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Travelling to Kosovo: what to know before you go

Kosovo is a small, landlocked territory in the Balkans that declared independence in 2008; its recognition varies internationally. It has an Ottoman old town in Prizren, medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries, mountain gorges for hiking and a young, café-loving population. It suits hikers and travellers interested in Balkan history and culture. Check your government's current travel advice before you go.

Where to go

• Prizren. Kosovo's most attractive town, with an old stone bridge over the Bistrica River, the Sinan Pasha Mosque, Ottoman-era houses and a hilltop fortress with views over the red roofs.
• Pristina. The capital is small and lively, with the Newborn monument, the unusual domed and latticed National Library, a renovated old bazaar area and a busy café culture along Mother Teresa Boulevard.
• The Rugova Gorge. A dramatic canyon west of Peja (Peć), with a winding road, via ferrata routes, hiking trails and mountain villages.
• Visoki Dečani Monastery. A fourteenth-century Serbian Orthodox monastery with some of the most extensive medieval frescoes in the Balkans.

Best time to visit

Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit, with pleasant weather for both towns and hiking. July and August are warm and busy, as many members of the diaspora return home and festivals take place, including Dokufest in Prizren.

Staying online in Kosovo

Mobile coverage is good in Pristina, Prizren, Peja and other towns and along main roads, with 4G available in most populated areas. Coverage becomes patchy in the mountains, including parts of the Rugova Gorge and the Peaks of the Balkans trail. Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés, restaurants and hotels. Kosovo has its own country calling code, +383, and many home mobile plans do not include it in European roaming bundles, so check before relying on yours. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.