Guided Visits in Gjakova: Tekkes, Kullas, Wine

How Guided Visits Work Here

Guided visits in Gjakova are made by arrangement, with the price agreed on the spot, so ask for the cost and what it covers before you start. The options below are grouped by theme.

City Tour from the Tourist Office

The Tourist Information Centre sits in the Kulla of Abdullah Pashë Dreni, a stone tower of 1790 at the entrance to the bazaar. Wikivoyage lists it as open Monday to Friday, about 08:00 to 16:00. A city tour is priced by arrangement. GuideKS, the Kosovo association of licensed guides, is another way to find a guide for a day or half day.

Sufi Heritage

Three tekkes make a themed visit. Sheh Emin Tekke of the Sa’di order stands at the northern end of the bazaar and has tombs and carved wood from the 18th century. The Bektashi Tekke, rebuilt in 2004 to 2006 after a fire in 1999, is often shown by its baba. The Grand Tekke lies roughly 10 minutes from the centre. Arrange each visit, wear modest clothes and treat these as places of worship.

Kulla Towers

The kulla is a fortified stone home, and the best examples near Gjakova are in Junik, about 20 km away. One visitor guide names the towers of Isuf Mazrekaj, Haxhi Ramë Mazrekaj and Shaban Binakaj. In Isniq, the Osdautaj Kulla is a family house some 300 years old, and the family still lives there. Hours differ from tower to tower, so arrange your visit in advance.

Bridges and Canyon

For a half-day circuit you need a car or a taxi. Typical stops:

  1. Tabak Bridge, 1771, on the Erenik.
  2. Terzi Bridge, about 10 km east, an arched bridge of 11 spans.
  3. Fshajt Bridge, 11 km east, with the White Drin Canyon alongside, about 900 m long and 45 m deep.

Settle the route, the waiting time and the fare with the driver in advance.

Wine

Risons Wine & Distillery at Qerim and the Stone Castle winery at Rahovec both host tastings. Reserve ahead.

Tours That Pass Through

Tours that include Gjakova among stops in Prizren, Peja and Valbona turn up on resale platforms. Look at who operates the trip and what it includes before paying.

Read more: day trips from Gjakova for buses to Deçan, Prizren and Peja.

Opening notes for the tourist office are on Wikivoyage , the Terzi Bridge article on Wikipedia covers the 11-arch crossing, and the Stone Castle winery shares visiting information. Tours that stop in Gjakova can be compared on GetYourGuide .