Is Korce, Albania Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting Korce, Albania – the answer is a resounding yes. Add Korce to your itinerary right now! Not only is Korce different from other Albanian cities, it’s beautiful and considered the cultural capital of the country.
I spent 10 days there with my dog, and we both really enjoyed the city. My dog loved all the parks and trees, and I loved everything!
Is Korce, Albania Worth Visiting?
Yes! Korce is absolutely worth visiting and deserves time in your itinerary.
Korce, Albania completely surprised me, in the best possible way. Wide leafy boulevards with European style mansions, cobblestone streets, so many museums and parks, a fantastic food scene – it surpassed all my expectations.
It’s located in south-eastern Albania, away from the usual tourist trail. Korce is not as well connected by bus as other Albanian destinations, so may require more effort to reach, but it’s worth it.
If you’re trying to decide between Korce or Pogradec, read this!
11 Reasons Korce, Albania is Worth Visiting
Here’s the reasons Korce is worth visiting and adding to your Albania itinerary:
1. Korce is Beautiful
Korce is beautiful. Sure, there is a section of low rise communist era apartment blocks near the commercial area, but the rest of the centre is lovely.
The main boulevards are lined with huge plane trees, parks and European style mansions now converted into cafes, restaurants and guest houses. Behind the boulevards are neighbourhoods of cobblestone lanes and historic homes.
A pedestrian promenade dotted with cafes and museums runs through the middle of the city, with the Orthodox Cathedral at the far end. Surrounding all of this is the backdrop of the Morava Mountains.
2. Korce is the Cultural Capital of Albania
Simultaneously known as Albania’s cradle of culture and the Paris of the Balkans, Korce has a long history of arts, education and philanthropy.
The city has no fewer than 6 museums, including an impressive National Museum of Medieval Art, is home to the famous Andon Zako Cajupi Theatre and the musical tradition of serenades. On top of all this, Korce has a very prominent spirit of philanthropy.
Korce is also home to the first Albanian language school, which was instrumental in preserving the language and alphabet during Ottoman rule. The school is now one of Korce’s museums.
3. Korce is Historical
Korce has been inhabited since the middle ages, with Illyrian tribes living there hundreds of years before the town was founded. The town itself was founded in the late 15th century by the Ottomans.
While Korce doesn’t have ancient ruins like Greece or Italy, it does have many reminders of its Ottoman past: the Milahori Mosque, the Old Bazaar, the cobblestone streets with once grand mansions. These are all part of the living city and can be visited today.
Here is the full list of what to do in Korce, including the historic sites and museums.
4. Korce Has a Great Food Scene
This really surprised me. Considering how small Korce is, it has a fantastic and varied food scene. And restaurants are reasonably priced.
There are traditional restaurants in restored mansions, French restaurants, creperies, beer gardens, cafes with garden terraces, food trucks, specialty lakror shops and bakeries – all in a very compact area. Some of the best meals I’ve eaten in Albania have been in Korce.
My most favourite places to eat were Le Paris for home style French food, and the food truck Kantina Katalia Fast Food for amazing sandwiches.
See all my favourite places to eat in Korce here.
5. Korce is Off the Tourist Trail
If you’ve visited the Albanian Riviera or Gjirokaster in summer, you know how busy it can get. Well, Korce isn’t like that. It does get tourists, but nothing like the more popular tourist destinations on the coast.
Korce is in south-eastern Albania, a region that just doesn’t get the crowds. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting – it’s a beautiful area.
6. Korce is Budget Friendly
Korce is one of the more budget friendly Albanian destinations. Prices are about 30% less than Tirana and the Riviera, especially in peak travel months.
Albania in general is more budget friendly than other Mediterranean locations like Greece and Italy, but Tirana and the Riviera can get pricey in peak summer months. But Korce is still a great bargain, with similar prices to Durres.
7. Korce is Very Walkable
Korce is a very compact city and almost all the sites are in the centre. There is public transit and taxis, but you won’t need them – you can walk everywhere in Korce.
The centre is flat, but surrounded by mountains, and all of the main streets have wide sidewalks with trees. Bulevardi Fan Noli even has a park running down the centre of the boulevard.
In the centre of the city is a long pedestrian promenade with many cafes, restaurants and museums. It’s a favourite spot for ‘xhiro,’ the traditional evening walk.
8. Korce is Cooler
Korce is several degrees Celsius cooler than the coastal regions of Albania and inland cities like Tirana and Berat. This is fantastic in summer, but it’s also cooler in autumn and winter.
Korce is on a plateau, about 900 metres above sea level, and surrounded by the Morava Mountains which keeps it cooler than other regions of Albania.
I was in Korce in October and it was even cooler than Pogradec, which is only 40 km to the north.
9. Korce is One of Albania’s Best Winter Destinations
While I was in Korce, boutique hotel and guest house owners repeatedly told me how busy they are in winter. Korce is famous for its winter beauty and one of Albania’s most popular winter destinations.
Some Albanian cities practically shut down over winter (like Ksamil), but you won’t have that problem in Korce. In fact, some hotels and guesthouses have live traditional music in winter, but not in summer. Everything is open and in full swing.
In winter visitors like to use Korce as a base for exploring the mountain village of Voskopoja, and to go skiing in Dardhe at the Bigell ski resort.
10. The Locals are Welcoming and Friendly
Albania is famous for its hospitality and welcoming nature, and Korce is no different. Everyone I encountered was extremely friendly.
Locals on the street would stop and try to get my dog’s attention, my neighbours at the Airbnb I stayed at always had a smile for me. Restaurant staff, store clerks, taxi drivers, the ladies in the local lakror shop – all were super friendly. Lots of times I had my dog with me and they were just as pleasant with him.
11. It’s Easy to Travel Onward to North Macedonia or Greece
Korce is actually closer to Greece and North Macedonia than much of Albania.
Kastoria, Greece is only 68 km from Korce. Kastoria is gorgeous by the way. It’s well known to Greeks, but off the usual tourist trail. It’s got a beautiful lakefront location and is quite historic. I visited a few years ago from Thessaloniki.
And Ohrid, North Macedonia, another lakefront city, is only 100 km from Korce. Ohrid is also very beautiful and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can drive there in less than 2 hours.
There aren’t direct buses from Korce to Kastoria, Greece (but there is one to Thessaloniki, Greece) or to Ohrid, North Macedonia, but you could easily take a private transfer with a local taxi company. I did this to travel from Korce to Pogradec.
How to Get to Korce
You can get to Korce by bus, private transfer (taxi) or by renting a car and driving. Albania has very limited rail service, and there are no trains to Korce.
By Bus – the Cheapest Way
There are direct buses to Korce from Tirana’s East Gate Bus Terminal (multiple buses daily), Saranda (once daily) and Berat (once daily, but at 4:30 am). You can even take a bus from Thessaloniki, Greece to Korce.
Check this website for bus schedules and routes. It’s not always 100% exact, but it’s close enough to give you a very good idea. I use this site all the time.
By Private Transfer (Taxi) – the Easiest Way
Just about any local taxi will do a private intercity transfer. It’s the easiest, but most expensive option.
I like and use Taxi Landi for private transfers in Albania. They’re reliable and dog friendly. But it’s a good idea to also check with a local taxi company to compare prices.
By Rental Car – the Most Flexible Way
Renting a car and driving in Albania is a great way to travel to Korce. Albania is full of natural beauty and stunning landscapes, and with a car you’ll be able to stop along the way.
I’ve rented a car a few times in Albania and found the driving easier than in Italy or Greece. The roads are good (as long as you stay on the numbered ones), and drivers are courteous.
I like and use DiscoverCars.com to find affordable car rental in Albania.
Where to Stay in Korce
Korce has some really nice boutique hotels and guest houses, including heritage inns and converted mansions.
My favourite area to stay in is Bulevardi Republika. It’s a beautiful street with lots of restaurants, cafes and shops, and you can walk everywhere from there.
I really like these Korce hotels and guest houses:
- Luxury: Vila E’bel Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Mid-range: Vila Lordev
- Budget: Hotel Vila Mano
Here is a more detailed guide on where to stay in Korce.
Last Words on Is Korce, Albania Worth Visiting?
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited Korce the first time, but it quickly became one of my favourite places in Albania. For a small city, it has a lot to offer. My best advice: make an effort to fit Korce into your itinerary – it is worth visiting.
