11 Incredible Things to Do in Pristina for First-Timers

11 Best Things to Do in Pristina

1. Check Out the View from the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa's Bell Tower

Standing right in the middle of the city center of Pristina, the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa is one of the most prominent structures in the city with an impressive bell tower that you can climb up to the top to get an incredible vantage point over the city and the surrounding areas.

Since it was only built in 2010, the cathedral boasts a grandeur and modern design, both from the outside and inside, unlike the other Brutalist building designs you will find elsewhere in Pristina. Inside, you will find a nice modern-looking nave with wooden ceilings and benches, a beautiful modern take on the European Cathedral design that is a breath of fresh air to see.

The best part of the Cathedral though is not the interior but its 70 meters tall bell tower, one of the tallest structures in the city that you can go up with an elevator all the way to the top for an incredible view of the city.

To get access to the elevator, you are going to have to pay around 1.5 EUR and you will be ushered up to the observational deck at the top of the bell tower on a pretty slow but reliable elevator.

From up there, you will have a panoramic 360° view over the city allowing you to see all the major structures in Pristina across the board from the striking National University Library of Kosovo to the unique-looking Youth and Sports Center, and everything in between. It is quite a sight to behold.

Thanks to its bright-colored exterior and the sky-high bell tower, the cathedral has become one of the most prominent structures in the city. Definitely one of the best things to do in Pristina, so be sure to drop by the cathedral and climb up its bell tower.

2. Admire the Beauty of The National University Library of Kosovo

Many people considered the National University Library of Kosovo to be one of the ugliest buildings in the world. To be honest, I have no idea what the hell they are talking about because I think the library is one of the most unique-looking stunning piece of architecture I have ever seen and it really makes Pristina stands out from the other capital cities in the Balkans.

In fact, it is one of the main reasons why I want to visit this city in the first place! The library's stunning glass facade and imposing design are what makes this structure stands out for me. Out of all the places I have visited in Pristina, this is the most memorable landmark of all. I even dare say, this is the mother of all Brutalist buildings!

The library's history dates back to the early 1960s when the first collections were established. Since then, the library has grown into one of the largest and most important cultural institutions in Kosovo, with a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other materials. The library is not only a place of study and research but also a hub for cultural and intellectual exchange for the locals here.

The library is open to the public and offers a wide range of services and resources, including access to books, journals, and multimedia materials. It is also home to a number of exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, making it a great place to visit while you explore Pristina if its unique design isn't enough of a reason for you.

Personally, when I first saw the photo of this place, I knew right away I have to make it to Pristina to see it with my own eyes, even before I knew where I wanted to visit in the Balkans when I was planning this trip.

The library is open from 7 AM to 8 PM every day except on Sundays and it is free to enter. There is also an abandoned Orthodox church on the premise of the library which still retains its impressive exterior so be sure to drop by there after you are done at the library. Definitely one of the best things to do in Pristina.

3. Hang Out at Mother Theresa Boulevard

One of the liveliest places you will find in Pristina is Mother Theresa Boulevard, the commercial hub of the city where a pedestrian street runs through the city center with both sides of the street, lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, and park benches you can hang out at.

Obviously, the square is named after Saint Mother Teresa, but not many people know that she was of Albanian descent and is an extremely revered figure in Kosovo. Right at the center of the square, you will find a statue of Mother Teresa as well as other statues of important figures like Skanderbeg, an Albanian military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, etc.

I just love how spacious the square is, with trees and park benches along the street allowing me to sit and relax in between my exploration of Kosovo, watching the locals out and about, enjoying themselves.

If you can manage to align your visit to Sundays, you will be surprised how lively this place gets, with the main road that stretches from the square all the way to the cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa closed off from traffic, and ping pong tables, basketball hoops, and make-shift futsal fields, sprung up along the streets.

You will see the locals come out in droves, hanging out at these fun little activity spots, and enjoying each other's company, with smiles and laughter that are rather contagious, I'm not gonna lie. It really goes to show just how lively and friendly the people of Kosovo are. If you can visit the city on Sundays, you will be amazed by how lively Pristina gets.

4. Learn the History at Kosovo Museum

Kosovo Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in the country, featuring a wide range of exhibits that showcase Kosovo's rich cultural heritage and history that is often forgotten in the midst of all the conflicts the country had gone through in the 90s.

With Kosovo Museum, you will be able to learn a bit more about this country outside of those troubling times. The museum's collections include a vast array of artifacts and artworks, ranging from ancient coins and pottery to contemporary paintings and sculptures, allowing you to get a glimpse of what Kosovo is like in ancient times.

There is a wide range of exhibits in the museum from Kosovo's prehistoric era, the Roman and Byzantine periods to the country's Ottoman and modern history. The museum is also home to an impressive collection of ethnographic items, including traditional clothing, jewelry, and household items from Kosovo's diverse communities.

If you are looking to learn a bit more about this country and its history that predates the modern conflicts in the 90s, be sure to drop by Kosovo Museum. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day except on Mondays and the entrance fee is free with an option to donate to the cause which is pretty awesome.

5. Check Out the Imperial Mosque

Imperial Mosque (Džamija Cara) is one of the most beautiful and prominent mosques in the city located in the old part of Pristina, just across the road from Mother Teresa Boulevard, making it a great place to drop by as you explore the more traditional part of Pristina.

The mosque was built in the 15th century during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II, an important Ottoman sultan who ruled the empire during the time. The mosque became the center of Kosovan's identity throughout history. It was converted to a cathedral during the Austro-Turkish wars for a brief time before it was converted back to a mosque after the Ottoman took back Pristina.

The mosque features a beautiful symmetrical Islamic patterned design that spans across its ceilings with a beautiful chandelier in the middle. Be sure to drop by the Imperial Mosque as you explore Pristina's Old Town.

6. Visit the Ethnographic Museum

Not too far from the Imperial Mosque, you will find the Ethnographic Museum, a small local museum dedicated to preserving the traditional way of life of Kosovo's various ethnic groups. The museum is housed inside a beautifully preserved 18th-century Ottoman-era house, which allows you to immerse in the place even more.

Inside the museum complex, you will find several buildings housing different exhibitions that will give you a glimpse of what life was like in Kosovo back in the day. One of the first exhibitions you will encounter is a replica of a living room of what you would find in an old traditional Albanian household full of old furniture, kitchenware, and colorful decors.

In another exhibition, you will find a great collection of old photos that were taken in Kosovo during the Ottoman period, like a photo of young students, sitting in a classroom, getting ready to learn, which is surprisingly not so different from what we do today, and so much more.

The museum is open during daylight hours with absolutely no entrance fee which is awesome. It is an awesome museum to visit especially if you want to dive deeper into the history and traditions of the people of Kosovo.

7. Stroll Around the Old Green Market

While you explore the old part of Pristina, be sure to drop by the Old Green Market, a lively fresh market area where you can buy fresh fruits, interact with the locals, or simply go people-watching as you explore its narrow streets.

At the market, you will be able to witness how the people actually live in Kosovo outside of the city center, while also shopping for delicious fresh fruits at very affordable price points.

It is a great way to see the city through the facade and experience it the way the locals do and so if you are interested in seeing what life is really like here, be sure to drop by the Old Green Market.

8. Explore Kurrizi (The Spine)

One of the most unique things you can do here in Pristina is to explore Kurrizi or "The Spine", a massive high-rise apartment building followed by chains of shops, stacked on top of each other, reminiscent of the spine, a result of the 80s housing project designed to house the 80s thriving middle class.

Like with all government projects in this part of Europe in the 80s, during the height of the Cold War, Kurrizi deteriorated after the fall the Communism in the region, but despite its faith, the people of Kosovo somehow managed to preserve the sense of freedom that Kurrizi was known for, with much de-institutionalized Albanian communities using this place as a cultural hub during the troubling time throughout the 90s.

There are 2 accessible levels of Kurrizi that you can explore freely. The upper level is a wide, boulevard-like space that extends for approximately 400 meters, with shops, restaurants, and cafes lined along the sides of the walking path with a ton of apartments stacked on top of it.

The lower level, on the other hand, is a rather dark and poorly ventilated tunnel that was meant to be built for traffic with a shopping gallery located adjacent to it, running parallel to the tunnel. The shopping gallery is mostly enclosed with a few staircases providing access to the street above.

Kurrizi was a big part of the culture here in Pristina since the 80s and I highly recommend you check it out if you want to learn more about the life of the locals living through the wars of the 90s. There are restaurants and cafes dotted along the upper part of Kurrizi as well and so if you want to sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the city, this is a great place to be.

9. Take Photos of the Statue of Bill Clinton

Located not too far from Kurrizi, you will find the Statue of Bill Clinton, a monument erected in 2009 depicting Clinton with his arm raised and a broad smile on his face, standing tall on the street that was named after the US 42nd president.

Thanks to his involvement in the struggle for independence from Serbia during the troubling dissolution of Yugoslavia, a 10-foot-high (3 meters tall) statue of him was erected by the Albanians in Kosovo right in the middle of the city center. I've never seen Bill Clinton more revered than here. I don't even think the US revered him as much as the people of Kosovo do.

If you pass by Bill Clinton Boulevard or you were exploring Kurrizi, be sure to drop by the statue of Bill Clinton and take photos with it. I don't think you will find such a statue anywhere else but here.

10. Take Photos of the NEWBORN Monument

The Newborn Monument is a stunning typographic sculpture located in the city center, not too far from Mother Teresa Boulevard and it stands as a symbol of the country's resilience and perseverance.

The monument was erected in front of the beautiful Palace of Youth and Sports Center which was unveiled on a momentous day, February 17, 2008, the very day that Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

Standing tall and proud, the NEWBORN monument is a striking work of art, emblazoned with the word "NEWBORN" in bold letters, a great reminder of the country's remarkable journey towards independence and is a beacon of hope for Kosovo's bright future. Taking photos of you with the sign is a must when you are traveling in Pristina.

11. Explore the Cafe Culture of Pristina

Kosovo is well known for its awesome coffee culture. It is part of their identity and you can clearly see that by the number of cafes you find across the country, and one of the most well-known and well-established of all that you should check out while you are in Pristina is the Prince Coffee House, a local cafe chain that rivals Starbucks in every way but way WAY cheaper!

With the same comfy vibe of Starbucks and a wide variety of fresh coffee and pastry selections, but at a very affordable price of around 1.5 EUR for a cup of coffee, after you had a coffee here, you will start to wonder why you pay so much for Starbucks!

You can also check out other cafes while you are here as well like Sachcaffé, Dit' e Nat', and Half & Half Café, most of which are located around Mother Teresa Boulevard.

I just love hanging out in cafes in Kosovo. There is something about the cozy vibe and the liveliness of the people hanging out in these cafes that make you feel alive with them. If you have some time to kill here, be sure to spend some time and explore the cafe culture here.

What to Eat and Drink in Pristina?

1. Eat Local Cuisine at Shaban Grill House

If you are looking for a nice affordable place to try some local cuisines, I highly recommend you check out Shaban Grill House, a local restaurant located right in the city center on Mother Teresa Boulevard.

The restaurant serves delicious local street foods like Qyfte, Pleskavice, and Kombinim, a combination of delicious grilled local meats, that will satisfy your hunger for meats for days. All at a price of as low as 3 EUR which is pretty awesome. The restaurant is open from 8 AM to 12 AM every day. Man, I love how affordable Kosovo is! Almost as cheap as Thailand, my home country, which is not easy to find in Europe!

Further Reading for Kosovo

I hope you found this Kosovo travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Kosovo, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• For a complete backpacking itinerary to Kosovo, check out: 7-Day Backpacking Kosovo Itinerary.
• Prizren is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kosovo, and a place you should not miss! If you are planning to visit Prizren, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prizren.
• If you like hiking and nature, you are going to love Peja. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Peja.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Kosovo, visit the Kosovo Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.