I Just Spent A Whole Day In One Of Europe’s Poorest Countries And I Was Shocked By What I Saw

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I just spent a whole day exploring one of Europe’s poorest countries, where there are no shimmery Eiffel Towers, Mediterranean sunsets, or wide leafy boulevards lined with designer shops – and I almost couldn’t believe I was still in the same continent.

I Just Spent A Whole Day In One Of Europe's Poorest Countries And I Was Shocked By What I Saw

Comprising Southeastern Europe, the Balkan Peninsula is officially home to 12 nations, which all share a common culture and an intertwined History. It is also my go-to destination, home to gorgeous beaches and UNESCO-listed sites, the tastiest food, and beautiful, incredibly affordable cities yet to be discovered, far away from the Instagram hordes.

Having been to Croatia, Albania, and Western Turkey, I decided it was time to go deeper into the heart of the region and explore what is perhaps its least-visited state:

Welcome To Kosovo, Europe’s Youngest Nation

Young Male Tourist Posing For A Picture In Front Of The Newborn Sign In Pristina, The Capital City Of Kosovo, Eastern Europe

Out of 12 countries that are either fully, or partially Balkan, the small, newly-independent Kosovo was the one nation I kept avoiding as I country-hopped across the peninsula. While I had the opportunity to visit twice since first arriving in the territory all the way back in 2019, both misinformation and misleading travel advisories always discouraged me.

Although it is certainly not fighting a full-fledged war, at least not anymore, Kosovo is yet to establish amicable relations with Serbia, from which it declared independence unilaterally in 2007. The latter has repeatedly refused to accept Kosovar sovereignty, and to this day, some maps include Kosovo as a Serbian autonomous province.

But why does Kosovo’s independence claim continue to be challenged by Serbia more than a decade later?

Why Is Kosovo Still Claimed By Serbia?

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Kosovo And Albania's Flags Flying Side By Side In A Public Square In Pristina, Kosovo, Eastern Europe

For most of the 20th century, these two countries formed the now-defunct federal entity of Yugoslavia alongside Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Beginning in the 90s, Yugoslavia began to crumble, and one after the other, the federal republics within it seceded, rejecting Serbian rule, though not without struggle.

Carrying the scars of the 90s war, responsible for re-shaping Balkan borders and establishing at least six new countries, and expressing a strong will to re-assert its Albanian identity, Kosovo was the last former Yugoslav territory to hold an independence vote only 15 years ago: Europe’s youngest (partially recognized) nation.

Whitewashed Facade Of Nene Tereza Cathedral In Pristina, Kosovo

Regrettably, the Kosovar referendum was deemed illegal by Serbian lawmakers on the basis that Kosovo was never a constituent republic within Yugoslavia, unlike Croatia, Slovenia, or the others. Fast forward a decade, and the legal imbroglio continues to have repercussions, with Kosovo’s international recognition being limited and disputes extending well into 2023.

There are four main reasons why the people of Kosovo do not feel attached to Serbia and may want to untangle themselves from the persisting ghosts of the Yugoslav era:

Kosovar Albanian Girl Smiling At The Camera As She Wears Traditional Albanian Attire, Pristina, Kosovo

Kosovo is inhabited by Albanians, who form the vast majority of the populace (92%)
Naturally, the most widely-spoken language in Kosovo is Albanian, an Indo-European language markedly different from Serbian
The most followed religion in Serbia is Eastern Orthodoxy (69.9%); Kosovo is 95.6% Muslim
For most of the 20th century, the Kosovar demand for more autonomy within Yugoslavia was largely overlooked and violently repressed by Serbian-controlled Yugoslav forces, giving rise to a strong anti-Serbian sentiment within the territory

Now that you know why Kosovo’s status is disputed, it is time we understood how actually underdeveloped it is as a nation standing on its own and why that came to be:

Kosovo Is The Third Poorest Country In Europe

Exposed Power Cables Surrounding A Red Brick Building In Prizren, Kosovo

Due to its complex recent past, assuming that it is independent from Serbia, Kosovo has been named the third-poorest country in Europe, with almost 30% of the population, or 550,000 Kosovars, falling below the poverty line. In 2016, it had an unemployment rate of 34.8%, and a majority of families earned less than €6,000 per year.

In addition to a low Human Development Index, Kosovars struggle from:

Not being members of the European Union and having their movement in Europe severely restricted
Not being a part of NATO, which puts them at an increased risk of attacks by neighboring belligerent countries

Old Bell Tower Surrounded By Power Cables In Prizren, Kosovo

Having the weakest passport in Europe; as of 2022, Kosovo passport holders need visas to enter most European countries, and they are only granted visa-free access to 41 countries worldwide
Refused admission in countries that do not recognize Kosovar independence and thus Kosovar-issued travel documents (Georgia, Moldova, Cuba, and others)

Kosovo, and the wider Balkan Peninsula, are indisputably European, being an integral part of the continent’s multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith character. However, they are a different flavor of Europe, lying outside the Brussels sphere of control and occasionally resembling Western Asia in terms of urban planning, culture, and infrastructure.

Ottoman Houses In Old Town Prizren, Kosovo, Eastern Europe

For the most part, there are no wide, tree-lined Belle epoque boulevards to be found here. Instead, you should expect streets crammed with overhead power cables and overflowing garbage in the style of Latin America’s run-down hoods. Additionally, Kosovo isn’t the ideal destination for tourists looking for the quintessential European sightseeing experience:

Several historical buildings in Pristina have either been destroyed or heavily damaged by bombing, and what’s left are a handful of medieval mosques and Serbian Orthodox Churches, modernist apartment blocks evocative of the communist years, and war memorials paying homage to the Kosovar Albanians who lost their lives fighting for autonomy.

So why, then, is Kosovo worth visiting?

Six Reasons Why Kosovo Should Be On Your Radar For 2023

Incredibly Welcoming Locals

Friendly Looking Old Albanian Gentlemen Playing A Card Game On The Street, Unspecified Location In Albania, Eastern Europe

The hospitality of Albanians precedes them, and upon arriving in Pristina, my first destination on this day tour, I was reminded why they have a reputation for being one of the most friendly people in Europe. Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs or simply asking for directions, you will feel their warmth and be greeted by genuine smiles.

From the few interactions with Kosovars I had during my excursion, I felt as if they were as elated as they were puzzled I was traveling there in the first place. Locals will go out of their way to make sure you feel welcome, be it eagerly sharing their customs and traditions, or pausing whatever it is they’re doing to help a tourist in need of assistance, without expecting anything in return.

We must remind ourselves this is a newborn country hosting less than 200,000 foreign tourists on average per year, and ensuring tourists have a good impression is in their best interest.

It Is Home To Beautiful Historical Sites

Cobblestone Street In The Old Town Of Prizren Lined With Restaurants And Cafes, Leading To An Ottoman Mosque, Prizren, Kosovo, Eastern Europe

Kosovo may have been ravaged by war, and it’s true several of its historical monuments are either undergoing reconstruction or were razed to the ground, giving way to modernist buildings that wouldn’t be totally out of place in the bygone Soviet Union, but this does not mean there’s no architectural beauty to be found here, or an inestimable cultural value at that.

The Balkans are perhaps the most History-charged region in all of Europe, and Kosovo is no exception. One of the main points of interest in the country is the beautiful 14th-century Serbian Orthodox Gracanicka Monastery. Embellished by vibrant frescoes and atmospheric candles, it is one of a handful of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kosovo.

Serbian Orthodox Gracanicka Monastery In Kosovo, Eastern Europe

Yet another example of Orthodox architecture that’s been enlisted by UNESCO is the Patriarchal Monastery of Pec, located near the city of Peja, famous for its striking red exterior. Elsewhere in Kosovo, visitors can also admire the remnants of well-preserved 18th and 19th-century Ottoman houses.

Wandering the cobblestone streets of Prizren to the bewitching chants emanating from the nearby minarets, you will be transported back to the Anatolian heartland of Turkiye. Distinctly oriental in character, Prizren features an old Ottoman bridge arching over a clear river and imposing mosques glistening white against the surrounding green hills.

Some call it the prettiest city in Kosovo, and one of the prettiest in Southeastern Europe.

@vinigoesglobal Prizren is absolutely gorgey 😍 #kosovo #balkans #europe #prizren ♬ original sound – Vini | Travel Blogger

Kosovo Has A Burgeoning Art Scene

It must be something in the water… In recent years, Kosovo has been spawning an impressive streak of pop stars that are crossing over to the mainstream and making it big in America. Two of the most easily recognized artists whose families hail originally from here are the multi-platinum British artists Dua Lipa and Rita Ora.

Writing On The Wall Of A Modernist Building In Prizren, Kosovo

Dua is, in fact, one of the most successful female artists of the streaming era with several top ten hits under her belt – with Don’t Start Now, Levitating, New Rules, and Physical to name a few – and other successful collaborations with world-renowned DJs and industry veterans like Elton John. Other than advancing the Kosovar cause, she’s been credited for ‘putting Kosovo’s name on the map‘ and reviving the country’s dying cultural scene.

Now, visitors to Pristina can attend an annual international music festival held in summer organized by Sunny Hill Foundation, headed by Dua Lipa herself and her father, Kosovo-born businessman Dukagjin Lipa. While she’s on tour, the singer is usually included in the line-up, which features other international acts and local Albanian artists.

It Is Incredibly Cheap By European Standards

@vinigoesglobal That’s it I’m moving here bye ✌🏼 #kosovo #offthebeatenpath #balkans #food ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Out of all 37 European countries I have set foot in, Kosovo has to be the one where my tourist dollars stretched the furthest. Even if you’re ready to splurge after being locked down at home for nearly three years, and you’re ordering every possible appetizer on the menu, getting a bill of more than 20 euros per person at a mid-range restaurant will be virtually impossible.

Additionally, entry to cultural attractions is, on average, €2 to €5 (such as the Gracanicka Monastery), making it incredibly affordable to explore over a few days or even a longer period of time. On average, the cost of living in Kosovo is 61.68% lower than in the United States, with monthly expenses without rent estimated at €359, or roughly $382.

Main Pedestrian Street In Pristina, Kosovo

An important piece of info: Kosovo has no official currency of its own, and they have adopted the euro unilaterally. It is by far the most widely accepted currency in the country, though it may be possible to find businesses that accept or exchange U.S. dollars, British pounds, or other popular currencies.

It’s Every Foodie’s Idea Of Paradise

Albanian Food Set On The Table At A Restaurant In Albania, Eastern Europe

Albanian food ranks among my favorite in Europe, mainly because it resembles other ethnic dishes concocted by the Turkish or the Greek, with ingredients that are always fresh, melt-in-your-mouth meat rolls, soup rich in spices and unique Balkan condiments, and a wide assortment of locally-sourced fruit and salted, soft cheeses.

Whether you’re in Kosovo, Albania, or any other Albanian-majority region of North Macedonia or Greece, rest assured you will be well looked after by your Albanian hosts. Some of my favorite picks are:

Fergese, a flavorful paste made mainly of tomato sauce, cottage cheese, green peppers, and garlic, served traditionally with bread
Byrek (the Albanian equivalent to the pan-Balkan burek), a flaky dough pastry filled with potatoes, spinach, meat, or cheese

a waitress takes a food order from two people sitting at a table

Tarator, a cold soup containing sour yogurt, shredded cucumber, a few squeezes of lemon, and several teaspoons of salt
Speca te mbushura, rice-stuffed green peppers. In some Albanian regions, chopped lamb and/or tomatoes can be added
Qofte, meatballs that can be grilled, fried, or baked
Tave kosi, lamb baked in a melting pot of homemade yogurt, rice and eggs