Bitola – Korça (Albania) – Moskopole (Albania) – National Park Galichica – Bitola

The Korça & Moskopole Monasteries tour is a twelve-hour cultural day trip that connects the Ottoman heritage of Bitola with the mountain churches of southeastern Albania and the scenic heights of Galichica National Park. The day begins in Bitola with a guided tour through the city’s historic core. Visitors explore the Clock Tower, Isak Çelebi Mosque, the covered Bezisten market, and the Old Bazaar, followed by stops at the Yeni Mosque and the richly decorated St. Demetrius Church.

The Shirok Sokak promenade, the Catholic Church, Heart of Jesus monument, and the House of the Army reveal layers of religious and civic life in the city. At the National Museum, guests can see a room dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk before continuing to the ancient ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis and a short panoramic drive past Bitola’s Jewish, French, and German cemeteries.

Crossing into Albania, the tour arrives in Korça, a city with a blend of Orthodox, Ottoman, and French-influenced architecture. Known for its broad boulevards and cathedral square, Korça offers time for a short stroll and a mid-morning coffee before heading into the nearby hills toward Moskopole. Once a center of learning and trade in the 18th century, Moskopole is now a quiet village with a rich past. The highlight is the Church of St. Nicholas, where guests can view well-preserved frescoes from the late Ottoman period, painted in vivid color and intricate detail.

From Moskopole, the return route climbs through Galichica National Park, where an alpine-style picnic stop is planned high above Lake Prespa. On clear days, the viewpoint offers dramatic scenery stretching toward the tri-border region. This tour is perfect for those with a love of art, quiet landscapes, and the lesser-known histories of Balkan Christianity and cross-cultural life.