The roads in Pristina are pretty good and improvements are being made, and the city is the most important and frequent road junction of Kosovo as all of the major expressways and motorways pass through the city limits. Many of the motorways in Kosovo are largely completed and partially under construction, or under planning process. There will be direct access from Pristina to Skopje through the R6 motorway, the R7 motorway significantly connects Durres with Pristina and will have near future a direct connection to the Pan-European corridor. Traffic can be heavy during rush hour and there can also be heavy traffic due to road repairs

There are several taxi services in Pristina, many can be found outside the bus station, taxis are metered and rates start around 1.50 Euros, a trip to the city center can cost around 3 Euros, prices are worth negotiating there are private individual licensed taxi drivers with taxi meters. All taxi companies use online communication platforms like Viber and WhatsApp.

Pristina’s city center is small and walkable and filled with notable sights including the 19th-century Ottoman clock tower, Sahat Kulla, which faces Fatih Mosque, Pristina’s largest and most outstanding mosque dating back to the 15th century. The Museum of Kosovo is a striking yellow building worth visiting and the Ethnological Museum is housed in a gorgeous complex of Ottoman-era town homes called Emin Gjiku. Walk around the neighborhoods and see the market stalls, quaint cafes, and vibrant communities in Kosovo’s biggest city. There is a Bear Sanctuary through Germia Park, hike here to receive rewarding views.

Pristina is a very safe city to visit, although the city has been associated with its most recent history, visitors can be sure to expect a relaxed atmosphere with friendly people. Use necessary precautions when out sightseeing, be sure to keep your eyes open and your wallet out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. It is advised to stay aware and be cautious at all times. And don’t visit Gazimestan in Vidovdan (28th of June), it’s a day when the Serbs used to gather there.

The Pristina Mall is a new super-regional retail complex located about 6 miles away from the city center, it’s one of the largest shopping complexes in Southeast Europe. The mall features a CineStar, the largest movie theatre chain in Southeast Europe. HyperActive is a gaming and sports area located in the mall featuring augmented reality bowling, axe throwing, a laser tag arena, escape rooms, a sports bar, and virtual reality and AR darts. There are multiple restaurants, and an expansive food court as well as a dining terrace. The mall is home to 230 prestigious local and international retail brands including Mr. Bricolage, Sizeer Kosova, DIESEL, and H&M among a few.

Pristina is home to many unique shops, covered market stalls, bookstalls, and handicraft stores selling authentic souvenirs. Delvina is an antique shop located on Bill Clinton Boulevard where you can pick up old textiles, traditional costumes, jugs, and more. Traditional silver filigree jewelry is still made in Pristina, a light and very beautiful souvenir to take home. They are sold at shops on UCK Street, and Krenare Rugovica’s shop on Garibaldi Street. Other popular souvenirs to purchase in Pristina include wood carvings, leather goods, embroidery, traditional Albanian pieces of clothing, woven rugs, and musical instruments.

The Old Bazaar in Pristina is an exciting cultural experience in the city for authentic shopping. The bazaar is packed with vendors and stalls selling everything from feta cheese, to car parts, and Kosovar memorabilia.

Mother Teresa Boulevard is the main pedestrian street in Pristina and the most popular street in the city for shopping, dining, accommodations, and nightlife. This is the place to people watch and is bustling with people day and night, it is the beating heart of Pristina, where people flow through in a never-ending parade.

The official language spoken in Pristina is Albanian, however, English is widely spoken and is taught in school at a young age. Many people speak English, especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. We recommend you get a good English-Albanian guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Pristina experiences all four seasons and greets you with drastically different weather depending on the time of year you visit. The city has an inland location on the Balkan Peninsula and offers hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The warmest month in the city is the month of August and the coldest month is January. The best time to visit Pristina is during April, May, June, and September. In May the cold chill of winter has thawed giving way to pleasant spring weather with ideal temperatures to explore the city. These spring months are some of the best times to get outside and explore the outdoors and see the mountains, canyons, and valleys in their glory. The average temperatures through the course of the year typically vary from 22F to 81F and are rarely below 10F or above 91F.

The currency of Pristina is the Euro, and the Servian Dinar is sometimes accepted, although the US dollar is not accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for Rwandan Franc, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in Pristina (beware of the hidden ATM fees), tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

Pristina boasts some of the coolest vibes when it comes to dining options. The city streets are packed with quaint cafes, some are random places with a few tables, and others are stylish and trendy. Walk up and down Bulevardi Nene Tereza the main pedestrian street brimming with cafes. Coffee in Pristina is hands down some of the best, it’s pure heaven for coffee lovers. Restaurants in Pristina sever up delicious Balkan dishes, lamb is a popular item on the menu, often served in a kebab, and pleskavica, minced beef stuffed with cheese, and trout are the most popular fish on the menu. Liburnia is a great place for a proper meal, featuring a beautiful interior decorated with colorful flowers and plants. Baba Ghanoush serves up delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Cheese is a staple on most menus, try the soft cheeses of Kosovo’s Dragesh Valley, and try the local yogurt too served Turkish style. Vegetarians won’t be disappointed in the city as they can try a range of stuffed, baked, or grilled peppers with various spiciness. Home-made grape raki is Kosovo’s local firewater, frequently drank as an aperitif. The country also produces its own wine, reds of varying quality.

The city offers a wide variety of restaurants with something for everyone’s taste buds. Pinocchio is located in the Dragodan/Arberia neighborhood serving up excellent food in a warm, and welcoming atmosphere with panoramic views of Pristina below. Chalet Denis is located up Dragodan Hill, a charming Swiss chalet-style restaurant serving the best banana splits and views in Pristina. Il Passatore is an authentic Italian restaurant, run by a real Italian mama, and her family serving up delicious mouthwatering dishes. The Lounge is a smart, upmarket bar and restaurant with a mixture of international and local cuisines. Tiffany Pizza features some of the best pizza in the city, the spinach pizza is a must! Margarita Pizza is also very good offering a wide menu including fresh summer salads. Pellumbi is the place to try authentic Albanian dishes and Pishat which serves up delicious local dishes.

The main streets in the city are the place to find happening nightlife opportunities, in the heart of the city there are several main streets lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs that are open daily. The main streets are located in the city center perpendicular to the main pedestrian boulevard, Mother Teresa Boulevard. This area forms a trendy maze of fun places to explore for your evening out in Pristina. Raki Street, is one of the most popular streets for the younger generation in Pristina, home to a few small taverns that line both sides of the street, serving up locally grilled cuisine. In the evening times, the street is packed with young people hanging out, drinking, and people-watching. Raki Street is famous for its variety of cheap local raki and delicious low-cost meats. Rexhep Luci is a popular street lined with cafes and bars.

There are a number of nightclubs in the city such as the elegant Duplex playing live music with great DJs mixing pop and rap music. The club has a dress code, so dress well, it is a great place to eat a drink in Pristina. Rooftop 13 occupies the top floor of the Grand Hotel where guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city below. It is one of the liveliest clubs in the city and contains four outdoor Rooftop Gardens, each offering a different view of the city. The Zone Club is one of the most famous in the city hosting many internationally renowned DJs and artists. They are open year-round, between two different locations, the winter location is set in the heart of the city on multiple levels, and the summer location is located in an abandoned warehouse in the industrial area just outside the city. Both locations offering endless

In case of an emergency dial 112, for the fire department dial 193, 192 for the Police, and 194 for medical emergencies.

Hospitals: Spitali Amerikan tel. 383-49-513-513

Sante Plus General Hospital tel. 383-49-136-700

University Hospital tel. 381-38-500600