Gjakova for Couples: Dinner, Wine and Lanterns

What This Town Offers Couples

Gjakova is not a resort, and its romantic side is modest and quiet. Think of a night or two in the rebuilt bazaar: a long dinner, a late stroll, a morning in the old lanes and an afternoon among vines. Everything is priced in euros.

Dinner in an Old Inn

Hani i Haraçisë began as a caravanserai in the 16th century, gained a newer wing in 1901 and has served meals since 1984. Diners sit in the courtyard or in the room upstairs. The menu includes tavë Gjakovare, and a main costs about 5 to 10 EUR. At the Çarshia e Jupave restaurant, mains are about 7 to 15 EUR.

After Dark in the Bazaar

Sylejman Hadum Aga Street is closed to cars and decorated with lanterns and murals. Cafés and bars along it keep serving into the evening, to 23:00 or later. Ambient (no. 40), Old Barrel and Ku Zine (no. 51) are all on the same stretch, so you can move from one to the next without a taxi.

A Room in the Old Quarter

Three small places suit couples:

  • Gegë Boutique Hotel, Sylejman Hadum Aga Street 36.
  • SHQIP Boutique Hotel, Sylejman Hadum Aga Street 86.
  • Kulla Dula Guesthouse, Ganimete Terbeshi 38, a stone house dating from the 18th century.

Boutique prices range between about 30 and 100 EUR a night. Standard hotels in town are about 20 to 50 EUR.

Wine for an Afternoon

Kosovo’s main wine area is around Rahovec. There, Stone Castle is the largest winery in the country and keeps its tasting room open to visitors. Closer to Gjakova, in Qerim village on the Pristina road, Risons Wine & Distillery offers tastings by reservation. Reach either by taxi or car in a half day, and reserve first.

River Viewpoints

The White Drin Canyon and the Fshajt Bridge lie 11 km east of town on the road to Prizren. The canyon has been protected since 1986, and the riverbank offers viewpoints. In summer, families camp beside the river.

Reaching Gjakova

Fly into Pristina, because the airport at Gjakova is a military base with no passenger flights. Buses cover the 87 km to Gjakova in 1 h 15 to 1 h 30, for about 5 EUR on average. A taxi within town costs about 2 to 5 EUR.

Read more: couple activities in Gjakova suggests more ways to spend evenings together.

Bus fares are on Gjirafa Travel , restaurant and hotel notes are on Wikivoyage , and boutique rooms can be compared on Booking.com .