Seven Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches with frescoes and icons give Voskopoja a distinctive cultural character in Korçë County. Other discoveries range from Bronze Age burial sites and a historic school building to lakes, springs and protected natural areas. Korçë County is considered a year-round tourism destination based on its cultural heritage and natural resources. You can tailor your trip to a particular interest: history, nature observation, regional cuisine or seasonal winter activities.
History and townscapes
The National Museum of Education is housed in the building where Albania’s first school opened in 1887. A visit to the museum therefore connects you with a specific chapter in the country’s educational history. Kamenica Tumulus offers a different historical perspective: this Bronze Age burial site is a first-category cultural monument and includes more than 400 graves. As an archaeological site, it offers insights into the lives and rituals of ancient populations in the region.
Korçë’s Old Bazaar brings together preserved traditions and old and modern architecture; the historic area has bars, restaurants and shops. Tushemisht adds to the cultural picture with centuries-old houses, the Church of Saint Pandelimon and the House of Teto Ollga. These places offer distinct points of interest: you can choose among educational history, archaeological traces, religious art and established townscapes according to your interests.
Springs, lakes and nature
Drilon is a karst spring with three watercourses near Tushemisht and Pogradec. Visitors can go boating or relax in nature there; Drilon can be reached by car, bicycle or on foot. Traditional restaurants and tourist facilities are also available. At Lake Ohrid, swimming, fishing and other leisure activities are among the options by the water.
In Prespa National Park, you can focus on nature walks, birdwatching, photography and ecotourism. The Prespa Lakes are home to rare and endemic plants and animals, as well as important colonies of Dalmatian pelicans and Great White Pelicans. On Maligrad Island, natural and cultural history come together: it has been declared a natural monument for its geomorphological, ecological, historical and cultural values. The island is also home to the 14th-century Church of Saint Mary of Maligrad, which retains its Byzantine frescoes. You can reach the island by boat from Pustec or Zaroshka; this option is available especially in summer.
Regional cuisine and winter activities
Regional cuisine also offers its own highlights. Korçë is associated with lakror, a dish baked on a saç. Visitors can buy apple cider, jam, liqueur and preserves at Korçë’s apple farms. Boboshtica is known for its natural surroundings and centuries-old mulberry trees; it also has taverns serving traditional cuisine. Vithkuqi is associated with walnuts and renowned tea. Tushemisht is known for Koran dishes and local preserves, while Zaroshkë lies on the shore of Lake Prespa and is associated with traditional dishes.
The region’s mountainous and hilly landscapes include Voskopoja, Dardha and Vithkuq. Voskopoja offers ski slopes in winter; in Dardha, skiing and snowboarding are seasonal activities. Winter access and snow conditions vary by season. Check these conditions if you are planning a winter sports trip.
Getting there and finding a hotel
From Tirana, Korçë can be reached by public buses via Pogradec, intercity bus services or local taxis. Check timetables before travelling. When looking for a hotel in Korçë County, you can first decide whether culture, nature and waterways, regional cuisine or seasonal winter activities are your priority. This lets you plan around the experiences that interest you.
Discover more destinations: Pogradec District, Korçë District, Gozhdarazhde, Gërmenj, Tuminec, Dardhë, Tushemisht, Ersekë, Kamenicë, Pogradec District, Kolonjë District, Pogradec District.
For the main travel overview: Albania.
