Cheap flights to Pristina from EUR22*

Pristina, the capital of Europe’s newest country, is small and easily navigable. It evokes both its Muslim and Ottoman heritage, in mosques and baths, and proudly shows its modern face, in newer monuments such as a cathedral and sculptures dedicated to its relatively newfound independence. Here is a city that’s getting used to being a European capital, and you can explore its evolution. Discover Pristina’s old and new sides, its blend of cultures and heritage, in an unusual city holiday.

 

Fly to Pristina, Kosovo for

An offbeat city break

Pristina is pulsing with cultural, culinary and entertainment innovations, while remaining true to its traditions. It’s still rather undiscovered by tourists from farther afield than neighbouring Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia. Surrounded by hills, Pristina is a great place to launch an exploration of all of Kosovo, with grand mountain ranges to the south and west, dotted with charming villages where time-trusted traditions remain intact.

 

Modern monuments and ancient roots

Start with a stroll on Nene Tereza Boulevard, named for the Albanian Roman Catholic nun and missionary, Mother Teresa. Pristina’s Cathedral is also named for her, and is a quite new construction. A short walk from here, you’ll find the Newborn Monument, a typographic sculpture commemorating the birth of Kosovo as a nation, which formally declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Another commemoration of the independence struggle is the statue of US President Bill Clinton, who authorised the use of US forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999. As a result, Kosovo came under United Nations administration, seen as a first step toward independence. Also nearby is the National Library of Kosovo, housed in a vast complex of 99 domes of different sizes, all covered in a metal fishing net. Some say that the Pristina library’s controversial ‘brutalist’ design blends Byzantine and Islamic architectural forms, while others claim it echoes Turkish baths or resembles traditional Albanian hats. For a look at ancient architecture, visit the Imperial Mosque, built by the Ottomans in 1461. In keeping with the city’s Turkic and Muslim roots, find the City Bath, Hamami i Qytetit, and the bazaar. Wander through the 18th-century townhouses that now make up the Ethnographic Museum for a look at the rugs and kitchenware, weapons and clothing of the Ottoman Kosovo period.

 

Wood-fired or grilled, spiced or steamed

Cuisine in Kosovo is a mix of Albanian, Turkish and typical Balkan dishes, meaning you can expect nice spices, yogurt marinades, dips with steaming fresh bread, roasted vegetables, plus grilled lamb and other meats. For a traditional meal, entrust your palate to Tiffany, where there are no menus, but the waitstaff will help you make your choice from the fresh dishes available. Another choice for traditional cuisine is Liburnia, sitting in a charming historic building with elegant dishes to match. Soma Book Station is a hip hangout where you can have a beer and a burger surrounded by books under the wooden beams. A delightful café full of floor-to-ceiling windows, Dit' e Nat' (Day and Night) is a great choice for breakfast as the sun streams in – be sure to pet the lounging café cat as you sip your latte and enjoy vegetarian dishes. Try Osteria Basilico if you’d prefer to have some classic Italian. Feeling like a more rural experience? Take a taxi out to Country House Restaurant in Bërnicë e Epërme to dine on wood-fired oven-baked breads, meats and vegetables on the hilly outskirts of Pristina. Whatever you choose for your meal, pair it with raki, the local spirit.

 

Small country, big music scene

As a tiny country, Kosovo is rightly proud to have launched international music artists Rita Ora and Dua Lipa, both of whom grew up in Pristina. That tells you something about the calibre of the music scene here. Bars typically offer beer or raki – try Taverna Tirona to start the night, or for a more modern feel, head to Half and Half, near the Newborn monument. For a real hip crowd, a bit beyond the centre, head to Priview Bar, or check out the city’s jazz scene at Hamam Jazz Bar, named one of the best-designed bars in the world. Zanzi Jazz Bar is another choice for live music, but if you’re ready to move until the morning, Bon Vivant or Duplex Club are for you.

 

Natural beauty, and even bears

Pristina city dwellers escape to Germia, a 62-square-kilometre park perfect for a picnic, a hike or a bike ride through nature trails (rentals are available), or a swim in the enormous outdoor pool, weather permitting. The UNESCO-listed Gračanica Monastery is also a short bus ride away – marvel at the 14th-century frescoes at this Serbian Orthodox masterpiece. For more nearby nature, explore the limestone Marble Cave and Gadima Cave. Or head to the woods to the Bear Sanctuary, where you can see rescued brown bears in their natural forest habitat.

 

Pristina airport

Pristina’s friendly airport has just four gates, and taxi and bus service into the city takes about 30 minutes. For its size, Pristina Airport has plenty of restaurant and coffee shop offerings as well as a full range of car hire services if you’re considering longer trips outside the city.

 

Pristina weather

Kosovo has warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters. While spring, summer and fall may be best, you can visit any time of year, since there are museums for chilly or rainy weather, and you can even ski about an hour south of Pristina in winter.

FAQs for booking flights to Pristina

How to get cheap flights to to Pristina?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Pristina flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Pristina?

May is considered the best time for a visit to Pristina. It’s the start of Spring which makes for a pleasant stroll through the city center. It’s also the month when the Pristina Half Marathon takes place, so be sure to pack in your activewear. But, you can visit any time of year, since there are museums for chilly or rainy weather, and you can even ski about an hour south of Pristina in winter.

How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Pristina flight?

As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Pristina flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.