Kosovo's cities, from the capital to Podujeva

Kosovo’s cities are small. Only Pristina tops 100,000 people, and the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (ASK) counted eleven settlements above 15,000 at the 2024 census. I list them by size in the table and by interest in the ranking, because the two orders are quite different.

The big ones by population

Pristina, the capital, has 143,469 people. Then come Prizren (76,850), Gjilan (53,279), Ferizaj (48,472), Gjakova (41,809) and Peja (41,171). Fushë Kosovë, with 40,962, sits right next to Pristina, as does Matiçan, which ASK counts as a separate settlement within the capital’s municipality, with 38,360. Mitrovica (33,628), Vushtrri (28,150) and Podujeva (20,330) close the list. Urban dwellers made up 50.18% of Kosovo’s population in 2024.

The ones I’d visit, which aren’t the same

On what they offer, my order is different. Prizren comes first, with its old town protected under Law 03/L-039 and UNESCO’s Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš. Next is Peja, with the Patriarchate of Peć on its edge and the Rugova Canyon behind it, covered in my guide to Peja. Third is Gjakova, whose Grand Bazaar the culture ministry’s heritage database has protected since 1955. Pristina comes fourth, not for lack of interest but because a day covers it. On a trip from Britain, I’d keep that day for the end, so the airport run is short.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Prizren before prices climb.

Gjilan and Ferizaj, big but with less to see

Gjilan is the third-largest city and Ferizaj the fourth, but both have far fewer entries in the heritage database than Prizren or Gjakova. Gjilan has the 17th-century Atik Mosque and the regional museum in the old Kajmekamllëk, from the 18th century. Ferizaj interests me mainly as a gateway to the Sharr Mountains around Shtërpcë and to Brezovica, although there’s no official information about its ski area.

Smaller towns worth a mention

Three smaller towns deserve a line. Vushtrri has a medieval stone bridge protected under the Special Zones law and a 14th-century fortress under permanent protection in the DTK. Podujeva, north of Pristina, is the town for Lake Batllava, 3.27 km². And Fushë Kosovë, whose municipality nearly doubled from 34,827 to 63,949 people between 2011 and 2024, is where Trainkos, the rail operator, has its headquarters.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Prizren and choose by the reviews.

Mitrovica, with up-to-date advice

Mitrovica is split by the River Ibar into two municipalities, Mitrovicë to the south and North Mitrovica. The southern town had 33,628 people at the 2024 census, while the whole northern municipality counted just 2,326, or 7,920 with the statistics agency’s estimate. Gov.uk flags a risk of protests north of the Ibar, so check its advice before you go. What to know about the bridge and the town is in Mitrovica.

For every municipality rather than just the cities, see municipalities of Kosovo, and for the regional picture, the Kosovo map.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Prizren before prices climb.