A day in Prizren: what to see and how to divide your time

Morning: from Shadërvan to the Stone Bridge

Set off after breakfast at the hotel and park near the centre; from there everything is on foot. Shadërvan, the square with the old fountain, is where the lanes of the bazaar meet. A few steps further, the Stone Bridge crosses the Lumbardh and gives the town’s most photographed view: the river, the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the fortress above.

Beside the river stands the League of Prizren complex, where Albanian representatives gathered in 1878. The museum is small and takes half an hour, but it explains well why this town carries such weight in the country’s history.

Midday: the bazaar and the town’s cooking

Prizren is known for its qebapa, its baked tavë and the sweets of the old bazaar. Lunch around Shadërvan is as much a part of the visit as the monuments. Afterwards, take a slow walk through the lanes of filigree workshops, a craft the town has been known for over centuries.

Afternoon: the climb to the fortress

The walk up to the fortress takes about twenty minutes and is fairly steep, so leave it for the hours when the sun is lower. From the walls you see the whole town, red roofs, minarets and bell towers, with the Sharr Mountains behind. Sunset from here is the reason many visitors come back a second time.

Evening: back at the hotel

The drive back to HAREA takes about twenty minutes. Parking is at the door, the restaurant is open for dinner, and the next morning you can set off in a different direction without changing hotels. In August the town fills up for DokuFest; for those days we recommend booking your room early.