Gjakova

Gjakova/Gjakovë (Albanian) Đakovica (Serbian) is a city in western Kosovo with about 101,000 inhabitants. Gjakova is a centre of culture and learning in Kosovo.

Understand
It was established as a trading town, sporting the largest bazaar in the Balkans, called Çarshia e Madhe (the Grand Bazaar). The tradesmanship spirit and some of the trades practiced still remain in the city. The city is centrally located in the Dukagjin Valley of western Kosovo, equal distance between the cities of Prizren to the south and Peja to the north. It also has a historic link to the Gjakova Highlands, now across the border in northern Albania.

The townspeople pride themselves in their sense of town music practised, humour and sarcasm which distinguish it from the rest of Kosovo and enforce the local character. Gjakova has contributed several important leaders to the history of Kosovo, such as World War II partisan and post-war leader Fadil Hoxha and communist Yugoslav Presidency Chairman Mahmut Bakalli, as well as to the cultural scene.

Gjakova was badly hit by the Kosovo War of 1998–99, fought between Kosovo Liberation Army guerrillas demanding the independence of Kosovo and Serbian forces. Around 75% of town's population was driven out by the Serb Army during the war, and many of the city's homes and important monuments were burnt down or otherwise destroyed. After the war, much of town's ethnic Albanian inhabitants returned (who make up to 98% of the population). Many of the stores in the old-town area, locally known as Çarshia e Madhe, were rebuilt.

While in Gjakova, make sure you talk to the locals, especially the young ones, since they are more proficient in English. And you will hear a story about every corner of the city.

The town has sizable diasporas in Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. Especially during the summer months, you might see many expensive foreign cars from these countries circling around town. The foreign family members return here for vacation as well as for marriages because this way the whole family can join the wedding. The Çarshia e Madhe has many shops specialized in wedding attire.

By bus
The inter-city bus station is at the entrance of the town when coming from Pristina, with easy access to the town.

If you are in Pristina, a bus heads to Gjakova every half an hour (€4, 1.5 hours), also from Prizren (€2, 1 hour) and from Peja (€2, 40 minutes) every 15 minutes.

If you are in Tirana, there are buses available directly to Gjakova, which leave at 06:00 and 15:00, and costing around €15.

If you are in Shkodra, you can have an adventurous route via Lake Koman. Get a furgon (minivan) at 06:00 from Shkodra to Koman. There you can catch the passenger or car ferry to Fierze, then get a furgon to Bajram Curri and another furgon to Gjakova, arriving around mid-day in Gjakova.

If you are in Skopje, take the bus going either to Pristina or Prizren, then from there take another bus to Gjakova.

By plane
Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari is 65 km away from Gjakova. There you can get a taxi or walk to the roundabout in Fushë Kosovë on the outskirt of Pristina and wait there for the Gjakova bus passing by from Pristina.

By car
From Pristina, Gjakova is 90 km away on a partly highway road. The road from Montenegro will take you first to Peja, Gjakova is another 36 km to the south. If you come from Albania, the easiest way is through the highway Durres - Kukes - Prizren, then taking the Gjakova exit with another 25 km on the Prizren-Gjakova regional road.

On foot
Since the city is not that big, the best way to get to see it is by walking.

By bicycle
Gjakova is the bike capital of Kosovo, and itself is quite suitable for biking.

By taxi
Taxis are quite inexpensive: you can get around the city for €2-3 at most.

See
Some monuments in Gjakova had to be repaired or rebuilt after their destruction during the war. Enjoy the walk through the scenic old town. There, you should visit the guesthouse/restaurant Hani i Haraqisë which sits on a small street with shops specialized in woodwork. The church and the main Hadum Mosque have also been rebuilt and can be visited (opening times change).

The Grand Bazaar

 * Some of the main handicrafts:
 * Production of arms - Gunsmiths
 * Silversmiths
 * Tailors (“Terzinjtë")
 * Curriers (“Tabakët)
 * Woolen white hat (“Qeleshe”) craft
 * Woolen white hat (“Qeleshe”) craft

Traditional houses
The houses below are characterized by interesting and unique architecture, of mainly traditional and oriental style.

Do
Gjakova is surrounded by beautiful hikable mountain trails lush with greenery and water.

Guided tours




Buy
Metal handicrafts, utensils and engravings can be bought at various places around town, including at the Grand Bazaar. Plis, the white traditional Albanian hat, can also be bought starting at €5.

Eat
Cuisine in Gjakova is not very diverse, but offers the traditional Kosovo cuisine in a modest setting and at reasonable prices.





Drink
Çarshia e Vjetër pedestrian area has numerous cafes and is the main place where young people gather.

Outside the town, in the Shkugëza Forest, several cafes are located. Locals walk to the area and drink their espressos or machiatos. Standard food is also available.

Sleep
Several choices are available for sleeping. The costs of sleeping ranges from €20-50 per night.



Connect
Wireless Internet is widely available in cafés and restaurants throughout the city, although it's a good idea to ask if one is available before you sit down. Free public Wi-Fi is also available around the city through PTK (username: ptk, password: telekomi) and Fibrelink hotspots (no login). Internet cafés are also available at a cost of €0.60/hour with drinks served.

Several private phone calling shops with long-distance calling are available. You may also use the state telco company PTK main Gjakova branch downtown or several of its kiosks around the city to buy calling credit and use phone cabins.

Mobile telephony providers Vala and Ipko provide 3G and 4G internet telephony.

Nearby

 * The Junik area is home to traditional stone houses called kullas. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours
 * White Drin Canyon – An interesting canyon 5 km beyond Terezi Bridge.
 * Deçan – 20 km northwest of Gjakova you'll find one of Kosovo's four UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Visoki Decani monastery.
 * Rahovec – Kosovo's prominent wine-making region. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours of the area.
 * Mirusha Waterfalls — About 20 km from Gjakova on the road to Kline/Pristina road. Beautiful water fall cascades and exciting hike at its end.
 * Valbona National Park, Albania – It is just across the border in the mountains of northern Albania, and is one of the most prominent natural beauties of northern Albania and quite visited by tourists.