XK
Gjilan
Eastern Kosovo’s lively market town, gateway to Novo Brdo
Eastern Kosovo’s lively market town, gateway to Novo Brdo
The centre is compact and made for walking: the main square, the park and the pedestrian streets around Mother Teresa Street fill with cafés from morning to late evening. Like everywhere in Kosovo, the macchiato is excellent and costs about a euro.
Evenings from May to September are the liveliest time, with families out for the xhiro (evening stroll).
Photo: Planeti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Founded in 1944, the theatre is one of the most active in Kosovo, staging more than a hundred performances a year. In January the city holds Flaka e Janarit, a month-long cultural festival of theatre, music and exhibitions (11–31 January).
Performances are in Albanian; check the programme at the box office.
Photo: Planeti, CC BY-SA 4.0
On a hill 25km north-west of Gjilan stand the walls and towers of Novo Brdo (Novobërdë), one of the largest mining towns of medieval south-east Europe. In the 14th and 15th centuries its silver mines made it richer than most cities in the Balkans, until it fell to the Ottomans in 1455. The ruins give sweeping views over the hills.
The last stretch is a short, steep walk on a rocky path; wear sturdy shoes.
Photo: Gashi Bujar, CC BY-SA 4.0
A reservoir just outside the city, popular for walks, picnics, cycling and summer swimming. Lakeside restaurants make it a favourite weekend spot for local families.
Take a taxi or local minibus; it is a few kilometres from the centre.
Photo: Xhemstar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gjilan eats like the rest of Kosovo: grilled meats (qebapa, suxhuk and steaks), flia (layered crepe pie baked for hours), tavë kosi (lamb baked with yoghurt), peppers stuffed with cheese, and burek from the bakeries in the morning. Restaurants in the centre and around the city are good value; family-run grill houses are the local favourite.
Cafés are the centre of social life. Also look out for local honey, cheese and ajvar (roasted pepper relish) in the market and farm shops.
Buses and minibuses run frequently from Pristina bus station to Gjilan, taking about an hour and costing around €2.50. There are also direct buses from Ferizaj (about 30 minutes) and Prizren (about 2 hours). Pristina International Airport is roughly an hour away by taxi or car.
The centre is walkable. Taxis are cheap and the easiest way to reach Livoq Lake; for Novo Brdo and Llabjan, hire a taxi for a few hours or rent a car in Pristina. There is no passenger train service to Gjilan.
Kosovo uses the euro, and Gjilan is one of the most affordable places to travel in Europe.
Coffee is around €1; a grilled-meat lunch is €4–6.
Agree taxi fares in advance for longer trips.
Summer (July–August) is busiest, when the diaspora visits.
A relaxed day trip from Pristina, or two days with Novo Brdo.
Morning bus from Pristina and coffee in the centre, then a taxi to Novo Brdo fortress for the ruins and the views. Back in town for a late grill lunch, an evening stroll and, in season, a performance at the theatre.
On a Sunday, stop at the Llabjan village market on the way to Novo Brdo.
Gjilan’s two clubs, SC Gjilani and FC Drita, play one of the biggest matches in Kosovo; the city is electric on derby day.
Frequent buses make Gjilan an easy day trip from the capital.
Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants; small cafés and markets prefer cash.
You will see both Gjilan (Albanian) and Gnjilane (Serbian) on maps and signs.
Quick answers for planning time in Gjilan.
Yes, if you want to see everyday Kosovo without tourist crowds. Combine the city with Novo Brdo fortress, one of the country’s most important medieval sites.
About 46km, or roughly an hour by bus. Buses run frequently from Pristina bus station and cost around €2.50.
Its café culture and theatre, the Flaka e Janarit festival in January, the football rivalry between SC Gjilani and FC Drita, and nearby Novo Brdo fortress.
Gjilan is generally safe and welcoming. Take normal precautions and check your government’s travel advice for Kosovo before you go.
The euro, as everywhere in Kosovo.
Download Kosovo offline; street names often differ between Albanian and Serbian versions.
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Albanian menus and signs; younger people usually speak English.
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Planning a wider trip? Our Kosovo travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.