Where is Korça Located?

Korça, Albania, lies in the south-east of the country and is the eighth most populated city in Albania. It’s visited by tourists all year, but it’s most beautiful in the winter months. The whole city is covered in bright lights and decorations, and there is an amazing holiday atmosphere in the air. 

Summer is great in Korça, too. It’s not too hot, and you can see the whole city come alive. There are many festivals and concerts organized, so you are guaranteed a fun visit anytime!

Korça has a very significant role in Albanian culture and heritage, being home to the first Albanian school, many interesting museums, and amazing architecture. It gets the nickname “city of serenades” from the love songs men used to sing from the balconies to their loved ones. 

Although many years have passed since these times, the town still has that captivating charm.

How to Get to Korça?

You can reach the city of Korça either by car, bus, or taxi. All options are fine; it just depends on your preferences and budget. 

Let’s get into each of them so you can see which fits you best:

Where to Stay When Visiting Korça?

Apart from all the things to do in Korça, there are also countless accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cozy villas and guesthouses. 

Let’s have a look at a few options:

#1. Legacy Boutique Hotel & Apartments

Really close to the city center, Legacy Boutique Hotel & Apartments offers 4-star accommodation with free parking, a lounge, and a bar. All rooms are elegantly decorated and feature private bathrooms, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. 

Each morning, you can enjoy a fabulous breakfast at the hotel, and there are also facilities for table tennis.

#2. Hani i Pazarit

Hani i Pazarit is a unique hotel located in the Korça Old Bazaar, giving its customers a very authentic experience with its rustic design. The rooms are clean and comfortable, equipped with free toiletries. 

All the top attractions in Korça are pretty close by, so it’s a very attractive location.

#3. Hotel Bujtina e Bardhё

This interesting hotel is located very close to the Old Bazaar and features stunning views of the mountains from its balconies. All rooms at Bujtina e Bardhё have air conditioning and flat-screen TVs, and their beds are highly rated for being very comfortable.

You can also enjoy some snacks and drinks at the small bar on the first floor.

#4. IN Gallery Hotel & Spa

Having a great location in the center of Korça, IN Gallery Hotel & Spa provides express check-in and check-out, a restaurant, and a bar. There’s also an amazing indoor pool, a sauna, and a nightclub.

All rooms are equipped with all the amenities you need, and you can also enjoy breakfast at the restaurant.

#5. Hotel Peroni

Hotel Peroni offers amazing 4-star accommodation with a bar, a restaurant, and a beautiful back garden. There is 24-hour room service, and the staff is very helpful and will be there for anything you may need. 

They also serve breakfast daily at the restaurant.

15+ Best Things To Do in Korça

#1. Visit Pazari i Vjetёr

When it comes to the best things to do in Korça, going to the Old Bazaar is definitely one of the top destinations for any tourist visiting the city for the first time. 

This Ottoman-style Bazaar dates back to the 19th century and is the cultural center of the city. The whole area was reconstructed in 2015, setting an example for the way it was reborn as such a lively space for everyone to get together. 

Throughout the Bazaar, you can see small, interesting cafes and bars, with the tables stretching out into the cobbled streets. There is live music playing almost every evening at one of the taverns, making for a pretty cool atmosphere. You can also find some of the best Albanian souvenirs there to help you remember this unique visit!

#2. Check out the beautiful Cathedral of Korça

Standing tall right in the heart of the city, The Resurrection of Christ Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in the country, and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Korça. It highly resembles Greek churches with its design and color scheme and is an Albanian must-see. 

Once you step inside, you’ll marvel at the amazing paintings of the icons on the walls. Its construction began in 1992 and finished in 1995. It’s among the most visited places in Korça and has a convenient location.

#3. Take part in the Korça Beer Fest

Among the best things to do in Korça is to take part in one of the biggest events in Albania, the Korça Beer Festival. It takes place every summer, welcoming countless tourists ready to have the time of their lives. 

The festival stretches over five days when over 100,000 people come to Korça to enjoy beer and listen to good music.

Famous singers are invited each year, along with DJs and other interesting performances. You’ll get to enjoy traditional Albanian food at the food stands, along with the iconic Korça beer, which is definitely the star of the event.

#4. Visit the first school in Albania

This building is a real milestone for the whole country, as it’s the first place where the Albanian alphabet was taught to students. It was opened in March of 1887 and is now known as the National Museum of Education. 

Inside, you can learn about the history of the Albanian language through different documents, manuscripts, and photographs. It’s located close to the Cathedral, so it’s pretty hard to miss while you’re wandering around the city.

#5. Take an evening walk down St.Gjergji Boulevard

This beautiful path is Korça’s main walkway, St.Gjergji Boulevard. The whole area is lined with beautiful apple trees, with lights in the middle. There are countless cafes and restaurants accompanying you along the way, where you can enjoy a quick drink or a refreshing ice cream.

Every evening, you’ll see the boulevard buzzing with people taking their usual walks and enjoying each other’s company.

#6. Walk around “Rinia” Park

One of the most welcoming places, Rinia Park is a must when it comes to things to do in Korça. It beams with greenery, and nature is absolutely amazing. There are beautiful trees everywhere, along with benches and picnic tables to enjoy a day out with friends or family. 

You can also sit at one of the many bars around and enjoy the sun and the fresh air, away from all the noise of the city.

#7. Visit the “Red Tower” for some panoramic views

As long as you’re not afraid of heights, this is something you shouldn’t miss out on while visiting Korça. The Red Tower is a tall concrete structure from which you can see the whole city. To get to the top, you have to go up eight flights of stairs, or you can just take the elevator. 

You have to pay a small fee of €1 to gain access to the top floor. The best time to visit the tower would be during the sunset, so you can watch all the city lights come to life after the night falls.

#8. Take a day trip to Voskopojё

Voskopojё is a very small town just 30 minutes from Korça, and it’s known for its unspoiled nature and many churches. It’s the perfect place for a cute picnic or just a day out in nature. The population isn’t too high, but there are many tourists coming in in the summer and winter. 

You can enjoy a meal at one of the few restaurants serving delicious traditional dishes, such as tave kosi or lakror, the city’s specialty.

#9. Visit the National Museum of Medieval Art

One of the most interesting museums in Europe, the National Museum of Medieval Art, holds over 7,000 artistic pieces. It was built in 2016 and is a really unique structure, with multiple blocks coming together to create the building. 

You can marvel at Orthodox and Byzantine icons, paintings by Onufri, a famous Albanian painter, and many other unique pieces. The first thing that will catch your attention is the “Golden Wall,” a 10-meter wall entirely filled with wooden icons from the 16th century. 

#10. Sip some Raki at the famous “Komiteti” Cafe

One of the most vibrant and lively places you’ll ever step into is the “Komiteti” Cafe. It’s actually a chain, so you can find them in other cities too. It’s the perfect combination of a museum and a bar, depicting Albania’s history throughout the years through its unique furniture and traditional decorations all over the place. 

They also serve traditional drinks and snacks, the main one being “raki.” It’s a very famous alcoholic beverage in Albania, made from distilled fruit, mainly grapes. It’s mainly consumed during festivities and happy occasions, so it’s just the thing to try during your visit!

#11. Check out the Archaeological Museum

For all the ancient history enthusiasts, visiting the Archaeological Museum is one of the best things to do in Korça. It features some amazing artifacts of Korça’s history from the Neolithic period, along with different documents and art pieces. 

It’s not too big, but it’s been well-preserved and has authentic value. The museum is located in the city center, just behind the cathedral, so it’s not too hard to find. You can even take part in a free walking tour of Korça and visit it with a guide. 

#12. Enjoy a refreshing beer at Korça Beer Factory

Korça has been known all over the country for its beer production for many years and is the home of Albania's most iconic beer brand, Birra Korça. The Factory was built in 1928 by an Italian investor, and it was the first-ever beer brewery in the country. 

Its unique flavor is what separates it from the rest; it is made using freshwater found near the mountains nearby. You can visit the factory every day to taste different kinds of beer, look around and see how it's produced, and enjoy the outdoor restaurant.

#13. Visit the amazing Mirahori Mosque

Built in the 15th century, the Iljaz Bej Mirahori Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the country. Inside, you can check out many amazing frescoes showing the holy city of Mecca. The exterior is beautifully constructed with unique stones, and there’s also a silver dome. 

The mosque also features a tall clock tower known as ‘’Kulla e Sahatit.’’ It’s pretty small for a mosque but holds great religious value.

#14. Have fun at the Carnival Festival in Korça

If you’re visiting Korça during June, make sure not to miss the iconic Carnival Festival. Throughout the main streets of the city, you’ll see countless people dressed in all kinds of colorful costumes and masks, coming together to celebrate the start of the summer with music and dancing. 

But carnivals are more than music and parades. It’s the city’s way of carrying on its traditions and culture, almost reinventing itself after the communist era of Enver Hoxha, where all forms of self-expression were essentially banned.

#15. Hike the Morava Mountain for some stunning city views

The Morava mountain, which we mentioned a bit earlier, is located right above the city and can be reached by car or by foot. You can even cycle for some extra exercise. It’s a great day trip idea if you love nature, and you can also have a small picnic while enjoying the view. 

On the mountain, you can see a large cross and a small church with some ancient documents on display. 

Don’t Forget!

Korça is a small but very welcoming city in the south-east of Albania, welcoming tons of visitors all year. It’s pretty easy to reach, either by bus, car, or taxi. 

You can choose from many accommodation options to spend your nights, some of them being Hotel Peroni, Hani i Pazarit, or Legacy Hotel. 

There are plenty of things to do in Korça for all kinds of tourists. For our history lovers, you can visit the Museum of Medieval Art or Archaeology. If you’re more into nature, take a day trip to the lovely village of Voskopoja or hike the Morava mountains. 

These and many more activities await in the beautiful city of serenades.

Things to Do in Korça FAQ