Prizren has some beautiful historical attractions in its old town. From the Old Stone Bridge to Sinan Pasha Mosque to Shadervan Square, there’s plenty to keep you wandering around the bazaar. However, a must-do in Prizren is walking up to the fortress overlooking the city. The sunset views from Prizren Fortress are amongst my most memorable throughout all my travels to Europe.
When you look up at it from around the riverfront below, it looks like an intimidating walk. But it’s closer than it looks.
There are a few things to know before you go, though, so keep reading for further inspiration and information.
The History of Prizren Fortress
Kosovo isn’t necessarily the first place that comes to mind when you think about ancient European history. But Prizren has been around for a very, very long time. Archaeological evidence suggests there was human settlement on the hill where the fortress stands as far back as 3500 years ago.
The fortress itself has been built, destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout its history. Its location high above Prizren made it an ideal defensive position, giving whoever controlled the hill a pretty good view of the surrounding area. Different civilizations and rulers have occupied the site over the centuries, with the fortress taking on much of its medieval form during the Byzantine and Serbian periods before later being expanded under Ottoman rule.
Today, much of Prizren Fortress is in ruins, but you can still see remnants of its walls, towers and defensive structures as you walk around the site. It’s pretty cool to think that people have been standing on this same hill and looking out over Prizren for thousands of years.
How to Get to Prizren Fortress
It’s a straightforward walk from the center of the old bazaar to the fortress. You’ll see it from various vantage points down below when exploring Prizren and think, “wow, that looks like a tough walk,” if you’re anything like myself.
While part of that is true – it most definitely is a steady incline – it’s actually not as far as it looks. Depending on where in the bazaar you’re starting from, it takes around 15 minutes to walk to Prizren Fortress.
The route is simple: head uphill from the old town toward the fortress and follow the signs for Kalaja e Prizrenit. You’ll eventually reach the road leading directly up to the fortress entrance.
Must-Knows Before You Go
Be There for Sunset
The sunset from Prizren Fortress was easily one of the highlights of my time in the city. You get a panoramic view over the entire old city, the distant countryside, and even the Accursed Mountains dozens of miles in the distance.
Just don’t make the mistake of arriving right as the sun disappears, for the reason below.
The Fortress Closes After Sunset
I had no idea that the fortress actually closes until I was there. Thankfully, we made it by the time the sun was setting. Right after it’s finished setting, a person is out here ushering people out. Strange to me! But I guess they don’t want to risk any people defacing the fortress overnight or something.
Make sure to take that into consideration, as you’ll want to give yourself enough time before the sun sets for pictures and light exploration.
Wear Good Walking Shoes
As mentioned, the walk is not tireless. It’s straightforward up a road, yes, but that road is cobblestone, which makes for less-than-ideal walking conditions. It’s also a steady, steep incline. I’m in good shape and even I had to stop to catch my breath at one point.
I saw some girls in heels trying to walk to the fortress which made for a laugh for both myself and for them… so wear shoes that you can comfortably walk uphill in!
Bring Water
Don’t get me wrong, the walk to Prizren Fortress isn’t a full-on hike. It’s a 15-minute walk on a road.
Still, you’ll be beat enough to need some water by the time you’re up there. You won’t find anything in the way of convenience stores or stands near the top, so bring some agua.
Consider Following the Trail Beyond the Fortress
There’s a long, actual hiking trail that extends from the fortress into the Sharr Mountains behind the city. It’s a legit hike, which is cool that you can start it right from the old town!
Some of the best hiking in Kosovo can be found in the Sharr Mountains behind Prizren, so if you want to do an awesome hike with epic views, you’ll have to do a little research ahead of time.
Fortress Kosovo isn’t known for its ancient history. However, there’s evidence of human settlement where the fortress is perched that dates back 3500 years!
[…] The biggest reason to make the climb, though, is the views during sunset. From the top, you get stunning views of the city, the countryside, and the distant Accursed Mountains.. I’d 100% encourage you to prioritize walking up to Prizren Fortress for sunset. […]