Kosovo: 7-Day Small Group Tour Pristina, Prizren & Rugova

Summary

Walk medieval streets taste vineyard wines hear stories of Kosovo’s past

You’ll walk through centuries-old monasteries near Pristina, try local wines poured by winemakers in Rahovec Valley, hike mountain trails in Prevalla and Rugova Valley, and share moments with locals who remember both war and peace. This small group tour blends history you can touch with stories you’ll carry home long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t know what to expect when our guide, Arben, pulled up outside my hotel in Pristina that first morning. Kosovo just isn’t a place people talk about much — which is probably why I signed up for this small group tour in the first place. The first real surprise hit me at Gracanica Monastery. Inside it was dim and cool, the air thick with incense and old stone. We had to cover our heads and shoulders (I fumbled with my scarf), and the murals — honestly, I wish I could’ve taken photos but you can’t. Maybe that’s better. You just stand there and let your eyes adjust to all those centuries layered on the walls.

Later that day we wandered through Roman ruins at Ulpiana (who knew Kosovo had Roman ruins?) and then rolled into Prizren as the afternoon light turned everything gold. There’s this river running right through town, under these old bridges — locals just leaning over the railings chatting or selling roasted corn from carts. Arben pointed out Ottoman houses with their wooden balconies; he said some families have lived there for generations. Lunch was on our own but he gave us tips for where to try flija — it’s like a layered pancake thing? Still thinking about it.

The days sort of blurred together after that: hiking in Prevalla where the air smelled sharp and green, tasting wine straight from barrels in Rahovec Valley (the winemaker poured me a second glass when I tried to say “cheers” in Albanian — not well). Gjakove’s bazaar was noisy and bright, full of copper coffee sets and kids darting between stalls. At Decan Monastery we met one of the monks who makes cheese; he didn’t say much but his smile was kind of contagious.

The hardest part was visiting Prekaz — seeing bullet holes in walls that are still standing felt heavy. Our guide didn’t rush us there; he let everyone move at their own pace. Later in Peja, wandering through the old bazaar with fresh bread smells drifting out from bakeries helped shake off some of that weight. And then Rugova Valley — wild cliffs above us, tiny villages tucked into folds of green. It rained a little that day but nobody seemed to care.

I keep thinking about how young Kosovo is as a country but how old everything feels here — like time overlaps itself on every street corner or monastery wall. If you want somewhere that doesn’t feel filtered or predictable, this 7-day Kosovo tour is…well, it’s real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pristina to Prizren via Monasteries and Ruins

• Pick up at hotel in Pristina
• Visit Gracanica monastery
• Explore Roman ruins of Ulpiana
• Arrive in Prizren
• Free time for lunch and walk
• Wander old town and bridges

Day 2 — Hiking in Prevalla National Park

• Breakfast in Prizren
• Drive to Prevalla National Park
• Hike in Prevalla village
• Return to Prizren

Day 3 — Rahovec Vineyards and Gjakove Bazaar

• Drive to Rahovec Valley vineyards
• Explore vineyards and wine region
• Drive to Gjakove
• Free time in Gjakove bazaar

Day 4 — Decan Monastery and Accursed Mountains

• Visit Decan Monastery UNESCO site
• Drive to Gryka e Decanit in Accursed Mountains
• Free time to enjoy mountain scenery
• Return to Gjakove

Day 5 — Peja City and Rugova Valley National Park

• Drive to Peja
• Visit Patriarchate of Peja monastery
• Wander Peja Old Bazaar
• Drive to Rugova Valley National Park
• Free time exploring Rugova Valley

Day 6 — Waterfall, Prekaz Memorial, and Pristina

• Drive to White Drin River Waterfall
• Explore waterfall and cave area
• Visit Prekaz village and Jashari memorial
• Drive to Pristina

Day 7 — Pristina City Tour and Landmarks

• Visit Newborn monument
• See Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
• Visit National Library of Kosovo
• Walk main boulevard and Sheshi Nena Tereza
• Pass Skanderberg square and statue

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Kosovo small group tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Pristina are included.

How many days does the Kosovo tour last?

The tour lasts 7 days with overnight stays in several cities.

Are entry tickets for sites included?

Yes, entry fees for all listed attractions are covered.

What meals are included during the trip?

Breakfast is included each day; lunch and dinner are on your own unless otherwise noted.

Do we visit any UNESCO sites on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit Decan Monastery and Patriarchate of Peja—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels though there are some hikes involved.

Will we have free time to explore on our own?

You’ll have free time most days around lunch or after sightseeing stops.

Are local guides provided throughout the trip?

A professional tour leader accompanies your group throughout the journey.

What’s included

Your week includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Pristina, comfortable transport across Kosovo with road taxes covered, entry tickets for every site visited (from monasteries to waterfalls), accommodation with breakfast each night in 3-star hotels (shared rooms unless you request single occupancy), plus a knowledgeable local guide who handles logistics so you can focus on wandering ancient streets or tasting wine straight from the barrel.