Brod is a village in Kosovo.

Brod is populated by the Gorani people. The Gorani have a total population of roughly 50,000 people. They are primarily sheep and cattle herders, but also have a cartel network of dessert/sweet shops. They live in a very geographically small mountainous area of the most southern part of Kosovo, in and near the city of Dragash just south of Prizren.

The Gorani have their own language and are generally Muslim. Their language, which is a Torlakian Slavic language, is related to Serbian and Macedonian, with Albanian and Turkish loanwords.

The village of Brod has a population of perhaps 8,000 people. It lies in a high mountain valley/ravine. It has a rough elevation of 1,200 meters, but the mountains above it reach 2,200 meters. As the people have been living and herding cattle there for hundreds and hundreds of years, the surrounding mountains are completely over grazed and deforested (in a beautiful way). For the people to have some means of heating in the winter, they pack the manure from their cattle and goats on the sides of their houses so that it will dry. Most of the manure is dry, so the village doesn't smell.

The building materials for the houses are all taken from the immediate area, so everything is made out of mountain rocks. Several mountain springs run through the village on their way down to the flat plains of Kosovo.

From Prizren, take a combi (shared minibus) heading towards Dragaš. Once in Dragaš, your options to reach Brod are limited. You can either hire a taxi (which may be quite expensive) or go on a scenic hike. The trek to Brod is approximately 12 kilometers along a narrow road. It’s advisable to ask a local for directions before setting off. If you choose to hitchhike, it’s likely that the first or second passing car will stop to give you a ride, though vehicles only come by roughly every 30 minutes.

During the winter season:

Travel agencies based in Prishtina and Prizren often organize daily excursions to Brod, home to the Arxhena Ski Resort. These tours typically include round-trip transportation by bus. From Arxhena ski resort to Brod village you have 3 km distance.

Transportation options for exploring the area include traveling by horse, walking on foot to fully appreciate the local scenery, and using local 4x4 jeeps, which provide access to more remote locations.

It is highly recommended to take the time to explore the town on foot, as doing so will allow you to fully appreciate its distinctive character and charm. The town offers a truly unique experience, unlike any other, with its own special atmosphere and cultural nuances that make it well worth the visit.

Ask the locals if they will take you for either a one day or overnight horse trip up to their pastures in the mountains. They should charge you only €10 per person plus food for the adventure. You'll end up on a mule going through some of the most beautiful nature you'll ever have the opportunity to see in your life.

• Hiking (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), [email protected], ☏ +383 49 372 639, [email protected]. Hiking can be done on your own. If you however wish to engage a local guide, GuideKS is the umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. (updated May 2022)

Go to the pub in Brod and ask the guy there to serve you something. He knows what he’s doing and they have really good meat.

In the entire town, there exists only a single pub. On fortunate occasions, one might find a game of bingo taking place there. This event is traditionally exclusive to men, at least according to local customs. Interestingly, many of these men identify themselves as devout Muslims who abstain from alcohol. However, once they are away from the watchful eyes of their wives, they tend to relax these restrictions and partake in drinking.

• 41.96529720.7103461 Hotel Arxhena, ☏ +383 29 285 170, +383 44 402 368, [email protected]. The hotel has a ski lift, restaurant, accommodation, fitness center, sauna, and spa. (updated May 2025)

Or you can ask the locals for a place to stay. Somebody will put you up for the night (at a cost, probably €10).

• Prizren
• Ferizaj
• Sharr Mountain National Park