'''Peja''' is a city in the west of Kosovo.The city is known as Peje or Peja in Albanian and Pe? (_P_u?) in Serbian .

Located at the foot of the impressive Accursed Mountains the city has been ruled by different dominating powers throughout history, giving it a diverse cultural character. The Orthodox influence has resulted in the construction of impressive religious sites and monasteries. Under Ottoman rule Peja/Pe? took on a more oriental character with the construction of narrow streets, old-style Turkish houses and mosques. One of these is the Bajrakli Mosque, built by the Ottomans in the 15th century. You can even find traces of the brief presence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the early 20th century in the shape of some handsome buildings in the city centre, as well as some massive socialist buildings and apartment blocks. The mountains bordering the city form an extraordinary background, and are a great place for all kinds of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing or rock climbing.

Get in

Peja is well connected with the larger cities in Kosovo. Buses run about every twenty minutes between Pristina and Peja and every half hour from Mitrovica, Gjakova and Prizren. The last bus leaves relatively early at 8pm. Since recently the train connecting Peja and Pristina has started to run again though it takes a while to get from one city to the other; you should count on a trajectory of little less than 2 hours.

Get around

You can easily get around Peja/Pe? on foot, it's probably the best way of seeing the city. If you're tired or in a hurry there are numerous taxis available for little money; the average cab ride doesn't exceed ? 2,00. If you prefer you can also use one of the city buses that cover the region for 50 cents .

See

  • (Gryka Rrugoves) The Rugova Canyon
  • The Peja Patriarchate
  • The Decani Monastery
  • The beautiful mountains
  • The cities main road KORZA for a night out.
  • Do

    You can go to the river and cool down on a hot summer day. You can jog around Parki i Madh(big park). You can hike on the mountains behind the school that's across Camp Caffe (lusha's place). You also can go to public pools or go on the Internet and keep in touch with your friends and family back home. The people of Peja are very enthusiastic and welcoming to tourists. Visiting the mountains in winter time are more challenging than in other seasons. Recently skiing stages and escalators have been put up, meanwhile the road has been fixed, which makes it an easier driving in winter.

    Apart from the skiing, you can also spend nights in Rugova but remember to book the place before going there. There are restaurants and bars on the way and at the spot as well. Generally is cheap but bear in mind that you_fre on vacation anyway.

    As a result of different natural conditions we can find in this very small region many natural rarities and very interesting natural phenomenons, like thermal and mineral hot-springs 13km north-east from the city of Peja, in a small place called Banja e Pejes(Peja Baths). Not so far away from here, there are at least three karstic rivers appearing at different places, like one at the village Radavc, were you can find the most powerfull waterfall-called Burimi i Drinit te Bardhe,(White Drini Spring)-around 30m high, and the cave system nearby with the same name, then spring at the village of Vrelle, and one near the small town of Burim.

    From the town of Peja going west and following the river-Lumebardhi you will enter the magnificient canyon with the name of Gryka e Rugoves, or Rugova Gorge, which is more than 23km long, and has few waterfalls and so many water-springs, like Uji i Zi-Black Water, Kroi i km-5, 5-th Km Spring,and so on, than hundreds of caves, most of them still unexplored, like Gryka e Madhe, or Great Canyon-cave system, until now only around 11km explored, then Shpella e Karamakazit-Black Scissors cave, and Shpella e Kallabes-Kallaba Cave were are foud the archeological remains of ancient humans, and hundreds of others caves waiting to be explored...

    Further ahead there is a new ski center in the village of Boge-Rugova Valley, some 33km from Peja, offers a low-cost skiing in a beautiful suurondings.

    You can go hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, caving, skiing, with so many local clubs and associations.

    Buy

    Peja has a few malls and around 100 stores. You can shop for anything you want, absolutely anything. You can find all sorts of items, electronic, ceramic and granite tiles (Qeramika DEKOS), clothes and groceries in fair prices. Most furnished stores are located in and around the center. Meanwhile in the suburbs in some places you only find the basics.

    Eat

    The restaurants, Victoria, California, Tirona, San Remo, Al Forno and Art Design near the center are the best choices and filled with tourists,and if you want to feel the real atmosphere of this city you have to visit Londra Restaurant located near Qarshia e Gjate, or in engish-The Long Bazzar, but if you like to meet with some popular singers you can visit Sofra Pejane-restaurant located near the old youth center. There are also fast food restaurants like '''te Bardhoshi hamburger''' (in the trade center), Sayonara, Lino's, and Belu.

    At the city center at the restaurant-bar "Friends" you can enjoy coffee, ice cream, coctails, fast food, international and local specialities, doner, grill, you have to visit it.

    Drink

    Peja has the best '''water''' on earth--you just have to try it, and you will see.

    The best beer from Kosova '''Birra Peja''' come from Peja and are served in many places. Also you have Lasko, Heineken, Beck's, and so forth.

    Try the wine from the Rahovec region, it's the only local wine in Peja. They serve it as the house wine at "Art Design," and you can also find it in most supermarkets. It's a light-bodied wine, with a clean taste.

    If you don't like alcohol you can just take a macchiato or a cappuccino. You also have anything you want like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, and Bibita. Also - try any of the juices from the company "Tango." This is a local company, from Peja, and they make peach juice, along with apple, orange, and many others. The peach is amazing.

    Must Travel out to the mountains of Rugova and stop by the restaurants '''Te Mulliri''' and '''Te Liqueni''' which is way up the mountain. Also, try "Camp Rugova," about 30 minutes into the mountains. Must eat the mountain '''fli''' along with homemade white wine.

    The night life in Peja is really nice. Many people get out and the best places to visit is '''Camp Caffe''' (Lusha's place) but it's only open during summertime and though the location remains the same the name might change. The owners have been to America and went to clubs in New York and were impressed. So if you can't go to America go to Camp Caffe (Lusha's place) and you'll have fun. It is rated the best in the Balkans. There are also caffebars like : "Sobar", "Mr. Jack, and "Radio Caffe" where you can go and have fun, mostly teens and adults.

    Sleep

    The main hotels in the center of Peja are '''Hotel Royal Arda''', newly opened, and '''Hotel Peja''', '''Hotel Gold'''.

    Also, there are many hotels and motels in the town.

    Get out