3-day tour Tirana-Pogradec-Korça-Leskovik-Përmet-Gjirokastër

The departure is from Tirana to the village of Lin, a small peninsula on the western shores of Lake Ohrid, about 20 km from the city of Pogradec. According to historical sources, life on this peninsula is thought to have begun in the early Iron Age and continued until the Early Middle Ages. Archaeological finds on the hill above the village include foundation walls and mosaics of a Paleo-Byzantine church, dating back to the 6th century.

After visiting the village of Lin, the journey continues towards Pogradec, to explore the natural beauties of Drilon, a karst spring consisting of three water springs. It is located about 5 km east of Pogradec, very close to the tourist village of Tushemisht. During the stay, one of the traditional dishes of the area will be tasted, tava me koran, an endemic species of trout found in Lake Ohrid.

The rest of the day is dedicated to the city of Korça, also known as the “Little Paris”. The visit begins with the First Albanian School and the National Museum of Education, opened on March 7, 1887 by Albanian renaissance people, with the broad support of the local population and the diaspora. In this school, subjects, writing and singing were taught for the first time in the Albanian language.

After the museum, the visit continues to the Orthodox Cathedral “Ngjallja e Krishtit”, an Albanian Orthodox church built in 1992 and completed in 2002. Then, the walk continues along Fan Noli Boulevard, which leads to the Korça Bazaar, in the southwestern part of the city, where there are artisan workshops and restaurants. The Korça Bazaar reached its peak of development in the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The evening is free; visitors have the opportunity to attend theater performances, listen to live music, taste local cuisine and Korça beer, to the sounds of serenades. Accommodation is provided in hotels or guesthouses adapted to receive tourists.

After breakfast, the itinerary continues with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Korça, founded in 1985, in a characteristic 19th-century building. The museum exhibits archaeological treasures from the southeastern regions of Albania, from the Neolithic period to the most developed phase of the Iron Age. To further learn about history through art, visit the National Museum of Medieval Art, located in two characteristic Korça houses, declared cultural monuments, and opened on April 24, 1980. This museum preserves the most precious heritage created by Albanian painters over five centuries. Also, visit the Digital Art Gallery of Korça, the first and only gallery in Albania that combines traditional art with technology.

The city of Leskovik is mentioned in written documents as early as the 15th century, but its peak of development was reached in the 1800s, when high-ranking Ottoman leaders turned it into an important center, gradually incorporating it into the sandzak. The visit includes two of the most important religious sites in the area: the Glina Mekam and the Church of Saint Mary, at the entrance to the city. The thermal waters are located about 10 km from the city and the road to them follows the bed of the Vjosa River, requiring vehicles suitable for difficult terrain. Along the way, a stop is made in the village of Leçë, to visit the agrotourism “Max Einery”, surrounded by 16 hectares of indigenous vineyards.

Breakfast is consumed in the center of Përmet and, after a short break, the visit continues towards the Bënjës Baths, known for their high curative values. The thermal baths constitute one of the most special destinations in southern Albania. Next to them is the Lengarica Canyon, about 200 meters from the thermal springs, which is distinguished by its natural and archaeological values. Studies in recent years have shown that prehistoric settlements existed in the caves of this canyon.

The Kadiu Bridge is located in the Banja e Benja area, a few kilometers above the confluence with the Vjosa River. It is built on rocks on both sides, with a central arch in the shape of a circular segment, a type of construction widespread in Albania during the 18th century.

From Përmet, the itinerary continues towards Gjirokastra, a city rich in history and tradition, evident in the narrow cobblestone streets. The city’s castle is first mentioned in 1336, although some historians believe it is even older. In 1812, the castle was conquered by Ali Pasha Tepelena and underwent a reconstruction that lasted about a year and a half.

The visit includes the Weapons Museum, opened in 1971 as a national museum, which exhibits weapons used during the First and Second World Wars. This museum also houses the prison cells built by King Zog, made with stones from the aqueduct built by Ali Pasha Tepelena.

The Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra is located in the Palorto neighborhood, one of the best-preserved neighborhoods of the historic city. The current museum building was built in 1944, after the destruction of the previous house by fire.

The House of Zakat, built in 1812, is considered one of the most perfect examples of Ottoman residential architecture. This house represents the typology of the towers that belonged to the wealthiest and most socially prominent families. It has three floors and is located at the highest point of the Palorto neighborhood. The evening is free, with the opportunity to enjoy the cultural venues and artistic activities that often take place in the city. Accommodation is provided in traditional guesthouses in Gjirokastra. The next day, departure is made to Tirana.