Kosovo: Day Trips and Tours from Skopje

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and has since been recognized as its own sovereign nation. If you're searching for deep history and Eastern European charm without the crowds, take a Kosovo day trip from Skopje.

Although the country is growing in popularity, it still attracts less than 200,000 tourists per year. This is great news for those wanting an authentic experience and a chance to connect with the locals.

Despite its lack of visitors, Kosovo has the perfect combination of rugged scenery, cultural cities and friendly people.

How to get to Kosovo from Skopje?

Kosovo is a country in Eastern Europe. It borders Serbia to the north and east, North Macedonia to the south and Albania and Montenegro to its west. It is an easy jaunt to Kosovo from Skopje by car or tour.

From Kosovo to Skopje by car

Skopje sits very close to Kosovo and it takes just over an hour to reach the border of Europe's youngest country. Take the A2 out of Skopje and follow the road until you reach the turn-off for the A1. After a while, the R104 exit will lead you onto the R2133. At a fork in the road, you'll take the right exit onto the P29272 which carries you to the Bellanoc border crossing.

Guided tour to Kosovo from Skopje

Guided tours make day trips to Kosovo easy. Starting between 8:30 AM and 9 AM, you'll meet at a central point in the city where you'll travel by bus to your destination. Tours last between nine and 10 hours and arrive back in Skopje in the early evening.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Kosovo from Skopje?

Day tours to Kosovo visit several points of interest, so you can get a well-rounded view of the country.

The first stop of the day is at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gračanica monastery, built by king Stefan Milutin in the 14th century. The site itself is much older than that, as the monastery was erected on the ruins of a 6th century basilica. You'll then move on to the capital city — Pristina.

Here, you'll have free time to peruse its historic mosques, take a photo in front of the statue of Skanderburg or step foot in one of "the world's ugliest buildings"  — Pristinas's library.

Continuing the Kosovo excursion, you'll head to Prizren which is the most historic city in the country. It is one of the oldest settlements in the western Balkans, and there is evidence to suggest that the location of its fortress has been used since 2000 B.C.

You'll have the opportunity to make the short uphill hike to Kalaja fortress where you'll find the views are superior to anywhere else in Prizren. Other sites of interest include the Sinan Pasha mosque, the Old Stone Bridge and the bazaar.

After exploring Prizren, you'll return to your air-conditioned bus to make your way back to Macedonia.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Kosovo?

There are a plethora of tours headed to Kosovo from Skopje. As well as day tours, there are also several trips that transport you to different countries in the region over multiple days.

Guided tours to Kosovo from Skopje

Guided tours start off with a pickup from your hotel before being transported to Pristina and Prizren by minivan. You'll have a local guide to escort you around the most interesting sites and you'll experience a hassle-free drop off back to your accommodation.

Day trip to Kosovo from Skopje

If you enjoy investigating a city at your own pace, consider a Kosovo day trip from Skopje that has some free time to explore the backstreets.  Parts of the trip are guided, which allows you to learn more about the newest country in Europe. Day trips last around nine hours and will pick you up from your hotel in Skopje.

Private tour to Kosovo from Skopje

Those on a private day tour to Kosovo will enjoy their own air-conditioned vehicle and make stops at Pristina, Prizren and Sharr Mountains National Park. You'll have your own local tour guide to provide fascinating facts about the country before being dropped back at your hotel by your personal driver.

4-Day tour to Kosovo plus Macedonia from Skopje

Four-day tours start the moment you touch down in Skopje with an airport pick up. On day one, you'll roam the streets of Skopje and explore the old bazaar. The marketplace truly lives up to its name, as one of the oldest in the Balkans. You'll also take a trip to the Kale fortress which shows evidence of prehistoric life.

On day two, you'll make the journey to Kosovo to see what the cities of Pristina and Prizren have to offer. You'll also visit the Gračanica monastery.

Day three takes you to the town of Ohrid and its namesake lake where you'll tick off several monuments and landmarks including the ancient theatre and the archaeological site of Plaosnik.

Depending on your flight itinerary, on day four you may be able to visit Lake Matka which is near to the airport. You can choose to kayak around the body of water or take a boat trip to Vrelo cave. If being on the water doesn't interest you, simply take a stroll around the lakeshore.

How much does a tour to Kosovo from Skopje cost?

Guided tours include hotel pickup and drop off and transportation by minivan. You’ll also have a local guide to provide your group with a private tour of cultural landmarks around both cities. Expect to pay around €50 for a 10 hour tour.

Day trips are nine hours long and include pick up from your hotel, a local tour guide and admission to the Gračanica monastery. Prices start from €97.

Private Kosovo excursions include your own air-conditioned vehicle and personal tour guide. They also include entrance fees to Gračanica monastery and Kosovo museum, and prices start from €125.

Four day tours to Kosovo and Macedonia include private airport pickup and drop off in Skopje. Also included are 3 nights' accommodation in Skopje with breakfast, all admission fees and a local tour guide. Boat rides on Matka lake are at your own expense. You can expect to pay around €247 for this tour.

What will you see and do in Kosovo?

Gračanica monastery

The monastery is situated just outside the capital city of Pristina and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. What makes the monument so special is its double-fold historical significance.

Firstly, the monastery was erected by king Stefan Milutin in 1321, making the building over 700 years old. Secondly, the place of worship was constructed on the ruins of both a 13th century church and an early Christian basilica from the 6th century.

Pristina

When it comes to the capital cities of Europe, Pristina is underrated. This ex-serbian city has a great deal to see and do, and you'll love spending a few hours discovering its jewels.

Standout attractions include the ethnographic museum which is a former residence of a wealthy family in the 18th century. The building contains tools, furniture and weapons among other relics from the time period, and entrance to the museum is free.

Other must-see places to visit on your day tour to Kosovo are Germia park which contains an outdoor swimming pool, and the Mother Teresa Cathedral. You can climb the clock tower inside the religious site for just €1 and view the city from above.

Prizren

If you're looking for more culture and history than Pristina has to offer, Prizren has it in bucket loads. The city is known as the "museum city" and is highly regarded as the most historical place in Kosovo.

The Kajala fortress is the most notable landmark in the city and is a firm favorite among tourists on Kosovo day trips. Built in the 11th century, the fortress is not just an interesting historical landmark. From the top, the fortress offers the most magnificent views over the city and surrounding area, including Mount Sharr in the distance.

It's a moderate 15 minute hike up the steep, cobbled slope to Kajala and it's well signposted from the town.

When is the best time to visit Kosovo?

Kosovo has the perfect combination of all four seasons. As it's part of southern Europe, the weather is hot and sunny throughout the summer, reaching highs of 33 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, the country is draped in a white frosting of snow.

The weather is the most enjoyable between April and September but you may choose to visit between December and February for a romantic winter getaway.

Travel tips

• Make sure you bring your passport on your day trip to Kosovo from Skopje, as you will cross the North Macedonia border into the country.
• When in Prizren, put in the effort and hike up to the Kajala fortress. You won't be disappointed with the view.
• Gračanica Monastery is a working monastery, so pay your respect to the nuns by maintaining the quiet atmosphere and avoiding taking lots of photos.