10 Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo – Why It Deserves a Spot on Your Balkan Itinerary

Prizren’s cobbled streets, riverside cafés, and mountain backdrop give it an easy charm that’s hard to resist. Compact and full of character, it’s one of those cities that wins you over straight away. In this guide, I’ve included the 10 best things you can do in Prizren, along with practical advice and a map to help you make the most of your visit to this beautiful Balkan city.

Planning a Trip To Prizren, Kosovo? Here’s Where You’ll Find Things

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Is Prizren Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Prizren is Kosovo’s most picturesque city. It’s compact, walkable, and full of atmosphere. With its riverside cafés, Ottoman-era bridges, and fortress views, it’s the kind of place that’s easy to love. Completing my list of 10 isn’t essential either. You’ll only need a few hours to get the sense of the place. If you stay overnight (recommended) you can enjoy the sunset from the fortress and appreciate Prizren after the day-trippers have gone.

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Where To Stay In Prizren, Kosovo

We only stayed a day, and, as usual when this happens, I regretted not staying over. If you do, there’s a range of accommodation to choose from and plenty of options in the centre. I’ve added an interactive map to help too.

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Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo

Before diving into specifics, it’s worth reflecting on Prizren’s layered past under Byzantine, Ottoman and Serbian rule. Today, Prizren is mostly ethnic Albanian and Muslim and you’ll find a wonderful mosque in the city. There’s also an Orthodox Christian heritage including a UNESCO-listed church and all within a short walk of each other.

Prizren very much reminds me of Tetovo, across the border in North Macedonia and just the other side of the Shar Mountain range. They’re both set along a picturesque river beneath the Shar Mountains, both home to an ethnic Albanian community, a stunning Ottoman mosque and ancient hammam. And both have an old stone bridge and a fortress too.

So here’s how to explore the best of Prizren whether you’re here on a day trip or staying overnight. I’ve included a map of the main places to visit too.

1. Cross the Stone Bridge & Stroll the Waterfront

Prizren’s Old Stone Bridge (Ura e Gurit) is a graceful 16th-century Ottoman bridge spanning the Bistrica River. Rebuilt after flooding in 1979, it’s still the heart of the city, linking the riverbanks and providing one of the best photo spots in the city. Cross over and wander the waterfront cafés and cobbled lanes and enjoy Kosovan hospitality.

2. Stop by Shadervan Square & Fountain

A few steps from the bridge lies Shadervan Square, the beating heart of Prizren life. It’s small, lively, and framed by Ottoman-era buildings, with a stone fountain said to guarantee you’ll return to the city if you drink from it.

Take your time to wander around the picturesque streets radiating out from the square.

3. Go Inside the Sinan Pasha Mosque

Built in 1615, the Sinan Pasha Mosque dominates Prizren’s skyline with its tall minaret and broad dome. The interior is gorgeous. The colourful floral murals and calligraphy have been restored to their Ottoman-era detail.

Visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Definitely go inside if you have the opportunity. From the steps, you’ll get a perfect framed view of the bridge and riverfront – one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

4. Climb to Prizren Fortress (Ideally for Sunset)

The 20 minute climb to Prizren Fortress (Kalaja e Prizrenit) is steep but worth every step. And the sights along the way are characterful too. Here’s a couple of photos. We witnessed a car reverse down that slope!

And there are rewards along the way, including Bar Aca which we recommend.

You’ll also see the Church of the Holy Saviour. While it’s largely derelict, and not in use, it’s such a beautiful landmark and definitely one you’ll want to photograph.

From the top, you’ll see the whole city spread along the river with the Shar Mountains beyond. It’s a panoramic view popular at sunset. .

The fortress dates back to Byzantine times and was expanded by the Ottomans, though today it’s mostly ruins. Near the entrance, a row of beautifully restored Ottoman-era stone buildings now houses part of the fortress interpretation centre, where panels explain the site’s excavation and history

From the fortress, you’ll spot the large white UÇK letters on the hillside. That’s a reference to the Kosovo Liberation Army (Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kosovës) and their role in the 1990s conflict and a symbol of Kosovan national identity.

5. Visit the Archaeological Museum & Climb the Watchtower

The Archaeological Museum of Prizren, near the stone bridge comes recommended. It’s housed in a restored Ottoman building and showcases artefacts from Roman to medieval periods. The watchtower behind it offers a rewarding mid-level viewpoint and an easier option if you don’t fancy the full fortress climb.

6. Explore Prizren’s Churches

The Church of the Holy Saviour is a small 14th-century Orthodox church set dramatically on the hillside. It’s view over the rooftops makes it an obvious photo stop. You’ll pass it on your way up to the Fortress.

Back in the centre, the Church of St George (Orthodox Cathedral) still serves Prizren’s Serb community.

A short walk away from the cathedral is the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš, Prizren’s UNESCO-listed monument, built in the early 1300s and later converted into a mosque under Ottoman rule, its five-domed exterior is worth seeking out.

7. Visit the Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam (Turkish Bath)

Just off Shadervan Square, the Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam is one of Prizren’s most atmospheric Ottoman buildings. Built in the 16th century as part of a larger complex that included a mosque, madrasa, and library, the hammam once served as a public bathhouse for both men and women. Its twin domes and marble interiors have been carefully restored, and the building now functions as a cultural space and exhibition venue rather than a working bath.

8. Enjoy Kosovan Food, Drink and Hospitality

One of the real pleasures of visiting Kosovo is how quickly you feel at home. The food is hearty, the portions are generous, and the hospitality is genuine. Local cafés and family-run restaurants serve a mix of Balkan and Mediterranean flavours, with plenty of overlap with Albanian and Turkish cuisine. You’ll find byrek (flaky pastry pies), grilled meats, salads loaded with tomatoes and peppers, and simple comfort dishes like jufka, a hand-cut pasta often served with dill, cheese, or pesto.

Vegetarians are catered for too, falafel wraps, lentil soups, and mixed meze plates may appear on the menu, often paired with creamy yoghurt dips and fresh bread. Prices are modest, and even in the most touristy spots you’ll rarely feel rushed or overcharged.

Kosovo also takes its coffee seriously. Whether it’s a strong Turkish coffee served in a copper pot or a perfect macchiato that rivals any Italian café, If you’re visiting in warmer weather, look out for brightly coloured fruit syrups and juices including raspberry, pomegranate, or forest fruit.

Most cafés and restaurants in Kosovo are cash-friendly rather than card-reliant, so it’s worth carrying a few euros for meals and tips. (Kosovo uses the euro, even though it’s not part of the EU.) Tipping isn’t expected but rounding up or leaving around 10% for good service is always appreciated.

9. Explore the League of Prizren Museum

A short walk from the stone bridge brings you to the Albanian League of Prizren Museum, set within a beautifully restored Ottoman compound of wooden balconies and cobbled courtyards. This was the site of the 1878 Albanian national awakening, where intellectuals and community leaders met to promote unity and cultural rights under Ottoman rule. The museum displays documents, portraits, and artefacts from the period, along with a small ethnographic collection showing traditional Albanian life.

10. Browse the Tregu i Gjelbër Market

For a glimpse of everyday life, head to Tregu i Gjelbër (the Green Market), just outside the centre. Stalls brim with local cheese, honey, herbs, and seasonal produce, all sourced from nearby villages. It’s busy, authentic, and refreshingly untouristy.

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Map Of Things To Do in Prizren, Kosovo

Here’s a map where I’ve pinned all the things mentioned here for you to use if you visit Prizren.

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Getting to Prizren By Public Transport

For travellers with limited time in Kosovo, Prizren can be a better base than Pristina. Prizren is well connected by bus to neighbouring countries, sitting almost midway between Tirana, Skopje, and Pristina. So that makes it an ideal stop on a wider Balkan itinerary.

Taking the Bus From Pristina to Prizren

The bus from Pristina to Prizren takes around 1½–2 hours, depending on traffic and stops. It’s one of the busiest domestic routes in Kosovo, with up to 4 per hour during peak times. The last bus back from Prizren to Pristina is around 21.30. The timetables at the bus stations are your best bet for the most accurate information so I would check at Pristina and again when you arrive at Prizren. There are timetables shown on Balkan Viator, which may be helpful, but are not always accurate. The journey winds through scenic hill country and ends at Prizren’s main bus station

Tickets from Pristina to Prizren cost about €5 each way. Buy tickets in cash at the bus station or directly on board. Booking online with the bus companies is not currently possible. There are multiple local companies operating the route and these compete on frequency rather than price. So the main thing is to make sure you buy your ticket for the bus service you want to use.

From Skopje or Lake Ohrid (North Macedonia)

There’s no direct bus from Ohrid, but it’s possible via Skopje. From Skopje’s main bus station, take the international service to Prizren (about 3½-4 hours), with one or two daily departures depending on the season. The route crosses the Shar Mountains, making it one of the most scenic border journeys in the region.

Travellers based in Ohrid can first take a bus or shared taxi to Skopje (about 3 hours) and continue onward from there.

From Tirana (Albania)

Prizren lies close to the Albanian border, so getting here from Tirana is straightforward. Direct buses run several times daily, taking around 3½ hours via Kukës and the modern motorway that connects the two countries. The journey crosses impressive mountain landscapes and passes through a long tunnel before descending into Prizren.

Those staying in northern Albania (e.g. Shkodra or Theth) can connect via Tirana or Kukës.

Arrving at Prizren Bus Station

The bus station is about 20 minutes walk from the centre of Prizren. There are food options around the station. We found cake/dessert.

Getting Around Prizren

Once you’re there, Prizren is best explored on foot. The main sights are clustered around the river, with only the fortress requiring a steep uphill walk. Taxis are inexpensive if you need to reach the bus station or travel in summer heat.

Continuing Your Journey

From Prizren, you can easily return to Pristina or continue into Albania via Kukës or Shkodra. Some travellers also loop south into North Macedonia, rejoining the main routes near Tetovo or Ohrid, ideal if you’re exploring the Balkan itinerary by public transport.

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Visiting Prizren As A Day Tour From Tirana or Skopje

If you’re staying in Skopje, North Macedonia and want to visit Kosovo, you can take a daytour and visit both Pristina and Prizren. A perfect way to experience Kosovo if you only have a day to spare. The tour includes the coach and services of a professional guide.

Similarly, there are also day trips from Tirana in Albania to Pristina and Prizren too.

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So I hope you found these 10 things to do in Prizren helpful. Do let me know in the comments if you’ve visited Prizren and what you thought of it or if you are planning to visit. We spend several days in Pristina, so I will be sharing that next. If you’d like news on this or any other articles I plan to write, I’d love it if you joined my monthly newsletter.

And to end, here are three popular posts from the One Small Blog to inspire you to plan your next trip.

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