A youthful energy pervades Kosovo. Europe’s youngest country is also home to the region’s youngest population, with 55% under 30. In the 20 years since the Kosovo War of 1998 to 1999, which culminated in the nation’s 2008 declaration of independence, Ottomanera villages have been rebuilt, Byzantine fortresses have been restored and nature tourism has taken off, with activities centred in the mountain ranges Kosovo shares with its Balkan neighbours. Prizren, the country’s cultural centre during the period of Ottoman rule (1455 to 1912), remains Kosovo’s most charming city. A 90-minute drive north, smaller Peja’s appeal lies in its location at the foot of the Rugova Canyon. Carved over millennia by a retreating glacier, the gorge has been central to the city’s rebirth as an adventure hub. These contrasting cities offer a well-rounded taste of the country — one of Europe’s only Muslim-majority nations — within easy reach of the capital, Pristina. Euros stretch further here than just about anywhere else in Europe, and while Kosovo’s tourism infrastructure is still developing, a reliable bus network makes getting around a breeze.
DAY ONE
CULTURE & CUISINE IN PRIZREN
Morning
Prizren is home to an
