9 Best Things to Do in Korca (Albania)
With its rich history dating back to the 13th century, Korca is vital to Albanian culture and intellectual heritage, most notably the home of the first Albanian language school.
It boasts world-class museums, beautiful old churches, and gorgeous architecture, which have earned it the nickname ‘The City of Serenades’ due to the love ballads that used to be sung from the balconies and courtyards of its European villas.
Although the sounds of guitar and mandolin no longer fill the streets like in the 1930s, the town still holds an undeniable charm and nostalgia that will transport you back in time.
Korçë Cathedral
Korçë Cathedral is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Albania. This imposing structure dates from 1992 and is known for its many wood carvings. For example, there are columns and hanging lamps with impressive wood carvings.
The Cathedral of the Resurrection in Korca is a real treasure to the eye and cannot be missed when visiting the city. The church was built on the exact location of another destroyed church when the country was ruled under a communist regime. A fun fact is that it is the largest orthodox church in Albania, but if that doesn’t convince you, then the large collection of beautiful mosaics inside will.
In the vicinity of the cathedral, you can also find the historical mosque “Mirahor.” This mosque dates from 1494 and is considered a cultural monument of Albania.
Visit the National Museum of Medieval Art
The city is known as a museum city. But even though the Korca has many musea to visit, we highly recommend visiting the medieval art museum and the national archaeological museum as these are particularly important. The medieval art museum has a collection of no less than 6500 art pieces.
Wander in the Old Bazaar
The Old Bazaar is, without doubt, one of the most fun parts of the city. It is a mixture of cobbled streets and old architectural buildings. Especially in this neighborhood, the city’s Ottoman past is very visible. As the name suggests, you will find several bars, restaurants, and tourist shops here, making it a pleasant area to wander around. It is also one of the best places to try Qofte, a local Albanian dish that can be described as meatballs, but they are better.
The National Education Museum
Okay, since Korca is mainly a city well-known for its museums, you can´t miss this one either. This is the place to be if you want to learn about Albanian culture and the language. The museum is located in the building used as a school in 1887. It was the first school ever in Albania. The museum showcases the struggles of learning the Albanian language, as it is very complex.
Get a panoramic view of the city.
When you get a birds-eye view of Korca, you must admit that the city has an idyllic location as mountains surround it. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get a panoramic view. The RED Tower is a popular sunset location for an amazing view during the golden hour. There is an entry fee of about 50 Lek, but it’s well worth it. If you don’t want to spend money on an entry fee, we have a different suggestion. Go for a drink or have dinner at the Sky Kafe, one of the most famous eateries in town. It is located close to the Orthodox church, and by climbing a few steps, you can reach the top of the tower and get a great view.
Taste the local beer.
Albania has a reputation gained by its beer production. If you have traveled across Albania already, you will have noticed that Korca beer is one of the most popular beers. And as you guess, the beer factory is located in Korca. You can order one of the beers in a bar around town, or visit the brewery and learn about the production. Some claim it is the best beer in the Balkan, but we let you decide. What we can tell is that if you are a beer lover, we recommend the month of August to visit Korca, as this is the time when the Old Bazaar or Pazari i Vjeter is the setting for one of the greatest cultural events dedicated to the beer.
Relax at Rinia Park
As is always the case when visiting a city during traveling, it is fun to get away from the crowds for a while and enjoy a great walk. Rinia Park is the largest park in Korca and a beautiful location to wander or relax.
Make an evening stroll down St George Boulevard.
You will find yourself in St George boulevard when stepping outside the orthodox cathedral. This street is lined with apple trees, shops, and bars. This boulevard may be very crowded in the daytime because of the high number of bars and shops, but in the evening, the boulevard is more peaceful. Also, Albanians have a long tradition of making evening walks after a long day, and St George Boulevard is a favorite amongst locals. This is also the street where you will find the National Museum of Education.
Make a day trip to the nearby mountain towns.
Korca is close to the mountains, so it would be a shame not to spend a day (or more) in one of these mountain towns. Voskopoje is a local´s favorite and is known for its many churches. Nowadays, there are still about eight churches dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, but there used to be 24 in the past. Another possible day trip is to the mountain town Dardha or Lake Prespa.
