We have covered a ton of logistical information in this series, such as getting around, finding accommodation, and getting the best food. This installment will throw together all the little details that may not fall into those broader categories, but you will benefit from being aware of!
First let’s get some basics out of the way:
Kosovo Basic Information
Language: Albanian (92%)
Capital: Prishtina
Safety: Very safe for tourists
Currency: Euro
Terrain: Mountainous, lush
Weather: All four seasons!
Now, let’s dig a little bit deeper
Language – Kosovo is made up mostly of ethnic Albanians. You will see the iconic red and black flag of Albania flown far more often than their own national flag because of the pride they hold in their people’s history. Except in densely Serbian areas such as northern Mitrovica, Albanian is the language you will hear while walking down the street.
Will I be able to communicate with locals?
Yes! While in Kosovo you will almost always be able to find someone who speaks English around. Of course not everyone, but many people, especially of the younger Kosovars, will at least have enough English to try and help you out. I even had a taxi driver so intent on helping me that he got his son on the phone so I could explain my situation to him and get it straightened out. German is another commonly spoken language for Kosovars, so if you have that up your sleeve, give it a try if needed!
Albanians take HUGE pride in the Albanian language, and not in the snooty way like the French have a reputation for! If you want to make an impression during your stay, learn a few basic words in Albanian. Kosovars usually take a lot of joy in an outsider spending the time to learn some of their language.
Safety – People always worry for me because the Balkans (and especially Albanians, sorry friends!!) get a bad rap. Sure, there is crime in the Balkans, just like everywhere else, but Kosovo is an incredibly safe place to travel! Even doing solo female travel I never felt at risk. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Kosovars are some of the friendliest people on earth, and I never stressed too much about the details because I knew that people would always be willing to help me if I needed anything. As a matter of fact, during the two and a half years that I lived in Kosovo, the only time I was the victim of a crime was when my purse got stolen from me on my vacation in Barcelona! Haha
Obviously, don’t be a fool or naive, keep an eye on your belongings, and don’t put yourself in *too* sketchy of situations, just like anywhere. But overall, Kosovars have a lot of pride in themselves and in their hospitality. They are not looking to take advantage of tourists, but rather to welcome them in and show them their beautiful country.
(Okay I am going to amend this by saying that if the occasional cat-call from a car driving by makes you feel unsafe, maybe prepare for that. Don’t let them worry you, though.)
Currency – As stated above, Kosovo uses the euro, and it gets you quite far. Things in Kosovo are very affordable for most outsiders. (My nicest meal in Kosovo will typically cost me about the same as my average fast food meal in America.) Kosovo is also a place where you will want to carry cash! In the capital you can probably get away more with a card, but it will make your life easier to go ahead and be prepared to deal in cash for most of your visit. There are plenty of ATMs available in the cities, and most cash exchange businesses should give you a fair rate. I keep a currency exchange app on my phone to make my life easier and help know that I am not getting a raw deal.
If you are in Peja, I always use an exchange office right here outside the bazaar. There are a few in this area, and I tried to get the pin as close as possible because he has no Google Maps listing and I can’t remember the name of his office. Obviously, this is not sponsored, I am just a loyal customer, lol.
Terrain – Kosovo is basically one giant valley surrounded by mountains. Do not go to Kosovo without going in the mountains. That is a crime (or it should be, at least). Be prepared that if you rent a car, you may end up on some dicey roads. If you get motion sickness… bring some medicine.
Weather – Being a Florida girl myself, one of my favorite things about living in Kosovo was getting to experience all four seasons. From a snowy winter heating my room with my wood stove, to a blazing hot summer where the only thing I could bring myself to do in my apartment was lay on the couch in front of my fan, Kosovo has it all. June is my favorite month in Kosovo because the mountains have become green and lush again, it’s (usually) not too hot, and the tourists and diaspora have not arrived in full force yet (I will personally be one of those July tourists this year, haha!) Be careful though, because even in summer there are cooler spells where you will definitely want some warmer clothes like jeans and a jacket, especially at night!
Other Random Things To Know:
Style – Kosovars dress sharply. Even if they are out in athletic wear, it’s never frumpy. Seriously, if you want to blend in even relatively, leave the screen-printed tshirts at home and go with a slightly more slick option. Or, wear whatever you want and don’t worry about standing out! That’s fine too, just be prepared for some stares.
Tensions – If you know anything about the Balkans, you probably know that tensions can run a bit high between ethnicities. Serbia still considers Kosovo to be a part of Serbia, while Kosovo claims its independence. The recent war in 1999 has left fresh wounds in the hearts of many in Kosovo, and people on all sides of the conflict feel their position very strongly. Just be mindful.
USA – Speaking of the war, during your visit you will notice an inordinate amount of American flags, roads named after American generals, and a hard to miss statue of Bill Clinton in the capital city. Kosovars have a high appreciation for America because of the role the USA played in stopping the war and helping them win their independence from Serbia.
Coffee – If you come to Kosovo and you don’t spend hours at coffee shops, you are doing it wrong. In my opinion, if Kosovo had a national past time (they might, idk) it should be drinking coffee. Go on your own (will likely get you strange looks outside of the capital city but who cares), go with some friends, or meet a local literally anywhere and ask them to a coffee.
Phone service/internet – You can get a local SIM and service for super cheap in Kosovo. However, it’s only worth it if you will be there longer than one week. Otherwise, there is wifi available almost anywhere, and don’t be shy to ask for the password.
If you do want a SIM, I recommend Ipko because that’s the company I always used when I was there. Bring your unlocked phone and your passport or ID with you to one of the main Ipko locations in any city (should be right in the middle of places you are going anyway), take a look at the packages and tell them which you want. They will get it all set up for you right there in the store.
Well, that’s all the random stuff about Kosovo I can think of to tell you. If you have any questions or your own tips, leave them in the comments!
Happy Travels 🙂
Traveling Truly 