This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Peja.
Visiting monasteries and hiking in the mountains are the reason for visiting Peja, Kosovo. It's also known as PejĆ«, PeÄ and ŠŠµŃ; whether you write it in Cyrillic or Latin, in Albanian or Serbian, all these names refer to the city in the west of Kosovo.
In the city of Peja, Kosovo, you can see a mix of Serbian Orthodox and Ottoman influences. Nowadays, almost all citizens consider themselves Albanian. As you can imagine considering the current political situation, bringing up the Serbian influences from the past can be a sensitive topic. The citizens are proud of being an independent country, which they declared in the first decade of the twenty-first century.
Pejaās most important landmark is without a doubt the Patriarchate of Peja. It is a beautiful orthodox monastery that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a little bit hidden behind a checkpoint and barbed wire, but it's definitely a highlight. This orthodox monastery is a sensitive place from a political point of view so you must show your photo ID to get access and you cannot photograph any of the military checkpoint. Another UNESCO site -- the Decani Monastery -- is located a little bit out of Peja.
For the more active people, it is worth going into the Rugova Canyon. You can enter the canyon by foot from the centre, but it is well worth it to rent a bike in town or from your Peja, Kosovo hostel so you will be able to get a bit further into the canyon. There are some nice hiking trails. If you donāt mind traveling a bit further, you can enjoy some hot springs.
Options for a hostel in Peja, Kosovo, are not abundant. If you want to be sure to stay overnight at a Peja, Kosovo hostel in the high season, book ahead. As a Plan B, you can always book another budget accommodation in Peja, or book a hostel in Pristina, Kosovo, and visit Peja on a daytrip. Buses to Peja leave Pristina every twenty minutes.
Written by local enthusiast for Peja hostels
Martin Straatman
