Overview

The small city of Korçë (also written as Korca) in southeastern Albania might only be 3 hours from Tirana by car, but it feels completely off the beaten tourist track.

The country's eighth-largest city by popularion, Korçë has a history that dates back to the 13th century. It's known for its role in Albanian culture and intellectual heritage, world-class museums, charming old churches, and beautiful architecture.

It is nicknamed 'The City of Serenades', from the love ballad men used to belt out from the balconies and courtyards of their enigmatic European villas. Although the sounds of guitar and mandolin no longer fill the streets of Korçë like they did back in the 1930s, it still has the same charm and feeling of nostalgia.

Korçë is the city to visit to see how the locals live. Green spaces, beer gardens, a large university campus and several important institutions and cultural monuments characterize the center of the city. It has a strong connection to both Greek and Aromanian heritage that gives Korçë a distinctive flavor, you can immediately feel it in the architecture, the cuisine, and the overall feel of the city.

Things to Do

Visit the National Museum of Medieval Art. If you're a history and art lover, this is the place for you. The museum is dedicated to medieval art and history in Albania. It is filled with over 7,000 art and cultural items including stone, metal, wood, and fabric pieces dating all the way back to the 13th century and earlier. The collection includes a Byzantine icon of Archangel Michael that has been dubbed the 'Mona Lisa of the Balkans' plus a number of works by Onufir, the famous icon painter who was born in Berat.

Go to the Korçë Brewery. Korçë beer is known as the best in Albania! You can find it in restaurants and bars all across the country, but it will never be fresher than when you drink it straight from the Korçë brewery or at the beer garden next door. Korçë Beer is the first in Albanian. The Birra Korçë factory was founded in 1928 and was designed by an Italian architect. It is located at the base of Morava mountain, making it easy to reach by foot from the city center. And if you happen to be visiting in August, it is an excellent opportunity to taste some beer and enjoy the Beer cultural Festival hosted in Korçë bazaar, Pazari i Vjeter.

Visit the largest Orthodox church of Albania. Korçë is home to the largest Orthodox church in the country, called the Cathedral of the Resurrection, built in 1992 on the foundations of the old church that has been destroyed during the Communist regime in the late 70s. Today, the Cathedral is the largest Orthodox building in Albania and definitely worth a visit, not only for its historical importance, but also because it is home to beautiful mosaics and wooden lamps.

Stroll through the cobblestoned streets of the city center. The old side of Korçë lies hidden behind the Orthodox Cathedral. It is an area where you'll find ancient French villas, small houses, and charming street corners. It's a perfect area to being your camera and take pictures of the stunning views of the real Korçë.

Visit the Korca Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër). Soak in the atmosphere in the Korca Bazaar, one of the ancient, central parts of the city that has been renovated into a modern-day plaza for people to congregate, shop, eat, drink, and oftentimes enjoy music and performances as well.

Inside the bazaar, you can explore the old city architecture that has been renovated to its former glory back in 2014-2015. Wander through the winding cobblestone streets and relax at the shops, cafes, and restaurants. And although it may appear touristy, however, you'll find a majority of the people spending time here are the locals.

Discover the National Museum of Education (And First School In Albania). The First Albanian School and Museum of Education is where, for the first time, the written Albanian alphabet was taught to students. Today, the museum and old school, which opened in 1887, has become the place where locals celebrate and display the history of the national language.

Climb the Red Tower. Get your camera ready to capture the best panoramic views of Korçë. It's a perfect place to watch the sunset when the entire area gets a beautiful golden tint that adds to the already nostalgic and beautiful atmosphere of Korçë.

Take A Day Trip to Voskopojë

Voskopojë is a popular place for Albanian tourists. It's a beautiful place which is known for having an abundant number of churches. In fact, originally this charming village had 24 churches all built between the 16th and 18th century. Only 8 of them stand today, which is still a lot for such a small place. Voskopojë is only a 30- minute drive from Kora, making it a perfect day trip to the countryside.