The 3 "P"s of Kosovo
Depending who you ask, Kosovo may or may not be considered a separate country. In 2008, Kosovo self-declared independence from Serbia. Many countries acknowledge this independence, but Serbia and Russia, along with a few others, refuse to accept this as true. This discrepancy continues to cause issues between Kosovo and Serbia, especially along the northeastern border. If you are travelling between the two, be sure to fully understand the stamping requirements and exercise caution in this area.
As one of the newest countries in the world, Kosovo is working hard to establish its own identity. This is complicated by the fact that over 90% of the 1.8M population is made up of Albanians. Add to this the fact that over half the population is under 25 and about 65% of the population is under 30. The EU doesn't yet consider Kosovo's economy strong enough to join, so the young population is struggling to earn a living and finding ways to emigrate elsewhere in Europe or the EU.
As one of the newest countries in the world, Kosovo is working hard to establish its own identity. This is complicated by the fact that over 90% of the 1.8M population is made up of Albanians. Add to this the fact that over half the population is under 25 and about 65% of the population is under 30. The EU doesn't yet consider Kosovo's economy strong enough to join, so the young population is struggling to earn a living and finding ways to emigrate elsewhere in Europe or the EU.
This is all well exemplified in singer Rita Ora: she was born in Prishtina (Yugoslavia at the time but now present day capital of Kosovo). Kosovans claim her as their own, but she often displays the red and black, double headed eagle flag of Albania during her performances (although you can't blame her for not using the much-less-cool Kosovan flag, that looks little like someone whipped it up in Paint). Her parents are Albanian but she calls London home because she moved there as a child.
You can start to see why this country that is only 11 years old would struggle with a clear identity. But they are making inroads. |
Oddly, Kosovo is also the most pro-American country in the world (with a 75% approval rating- even with Trump in office), stemming from the 1998-1999 war with Serbia. The United States led airstrikes that drove away the Serbian Army after more than 13,000 people were killed and 1.4M were displaced from their homes. Ever since, Kosovo believes that the USA helped save them and made it possible to become their own country. This is evident in the capital of Prishtina, where a statue of Bill Clinton waves at people on one of the main streets and American flags are displayed in the main squares. |
The first "P" of Kosovo, Prishtina, or Pristina, is home to over 200,000 of Kosovo's 1.8M inhabitants. It is also the world's second-largest city to be primarily Albanian speaking, after Albania's capital Tirana. The cafe culture is strong, and there are coffee shops on every corner. It is very common for young people from Kosovo to go have a coffee and sit for hours talking to friends (over one singular coffee). It is also quite common for these coffee shops not to serve food, so if you are hungry you need to find a certain type of place. A few nice places are Dit' e Nat' and Soma Book Station (although some of the locals find Soma to be pretentious).
The city also has some interesting buildings and landmarks. The National Library of Kosovo is claimed to be one of the ugliest pretty buildings. Located near the university, the grounds are a nice area to walk. The famous "Newborn" Monument is also close by. This sculpture was unveiled on the day that Kosovo declared its independence, February 17, 2008. Every year, on this same day, the sculpture gets a makeover and is painted in a new way. You will also see lines of taxis waiting at the end of the main pedestrian street Sheshi Zahir Pajaziti. With few jobs available, there is always someone around to take you where you need to go. We also found the local bus a bit confusing, but it was cheap once you found the right one.
The city also has some interesting buildings and landmarks. The National Library of Kosovo is claimed to be one of the ugliest pretty buildings. Located near the university, the grounds are a nice area to walk. The famous "Newborn" Monument is also close by. This sculpture was unveiled on the day that Kosovo declared its independence, February 17, 2008. Every year, on this same day, the sculpture gets a makeover and is painted in a new way. You will also see lines of taxis waiting at the end of the main pedestrian street Sheshi Zahir Pajaziti. With few jobs available, there is always someone around to take you where you need to go. We also found the local bus a bit confusing, but it was cheap once you found the right one.
A short 10km drive outside Prishtina you can find the Monastery Gracanica. If you have been to other monasteries in neighbouring countries, this one building won't seem as impressive as the huge complexes, but the site is still lovely and peaceful. The inside of the monastery is painted beautifully and it is an easy detour to see.
The second "P" of Kosovo, Peja or Peć, is located 85km west of Prishtina. With the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park directly to the west of the city, Peja is a beautiful escape from the city. Known for its hiking trails and adventure sports, the higher up into the nearby Rugova mountains you get, the more beautiful the view of the valley below. The town itself is picturesque, set along the Lumbardh River. The local bazaar is good for a wander through and there is a cheese market each Saturday.
The Patriarchate of Peć monastery is also a highlight. It is an easy 2km walk from town, but remember to bring your passport as you are required to show it to the guards at the entrance to check in. Built in the 13th century, the monastery became the residence of Serbian Archbishops and later expanded to be the seat of Serbian Patriarchs. Kosovo holds many of the churches, monasteries and castles that helped form the Serbian identity, which is why Serbia is so reluctant to declare Kosovo as an independent country.
The third "P" of Kosovo, Prizren, is located 73km southeast of Peja. This historic city is situated on the banks of the Prizren Bistrica river and is overlooked by the Prizren Fortress. There are several bridges that connect the two sides of the city, including a 15th century stone bridge and the more modern Blue Bridge of Love, which is covered in love locks.
High above the city sits the Prizren Fortress. The walk isn't far from the city centre, but the last 600m are quite steep. From the top the view is incredible and the old fortress is fun to explore. When you make it back down, treat yourself to a beer at one of the outdoor bars and a piece of burek from a local bakery.
Questions about travelling in Kosovo? Email us and we will be happy to help!