User talk:Arianit/Gjakova

Understand
Gjakova is a center of culture and learning in Kosovo. 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. Is has also had a historic link to the Gjakova Highlands, now across the border in northern Albania.

The townspeople pride themselves in their sense of town music practiced, humour and sarcasm which distinguish it from the rest of Kosovo and enforce the local character. Gjakova has contributed several important leaders in the history of Kosovo, such as WWII partisan and post-war leader Fadil Hoxha and communist Yugsolav 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're 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. So especially during the summer months you will see many expensive foreign cars from these countries circling around the city. The foreign family members come 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 marriages.

Get in
''By Bus

You can find the bus station in the entry of the town when coming from Prishtina with easy access to the town.

If you are in Prishtina, you can find a bus headed to Gjakova every half an hour (€4, 1h30mins), also from Prizren (€2, 1h) and from Peja (€2, 40mins) every 15 minutes.

If you are in Tirana, there are buses available directly to Gjakova, which leave only at 6 am or 3 pm, and costing around €15.

If you are in Shkodra you can have an adventurous route via Lake Komani. Get a furgon (minivan) at 6 am 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.

If you are in Skopje, you can have a bus going either to Prishtina or Prizren, then getting another one to come to Gjakova.''

By plane

You can come through Prishtina International Airport Adem Jashari, from which Gjakova is 65 km away. There you can get a taxi to the roundabout in Fushë Kosovë on the outskirts or Prishtina and wait there for the Gjakova bus passing by from Prishtina.

By car

From Prishtina Gjakova is 90 km on partly highway road. The road from 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.

Get around
Since the city is not that big, the best way to get to see it is by walking. Taxis are quite cheap, you can get around the city for €2-3 tops.





By bike
Gjakova is the bike capital of Kosovo, and very bikable.

See
Almost all of the old architecture has been rebuilt after the destruction during the war. So enjoy the walk through the nice old town. There you should visit the 19th century guesthouse/restaurant Hani i Haraqisë which sits on 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).

Bridges




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



Natural places






Do






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

Eat
Cousine in Gjakova is not very diverse, but offers the tradional Kosovo cousine in a modest setting and at reasonable prices.





Drink
















Sleep
In Gjakova you can find several choices for sleeping, there are several hotels that satisfy the interests of tourists, there are many hotels that are situated in center of the city or out of the city. The costs of sleeping are not too expensive they vary 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 WiFi is also available 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.

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

Go next

 * Nearby
 * Junik-Deçan area
 * Junik area is home to tradional stone houses called kullas. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours.
 * Rahovec area
 * Rahovec is Kosovo's prominent wine-making region. Inquire at the Tourism Office about guided tours of the area.
 * Mirusha Waterfalls
 * Located about 20 km on the Gjakova-Prishtina road, it has 16 beautiful waterfalls and visible stone strata. Take the Gjakova-Prishtina bus and ask to be dropped off at Ujëvara e Mirushes then walk ~3 km inland. On the way back stop at the restaurant near the road for fish and relaxation.
 * Valbona Waterfall
 * Located just across the border in the mountains of northern Albania, it is one of the most prominent natural beauties of northern Albania and quite visited by tourists