Gjakova Old Bazaar
Çarshia e Madhe
One of the largest Ottoman old bazaars in the Balkans, with stone-paved streets lined by timber shopfronts, along with the Hadum Mosque and a large Sufi lodge.
Gjakova lies about 35 km northwest of Prizren. Its old bazaar, Çarshia e Madhe (the Grand Bazaar), began in the 17th century and once housed hundreds of workshops. It is one of the longest Ottoman-style commercial streets in Kosovo. Much of it was burned during the 1999 war and later restored in its original form. The stone-paved streets are lined with low wooden shopfronts, now mainly cafés, restaurants, traditional white felt hats, and gold and silver workshops. Along the way are the 16th-century Hadum Mosque, a clock tower, and the Bektashi tekke, all worth a look. Open all day, free; 1–2 hours is enough. Direct buses run from Prizren in about an hour, so it can be combined with Mirusha Waterfalls on the same day.
Opening hours
All day (shops about 09:00–22:00)
Nearby sights
- Terzi Bridge (Tailors' Bridge)
- White Drin Canyon
- Mirusha Waterfalls
- Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
- Old Stone Bridge (Prizren)
- Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam
- Cathedral of St. George, Prizren