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Kosovo Advice

I'm considering visiting Kosovo (including Prstina) for a few days in September as part of my solo bicycle trip in the Balkans. I've read the U.S. State Department's advisories posted in April about potential ethnic unrest, crime, possible unexploded mines and general safety and security in the country, all of which give me pause.

I'm leaning toward avoiding the country until things settle down and the situation stabilizes. Nonetheless, I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's been there recently. Your experience, suggestions, specific cautions, go/no-go, etc.

Posted by
527 posts

You might want to post this on Tripadvisor forum for that area. There are usually more local experts who post there.

Posted by
16895 posts

I don't believe that any of our staff have recent experience in Kosovo.

Posted by
813 posts

Department of State doesn't post those warnings without serious cause. Take heed. The part about the mines is absolutely true, there aren't enough resources to properly clear many populated areas.

Posted by
12040 posts

Well, was there 13 years ago and I was armed and armored when I visited, so my experience probably wouldn't be anywhere near your's. But here goes.

Unless things have drastically changed, the infrastructure in Kosovo is very primitive. Even though they were both once a part of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo is about 50 years behind Slovenia in terms of development. I understand the situation has improved quite a bit in the cities, but much of the countryside still lacks proper sanitation. When I was there, the garbage desposal system seemed to consist of just throwing trash on the road side. Unless the CDC states something different, I would not trust any water source other than bottled. And this would include any raw fruits or vegetables that you can not peal.

Organized crime was and still is one of the biggest problems in the region. Not so much petty theft, but human trafficking, smuggling, and various other rackets. Although I found the Kosovar Albanians to be some of the friendliest people I've seen anywhere and I never felt unsafe... well, like I said, I was well-armed and uniformed, an advantage you will not have. Although I would trust the hospitality of Albanians if it was offered, a solo cyclist might prove to be too much of a tempting target for a gang member.

As long as you avoid known Serb enclaves, particularly Mitrovica, ethnic violence should not be a problem. The Serbs have somewhat of a "siege" mentality, so if you passed through one of their towns, you may be viewed with suspicion.

Likewise, the danger from left-over mines is real, but if you stay on well-trodden roads and walkways, you don't have anything to worry about. Just stay out of pastures and areas that look like nobody has walked through in years.

Overall, though, unless Kosovo has really developed substantially since I left (and according to international news, it seems it hasn't), I don't think the region is a good choice for a solo bike tour yet. The infrastructure is just not up to modern standards, and you would have very little recourse if something goes wrong.

Posted by
511 posts

Tom & Kathy, thanks for your feedback. Together with State's warnings, that's three strikes against traveling through Kosovo for quite some time. My bicycle pump just wouldn't provide a good defense if I were to encounter some armed thug!

Now, I am hoping to bike southwest from Belgrade into Montenegro en route to Podgorica. Are conditions there safe enough as long as I stay quite some distance (30 miles or more) away form the Kosovar border northwest of the Novi Pazar area?