Discover the Albanian ‘Little Paris’, the only city that proclaimed itself ‘The republic of Korca’ to save its independence. This two days tour organized in a cultural and religious itinerary on some unique spots from the National Medieval Art Museum to the Byzantine churches in the village of Voskopoja. On a walking tour in Korca, you will learn about the reach history and culture of this town while exploring and getting to know the city. You will learn about the first school in Albania; about a famous Albanian-American photographer, Gjon Mili, a well-known artist in the USA; about the “Republic of Korca”; the old Bazaar and the first Albania beer to conclude with the unique museum in Albania with more than 300 icons showed in a contemporaneous reconstructed museum.
Voskopoja is a must while visiting Korca. You will be impressed while visiting this place and learning about its history and importance in the 18 century will impress you out of your expectations. Furthermore, the high numbers of the churches in this village show the reach history and culture. Two days filled with thrilling moments.
Traveler Pick-up/Drop off is offered from Hotel Door.
Please provide your hotel name and address at least two days before the tour starting date.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
The tour starts at 08.30 a.m; from the hotel door in Tirana. It will take approximately 3 hours to reach Korca. Additional optional stops for a coffee break in the area of Pogradec on the banks of Ohrid Lake.
Stop at: Drilon National Park
Coffee stops in Drilon Natural National Park, close to Pogradec, and connected with Ohrid Lake. The perfect place to relax a bit in the middle of the peaceful green nature and lake, enjoying the view of the swans dance.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included.
Stop at: Korca Old Bazaar
Once we reach Korca, we will explore this fantastic city on a walking tour around the city center, passing by the main attractions and learning about the reach history and culture of this city.
Duration: 3 hours
Admission Ticket Included
National Museum of Medieval Art
In the afternoon, after a lunch break, you will close the day with a visit to the National Museum of Medieval Art. From a collection of more than 1700 icons, you will have the chance to see approximately 350 of them exposed in a contemporaneous style museum.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Overnight in a 3 stars hotel close to the city center. Room base: triple – quadruple rooms. Breakfast included.
Meals: Dinner. The extra cost of 10 euro/person for a twin room; extra cost of 20 euro/person for a single room.
Voskopoje Village
After breakfast in the hotel, the day will start with a 20 min drive to Voskopoja village. The guide will lead you on a walking tour around the town, exploring the numerous churches, the beautiful villas, and cable-stone roads, and closing with a traditional lunch in one of the excellent restaurants of the area. Voskopoja, in the middle age, during the Ottoman occupation, had the second-biggest publishing house after the first one in Kostandinopoli. During this period, Voskopoja had more than 40 churches and had the size of a town with more than 20000 residents. This village had a school on the university level close to the Monasteries in this area. Also, they were well known for wool production from ancient times and were good traders in the Balkans.
Duration: 5 hours
Admission Ticket: Free
Stop at: Elbasan Castle area
At the end of these visits, after the lunch break, we will head back to Tirana. Optional stop for a coffee break in Elbasan close to the castle. Return at the hotel door in Tirana between 7.00 – 8.00 P.M. End of our service.
Duration: 30 minutes