south east
⛪ Voskopojë
The 18th-century 'New Athens' hidden in the mountains above Korçë
Recommended stay
Half-day
Best months
May–Sep
Ideal for
History lovers, quiet mountain scenery
From Tirana
231 km · 3h 45min
Avg. daily budget
€20–45
Weather
Cool mountain climate even in summer (12–24°C); heavy snow and largely inaccessible in winter.
Why visit Voskopojë
Once the Balkans' Aromanian cultural capital, home to the first printing house in the Ottoman Balkans outside Constantinople and up to 30 churches, Voskopojë was largely destroyed by Ali Pasha's raids and a 1916 fire — five churches survive, painted with murals rivalling Mount Athos.
Top things to do
- → Visit St. Elijah Church, the largest of the surviving churches
- → See the frescoes at St. Nicholas (Shën Kolli) Church
- → Walk the quiet mountain village streets
- → Visit St. Mary and St. Athanasius churches nearby
- → Combine with a day trip to Korçë, 21km away
Don't miss
- • The murals inside St. Nicholas Church, among the finest 18th-century ecclesiastical art in the Balkans
Local favourites
- • Grilled trout from the village's mountain streams
Hidden gems
- • The ruins of the St. John the Baptist Monastery just outside the village
Photo gallery
Map
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📸 Best photo spots
- • The churches' painted interiors, where photography is permitted
- • The village against its mountain backdrop
