Discover Korça and the mysterious Prespa Lakes, a region where charming towns, rich gastronomy, and wild landscapes blend to create an off-the-beaten-path adventure. From vineyard tours to cultural treasures and pristine nature, this area is a haven for travelers seeking authenticity.
🍷 Korça – The City of Serenades and Gastronomy
Nestled at the foot of the Morava mountains, Korça is known for its romantic charm, art scene, and delicious cuisine.
Must-sees:
- Korça Old Bazaar: A beautifully restored Ottoman market filled with artisan shops, cozy cafés, and a vibrant atmosphere.
- National Museum of Medieval Art: Home to over 7,000 icons and religious artifacts showcasing Albania’s Byzantine heritage.
- Korça Cathedral (Resurrection of Christ): An impressive Orthodox cathedral dominating the city’s skyline.
Local Anecdote 🧿: Korça is famous for its serenades — traditional love songs performed by musicians in the cobblestone streets.
Traveler’s Tip 💡: Try the local Korça beer at a terrace café or during the beer festival held every August.
Don’t Miss 🍽:
- The Lakror, a traditional Albanian pie filled with spinach, leeks, or meat.
- The surrounding vineyards, perfect for tasting unique Albanian wines.
🏞 Prespa Lakes – Untouched Nature and Hidden Villages
Just a short drive from Korça, explore the breathtaking Prespa Lakes, two high-altitude lakes shared between Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia.
Why visit Prespa?
- Great Prespa & Small Prespa: Ideal for kayaking, birdwatching, and lakeside picnics.
- Maligrad Island: Take a boat trip to visit this small island with the 14th-century St. Mary Church.
- Birdwatching Paradise: The lakes are home to rare species like the Dalmatian pelican and the pygmy cormorant.
Local Anecdote 🧿: Legend has it that Maligrad Island once sheltered monks fleeing Ottoman invasions.
Traveler’s Tip 💡: Stop by Pustec, a lakeside village where Macedonian-Albanian traditions thrive, and enjoy freshly caught lake fish.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Hidden Gems
- Voskopoja (Voskopojë): A mountain village that was once a major cultural hub of the Balkans, known for its ancient Orthodox churches with stunning frescoes.
- Dardhë Village: Perfect for hiking and winter skiing, with cobbled streets and stone houses.
- Mount Baba Trails: Offering panoramic hikes with breathtaking views over the Prespa Lakes and surrounding valleys.
Did You Know? 🐦: The Prespa region is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to over 260 bird species and rich biodiversity.
📌 Practical Tips for Exploring Korça & Prespa Lakes
- 🚗 Getting There:
- From Tirana, it’s about a 3-hour drive through scenic mountain roads.
- Buses run daily between Tirana, Berat, and Korça.
- 🏨 Where to Stay:
- Korça: Choose a boutique hotel near the Old Bazaar for a cozy city-center experience.
- Prespa Lakes: Lakeside guesthouses in Pustec offer an authentic stay.
- 🍽 Where to Eat:
- Try tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt) in Korça’s traditional taverns.
- Enjoy fresh lake fish like carp and trout at local restaurants around Prespa.
- 🚶♂️ Must-Do Activities:
- Wine tastings at Korça’s vineyards.
- Birdwatching and boat trips on the Prespa Lakes.
- Hiking through Mount Baba’s scenic trails.
Albanian Travels 
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