kids milled around, playing on their phones, but otherwise the place was deserted. We did poke our heads through an open door of the building, but couldn’t see anyone around.
How to do it: The Palace is best viewed from the large square above the Newborn Monument.
9) Take a photo at the Newborn Monument
Best for: The iconic photo opportunity in Pristina.
First unveiled in 2008, the Newborn monument has quickly become a symbol of Pristina. The monument was launched on the day that Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. The monument gets repainted each year, with a new design intended to reflect the current political situation. When we visited, the letters had even been rearranged.
As of October 2023, the sign read “No New BR” – “No New Broken Republic” and was painted blue and yellow. Groups of children, whose parents were enjoying a drinks break in a nearby cafe, ran between the letters and tried to climb the monument. A few smatterings of graffiti adorned the letters, but otherwise, it appeared to be in pristine condition.
How to do it: The Newborn Monument is a 60-second walk from Zahir Pajaziti Square.
10) Check out the architecture at the National Library of Kosovo
Best for: Visiting one of the world’s most infamous examples of brutalist architecture.
This is one of our favourite buildings in the Balkans – and possibly one of our favourite ever. The National Library of Kosovo is a brutalist gem that stands on the southern fringes of Pristina’s city centre.
The library is instantly recognisable, replete with dozens of white domes that sit atop dozens of concrete cubes, and covered in a striking metal mesh. It’s not without its critics – some have playfully referred to it as one of the world’s ugliest buildings – but we think it is marvellous. It really does need to be seen to be believed.
We love: The library is particularly photogenic at sunset, when the metal caging casts long shadows over the concrete-clad pavements surrounding the library.
How to do it: For more information on visiting the National Library of Kosovo, click here to read our guide.
11) Grab a delicious lunch at Baba Ganoush Meze
Best for: A healthy way to break up your day in Pristina.
When we arrived in Pristina, we had spent much of the previous two weeks feasting on burek, kebapi and other Balkan favourites. Devilishly delicious, but not necessarily the most healthy of diets.
Therefore, we decided to hunt down a restaurant in Pristina where we could enjoy a more health-focused meal or two. Thankfully, we found just the thing we were looking for at Baba Ganoush Meze.
Hidden away down a quiet alley on the corner of Garibaldi Street, just across the road from Zahir Pajaziti Square, Baba Ganoush Meze specialises in excellent vegan dishes that make for a perfect lunch stop on a sunny day. From wraps and burgers to their fantastic bowls packed with greens, their menu was a delight.
In fact, we visited every day to try more dishes. The ‘Buddha Bowl’ and the falafel wraps were particular highlights, and we would also recommend asking for a side of their hummus and baba ganoush dips. The service was super quick and friendly, with the young staff speaking excellent English and suggesting their favourite items from the menu.
How to do it: Baba Ganoush Meze is open from 11am to 11pm. It is closed on Sundays.
12) Wave to Bill Clinton
Best for: A unique nod to Kosovo’s recent history.
After enjoying a healthy lunch, it’s time to head southwest towards one of Pristina’s quirkier attractions. On an unassuming corner of the busy M9 road (known as Bill Clinton Boulevard), a three-metre-high statue of Bill Clinton waves at the traffic. It’s undoubtedly one of the more unusual things to see in Pristina.
The statue, which stands in the shadow of an unremarkable block of flats, was unveiled in 2009 as part of efforts to thank the former US President for his work during the conflict in the late 1990s.
If you arrive in Pristina by bus, you may spot the statue while walking into the city centre. If you haven’t yet seen it, we think it’s worth a slight detour during your day in Pristina.
How to do it: You can find the statue of Bill Clinton here.
13) Head for a game of chess at the Fontana Park
Best for: Leaving the tourists behind and discovering a local neighbourhood in Pristina.
Once you’ve waved at Bill Clinton, make your way into the maze of apartment blocks that make up the Ulpiana district of Pristina. Make your way through the streets, admiring the architecture, before eventually finishing your walk in the Fontana park.
This small circular park has a tiny fountain in the centre and is lined by trees. Under the shade of the trees, you will invariably find groups of local men engrossed in chess matches. Those who are playing sit in silence, concentrating hard. Those who are watching peer over shoulders or stand on benches to get a better look at the latest action. It makes for a lovely scene.
Elsewhere in the park, parents bring their small children to play, and groups of friends meet up at one of the nearby cafes. It’s the place to be if you are looking to escape the busy streets of central Pristina.
How to do it: The park is a 20-minute walk from Zahir Pajaziti Square.
14) Shop for locally-made souvenirs at Dhé
Best for: Beautiful handmade ceramics.
If you want to take home a memento from your trip to Pristina, look no further than the lovely Dhé ceramics shop. Lucy first came across this small, locally-owned store on Instagram and instantly knew that we had to pay it a visit.
Dhé specialises in handmade ceramics, and you can browse the selection at the lovely store just a short walk from the National Library of Kosovo. We loved it so much that we visited twice during our recent visit to Pristina. After our visits, we are now the proud owners of a couple of wonderful handpainted plates decorated with traditional patterns.
Dhé is owned and run by a lovely local artist. She is more than happy to talk you through the collections in her shop, where you can also buy postcards and greeting cards.
How to do it: Dhé is open from 10:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and from 11am to 5:30pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
15) Take in the views from the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
Best for: Sunset views of Pristina.
Consecrated in 2017 but still not completely finished, the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa is Pristina’s largest Roman Catholic place of worship.
It’s an impressive building, eye-catching from the outside and cavernous inside, with high ceilings and vast windows letting in plenty of natural light. For visitors to the city, however, the big draw of the cathedral is its impressive bell tower, the top of which is accessible by lift.
From a small entrance on the side of the building, you pay the bargain fee of 1.50 euros and can take the lift straight to the top. From here, you can enjoy fabulous 360-degree views of the city stretched out beneath you.
The tower is particularly great at sunset, and is a popular spot for couples looking for a romantic place to enjoy golden hour views of Pristina. It is well worth the small price for the ticket.
How to do it: For more information on the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, and plenty of photos, check out our guide here.
16) Enjoy a delicious, cheap dinner at Shaban Grill House
Best for: A budget-friendly taste of classic Balkans cuisine.
As the sun sets on your day in Pristina, one of our favourite things to do is to head for dinner at Shaban Grill House. As the name suggests, a meal here is an ideal way to sign off your day with a feast of classic Balkan dishes.
With plenty of seating indoors and out, the grill house is ideally located at the northern tip of Mother Teresa Boulevard. On a warm evening, we recommend grabbing one of the outside tables and watching the crowds of people walking past – it’s a great place to feel immersed in Pristina’s social scene.
Whilst you dine, you will likely be surrounded by groups and families, with everybody tucking into tables piled high with favourites – from juicy qyfte to spicy suxhuk. We loved dining here, with speedy service and some of the fairest prices we came across in Pristina. A portion of qyfte or suxhuk costs 3 euros – a bargain for the amount of food you get.
How to do it: Shaban Grill House is open from 9am to 12am. It’s at its busiest during late afternoons and early evenings. Just grab a table, and a server will come over.
17) Go for cocktails at UKIYO
Best for: Signing off your day in Pristina in style.
If you still have energy left, one of the best ways to wrap up a day spent exploring Pristina is to head to the stylish UKIYO bar for cocktails.
Tucked away on one of the small thoroughfares between Zahir Pajaziti Square and the Newborn Monument, UKIYO is a popular bar, restaurant and – at night – club. The cocktails are expertly mixed and are as photogenic as the bar’s sleek interior. Expect an international, trendy crowd, particularly at the weekends. If this is your scene, there are few better places to end your day in Pristina.
How to do it: UKIYO is open from 4pm to 1am, Mondays to Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
18) If you have more time in Pristina…take a day trip
If you have more than one day in Pristina and are looking for extra things to do, there are some brilliant day trips from the city. Here are three of our top suggestions:
- Bear Sanctuary Pristina boasts 16 hectares of habitat where rescued bears can roam freely and safely. The 20 bears here have invariably been rescued from cruel lives in captivity, usually kept in cages at restaurants or private zoos. The sanctuary is run by the Four Paws charity and seeks to give these bears a second chance at a happy life.
- The Gračanica Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery with remarkable frescoes that are well worth the short drive from Pristina. Like the Patriarchate of Peć Monastery in nearby Peja, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- If your itinerary doesn’t allow enough time to stay in one of Kosovo’s other cities, you may want to consider a day trip from Pristina. From Peja to Prizren, there is plenty to see, and everything is just a bus or train journey away.
One day in Pristina: how we did it
Accommodation: We stayed at the excellent Emery Hotel, which enjoys a perfect location overlooking Zahir Pajaziti Square. It was a little bit pricier than our usual budget choices, but we needed a touch of comfort at the end of our trip. The room was lovely and the breakfast had everything you needed to set yourself up for the day. From £76 per night including breakfast.
Walking tours: We didn’t take a walking tour of Pristina during our stay, but Astrit and Erza currently offer tours through Prishtina Free Walking Tours.
Transport: We arrived in Pristina on the train from Peja. There are plenty of bus connections to nearby cities, including Prizren and Skopje. Wizz Air operates plenty of routes into Pristina Airport, including from London Luton.