Located on the banks of the Prizren River between the foothills of the ล ar Mountains in southern Kosovo, Prizren is the second largest city in the country and is considered to be the history capital of Kosovo, due to its long rich heritage that dated all the way back to the bronze age.
From the Romans to the Byzantines to the Serbians to the Ottomans, the city had always been the cultural and intellectual center of the region for centuries. Because of that, you will find some of the country's most well-preserved structures and historical buildings here, in Prizren.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help plan the perfect trip to Prizren, one of my favorite cities in Kosovo. From watching the sunset at Prizren Fortress to strolling around the bazaars and markets in the city center, here are the 10 best things to do in Prizren for solo travelers:
- Prizren Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Prizren?
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10 Best Things to Do in Prizren
- Watch the Sunset at Prizren Fortress
- Admire the Beauty of Sinan Pasha Mosque
- Explore Prizren's Old Town
- Explore the Coffee Culture of Kosovo
- Check Out the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
- Take Photos of the Stone Bridge
- Stroll Around the Turkish Bath
- Be Amazed by Xhamia e Emin Pashรซs Mosque
- Walk Around the UNESCO Mother of God of Ljeviลก Church
- Check Out the Albanian League of Prizren
- More Prizren Activities
- Further Reading for Kosovo
Prizren Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Prizren
1. Watch the Sunset at Prizren Fortress
Out of all the places I visited in Prizren, Prizren Fortress has got to be my favorite. This medieval fortress perched atop a hill overlooking the city offers one of the best viewpoints in the city. Hell, I would even go as far as to claim this to be one of the best viewpoints in the entire country!
With a long history that dates all the way back to the 11th century, and its strategic location located on the highest point of the area, the fortress was considered a key stronghold for many rulers throughout its history, including the Byzantines, Ottomans, and even the Bulgarians who briefly ruled this part of the Balkans.
Thanks to its location, the fortress nowadays has become one of the most popular attractions in the city, offering visitors an incredible vantage point over the city and the surrounding areas.
- Ura Hostel (Budget)
- Hotel In Time (Mid-Range) ๐ Top Pick
- Hotel Tesara (High-End)
- From Skopje: Full-Day Kosovo Tour to Pristina and Prizren (10 hours)
- Kosovo from Albania: Day tour of Prizren & Prishtina(option) (10 hours)
- From Skopje: Pristina and Prizren Private Sightseeing Tour (10 hours)
It is also a popular place for both locals and travelers alike to sit back, relax, and experience the magnificent sunset as it dips behind the mountainous landscapes surrounding Prizren.
It is the best time to visit the fortress, and I highly recommend you make your way up around an hour before sunset so you can explore the fortress first before finding a nice spot to sit and enjoy the sunset.
To get to the fortress, you are going to have to make your way across the Lumbardhi River to the old town area, head east from Sinan Pasha Mosque, and start climbing the steep street from this trailhead. The trail will snake its way up to the top of the hill, where you can then enter the fortress from the front entrance. The trail is quite steep but not too long, and you should be there in around 10 - 20 minutes from the Old Town.
The fortress is quite expansive, covering an area of approximately 1.2 hectares (3 acres), and it is going to take quite a bit of time to explore all the nooks and crannies the fortress has to offer so be sure to spare at least 30 minutes to an hour to stroll along its formidable walls that stretch for more than 1 km (3,280 feet).
The best sunset spot is, of course, on the walls right above the front entrance you entered the fortress from. The walls are facing west, providing the perfect sunset spot as well as incredible views over the Prizren and its mountainous landscapes.
It is quite a sight to behold, especially during the blue hours when the city is illuminated by artificial lights, and so if you are looking for a great sunset spot in Prizren, you can't go wrong with Prizren Fortress. Plus, it is free to enter!
Where to Stay in Prizren?
2. Admire the Beauty of Sinan Pasha Mosque
One of the most important landmarks in Prizren that you should visit is Sinan Pasha Mosque, a magnificent Ottoman-era mosque located right in the heart of Prizren's old town, a perfect place to drop by as you explore the city.
The mosque was built in the 17th century by Sinan Pasha, a prominent Ottoman governor who sought to leave his mark on the city. The mosque's construction was a significant event in Prizren's history, and it quickly became an integral part of the daily lives of the people living in this city.
You can go inside the mosque and check out its impressive dome, minaret, and stunning interior, featuring ornate decoration and intricate calligraphy that goes to show just how influential the Ottomans were to Prizren and its citizens.
The mosque is a great place to visit, especially if you appreciate the beautiful symmetrical patterns of Islamic art that cover much of the domed roof's interior. The place opens during daylight hours, and it is free to enter the premises.
3. Explore Prizren's Old Town
Prizren's Old Town is located around the Shatervan area across the Lumbardhi River and it is home to all kinds of souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, and a pretty riverfront street, perfect to start your exploration of Prizren.
This area is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in the city, and you will find many people from all over the city coming out in droves and hanging out in this area, socializing with one another, indulging themselves in the awesome riverfront restaurants and cafes, especially after sundown.
It is one of my favorite areas in the city, and if you are looking for a place to get a feel of what Prizren is like, there is no better place to begin your journey than here.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Prizren? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
4. Explore the Coffee Culture of Kosovo
While you explore Prizren's Old Town, you might start noticing many people hanging out in cafes, socializing and enjoying each other's company at all hours around the old town area.
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, 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!
Prince Coffee House is a point of pride for the people of Kosovo and goes to show just how resilient the locals here are despite the country being liberated only in 1999!
5. Check Out the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
Before we cross the river and explore the other side of Prizren, I highly recommend you walk west from the old town and check out the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, a stunning cathedral featuring a striking neo-Gothic design and towering spires that dominate the city's skyline.
The cathedral was constructed in the late 19th century and served as a symbol of the Catholic community's resilience and strength during a period of political and social upheaval in the region. The building's architecture is a masterpiece of neo-Gothic design, featuring intricate stonework, towering spires, and a magnificent rose window that illuminates the nave with a kaleidoscope of colors.
It is living proof that despite religious differences, people can live together, work together, and cooperate with each other in harmony for the betterment of their community. If you are in Prizren, be sure to check out this beautiful piece of architecture.
6. Take Photos of the Stone Bridge
If you are looking for a picturesque spot to take photos of Prizren and its beautiful cityscape, I highly recommend you stroll around the riverfront area and check out The Stone Bridge which connects the 2 sides of the city together.
Although the exact date of the bridge's construction is unknown, it is believed that the bridge was constructed during the medieval periods, with some estimates placing its origin as far back as the 11th century. The bridge was rebuilt and renovated many times throughout its existence, with its most significant renovation taking place during the Ottoman era in the 16th century.
From the bridge, you will be able to see the fortress towering over the city as well as all the beautiful traditional Ottoman houses that dotted the cityscape of Prizren's Old Town. It is one hell of a picturesque bridge, and if you are a photographer looking to take nice photos of Prizren, be sure to drop by the Stone Bridge.
7. Stroll Around the Turkish Bath
After you are done with the old town side of the city, it is time to cross the river and explore what the other side of Prizren has to offer. One of the first attractions you will encounter is the Turkish Bath, a well-preserved Turkish bath with its walls and roofs still intact.
The Turkish Bath's architecture is a fine example of Ottoman design, featuring a domed roof, ornate tiles, and intricate stonework. The bathhouse's interior is equally impressive, with separate areas for men and women, a central heating room, and smaller rooms for washing and changing.
Today, the Turkish Bath has been restored and repurposed as a cultural center where you can explore and learn more about the history of the bath, its unique features, and the building's significance to the city of Prizren. Unfortunately, at the moment of writing this, the Turkish Bath is undergoing renovation, but you can still admire the beauty of this place on the outside as you explore Prizren.
8. Be Amazed by Xhamia e Emin Pashรซs Mosque
Located not too far from the Turkish Bath, you will find Xhamia e Emin Pashรซs Mosque, a small but very impressive mosque with one of the most colorful interiors you will see here.
This beautiful mosque was constructed in the 18th century by Emin Pasha, an influential Ottoman statesman, where the mosque got its name from, and inside, you will find a beautifully decorated interior with symmetrical Islamic patterns adoring its domed roof. The place blew me away as I didn't expect such a beautiful interior in such a small mosque.
It is one of the hidden gems of the city that not many tourists know about. I mean, Prizren in itself is already a hidden gem, but this mosque is a hidden gem inside a hidden gem, so be sure to drop by here when you are in Prizren.
9. Walk Around the UNESCO Mother of God of Ljeviลก Church
Despite the bloody conflict between Serbia, you can still find Serbian Orthodox churches here in Prizren, and one of the most important and revered churches of all is the Mother of God of Ljeviลก Church, a beautiful 14th Century Orthodox considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church was built during the reign of a Serbian King in the 14th Century on top of an old Byzantine Church. Then the Ottoman took over the area, built a minaret, and converted it into a mosque before Serbia annexed the region back again in 1910 and converted it back to its former self before undergoing continuous renovations and expansions during the Yugoslavia period.
Although you can see the church in its glorious shape and form to this day, the area is barred off and left abandoned after the liberation of Kosovo in 1999 but you will still be able to appreciate it from the outside and so be sure to walk by here as you explore Prizren.
10. Check Out the Albanian League of Prizren
The Albanian League of Prizren is a museum dedicated to the political organization that was established in the city of Prizren in 1878, during a period of political turmoil and social unrest in the Balkans.
The league was founded by a group of prominent Albanian intellectuals, politicians, and community leaders who came together to advocate for the rights and interests of the Albanian people, who were living under Ottoman rule at the time.
The league's activities had a significant impact on Albanian history, paving the way for the Albanian national liberation movement and the eventual establishment of an independent Albanian state.
Today, you can visit the league's former headquarters in Prizren, which has since been transformed into a museum dedicated to the league's history and legacy. The museum features exhibits on the league's founding, its activities and impact, and its role in shaping Albanian identity and culture. Admission to the museum is free, and guided tours are available throughout the day, so be sure to check it out while you are in Prizren.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
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:
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- For a complete backpacking itinerary to Kosovo, check out: 7-Day Backpacking Kosovo Itinerary.
- You can't visit Kosovo without visiting Pristina, where it all began. If you are planning to visit the capital city of Kosovo, here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Pristina.
- 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.
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