Gjakova

Church of Saint Anthony

Kisha e Shna Ndout

Another church worth mentioning which is in front of the Saint Paul and Saint Peter Church. Although it has been renovated, it kept its original architectural importance.

City tour

The tour includes all the major cultural monuments starting from Avdullah Pashë Dreni Kulla followed by the Shejh Emini Tekke. The visit continues to the Grand Bazaar, to the grain market, the handicrafts: quilt workers, saddlers, tobacco pipe makers, a visit to the 16th century Mosque of Hadum Aga then a traditional house for a tea break. The tour continues with a visit to a group of craftsman who create handmade wooden boxes. Also included is an opportunity to visit the Bektashi Tekke and the stories of the "Babai" (Spiritual leader of the Tekke). The visit is followed by a visit to the 16th-century Hani i Haraçise and the Ethnographic Museum, an old traditional house with many interesting wooden carved pieces.

By arrangement·Price by arrangement

D.E.L. House Bar

more of a youthful clientele with parties on weekend nights. Note that smoking areas are not fully isolated.

€0.70 and up

Days of the Albanian Festival

Festivali "Ditët e Shqiptarit"

a summer cultural festival held over several weekends in July and August. Evening concerts of Albanian artists are particularly interesting.

free

Gjakova Park

a recently opened open air mall, it consists of numerous shops and cafes.

various

Grill House

probably one of the best qebaptore's in Gjakova. Various grilled meats offered. Ask for 'paqë' (beef soup) in the morning.

Guided hikes by Mountaineering Society Pashtriku

SHBA Pashtriku

Mountaineering club in the area going on regular hikes every Sunday. Dedicated guided hikes can also be provided by arrangement.

hours by arrangement·€2-7 on Sundays open to all, call or email for dedicated tours

Hadum Mosque

Xhamia e Hadumit

Hadum Mosque (Xhamia e Hadumit) is one of the very first monuments which marks the history of the town of Gjakova. Built in 1594–95, it represents a cultural, educational and religious center of this area. After sustaining damage during the 1999 Kosovo War, it was reconstructed and is now open not only for religious and educational purposes, but also for touristic and cultural visits. 10 minutes on foot away from the centre of the city, on the road of the Old Bazaar of Gjakova (also known as the Grand Bazaar of Gjakova) (Albanian: Çarshia e Vjetër e Gjakovës or Çarshia e Madhe e Gjakovës).

daytime·free

Hani i Vjetër

Next door to Hani i Haraçisë is Hani i Vjetër which is part of the Han complex and has an even better atmosphere although the food is not as good. If visiting in the morning, ask for paqë (beef soup) here.

Haraçia's Inn

Being in the southern part of the Bazaar (15-20 minutes on foot), the Haraçia Inn is one of the oldest objects in Gjakova. It has a characteristic wooden construction style, with a beautiful balcony or "çardak". Having two floors and a wonderful yard, it has almost saved the original shape, while nowadays it is exploited as a museum-restaurant, where people can be served with traditional foods.

House of Rexhep Haxhi Ismaili

The house of Rexhep Haxhi Ismaili is now used also as the museum of Gjakova. 10 minutes on foot from the centre, it is just to the right side of the main road, in front of the Gjakova municipal government building.

Jaki Grill

BBQ with premium pork meats also served which is rare in Kosovo. Next to Pizzeria Mario Napolitano.

Mon-Sat 09:00-23:00

Krapi

te Bashora

fish restaurant with a nice garden in what used to be a family house.

Ku Zine

Nice mix of old and modern. Some food is also offered. Try the traditional samun with suxhuk.

Daily 08:00-23:00·€1 and up

Lisat e Vjetër

nice outdoors seating in a wooded area. There is another cafe next door.

Mario Napolitano

Exquisite pizzeria in the Neapolitan tradition. Pasta also served. Pork items with quality meats and cheeses also offered. Reservation is recommended.

Daily 16:00-23:00·€12 for a full course

Medica Gjakova

Artisanal foods sourced by this NGO which supports women in need.

Mon-Sat·€3-10

Old Town

qebaptore is a traditional grilled meats restaurant you will see in every corner Kosovo. This is your typical qebaptore. Needless to say, this is not for vegetarians. It can be a quick place to fill our stomach before moving on.

Daily 10:00-24:00

Qingji i Ujit

seafood restaurant by a fisherman owner. Various types of fishes from the rivers around Gjakova and northern Albania are available.

From €7

Radoniqi Lake

Close to the Gjakova Airport, 7 km away. Taking a cab to the lake should not cost more than €15. As it's the area's source of drinking water, swimming is prohibited.

Resstaurant La Villa

2 km away from the city center, at the edge of Shkugëz Forest. Sun can be intense here if you are seated outside.

Restaurant Kulla

located in traditional Kulla tower house, this restaurant and its shaded garden offer traditional Albanian casserole meat plates at reasonable prices.

Tue-Sun 09:00-23:00

Saint Paul and Saint Peter Church

Kisha e Shën Palit dhe Shën Pjetrit

One of the tallest monuments in Gjakova, which can be seen from different points of the town, and can be reached 25-30 minutes on foot (just in front of the Saint Anton (Shna Ndou) Church).

free

Shkugëza Park

Shkugëza Park (Albanian: Parku i Shkugëzës or just Shkugëza) is 3 km from the city. It has a large area of planted pine trees, with bike trails, walking trails and daily-stay corners. Four restaurants are in the area. It can be reached in 10 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bicycle or 45 minutes on foot.

Tabak Bridge

The Tabak Bridge built in 1771, lies over River Erenik, and used to be a bounding bridge between Gjakova and Shkodra. It has an attractive scenery.

Terezi Bridge

An 18th-century bridge with a length of 190 m and eleven arches. Located in the southeastern part of Gjakova, on the road to Prizren, can be reached easily by car, bus, or taxi in about 15-20 minutes. Another 5 km along the road, you will find White Drin Canyon—worth a visit.

The Bektashi Tekke

Well-known not only in Gjakova, but more widely in Kosovo. What characterizes the Bektashi are their unique Islamic ideology, indicating the diversity of beliefs in Kosovo and the prevalence of religious tolerance. Babai, the spiritual leader of the tekke, always takes pleasure in showing the tekke and talk about its history.

free

The Grand Autocephalous Balcanic Tekke

One of the oldest monuments built in Gjakova, showing a unique style of building 10 minutes on foot away from the centre.

free

The Grand Bazaar

It is one of the rarest of its kind. An architectural and cultural complex, with a length of 1 km, including a space of about 35,000 m2, it holds over 500 crafts-work shops.

free

Tower house (kulla) of Abdullah Pashë Dreni

3-5 minutes on foot from the centre, at the entrance of the Grand Bazaar of Gjakova. It serves as the Tourist Information Centre.