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Gollak
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Explore Gollak in eastern Kosovo for medieval mining heritage, wooded hills, rural villages and expansive highland landscapes near Novo Brdo.

Gollak, also written Gollaku, is a broad upland landscape in eastern Kosovo, rising east of Pristina towards the valleys and hills around Novo Brdo, Kamenica and the approaches to Gjilan. It is not a single town or sharply defined administrative unit, but a cultural and geographical region of wooded ridges, open pasture, small farming settlements and narrow roads that cross a quieter side of the country. The terrain gives Gollak a distinct character: elevations are generally higher and the landscape more folded than the Kosovo Plain, while villages are often separated by hills and seasonal streams.
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The region’s most prominent historic site is Novo Brdo Fortress, a medieval stronghold associated with one of the Balkans’ important silver-mining centres. Its position above the surrounding country illustrates why the area mattered in the Middle Ages, when mineral wealth, fortified settlements and long-distance trade connected Kosovo with wider European markets. Around the fortress, the landscape remains rural, with broad views across uplands and valleys rather than a large modern urban centre. Novobërdë and nearby villages provide useful bases for exploring the eastern highlands, although facilities are limited compared with Pristina or Prizren.
Gollak is best understood through its countryside as much as through individual monuments. Roads lead through beech and oak woodland, cultivated slopes and grazing land, with the scenery changing noticeably between exposed ridges and sheltered valleys. Walking, photography, birdwatching and slow touring are more important here than a dense programme of ticketed attractions. The landscape is particularly appealing in late spring and early autumn, while winter can bring snow, poor road conditions and reduced services in higher villages.
The region also reflects Kosovo’s layered cultural history. Albanian-speaking rural communities, Orthodox heritage, Ottoman-era traces and the remains of medieval mining belong to a wider eastern Kosovo story shaped by movement, religious institutions, agriculture and metalworking. Local food tends towards hearty highland cooking: breads, dairy products, grilled meats, beans, seasonal vegetables and preserves are more characteristic than elaborate restaurant cuisine. Visitors should travel with time, maps and realistic expectations; Gollak rewards curiosity, but its appeal lies in dispersed landscapes and historical context rather than polished tourism infrastructure.

When is the best time to visit Gollak?

Best: June–August · 24–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January440
February545
March1050
April1555
May2060
June (best)2455
July (best)2745
August (best)2640
September2245
October1550
November955
December460

Getting to and around Gollak

How to get there

The main international gateway is Pristina International Airport, located outside Gollak to the west and serving the region by road. From Pristina, visitors generally travel east towards Novo Brdo, Kamenica or Gjilan, depending on their itinerary. Kosovo’s principal roads connect these towns, but access to smaller upland settlements becomes slower and less direct. There are no major international rail or ferry connections into Gollak, so a hired car, taxi or pre-arranged driver is usually the most practical option for visitors arriving from Pristina.

Transportation

Buses connect larger settlements such as Pristina, Gjilan and Kamenica, but services to smaller Gollak villages can be infrequent, indirect or difficult to use for sightseeing. A car provides the greatest flexibility, particularly for reaching Novo Brdo Fortress and rural viewpoints, although minor roads may be narrow, uneven or poorly signed. Drive cautiously in winter and after heavy rain. Taxis can be useful for individual transfers, but agree the destination and fare before departure. Walking and cycling are appropriate for local excursions rather than efficient regional transport.

Top city travel guides in Gollak

The cities of Gollak, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Gollak

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Gollak

Gollak’s attractions are dispersed across a highland landscape rather than concentrated in a single resort or city. The principal historical experience is Novo Brdo Fortress, where a medieval stronghold and the surrounding mining district reveal the importance of silver production in Kosovo’s past. The site is best combined with a drive through the surrounding villages and uplands, which retain a rural character of fields, woodland and pasture. Outdoor visitors can explore informal walking routes, enjoy viewpoints from exposed ridges and look for birds in quieter valleys, although trails are not always fully marked or maintained. Small settlements, local churches and agricultural landscapes provide cultural interest when approached respectfully, while seasonal streams and wooded slopes add variety to the scenery. Gollak is not primarily a museum destination: its appeal lies in connecting a major medieval site with the physical environment that supported it. Visitors interested in contemporary culture will find more organised galleries, restaurants and evening activity in nearby Pristina or Gjilan, outside the highland core, while Gollak itself suits slow touring, landscape photography and heritage-focused day trips.

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Best landmarks in Gollak

The defining landmark of Gollak is Novo Brdo Fortress, a substantial medieval hilltop complex overlooking the former mining centre and the routes through eastern Kosovo. Its walls and elevated position express both the defensive needs and the economic importance of a settlement built around silver and other metals. The wider Novo Brdo landscape is itself significant: traces of mining activity, historic settlement and rural roads connect the fortress to the productive territory that sustained it. Across the uplands, village churches, cemeteries and traditional rural buildings provide smaller-scale reminders of the region’s layered religious and social history, though they should be visited with sensitivity and without treating active religious sites as open-air museums. Gollak’s natural landmarks are its wooded ridges, open high pastures and broad elevated views towards the Kosovo Plain and eastern valleys. Unlike the monumental urban skylines of Pristina or Prizren, the region’s visual identity comes from the relationship between a medieval stronghold and a spacious, inhabited landscape.

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Explore Gollak on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Gollak

Dining in Gollak is mainly rural and home-style, with the most dependable options found in larger settlements and along routes towards Pristina, Gjilan and Kamenica rather than beside every historic site. Local meals commonly draw on Kosovo’s wider culinary traditions: fresh bread, grilled meats, beans, dairy products, seasonal vegetables, stuffed peppers, pastries and preserves. In villages, a family-run café or guesthouse may offer simple plates and strong coffee, but menus and operating hours can be informal. The highland setting also makes locally produced milk, cheese, honey and seasonal fruit important parts of the food culture, although availability varies by household and season. Visitors should not expect a dense fine-dining scene; the region is better suited to unhurried meals, roadside refreshments and advance-arranged rural hospitality. For broader choice, the towns outside the upland core provide restaurants serving Albanian, Balkan and international dishes, while Pristina offers Kosovo’s most extensive contemporary dining selection.

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Best bars in Gollak

Gollak has a limited evening scene, reflecting its scattered villages and rural economy. In the highlands, social life centres on cafés, modest family restaurants and traditional-style bars where residents meet for coffee, conversation and meals rather than on a large club circuit. Novo Brdo and smaller settlements may have simple local venues, but opening arrangements and available services can vary, particularly outside the warmer months. For live music, cocktail bars, late-night cafés and nightclubs, visitors generally travel to Gjilan or Pristina, both outside the region’s rural core. Evening drives on minor roads require care because lighting is limited and routes can be unfamiliar. A rural guesthouse, a quiet meal or an early start for the next day’s sightseeing is more representative of Gollak than a formal nightlife itinerary.

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Best nightclubs in Gollak

Gollak has a limited evening scene, reflecting its scattered villages and rural economy. In the highlands, social life centres on cafés, modest family restaurants and traditional-style bars where residents meet for coffee, conversation and meals rather than on a large club circuit. Novo Brdo and smaller settlements may have simple local venues, but opening arrangements and available services can vary, particularly outside the warmer months. For live music, cocktail bars, late-night cafés and nightclubs, visitors generally travel to Gjilan or Pristina, both outside the region’s rural core. Evening drives on minor roads require care because lighting is limited and routes can be unfamiliar. A rural guesthouse, a quiet meal or an early start for the next day’s sightseeing is more representative of Gollak than a formal nightlife itinerary.

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Best shops in Gollak

Shopping in Gollak is local and practical rather than centred on large retail districts. Small shops in villages and larger settlements stock everyday provisions, while market activity in towns such as Kamenica, Gjilan and Novo Brdo provides more choice for food, household goods and seasonal produce. Visitors may find honey, dairy products, preserves, fruit, vegetables and other farm goods through local sellers, although availability and packaging vary. Crafts are generally encountered through individual makers or community contacts rather than permanent tourist boutiques, so ask locally and buy directly where appropriate. Regional food products make more useful souvenirs than generic imported items, provided they can be transported safely. For books, contemporary fashion, specialist gifts and a broader selection of Kosovo-made products, Pristina, outside Gollak, is the most reliable nearby shopping centre. Bargaining is not automatically expected in ordinary shops; confirm prices clearly in informal markets or direct sales.

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Gollak essentials

Currency and Payment
The euro (EUR) is the currency used in Kosovo, including Gollak. Cards and contactless payments are more likely to work in larger towns, hotels and established restaurants than in small villages. Carry euro banknotes and coins for rural cafés, small shops, taxis and informal food stops, while avoiding reliance on large denominations. ATMs are concentrated in larger settlements, so obtain cash before heading into the hills. Exchange rates are not relevant for euro cash purchases, but international card issuers may add their own fees.
Safety
Gollak is predominantly rural, so practical issues usually concern roads, weather and outdoor conditions rather than dense urban crowds. Use caution on narrow mountain roads, expect livestock or agricultural vehicles, and avoid unfamiliar tracks after dark. Wear sturdy footwear around the fortress and on informal woodland paths. In winter, snow and ice can affect higher roads; in summer, heat and limited shade make water important. Kosovo’s broader political situation can change, so check current travel advice and local conditions before visiting border-sensitive or remote areas.
Emergency Situations
Kosovo’s general emergency number is 112, which can connect callers with the appropriate service. Police can also be reached on 192, the fire service on 193 and ambulance services on 194. Explain your location carefully, using a nearby town, road, village or recognised landmark, since rural addresses and mobile coverage may be inconsistent. For walks in the hills, tell someone your route and carry a charged phone, offline mapping and basic supplies. Medical and specialist services are more limited in the uplands than in Pristina.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering religious buildings and follow any local instructions about shoes, photography or access. Ask before photographing residents, military or security facilities, and private property. Do not assume every minor track is a public road or every open field is available for camping. In cafés and family-run establishments, patience and courtesy are valued; tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed regional rule. Respect ruins, church grounds, cemeteries and archaeological remains by not climbing fragile structures or removing objects.
Local Tips
Base a Gollak visit around a realistic loop rather than trying to cover every village in one day, and combine Novo Brdo with a countryside drive or short walk. Rural accommodation and dining options are limited, so confirm arrangements ahead where possible. Ask locally about road conditions and the best approach to minor sites, as map applications may not reflect recent repairs or diversions. Spring brings greener hills and autumn adds colour to the woodland, while winter visits require more flexible plans.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloPërshëndetje[Për-shen-de-tye]
GoodbyeMirupafshim[Mee-roo-paf-sheem]
YesPo[Poh]
NoJo[Yo]
Please/You're welcomeTë lutem[Teh loo-tem]
Thank youFaleminderit[Fah-le-min-de-rit]
Excuse me/SorryMë fal[Meh fal]
How are you?Si je?[See yeh?]
Fine. And you?Mirë. Ti?[Meer. Tee?]
Do you speak English?A flet anglisht?[Ah flet an-glisht?]
I don't understandNuk kuptoj[Nook koop-toy]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseDo doja të shoh menunë, ju lutem[Doh doh-yah te shoh meh-noon-eh, yoo loo-tem]
I don't eat meatNuk ha mish[Nook hah meesh]
Cheers!Gëzuar![Guh-zuar!]
I would like to pay, pleaseDo doja të paguaj, ju lutem[Doh doh-yah te pah-goo-ah, yoo loo-tem]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ndihmë![Ndee-hm]
Go away!Shko larg![Shko larg!]
Call the Police!Thirrni policinë![Theer-nee poh-lee-chee-neh!]
Call a doctor!Thirrni një mjek![Theer-nee nyuh myek!]
I'm lostJam i humbur[Yam ee hoom-bur]
I'm illJam i sëmurë[Yam ee suh-moor]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Do doja të blej...[Doh doh-yah te bleh...]
I'm just lookingPo shikoj vetëm[Poh shee-koy vet-em]
How much is it?Sa kushton?[Sah koosh-ton?]
That's too expensiveKjo është shumë e shtrenjtë[Kyo esht shoom eh shtrenjt]
Can you lower the price?A mund të ulni çmimin?[Ah moond te ool-nee chmee-mine?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Çfarë ore është?[Chfar-eh oh-reh esht?]
It's one o'clockËshtë një orë[Esht nyuh or-eh]
Half past (10)Pjesë pas (10)[Pye-seh pahs (10)]
MorningMëngjes[Mern-jes]
AfternoonPasdite[Pahs-dee-teh]
EveningMbrëmje[Mbruhm-yeh]
YesterdayDje[Dyeh]
TodaySot[Sot]
TomorrowNesër[Neh-ser]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Ku është...?[Koo esht...?]
What's the address?Cila është adresa?[Chee-lah esht ah-dreh-sah?]
Can you show me (on the map)?A mund të më tregoni (në hartë)?[Ah moond te meh treh-goh-nee (nuh har-teh)?]
When's the next (bus)?Kur është autobusi tjetër?[Koor esht ow-toh-boo-see tyeh-ter?]
A ticket (to ....)Një biletë (për ....)[Nyeh bee-leh-tuh (per ....)]

History of Gollak

Early settlement and the eastern Kosovo uplands

The hills and valleys of Gollak formed part of the long-settled interior of the central Balkans, where communities combined small-scale cultivation, livestock keeping and woodland use. Archaeological evidence across Kosovo indicates settlement from prehistoric periods onwards, although Gollak is less defined by a single famous ancient site than by a dispersed rural landscape. Its upland position encouraged local economies based on pasture, timber and agriculture, while routes through the hills connected the Kosovo Plain with eastern Balkan valleys.

Roman and late-antique networks

During Roman rule, the territory of present-day Kosovo was incorporated into the empire’s provincial and road systems. The wider region was influenced by nearby mining districts, administrative centres and routes linking the central Balkans, although the surviving evidence in Gollak is more fragmented than at major Roman sites elsewhere in Kosovo. Late-antique settlement and fortified locations reflected a period of political uncertainty, as imperial authority in the Balkans contracted and communities relied increasingly on defensible hill positions.

Novo Brdo and medieval silver mining

From the late medieval period, Novo Brdo became the defining historical centre of Gollak. Its mines produced silver and other metals, attracting miners, merchants, officials and craftspeople and making the settlement an important economic and fortified centre of medieval Serbia. The fortress commanded a strategic hilltop, while the surrounding mining landscape supported a complex urban community. Novo Brdo’s prosperity linked the region to wider commercial networks before warfare and changing political conditions reduced its importance.

Ottoman incorporation and rural transformation

The Ottoman conquest of Kosovo during the fifteenth century brought Gollak into a new imperial framework of administration, taxation and trade. Novo Brdo declined from its medieval prominence, while village agriculture, pastoralism and local religious institutions remained central to everyday life. Ottoman influence became visible through settlement patterns, roads, markets and architectural traces, although the region retained a predominantly rural character. The highlands continued to be shaped less by one dominant city than by networks of villages and small market centres.

The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries

During the late Ottoman period and the political upheavals that followed, Gollak was affected by competition between emerging national movements, administrative change and shifting relations among religious and linguistic communities. Rural households depended heavily on agriculture, livestock and seasonal work, while roads and markets gradually connected the hills more closely with Pristina, Gjilan and eastern Kosovo. The twentieth century brought new borders, state systems and population movements, leaving the region with a layered and sometimes contested historical memory.

War, displacement and contemporary Kosovo

The Kosovo conflict of 1998–99 affected communities across the eastern uplands through insecurity, displacement and the disruption of rural life. After the war, reconstruction and the establishment of Kosovo’s post-war institutions changed local administration and infrastructure, although many villages continued to face outward migration and limited employment. Today Gollak’s identity is expressed through its landscape, medieval heritage and village traditions, while the region remains part of the multi-ethnic and historically complex east of the Republic of Kosovo.

Gollak in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Gollak, Kosovo

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