The Best Day Trips from Korça, Albania
In only one hour by car from Korça, Albania, you can visit many interesting places that few visitors have seen. This is one of the wildest areas of Albania and the Balkan Peninsula, and it is home to enchanting hamlets, gorgeous lakes and ancient churches. These are our favourite day trips from Korça; don’t forget to add them into your itinerary when you plan a visit.
Drilon
One of the most enchanting hamlets of southeastern Albania is Drilon, a very small village located between Korça and Pogradec. During the Communist-era, Drilon was the favourite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, beaches and a national park.
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Tushemisht
Tushemisht is the last village on the Albanian side of Ohrid Lake, before the Macedonian border. Tushemisht is a lovely relaxing place, surrounded by mountains, gorgeous beaches and great restaurants that offer authentic fish cuisine.
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Dardha
Very close to the Greek border, Dardha is among the loveliest of Albania’s hamlets, a beautiful village with ancient buildings and narrow streets. The town is famous for being the home of the first ski resort, which opened recently in 2012. Dardha is considered to be the most famous winter destination of Albania. So, if you love snow, skiing and nature, this is the place for you.
Voskopojë
One of the most important villages in Albania is Voskopojë. In the eighteenth century, Voskopojë was the cultural and commercial center of the Aromanian community, an ethnic group native to the Balkan Peninsula that still speaks a Latin-derived language, very similar to Romanian. The town is famous for its ancient Orthodox churches and chapels adorned with unique murals.
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Pogradec
On the shores of Ohrid Lake, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, Pogradec is an enchanting town, just 50 minutes by car from Korça. The city is surrounded by beautiful beaches, often crowded during the summer months. The best time of the year to visit Pogradec is spring, when the sun shines all day and there are few tourists.
Prespa Lakes
For nature fans, the Great Prespa Lake is a not-to-be-missed destination. This ancient lake is shared between Albania, Macedonia and Greece and offers unique views of gorgeous landscapes. The lake is home to several native fish species and other animals, such as eagles, foxes, wild cats, otters and more. The most enchanting place to visit on the lake is the island of Maligrad, located in the Albanian part of the lake.
The Small Prespa Lake is shared between Albania and Greece and is located near the Great Prespa. It is home to the largest colony of Dalmatian pelicans in the world.
Kastoria
In one and a half hours from Korça, you can reach Kastoria, a beautiful town in Greece nestled between mountains and a huge lake. The best thing to do here is explore the city by walking around the lake and admiring the gorgeous views of the town mirrored in pristine waters. There is also a geological feature not far from Kastoria called The Dragon’s Lair that makes for an adventurous afternoon.
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Monastery of Saint Naum
One of the most popular destinations in the area is the Monastery of Sveti Naum, located in Macedonia, near the Albanian border. If you have extra time, we strongly suggest visiting it because of its unique position and beauty. It is located on the top of a hill along Lake Ohrid, which means that is has spectacular views over the lake and the surrounding area.
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