Korça, the southeastern city often referred to as the “Paris of Albania”, has a wide variety of activities to offer from visits to its many museums, having a drink at the traditional bars, or get a taste of the local cuisine.
However, Korça has a lot to offer even to those who are traveling on a limited budget.
Below, five things to do when in Korça for free:
Korça Bazaar
A cultural heritage monument, the Bazaar of Korça was built 5 centuries ago combining both Ottoman and Roman architecture. The two-story buildings with a striking resemblance to one another served as an important meeting point for traders stopping by from Bitola, Prespa, Ioannina, Thessaloniki, etc.
The Mosque of “Iliaz Bey Mirahori”
The Mosque of Iliaz Bey Mirahori is the oldest in Albania. It was built in 1494 and given the status “monument of culture” in 1948. The mosque is known for its rare architectural design due to its sphere-shaped dome coated in led. The mosque has survived not only the test of time but also natural disasters, including here a strong earthquake that struck the city in 1960 that brought its minaret to rubble.
“Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral
The “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral was built with the funds of the Greek Orthodox Church in 1992. Raised where once stood the “St. George Cathedral” that was torn down during a nationwide anti-religion campaign led by the Albanian Communist Party, today the 1,800 square meters cathedral is the largest one in the country.
The Park of the Youth
The Park came to life 60 years ago and is widely seen by locals as “the lungs of the city”, while it fosters a large variety of trees and plants. With a surface of around 100,000 square meters, the Park is one of the most visited by both locals and tourists.
Try the “Korça by bike” guide
Apart from the city, another thing that you should not be missing, are the surrounding towns of Korça, such as Voskopoja, or Prespa Lake. One of the ways that you can go to these destinations without spending any money is by pedaling your way there. The Municipality of Korça has compiled a specific guide containing all you need to know on how to get there.
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