Kosovo’s mountainous topography and lush plains enjoy a continental climate with cold, snowy winters, warm, hot summers and a pleasant spring and fall. Average temperatures depend on altitude, with the plains seeing daytime highs around 80°F in the months of July and August, and night-time lows around 60°F. December and January get the chilliest, with day and night-time temperatures hovering around freezing, and occasional dropping to 23°F or lower.

The country has three climactic zones, Kosovo, Dukagjini and the mountainous, forested rural areas. Kosovo sees the biggest temperature variations between summer and winter, and is drier than the other regions. Dukagjini is the watershed between the Drini and Bardh rivers, and is affected by hot air masses from the Adriatic Sea. It sees heavy snow in winter and more rain than the other areas. The remaining rural regions are mostly at higher altitudes, with wetter and colder weather as a result.

The mountains and forests get the most rain, and temperatures are lower than on the plains, with short, cool summers and heavy snowfall in winter. In general, July and August are the driest time, averaging eight rainy days a month, while April and May get about 13. However, the total amount of rainfall is low and spread fairly evenly across the year, falling as snow at altitude and in the colder months.

Best Time to Visit Kosovo

As with most other destations, the best time to visit Kosovo depends what you want to do there. Kosovo is a landlocked country, with sightseeing and outdoor activities its highlights, although the lakes are suitable for swimming in summer. Late spring and early fall are the best time for outdoor sports such as hiking and walking, and may also be your best bet if you don't like extreme heat. Kosovo has an underdeveloped winter sports scene, with the best ski conditions in January. Outside of the popular summer months, accommodation and flights are likely to be less expensive.