Istog

Istog (Albanian: Istog, Istogu, Serbian:Исток, Istok) is a town and municipality in the north-western part of Kosovo, in the Dukagjini Plain, with an altitude of up to 2155 m. Istog has an area of 453.84 km2.

Understand

Istog municipality, located in the northern part of Dukagjini, offers a promising destination for tourism. Surrounded by breathtaking high mountains with altitudes surpassing 2,000 meters, Istog boasts a convenient geographical position and excellent road infrastructure, facilitating easy access and communication with other areas of Kosovo. The municipality covers an area of 453.84 km2 and is bordered by Montenegro, Serbia, Zubin Potok, Skenderaj, Kline, and Peja.

This region, known as Podguri, holds significant geographical and ethno-cultural value. It is characterized by the convergence of the rivers Drin, Istog, and Gujavç, creating a stunning natural spectacle. Istog itself is situated at the heart of Podguri and has been inhabited since ancient times. The municipality preserves traces of prehistoric settlements and showcases the rich heritage of the Illyrian-Albanian space.

From a tourism perspective, visitors to Istog can explore the historical significance of the region. There are remnants of a Roman colony and evidence of Slavic occupation in the 14th century. The Turkish rule left its mark, with the presence of grain milling mills and wool processing workshops. Istog became a district center in 1912 and later underwent administrative reorganization in 1960. Today, it serves as a vibrant city with a range of administrative, educational, and cultural offerings.

With its natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage, Istog municipality is an enticing destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Kosovo's history and landscapes.

Get in

By plane
  • 🌍 Prishtina International Airport (Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari, Albanian: Aeroporti ndërkombëtar i Prishtinës "Adem Jashari"), Slatina village, ☏ +383385015021214, . Prishtina International Airport is the only airport. It is 70.9km (44.05mi) away from the town of Istog.
    Public line 1A bus to and from the airport costs €3. It leaves every 1 hour. There are regular buses from Prishtina bus station to Istog. It is 82km (51 mi) away from the town of Istog.
    Check for bus schedule between Prishtina - Istog: https://gjirafa.com/Autobus?nisja=prishtin%C3%AB&destinacioni=istog.     (updated May 2022)

By bus
  • Bus station Istog, Str. League of Prizren, Istog 3100, Kosovo. The main bus station is around 5 min walk from the city center.There are regular buses from Istog to the capital Prishtina. Check the schedule on Gjirafa. The bus to Prishtina stops next to Off & On cafe. (updated May 2022)

By train
  • Trainkos. There is no train line to Istog. Instead you can take the Prishtina-Peja line to Peja, and then take the bus to Prishtina. For bus schedule Istog-Peja, check Gjirafa. The train leaves from Peje two times during the day, 5:32AM and 12:30PM. (updated May 2022)

Get around

The town is small and walk-able.

See

Monuments
  • Rugova family tower, Llukavc village. The historical tower is located in the village of Llukavc, and its construction began at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its construction took 30 years. Ibrahim Rugova, the President of Kosovo from 2002 until his death in 2006, was raised in this tower. (updated May 2022)
  • Hetem Beqë Mavraj tower, Saradran village. This is a stone made tower. The tower is more 100 years old. (updated May 2022)
  • Abdurrahman Kajtazit Tower, Lubovë village. Abdurrahman Kajtazi tower, XIX century. The tower has three floors and was built by carpenter Dibran. It was prepared by Haxhi Zeka. It is not restored. (updated Mar 2023)
  • The stone to the old fountain, Shushica village. In 2015 was discovered a stone which is quite old. The stone has a length of about 1.3 meters. (updated May 2022)

Galleries, Museums
  • 🌍 Istog Museum, Skenderbeu St., Istog (In the House of Culture in Istog). The museum was established in 1999. It is a museum that preserves historically important, archaeological and cultural treasures. (updated May 2022)
  • Museum of Gurrakoc prison (Muzeu i burgut te Gurrakocit), Besim Kabash St, Gurrakoc village. It was built in 1948. (updated May 2022)

Parks
  • Istog City Park (Parku i Istogut), Fadil Ferati St. (updated May 2022)
  • Gurrakoc Park (Parku i Gurrakocit), Besim Kabash St, Gurrakoc. (updated May 2022)
  • Parku i Bajes (Parku i Bajes se Istogut), Baja village. (updated May 2022)

Do

Istog offers easy access to nature with mountains peaks exceeding 2,000 m with several types of activities being organized year round: hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, camping, mountain running and paragliding.

  • Apline Club Podguri (Klubi Alpin Podguri), Gurra e Kocit st, neighborhood Brahim Uka nr.8, ☏ +38344224477, . Contact Klubi Alpin Podguri for hiking, moutaineering, mountain biking, camping, mountain running, paragliding, Via ferrata etc. (updated May 2022)
  • GuideKS (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), guidesinkosovo@gmail.com, ☏ +38349372639, . umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. (updated May 2022)

Eat

Sleep

Drink
  • Off & On, 162 Istog, Kosovo, ☏ +38344862387. 07:00- 24:00. (updated Mar 2023)

Connect

Wireless Internet is widely available in cafés and restaurants throughout the city, although it's a good idea to ask if one is available before you sit down. Free public Wi-Fi is also available around the city through PTK (username: ptk, password: telekomi). Internet cafés are also available at a cost of €0.60/hour with drinks served.

Several private phone calling shops with long-distance calling are available. You may also use the state telco company PTK Istog branch downtown or several of its kiosks around the city to buy calling credit and use phone cabins.

Mobile telephony providers Vala and Ipko provide 3G and 4G internet telephony.

Go next

Nearby

  • Peja/Istog Baths - The bath is a highlight of the region offering mineral water which erupt from the group through marble stones.

Further away

  • Peja - closest town to Istog with access to Rugova Mountains.
  • Pristina - the capital of Kosovo.
  • Prizren - Jump in a bus (around 2-hour bus ride) and have a day off
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