This may surprise you, but Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, really is one of my favourite cities. No, there aren’t many things to do for a tourist, and yes, it may be one of the least beautiful European capitals, in a conventional sense.

But there is something about its energy and character that hooked me immediately, and keeps drawing me back. Pristina is one of those cities where I don’t need to do anything special to feel happy. Just be. 😊

Chances are that you’ve never been to this modest Balkan city, so, below is a list of places to see for a first-timer. There is more, but I kept it to a smart top 10.

Cathedral of Mother Teresa

Dedicated to the famous Balkan saint, the cathedral is a fairly new addition to Pristina’s skyline, but has quickly become one of the symbols of the city. Opened in September 2010, it invites visitors to take the lift to the top of the bell tower for a stunning 360° view of the entire capital and beyond. A second tower is in construction.

Cathedral in 2022

Mother Teresa Boulevard

An ethnic Albanian, Mother Teresa has countless places named after her around the region. Bulevardi Nënë Tereza is bustling with activity at all times of day and night. The pedestrianized tree-lined street invites for a relaxed stroll. Along the way, you’ll find cafés, stalls selling books, and a statue of its patron mid-way through.

Skanderbeg Square

The heart of the city! Sheshi Skënderbeu was named after the Albanian warrior Gjergj Kastrioti and boasts a statue of its patron. Towering over the square are the headquarters of the Government of Kosovo. You’ll also find the National Theatre and some fancy hotels.

The square serves as the stage for various events. Last summer, I saw international basketball games and the LGBT+ parade side by side.

Newborn monument

You can’t miss these 3‑metre high letters spelling “newborn” in upper case. The simple, yet iconic sculpture was designed by Fisnik Ismaili and was unveiled on 17 February 2008, the day Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

Originally just yellow, the letters get painted a different pattern every year. On my most recent visit, the word sported silhouettes of international landmarks.

Newborn in 2022

…and in 2024

Heroinat

Across the street from Newborn, you’ll see Heroinat, a monument honouring women raped during the Kosovo War. It’s an impressive work of art, consisting of 20,000 pins of different lengths, together making up a 3D face of a woman. It was unveiled in 2015.

Bill Clinton statue

The former U.S. president contributed to Kosovo’s liberation at the end of the 90s, thus earning love and respect across the country. Situated on the boulevard named after him, the statue is a thank-you from the grateful Kosovan people. Clinton himself attended its unveiling in 2009.

Around the corner, there is a fashion boutique named… Hillary! Coincidence? I don’t think so. 😃

National Library of Kosovo

My heart breaks every time I hear that this is “one of the ugliest buildings in the world”! I think it looks pretty cool – like an alien fortress from a sci-fi film. It was designed by the Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjaković, and shows a wonderful mix of brutalist, Byzantine and Islamic influences. The library’s mission is to preserve and promote Kosovo’s cultural and intellectual records. The entry is free, so do come in to check out the interior.

Mosques

The north-eastern part of Pristina has a concentration of mosques, many of them dating back well over five centuries. The famous street bazaar is also there. This is the oldest part of Pristina, and it holds a much different character to the “new” city centre.

Bars and Cafés

Coffee culture is strong in the Balkans and Pristina couldn’t be a better reflection of this. There are plenty of cafés all over the city, and many of them transform into lively bars in the evening. I still can’t get over that my absolute favourite Dit’ e Nat’ has recently closed down! Thankfully, Bubble is still around, and long may it thrive!

Caffe Dini on UÇK Street has possibly the cheapest coffee in the city, and Corner on Zahir Pajaziti Square is perfect for people watching. The leafy Fehmi Agani Street is lined with many appealing cocktail lounges, which I am yet to try, and so is Qamil Hoxha Street.

Qamil Hoxha Street

City Park

As much as I love Pristina, it lacks in green spaces. The city’s main park (Parku i qytetit) is tucked away to the east from the centre, but well-worth a slight detour. It won’t be the most spectacular one you’ve ever seen, but it’s pleasant and looked-after.

There are paved hiking paths, chess tables, playgrounds and a café. Once I even spotted black squirrels that I haven’t seen anywhere else. The park will be perfect if you need a “nature moment” or just want to escape all the hustle and bustle.