Day 54 - Short Bus - Tiranë, Albania to Korçë, Albania
August 9, 2026 - biked 12 km (7.6 mi), bussed 159 km (99 mi) - biked 1878 km (1167 mi) total
We took a bus to Korcë, Albania which is nicknamed as “little Paris”. We found out that it’s from French influence during WWI, cafes, villas and pedestrian walkways. We love it here so much, possibly more than we would love Paris?
Leaving our hostel in Tiranë.
Can’t get enough of protected bike lanes.
We must bike 10km to the bus station.
Flamingos which is what the protesters call themselves.
Bike to the bus station.
Taking a rest
Action shot
Have you ever wondered where she lives? -Welcome to the Nature’s Residence-
Bus station!
Need to pack up our bikes again for it to fit into the bus.
David destroyed his bike to make it the smallest possible.
They fit!
Kitty cat in the shop completely ignored but not kicked out
We took the one on the left to Korcë for 32€ including our extra luggage.
Packed bus
Bus turns into a party bus when it goes into a tunnel. Gabs is pumping.
USA flag
Gabs can be comforting.
They have their own brewery! See our reviews of the beer below.
Albania flag
David loves maps.
We made it to Korcë bus station
Now for the reassembling.
We can now ride 1km to our place
Comedy club
Pedestrian walking street that gives us ample room to bike.
We store our bikes down the street at the manager’s dad’s place.
The code is 7 digits long.
David’s lack of leg room on the bus is instantly reversed.
Rainbow fountain
Strick 1 of closed establishments we tried to enter that said it was open.
Open but a wedding was happening. Strike 2!
My new Vespa!
A courtyard of motorized children’s toys. David is loving it.
Shade! Can’t get enough of it!
Can’t get enough of village salad as it’s called. Very similar to shopska and Greek salad.
Camera always eats first
Strike 3! Tried to go to a photography museum when it says it’s open but it’s clearly not.
We climb to reach a cool sunset.
Note-calves are still sore from hike 4 days ago.
If only we had these calves!
Golden hour
Korcë beer tastes like boiled plain hotdogs! People here loved it. We preferred the dark beer.
However, when we got the dark beer, the waiter left without a way to open it. Busy place!
We got to hear Albanian live music with dancing! It was a mix of Middle Eastern and Polka music. Kind of stressful to listen to for us but fun to see them dance to it!