Korce Itinerary: How to Spend a Perfect 2 or 3 Days
Korce is off the usual tourist trail, but visitors who take the time to explore this city will be richly rewarded. I spent 10 days in Korce, and think it is one of Albania’s most beautiful and cultural cities. This 2 or 3 day Korce itinerary will take you to all the places that make Korce so special, including hidden gems.
This is a full 2 day itinerary, with a 3rd day option for a day trip from Korce. You’ll also find information on how to get to Korce (it’s easy), where to stay and restaurant suggestions.
Korce Itinerary
This itinerary will take you through the main sites of Korce as well as lesser known gems. You’ll get to know the city beyond the usual tourist attractions and see why Korce is well worth visiting.
You won’t need a car or public transit for this itinerary unless you decide to visit the nearby town of Voskopoja on Day 3 (optional).
The itinerary is meant to be done in the order the sites are listed, to save you from backtracking through Korce.
Korce Itinerary: Day 1
On Day 1 of this itinerary you’ll explore the heart of Korce’s centre, the area around Bulevardi Shen Gjergji (St. George Boulevard). This is the main promenade of Korce and the best place to start.
Even though today’s itinerary looks lengthy, it won’t take as long as you think. Korce is very compact, and all of these sites are close to each other.
- Bulevardi Shen Gjergji (Promenade): Start here on the main pedestrian promenade in the centre of Korce. Lots of restaurants, cafes, parks and several museums. Watch for the phantom church of St. George, symbolically outlined in paint on the cobblestone street.
- Museum of Education: Located on the Promenade, this is the first secular school in Albania, opened in 1887. The school was instrumental in preserving the Albanian language (Shqipe) and alphabet during the Ottoman era.
- Have a coffee at Villa Themistokli: Lovely outdoor garden terrace for coffee or lunch. An excellent indoor option for lunch is Bar Restaurant Mesonjetorja (also on the Promenade). They serve traditional food, and it’s very good.
- Gjon Mili Museum: Wonderful collection of photographs by Gjon Mili. I had no idea he was such a famous photographer, but I recognized a lot of the photos and many of his subjects. The museum is located in the iconic Romania House on the Promenade.
- Panoramic (Red)Tower: At the far end of the Promenade is this viewing tower. Fantastic views of the city from the top. No elevator.
- Korce Old Bazaar: The restored Ottoman bazaar is 500 years old and one of Korce’s most popular cultural and social hubs. Today it is full of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, but still very charming. Stop and have a drink or coffee in one of the cafes on the square, or lakror at Shija e Sacit.
- Rruga Kico Greco Market: This is a street market on the main commercial strip of Korce. You’ll find household items, clothes, fresh produce, local honey and mountain tea. If you want to buy things at local prices this is where to do it. While there stop at the food truck Kantina Katalia for amazing sausage or qofte sandwiches.
- Xhamia e Iljaz Mirahorit (Mirahori Mosque): Built by the founder of Korce, Iljaz Bey Mirahori in 1496. This is one of the oldest working mosques in Albania and classified as a Category I Cultural Monument.
- Dinner at Le Paris: A small and unpretentious restaurant specializing in French home style cooking. Everything is made by the French chef, even the bread and desserts. It is my favourite Korce restaurant. Closed Mondays.
See the full list of where and what to eat in Korce here.
Korce Itinerary: Day 2
On Day 2 of this Korce itinerary there’s a bit more ground to cover, but several of the sites are along Bulevardi Fan Noli, so not much walking between them.
- Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral: Start here, the largest and most important Orthodox church in the city. It’s beautiful inside and out, and also a popular meeting point. It was built in 1996 after most of the churches were destroyed during the Communist regime.
- Vangjush Mio House & Museum: This is the former home of Vangjush Mio, one Albania’s most famous landscape painters. Many of his paintings are displayed. The museum is not always open, but it’s directly behind the Cathedral, so you may as well check it out while you’re there.
- Bratko Museum of Oriental Art: The museum houses the private collection of George Dimitri Boria. Boria was an American Albanian photographer who collected Asian art while living in Japan for 14 years. He was forbidden from returning to Albania to visit his mother before her death, so named the museum after her.
- National Museum of Medieval Art: It’s widely recognised as one of the best religious art museums in the Balkans. There are over 7000 pieces of Albanian iconic art from the 13th to 18th centuries in a contemporary setting. This was the best museum I visited in Korce, and I’m not even that interested in religious art.
- Birra Korca Factory: Visitors can take a free tour at 12:00 and 2:00 pm Monday to Friday, and do a beer tasting. If you miss the tour, still stop for a beer. Birra Kora is Albania’s oldest, and most famous beer brand. While there have lunch in the beer garden – the restaurant makes really good food.
- Martyrs’ Cemetery: From Birra Korca take the back roads to reach the Martyrs’ Cemetery. It’s a quiet and moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of WWII. The walk is mostly uphill, but there’s good views of Korce.
- Kisha e Shen Ilias: A stunning little church in a quiet location on the far side of Korce. The frescoes inside are beautiful, practically every square inch of the church is covered. Look for the ladybug communist era bunker in the field by the church.
- Historic Neighbourhood: On the way back from the church, stroll through the cobblestone streets on the east side of Bulevardi Republika. It’s a charming neighbourhood, full of restored (and some crumbling) historic homes, windy lanes and little neighbourhood markets.
- Dinner at Vila E’bel: The atmospheric and cozy restaurant belonging to the boutique hotel by the same name on Bulevardi Republika. The menu is mostly Italian, with some Albanian dishes. If you prefer more traditional food, try Bar Restaurant Mesonjetorja on the promenade. It’s also very good.
Korce Itinerary – Day 3 (Optional)
If you have another day in Korce, visit the nearby village of Voskopoja, one of the most beautiful villages in Albania. In the afternoon, take a stroll through Korce’s largest park before heading to dinner. It’s the perfect ending to your Korce itinerary.
- Voskopoja: This mountain village is one of Albania’s most popular winter destinations, but it’s beautiful year-round. Famous for natural beauty and 17th and 18th century Orthodox churches with exquisite frescoes, Voskopoja is a must-see destination if you’re in Korce. It’s only 20 km away, so easy to reach. If you don’t have a car you can take a taxi, or the furgon (mini bus) from the bus station.
- Lunch at Hotel Bacelli: This little hotel in Voskopoja has a wonderful restaurant. Make sure you try the larkor – they are famous for it.
- Rinia Park: Once back in Korce, head over to Rinia Park. It’s Korce’s largest green space and a lovely park to wander through.
- Dinner at Bujtina Sidheri: This is the personal recommendation from Mario of Explore Korca Tour Guide. It’s a lovely restaurant serving traditional Albanian food, and the perfect way to finish your Korce itinerary.
How to Get to Korce
You can get to Korce by bus, private transfer (taxi) or renting a car and driving.
By Bus: 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.
By Private Transfer (taxi): The easiest way to reach Korce. I use Taxi Landi for these kind of transfers in Albania. They’re very good, reliable and pet friendly. But also check with a local taxi company to compare prices.
By Rental Car: Korce is easy to reach if you’re driving. It’s a scenic route, especially from the north. Driving in Albania is pretty easy. The main roads are good and Albanian drivers are courteous.
Where to Stay in Korce
Korce has a lot of very nice small hotels and guest houses. These are my favourites:
- 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.
Where to Go After Korce
I went directly to Pogradec from Korce. I had never visited the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid and heard good things about Pogradec. It’s a pretty lakefront city and only 40 km from Korce.
Pogradec doesn’t have a lot of sites in town (the nicest sites are outside of the city), but the lake is a big draw.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth visiting Pogradec, read this!
Visitors can swim, sunbathe, go boating, stroll the waterfront promenade and eat fresh fish at lakefront restaurants. From Pogradec you can easily visit the lovely town of Lin, which sits on a small peninsula on Lake Ohrid.
Because of Korce’s location in south-eastern Albania, it’s actually very easy to travel to northern Greece and North Macedonia.
Kastoria, Greece is only 68 km away and Ohrid, North Macedonia is 76 km away. I’ve spent time in both cities, and while they are each gorgeous with lakefront locations, Ohrid is a lot less expensive than Kastoria. Ohrid also has a UNESCO designated old town.
Last Words on Korce Itinerary: How to Spend a Perfect 2 or 3 Days
This 2 or 3 day itinerary takes you through the best of Korce: the museums, churches, historic Ottoman sites and charming neighbourhoods. I’ve included all the main sites as well as a couple of hidden gems so you can get to know the city beyond the usual tourist attractions.
