Korçë

Korçë (Korça) is the principal city and an important cultural and industrial centre in the district of Korçë in Southeastern Albania.

Understand
175 km from Tirana and approximately 40 km from Pogradec, Korça is the eighth most populated city in Albania. It is located in the south-eastern Albania and it stands 850 m above the sea level. It is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. Besides strolling around the great city full of history and cultural sites, you can also hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Morava and view the city and its surrounding landscape.



By train
An interesting, though slow, way to get to Korça from Tirana is to take the train. The train leaves at 06:00 from Tiranë. Because the train makes a big detour via Durrës, it arrives no less than four hours later at Elbasan, about 35 km from Tiranë, so it should be possible to make a shortcut. The price is very favourable (295 lek). The second-hand German carriages are OK, though for some unclear reason all windows are damaged, apparently by bullets. The scenery is beautiful, and until October it is possible to have the window wide open.

By bus
Vans (furgons) to Tiranë depart every 20-30 min from the fork of the main road on the north.

Furgons to Voskopojë depart at 07:30, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 from the fire station.

Buses going to Sarandë depart early in the morning from the, across from bazaar.

From Korçë to Pogradec, it is a short trip by furgon. There is also a bus connection with Berat.

By car
The easiest way to arrive to Korça is by car. If you depart from Tirana, you can choose between 2 different ways, the old road and the new one, from the Elbasan Highway.

Get around
Korçë is surrounded by mountains and nearby natural parks.

You can go by furgons around. But the easiest way is by car.

Urban buses are available but the city is walkable and renting a bicycle is also possible and you can go throughout the city and see lots of places.

Even though there are a lot of possibilities to visit the city and the places nearby, most preferable is strolling around the city by foot. This way you can visit a lot of churches, historical and cultural places that are close to each-other. You can use car and buses to go in different parks and villages that are close to the city of Korça (Voskopoja 21 km from Korça, Dardhë 18 km from Korça and Morava Mountain 18 km from the city.)

See
In the city:


 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery
 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery
 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery
 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery
 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery
 * Mosque
 * Archaeological Museum of Korça 01.jpg library and Art Gallery

Nearby the city:


 * Pustec is home to Prespa National Park and multiple medieval cave churches.
 * Small Prespa lake and Trenit cave
 * Pogradec
 * Voskopoja (Moscopole) - village remnants of a 17th city of large cultural importance in Albania
 * Historic and alpine villages of Dardhë, Boboshticë, and Vithkuq.

Do

 * Football: KF Skënderbeu play soccer in Kategoria Superiore, the top tier. Their Stadiumi Skënderbeu (capacity 12,300) is 1 km north of town centre.
 * Visit GADK - The Gallery of Dixhital Art an Immersive experience
 * Take part in the Byrek Day (Festa e Lakrorit) showcasing local delicacies
 * Go for a walk in the evening as part of the traditional Xhiro (walkabout)
 * Go for a hike in the Morava Mountains
 * Visit the.
 * Celebrate Earth Day Festival in Dardha village.
 * Attend the carneval (Karnavalet e Korçës) in June
 * Beer Fest, week-long event in early August with many concerts and visitors from across Albania and beyond

Buy
The famous has been renovated. You can find souvenirs shops there, along with fruits and vegetables market every day (until 13:00).

You can also have a walk on the pedestrian street or on the main street (Republic boulevard).

Eat

 * Try Lakror, a type of byrek with spinach, onions and tomatoes or lakror with pumpkin.



Kërnacka, are some types of Albanian croquettes made with different types of meat. If you visit Korça, you should definitely try them out with a bottle of beer.

Drink

 * Raki from mulberry fruit.
 * Birra Korça local beer.

Sleep

 * Hotel Roberto Rruga Teli Samsuri (1.9 km from the center)
 * Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe (Hotel White Inn) Rruga Spiro Ballkameni, Mbrapa Katedrales. (350m from the center). Free parking available at the hotel. Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe in Korçë features a bar and a shared lounge. The air-conditioned rooms provide a mountain view and come with a wardrobe and free WiFi.
 * Hotel Roberto Rruga Teli Samsuri (1.9 km from the center)
 * Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe (Hotel White Inn) Rruga Spiro Ballkameni, Mbrapa Katedrales. (350m from the center). Free parking available at the hotel. Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe in Korçë features a bar and a shared lounge. The air-conditioned rooms provide a mountain view and come with a wardrobe and free WiFi.
 * Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe (Hotel White Inn) Rruga Spiro Ballkameni, Mbrapa Katedrales. (350m from the center). Free parking available at the hotel. Hotel Bujtina e Bardhe in Korçë features a bar and a shared lounge. The air-conditioned rooms provide a mountain view and come with a wardrobe and free WiFi.

Consulates

 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇷🇴 Romania

Go next

 * Dardha - this mountainous village lies 20 km from Korça at an altitude of 1,344m ASL. Dardha is a village located in southeastern Albania, nestled in the picturesque region of the Korca County. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, especially during the winter months when it becomes a popular destination for skiing and other winter sports enthusiasts. The village offers a serene and charming atmosphere,with traditional stone houses,cobblestone streets,and breathtaking mountain scenery. Dardha is also known for its delicious local cuisine and warm hospitality, making it a favorite destination for both domestic and international tourists seeking a tranquil retreat in the Albanian countryside. Dardha is a popular tourist destination throughout the year.
 * Historic and alpine villages of Dardhe, Moscopole (Voskopoje in Albanian), Boboshtice, and Vithkuq
 * Pogradec - overshadowed by its glitzy neighbours on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has experienced a revival.
 * Pustec is home to Prespa National Park and multiple medieval cave churches.
 * Kastoria, Greece
 * Kozani, Greece
 * Ohrid, Makedonia
 * Ohrid, Makedonia