Kosovo is Europe's newest country and a fascinating land at the heart of the Balkans that rewards visitors with welcoming smiles, charming mountain towns, incredible hiking opportunities and 13th-century domed Serbian monasteries just for starters. It’s safe to travel here now, and indeed is one of the last corners of Europe that remains off the beaten track for travellers.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and while it has been diplomatically recognised by 110 countries, there are still many nations that do not accept Kosovan independence, including Serbia. The country has been the focus of massive aid from the international community, particularly the EU and NATO, who effectively run the entity politically and keep peace between the ethnic Albanian majority and the minority Serbs. Barbs of its past are impossible to miss, however: roads are dotted with memorials to those killed in 1999, while NATO forces still guard Serbian monasteries.
COUNTRY FACTS
Area 10,887 sq km
Capital Pristina
Country Code 381
Currency Euro (€)
Emergency ambulance 94, fire 93, police 92
Language Albanian, Serbian
Money ATMs in larger towns; banks open Monday to Friday
Population 1.82 million
Visas Kosovo is visa-free for most nationalities. All passports are stamped on arrival for a 90-day stay.
MONEY
Kosovo's currency is the euro, despite not being part of the euro zone or the EU. It's best to arrive with small denominations and euro coins are particularly useful. ATMs are common and established businesses accept credit cards.
POST
PTK post and telecommunications offices operate in Kosovo's main towns.
SAFE TRAVEL
Check government travel advisories before travelling to Kosovo. Sporadic violence occurs in North Mitrovica. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) has been cleared from roads and paths but you should seek KFOR (www.aco.nato.int/kfor.aspx) advice before venturing off beaten tracks.
TELEPHONE
Kosovo's country code is 381.
VISAS
Visas are only required by some passport holders; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mfa-ks.net) for a full list of nationalities enjoying visa-free travel. This includes EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, all of whom may stay for 90 days visa-free.
If you wish to travel between Serbia and Kosovo you'll need to enter Kosovo from Serbia first.
BUS
Buses stop at distinct blue signs, but can be flagged down anywhere. Bus journeys are generally cheap, but the going can be slow on Kosovo's single-lane roads.
CAR
Serbian-plated cars have been attacked in Kosovo, and rental companies do not let cars hired in Kosovo travel to Serbia and vice versa. European Green Card vehicle insurance is not valid in the country, so you'll need to purchase vehicle insurance at the border when you enter with a car; this is a hassle-free and inexpensive procedure.
TRAIN
The train system is something of a novelty, but services connect Pristina to Peja and to Skopje in Macedonia. Locals generally take buses.
LAND
Kosovo has good bus connections between Albania, Montenegro and Macedonia, with regular services from Pristina, Peja and Prizren to Tirana (Albania), Skopje (Macedonia) and Podgorica (Montenegro). There's also a train line from Pristina to Macedonia's capital, Skopje.
Border Crossings
Albania To get to Albania's Koman Ferry use the Morina border crossing west of Gjakovë. The busiest border is at Vionica, where the excellent new motorway connects to Tirana.
Macedonia Blace from Pristina and Gllobocicë from Prizren.
Montenegro The main crossing is the Kulla/Rožaje crossing on the road between Rožaje and Peja.
Serbia Due to outbreaks of violence, travellers are advised to be extra vigilant if entering Kosovo at Jarinje or Bërnjak/Banja.
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