The Best Travel Guide to Pristina

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Pristina

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Overview

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Pristina The guide was updated: 2023-08-30

Few places in Europe have remained off the beaten path as much as the Kosovar first city; fewer yet have been at the heart of a political dispute as agonising in recent history. Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest states, boasts a youthful populace to match, and exudes a lust for life that's virtually tangible. Still rough around the edges and with no tourist information offices in sight, Pristina remains uncharted territory, a state of affairs foreseen to change as the city attracts a growing number of visitors.

Facts

Population:	207,062
Currency:	1 Euro = 100 cents
Hotels:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 192 Ambulance: 194 Fire: 193
Newspapers:	Koha Ditore Zeri Kosova Sot Lajm
Opening hours:	Major Muslim holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, may affect opening hours. Christian holidays are also observed.

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Section in Pristina

Although Pristina isn't as conventionally attractive as some other European capitals, there are a few things to keep visitors occupied for the duration of a short stay. Some attractions not to be missed are the National Library building, whose facade has sparked heated debate and varying interpretations, the Ethnographic Museum, and the city's curious monuments, from "Newborn" spelled out in block letters, inaugurated as symbol of the newly emerged state, to Bill Clinton doing a friendly wave from a pedestal on his namesake boulevard.

Ethnographic Museum

Ethnographic Museum

There is no better place to familiarise yourself with Kosovar traditional culture than taking a guided tour of the Ottoman buildings containing the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum. Musical instruments, pieces of clothing and accessories, along with other artefacts, are on display in the museum's stylised interior.

Pristina National Library

Pristina National Library

The city's most staggering discovery is the brutalist National Library building, a structure so bizarre and seemingly out of place that many are left unsure as to what to make of it. It still is a perfectly functional library, so do drop in to get a good look at what's inside – you might just chance upon an English-language exhibition.

Germia Park

Germia Park

The coveted summertime escape of Germia Park lies just outside Pristina, and covers an impressive 62 square kilometres. Apart from the many hiking trails, its main attraction is the huge open-air swimming pool thoroughly enjoyed by locals. The Villa Germia restaurant on its grounds also has a great reputation.

Bill Clinton Statue

Bill Clinton Statue

The Bill Clinton statue was unveiled by the man himself nearly a decade ago, and has since then remained one of the city's oddball attractions, given especially the idiosyncratic nature of its Communist grey-building backdrop. A kitsch replica of the Statue of Liberty also graced the roof of the now defunct Victory Hotel until rather recently.

Imperial Mosque

Imperial Mosque

The Imperial Mosque (or Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque, named after the man who ordered its erection in the mid-15th century) is Pristina's most notable. It still stands today despite the damage done during WWII, and boasts some beautiful indoor art and decoration.

Newborn Monument

Newborn Monument

Inaugurated on 17 February 2008, the day when Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, the monument that spells "newborn" embodies the state's "birth" and very real struggle for recognition, still ongoing as of today. Although the monument is well past its glory days, it still holds symbolic importance.

Kosovo National Gallery

Kosovo National Gallery

The National Gallery of Kosovo showcases pieces of modern art produced by Kosovar/Albanian artists throughout the 20th century till the present day. Exhibitions are held regularly, one of the most notable being the competition for the Muslim Mulliqi Prize.

Marble Cave

Marble Cave

A 20-minute drive south of Pristina lies the natural limestone cave known as the Marble Cave, once accidentally chanced upon by a local resident. Despite the research project now being financed by the EU, the cave remains largely unexplored. The entry fee is very moderate and includes a guided tour.

Gracanica Monastery

Gracanica Monastery

This functioning monastery isn't much of a developed tourist attraction, but visitors are welcomed by an English-speaking guard and ushered inside the early 14th century Serbian Orthodox monastery (built in place of an even more ancient 6th century basilica). There is a small gift shop selling ecclesiastic paraphernalia and souvenirs.

Ulpiana Archaeological Site

Ulpiana Archaeological Site

Mentioned in ancient sources as early as the 2nd century AD, the archaeological site of Ulpiana contains remnants of a Roman settlement, all clearly marked and accompanied by information boards. It was a relatively important city, whose territory covered an impressive 120 hectares, one that to-date remains largely under the radar.

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