Travel Guide
Kosova
Pristina: Fatih Mosque, Mother Teresa, Bill Clinton statue, Bitcoin offices. A walkable, cheap Balkan capital where Turkish is spoken.
In short
I came to Pristina from Tirana by a ≈ $17 bus (~4 hours). The Euro is in use, prices are around the Balkan average, and the city is very walkable. Even in September it was cold; while I was sweating in Albania, here everyone was wearing jackets.
Everyone on the street speaks Turkish, Turkish music plays from the shops. Mother Teresa pedestrian street, Skanderbeg statue, Bazaar Mosque, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the Ethnographic Museum make up the first day’s route. There is a mosque every 200 metres.
The city’s odd side: the National Library covered in metal netting, the Bill Clinton statue, sympathy for America. There are Bitcoin offices — if the ATM fails you can send USDT and get cash euros. Turkish citizens get 90 days visa-free.
Route
Main stops from the videos.
Tirana → Pristina ≈ $17
~4 hours. There is also a bus to Istanbul at the terminal. Arrival terminal can be smoky.
Hostel with kitchen ≈ $9
Shared kitchen. Buying eggs, bread and pasta at the supermarket and cooking is very cheap.
Mother Teresa, Skanderbeg, mosques
Walk the pedestrian street end to end. Skanderbeg statue, Bazaar Mosque, Fatih Mosque. Reminds one of Istanbul.
Manti and borek ≈ $5
Two portions of meat/spinach manti + fllija ≈ $5. One portion is filling.
ATM / Bitcoin office
ATM sometimes fails. At a Bitcoin office you can send USDT and get cash euros. Change lek in Kosovo.
Montenegro bus ≈ $22
No bus to Serbia (tensions). Evening bus to Montenegro ≈ $22.
Transport, stay and food
Transport
Tirana–Pristina ≈ $17. City bus ≈ $0.45 (ticket, card).
Stay
Hostel ≈ $9, shared kitchen. Market prices are low; cook yourself.
Food
Two portions of manti ≈ $5. Borek and flija can also be tried.
Vize
Turkish citizens: 90 days visa-free (within 180 days). Passport is enough.
Money
Change lek in Kosovo (better rate). ATM sometimes fails; Bitcoin office is an option.
Turkish is enough
Everyone in the city speaks Turkish. You can get around without Albanian.
Places to see
Fatih Mosque
1461, Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Courtyard, fountain, cafés in the garden.
Mother Teresa Cathedral
On the pedestrian street. One of the city’s landmarks.
National Library
Odd structure covered in metal netting. Free to enter and read.
Bill Clinton statue
The boulevard is named after him. Sympathy for America is everywhere.
Ethnographic Museum
Old house: private/reception rooms, fountain, fruit tree.
Bazaar Mosque & market
Old bazaar area. Mosques nearby, flea market.
Photos
Practical warnings
Bring warm clothes
Cold even in September. You will feel the difference if you come from Albania.
Change lek in Kosovo
Pristina rate may be better than Tirana.
ATM does not always work
Try another ATM. Bitcoin office is an alternative (legal).
No bus to Serbia
Tickets not sold due to tensions. Plan Montenegro or another route.
City busnde bilet
No card; an attendant collects money. Ticket ≈ $0.45.
Ziraat Bank
There is a branch but it may not serve Turkish citizens.
Videos
Kosovo journey video.
Cheap, walkable, Turkish-speaking
Be sure to see the mosque, the library and the Clinton statue. Because there was no bus to Serbia I went on to Montenegro. A budget-friendly stop with hostel, manti and city bus.
Change lek here, choose a hostel with kitchen and plan the Serbia route in advance.
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