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Gjirokastër

Gjirokaster, the Jewel of Albania, takes you on a captivating journey through time. Its cobbled streets wind beneath medieval castle walls, leading to colorful houses with intriguing stone roofs. Experience the legendary hospitality of locals as you indulge in mouthwatering Burek pastries, with stunning mountain views as the cherry on top. Don't forget to visit the birthplace of Norman Wisdom, Gjirokaster's hilarious honorary citizen!

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Featured Trip Itineraries

Exploring the Hidden Gems of Albania

Recommendations

Shop4.6/5

Souvenir Gjirokastra

Step into Gjirokastra Bazaar, where vibrant stalls burst with handmade crafts, colorful textiles, and mouth-watering local delicacies! Nestled in the UNESCO World Heritage town, this lively marketplace is a treasure trove of unique souvenirs and a taste of authentic Albanian culture. Don’t forget to haggle a bit—it's all part of the fun! Happy shopping!

Culture4.6/5

Castle of Gjirokastra

The Castle of Gjirokastra, one of the Balkans' largest, overlooks the historic town and offers breathtaking views. This well-preserved fortress features a military museum with artifacts, towers, and a legendary clock tower, making it a must-see in the UNESCO-listed city.

Outdoor4.4/5

The Blue Eye

The Blue Eye in Sarande is a stunning natural spring with crystal clear blue waters that will make your Instagram followers jealous. Located in the heart of Albania, this hidden gem is perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot summer day. Don't forget your camera for the perfect shot!

Culture4.5/5

Skënduli House

Welcome to Skënduli House, a hidden gem in Gjirokastër! This enchanting Ottoman-style home boasts stunning stone architecture and a charming courtyard filled with blossoming flowers. Dive into the rich history as you explore its vintage furnishings, before enjoying sweeping views of the city. Don't forget your camera—this vibrant spot is an Instagram dream come true! 📸✨

Landmark4.6/5

View point

At View point, 34CP+MVV, Rruga Astrit Karagjozi in Gjirokastër, Albania, prepare to be awestruck by the breathtaking panoramic scene that unfolds before your eyes. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this UNESCO World Heritage City. The view is picture-perfect, guaranteeing stunning Instagram-worthy shots. Don't forget to bring your selfie stick and extra memory cards!

Landmark4.8/5

Zekate house & outdoor cozy bar

Nestled on Rruga Bashkim Kokona, Zekate House & Outdoor Cozy Bar is a hidden gem in Gjirokastër! Picture sipping local wine on a charming terrace with breathtaking views of the ancient castle. The atmosphere is warm, the service friendly, and the snacks scrumptious. Perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring this UNESCO treasure! Cheers to adventure! 🍷✨

Eat$$$4.6/5

Edua Gjirokaster

Nestled in the heart of Gjirokastër, Edua is a delightful gem on Rruga Gjin Bue Shpata. This cozy spot serves mouthwatering Albanian dishes that tickle your taste buds! With a charming ambiance and friendly staff, it’s the perfect pit stop for travelers seeking authentic flavors and a taste of local culture. Don’t miss their luscious baklava!

Eat3.9/5

Restaurant Tradicional Kotoni

Eat$$4.3/5

Bar Restaurant Kerculla

Cafe4.7/5

Te Kubé

Te Kubé in Gjirokastër is an iconic gathering spot, renowned for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking to experience the charm of Albanian culture and hospitality.

Drink

Bar "DOSHI"

Nestled in the quaint streets of Gjirokaster, Bar "DOSHI" is a hidden gem! With its cozy atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and friendly staff, this place is a must-visit. Located at 34HP+F8R, Rruga Gjin Zenebisi, it's the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the charming city of Gjirokaster, Albania. Cheers to good times at Bar "DOSHI"!

Stays

Stay4.75/5

Stone City Hostel

Nestled in the charming heart of Gjirokastra, Stone City Hostel is a cozy haven for wanderlust souls! With its friendly vibes, stunning views, and communal spaces, you'll quickly feel at home. Sip coffee on the terrace, explore the UNESCO-listed surroundings, and swap travel tales with fellow adventurers. Plus, the vintage decor adds an extra dash of Albanian charm! 🌍✨

Stay4.7/5

Resort Kerculla

Nestled in the stunning hills of Gjirokastër, Resort Kerculla is a traveler's dream! With breathtaking views and charming rustic architecture, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. Dive into the sparkling pool, savor delicious local dishes, and explore the enchanting old town nearby. Ready for a delightful Albanian adventure? Kerculla is calling your name! 🌄🏖️✨

Stay4.65/5

Hotel Kalemi

Nestled in the heart of Gjirokastër, Hotel Kalemi offers a charming blend of traditional Albanian hospitality and stunning panoramic views, making it an iconic retreat for travelers exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Things To Do
Provided by

4.8/5

2 h 30 mins

Prepare Osa with Teta Marjeta

It is one of the best ways to get into touch with the culinary of this town, important part of the intangible heritage of this town. It is a hands on experience and Teta Marjeta and the guide will make this an unforgettable experience for you?

$64.66

7 h

Zagoria the hidden Valley

This trip starts in Gjirokaster where we jump into one of our unique off-road vehicles and then head towards the ex communist villages, Valare, Shen Thodher and Erind. We will than climb to the field of Cajupi to make a stop at the spring of Brat and also at a luxurious shepherds hut where we can have a shepherds style breakfast. We will restart the trip now through the region of Zagoria and our next stop will be an abandoned magnificent bridge dating back in 1777. Another great place to rest cool down and then hop in the cars again towards the Holy Apostles church in Hoshteve with breathtaking paintings inside. A must visit! The lunch stop will be at Policani village where we will enjoy the bio products of the region. After lunch head towards the waterfall of Selcka, a miracle of nature, an unbelievable swimming pool, as our last stop for a day to remember. Choose us and spend a unforgettable day in the surroundings of Gjirokaster with a mix of nature history and characteristic food.

$170.48

4.6/5

2 h

2-Hours Guided Drino's Valley Ride

You will find the landscape very interesting, changing and a bit challenging. It mixes small hills with wide valleys, waters, rare vegetation, livestock atmosphere and the charm of the rural life. Cold war bunkers can be seen along the way. Cini's lake will be an attractive stop for pictures and for the storytelling about this area. You should book this tour to meet a special horse. The horses used on this ride (Albanian horses) are a local breed, a mix of Tarpan and Arab horses. They are small but perfectly suited to the rocky terrain, being surefooted and accustomed to trekking long mountainous routes, allowing riders to feel confident, relaxed and free to enjoy the stunning views. Our horses are easy to ride and are used to riders from all over the world, in long and shorter trails. You can book this tour for the adventure, the rhythm and adrenaline, so intermediate riding level is required. Our professional guides are aiming to keep the harmony among humans, horses and nature.

$70.54

4.9/5

2 h 30 mins

Vegetarian Cooking Class @Teta Marjeta

We meet at Cerciz Topulli square, where you join with your host and walk over to one of the oldest neighbourhoods, “Pazar i Vjeter” to meet Marjeta and her husband. We begin the class with a glass of raki or a soft drink while chatting with your group mates. The food we are going to prepare is a vegetarian menu, and under the guidance of Marjeta we will learn three dishes. The first one is called “Qofte bobollaqe” consisting mainly on yogurt, the traditional “Qifqis” found only in Gjirokaster and consisting mainly on rice and the desert called “Hasude”. All these three are accompanied by the salad of the season Marjeta has already prepared for you. After all the hard work, sit down with your group to savor each of your dishes. Pair your menu with a complimentary glass of wine, raki, or a soft drink and have a nice chat while you eat. Your cooking class will conclude after the meal. Cheers and Bon appetite!

$55.26

3.9/5

2 h

Cooking Class

You can not speak about Gjirokastra without enjoying its traditional typical food. It will be a unique experience making your mouth water and bringing back your appetite. Their tastes are similar to the preparation of centuries-old recipes which you will find and prepare instantly while you are in Gjirokastra, in addition you will taste a meal that you have just learnt to prepare.

$52.91

5/5

Gjirokastra Half-Day Walking Tour

We offer an exclusive experience to the visitors of our city that choose us to get their tour with and enjoy it the most and get in the mood of a medieval era.

$35.26

4.7/5

2 h 15 mins

Wood Crafting Experience in Gjirokastra

Design and create your own piece of art in wood and take it home as a souvenir or a gift for your loved ones!

$56.43

5/5

3 h

Walking Tour “The Old Bazaar, Cfake, Dunavat, Ali Pasha Bridge"

We will explore the unknown part of Gjirokaster, the magic of the town that every tourist skips. We start from “Cerciz Topulli Square” and head towards The “Old Bazaar”. It is the first neighborhood outside the castle and lies along beneath the its walls. The characteristic cobblestone the orthodox church and some of the oldest houses are the most beautiful elements. After passing the stream of Nanxa (where they are building a new street), we reach the neighborhood of “Cfaka”. Here we will pass by some first monument category houses, a rebuild mosque and then reach the last neighborhood “Dunavat” where we will find a tekke of the Bektashi Order. It is a beautiful combination of Nature and old houses before arriving to “Ali Pasha Bridge”, a remaining of the aqueduct build more than 200 years ago to bring water to the castle. It takes approximately 3 hrs and you should be prepared to walk on a not so comfortable terrain. So put on your sneakers and join us to this back in time trip.

$17.64

4.6/5

3 h

Walking Tour Baazar – The Argjiro Castle – Zekate house

In this tour, you will discover the magic of the city by visiting the medieval Bazaar, the highlight of the city Argjiro Castle, and one of the best-preserved houses, the Zekate House. Starting at Cerciz Topulli Square with our local guide, we continue toward the Old Bazaar, stopping at the Neck of Bazaar, where we meet artisans working with old methods, and head toward the Castle. The 2.5-hectare castle, full of history, tragedy, and legends, will be explained by the guide. You’ll be 330 meters above sea level, enjoying breathtaking views of Gjirokastra, the typical tower houses covered with grey stone, usually two or three floors. The last stop is the Zekate House, a gift by Ali Pasha Tepelena to his accountant, Beqir Zeko. This tour aims to let you experience the unique, magical, and friendly atmosphere of Gjirokastra, not just visit popular attractions. Entrance: 400 ALL/Castle 300 ALL/Zekate.

$16.46

9 h

Butrinti Heritage Site and Blue Eye through forgotten 4X4 paths

Starting from your accommodation we head to Drino’s valley in our 4×4 vehicles to enjoy our off the beaten path adventure among wild vegetation, breathtaking views, and remote villages in pure off road. We reach our lunch place, a traditional family restaurant among mountains. Later we proceed to our destination, through tangerine and orange plantations, towards the ancient ruins of Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage. After you visit the ancient ruins you have enough time to enjoy the sea breeze and a very unique natural habitat of rare plants, insects, animals and birds of the lagoon. We leave Butrint to drive south until we reach The Blue Eye a famous water spring of crystal clear water and unexplored depths. Take your time to refresh and take some more photos and collect memories that will remain with you forever. We drive back to Gjirokastra with the setting sun accompanying us till we reach our destination and bring you safe home.

$208.10

4.8/5

3 h

Gjirokastër Walking Tours:Bazaar&Ali Pasha Bridge/Castle & Zekate

Tour 1 – Old Bazaar, Cfaka, Dunavat & Ali Pasha Bridge Step into the heart of Gjirokastër on this enchanting walking tour. Wander through the historic Old Bazaar, explore the ancient houses of Cfaka, and traverse scenic hills to reach the iconic Ali Pasha Bridge. Experience the perfect mix of history, tradition, and natural beauty, and uncover hidden corners of the city that few visitors ever see on this unforgettable 3-hour journey. Tour 2 – UNESCO Castle & Zekate House Discover the magic of Gjirokastër with a local guide on this immersive walking tour. Explore the bustling Old Bazaar, ascend to the UNESCO-listed Castle for breathtaking views, and visit the beautifully preserved Zekate House, an Ottoman-era masterpiece full of stories and legends. This tour offers a truly unforgettable experience, letting you feel the city’s history, charm, and unique atmosphere like a local.

$17.64

4.5/5

Private Cold War City Tour in Gjirokaster

During the tour you will have an one of a kind time travelling experience. It will be focused on the less visible sides to visitors. True stories, facts and confenssions will take you to the most dark times of the Albanian history. It will be possible to explain the main concepts that were created and that were strongly injected into the population, such as “The concept of the young man” and whatever this means in the concept of Albanian society, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the ideology of school and art, the way of life of people in the city and in the village. We will have an explanation of how these concepts were applied by the regime of the time in Albania. All these will be taken from photos preserved as facts and taken from the archives of Gjirokastra families.

$75.24

5/5

2 h 30 mins

Vegetarian cooking class in Gjirokastër

Learn the secrets behind your favorite dishes of Gjirokaster with this 2-hour cooking class in Gjirokastra. Led by your local guide, step inside a traditional tavern, sip on a glass of raki or homemade wine and try your hand at some traditional food, using fresh, local ingredients. Then sit down to savor the fruits of your labor with your fellow chef.

$76.42

4/5

8 h 30 mins

Rafting Vjosa and Benja Hot Springs from Gjirokaster

Enjoy a great experience in the last wild River in Europe, VJOSA River! We depart early in the morning around 8:00 AM from Gjirokastra in a one hour and a half trip through a scenic road to Permet where our Rafting adventure will take part. After reaching the starting point and having a cup of coffee or a beverage we start the Adventure at 10:00 AM. Around 2 hours rafting in the waters of Vjosa we reach the city of Permet. Then we head towards the hot springs of Benje, but before reaching there we stop for lunch at a family place where we suggest you the fish of the local river (lunch at your own expense). After the delicious lunch we spend around two hours in the hot springs a nature monument in Albania (where except the thermal pools you have the option to take a short walk inside the Langarica canyon) and hit the road again towards Gjirokastra. This magnificent day ends around 5:00 PM in CercizTopulli square right where it began! (Hotel pickup is available)

$185.76

1 h

Enjoy the Bazaar in Traditional Costumes

In this experience you have the opportunity to dress up in the traditional costumes of the southern region and have one hour to walk up around the bazaar and shoot your best memories. Have a small chat with Elida Zhulati, our Artisan of the traditional costumes and learn a bit more about our intangible heritage. Then dress up in those costumes and get the attention of every visitor in the town while walking on them in the bazaar. You can also order yours and we ship it to your home after we sew it for you.

$24.69

4.7/5

Gjirokaster - The Stone City of UNESCO, Private Tour from Tirana

Unearth Gjirokastër, Albania's stone city nestled in the rugged south. A UNESCO gem, it echoes with history, cultural treasures, and a majestic castle. Walk cobbled streets with stories, visit the castle, old bazaar, Skenduli house, and ethnographic museum. Taste authentic local cuisine in this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site.

$182.23

Visit to Village of Lazarat in Gjirokastra, Albania

Lazarat is the first neighbor of the ancient city of Gjirokastra and, on the other hand, bordered by the village belt of the Dropull area. The village lies on the slopes of Mali i Gjerë and at the southern end of the province of Labëria, on the right side of the road Gjirokastër - Kakavija, Lazarat has an ancient history, starting from the Illyrian period. According to a legend, there were two brothers; Clay and Color. Argjiri, with his sons, built the castle of Gjirokastra, while Kollori built a smaller castle in the territory of today's Lazarat, where its ruins are still located. In the century. XVI the village resisted the pressure for Islamization and, consequently, a part of the population had moved to Greece, where even today there is a village called Lazarat, whose inhabitants until recently spoke the Albanian language. The Lazarats supported Ali Pasha Tepelena with weapons and fought for the protection of Ioannina from the Ottoman army.

$42.32

11 h

Day Trip to Gjirokastra The Stone city

This tour offers a uniquely immersive experience of Gjirokastra, far more than a simple city visit. You’ll visit all the must see landmarks in one day: the atmospheric Old Bazaar, the impressive hilltop castle with unforgettable panoramic views, and the beautifully preserved Skenduli House, one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in Albania. What makes this tour truly special is the balance between culture, history and authentic local charm, all wrapped into a smooth, well organized itinerary. With round trip transport, expert guidance and small group attention, travelers enjoy a stress-free journey and a deeper connection to Albania’s heritage. If you’re looking for a meaningful, enriching and memorable day trip from Tirana, this tour stands out as the perfect choice.

$47.03

Daily Visit to the Ancient City of Antigonea

Antigonea , also transliterated as Antigonia and Antigoneia, was an ancient city in Chaonia, Epirus, and the chief inland city of the ancient Chaonians. It was founded in the 3rd century BC by Pyrrhus of Epirus, who named it after one of his wives, Antigone, daughter of Berenice I and step-daughter of Ptolemy I of Egypt.

$52.91

5/5

3 h

Authentic Albanian Cooking Class in Gjirokaster with Evisa

This Albanian cooking class in Gjirokaster is perfect for food lovers, travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience, and anyone interested in learning to cook traditional Albanian recipes in a fun, hands-on environment. Join a hands-on Albanian cooking class on a terrace in historic Gjirokaster. Learn to prepare three traditional dishes using simple, beginner-friendly recipes. Cook local favorites like Gjirokaster rice balls, cornbread, and halva. Enjoy a warm, communal atmosphere and interactive atmosphere. Sit down together for a shared meal and taste the dishes you’ve created, served with a glass of raki or wine.