8 Epic Things to do in Gjirokastra, Albania: A LOCALS GUIDE
Last Updated on May 22, 2022
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Looking for the best things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania? You’ve come to the right place!
The charming UNESCO town of Gjirokastra, Albania is a great destination for a night or two when visiting Albania.
You may also know Gjirokastra as the city of stone or by its Albanian name, Gjirokastër (also spelt Gjirokaster).
Often Gjirokastër is commonly referred to be the same as the other Albanian UNESCO town Berat, but in fact it deserves a visit as the two towns are very different although the style of the houses might be similar.
Unlike Berat, Gjirokastra sits on top of a hill overlooking the mountains and valley below.
Gjirokaster Castle is also one of the best-preserved castles in Albania and still has many weapons which are on display today. In my eyes, Gjirokastra Castle is the best castle in Albania.
If you are looking to visit this beautiful UNESCO town, here’s your full Gjirokaster city guide. It covers all the best things to do, where to eat and the best hotels in Gjirokaster.
How to get to Gjirokastra, Albania
You can reach Gjirokaster relatively easy from any major city or town in Albania via bus (see timetables here). If you’re coming from Saranda, the bus cost 400lek and takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.
One thing to note is that the bus stop does not go all the way up the hill into Gjirokaster Old Town, which is where you will likely want to stay and explore.
It will drop you off at the bottom where you can either walk, catch another bus or catch a taxi to the Old Town. A taxi from the new to the old part of the city is around 400lek.
In the summer, this can be quite the mission as the temperatures in Gjirokastra (and throughout Albania) are high. The walk to the old part is also uphill so keep that in mind if you do have luggage.
So, during those times I would definitely catch a bus or taxi up, or you could even try hitchhiking, it’s very popular in Albania!
🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads.
Things to do in Gjirokaster
If you’re wondering what to do in Gjirokaster then look no further. I have been to Gjirokastra many times and it’s one of my favourite places in all of Albania.
Since I live full-time in Saranda, the city of Gjirokaster is only an hour and a half drive from there! And there are plenty of Gjirokaster tours, tickets & excursions to choose from.
1. Visit Gjirokaster Castle
If you don’t visit Gjirokaster Castle, you really haven’t been to Gjirokaster! It’s definitely one of the top things to do in Gjirokaster
It’s easy to get to the castle, you can either drive, catch a taxi or walk like I normally do.
It’s a little uphill but will only take you 5 minutes to reach from Gjirokastra Old Town. It’s not exactly top Gjirokaster hiking, but it’s worth it!
You could spend at least a couple of hours roaming around the castle. If you want a deeper explanation of the history you can opt for a guided tour around the castle and surroundings.
Within Gjirokaster Castle is a weapon museum and prison too which you have to pay extra for (200 lek) but you can observe the old weapons found here. I definitely think it’s worth it!
They have a lot of really useful information up there too.
Otherwise, you can roam all of the rooms, tunnels and admire the view from the top! The clock tower is one of the must-see places to visit in Gjirokaster, and it sits on the furthest side of Gjirokastra Castle from the entrance.
2. Wander the Gjirokastra Bazaar
Just around the corner from Gjirokaster Castle is the bazaar. One of the best things to do in Gjirokaster is wander through the bazaar and admire the architecture of the traditional buildings.
There’s plenty of great shopping you can do in the bazaar too including old second-hand shops where you will find some interesting treasures!
If you want to pick up something unique I recommend visiting the shop Artified. Here you can buy unique 3D art pieces created by a local. This art is truly one of a kind.
You can even order custom pieces too.
3. Visit the Ethnographic Museum
*As of October 2021, they are currently restoring this museum so it is closed.
The dictator of the communist period Enver Hoxha was born in Gjirokaster.
So, of course, learning more about him and his life is understandably one of the top things to do in Gjirokaster.
Nowadays the house where he was born has been turned into a museum so you can see what a traditional Gjirokastra family home would have looked like back then.
4. Visit Zekati Family House
Another of the great places to visit in Gjirokaster is the Zekati House which was built in 1811-1812. This house has undergone restoration and is one of the most incredible traditional houses within Gjirokastra today.
With three floors, wooden carved ceilings, two twin towers and a magnificent view of the town, this is a must-see when visiting Gjirokastra.
You will want to drive or take a taxi to reach here as it’s further up the hill from the bazaar.
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5. Skenduli House
Between Gjirokastra Castle and the Ethnographic Museum is the Skenduli House. This is another perfect example of the traditional architecture of Gjirokastra.
This house was said to be built around the 1700s!
There are so many rooms that it begins to feel like a maze, but it was well worth a visit. I have to say hands down, this is one of the most beautiful houses in Albania.
When you get to the house, you can opt to take a quick tour with one of the guides who can tell you what the rooms were used for and the history of the house, which I highly recommend.
Entry only costs 200lek and it’s well worth it. I ended up spending a good hour walking around and taking a tour of the house.
The bonus of doing a tour is that you get to see one of the rooms that’s usually closed for the public. There’s no extra charge to take the tour too.
6. Discover the Underground of Gjirokastra
Underneath Gjirokaster Castle and Gjirokastra Old Town is an underground bunker which is now possible to explore!
One of the best things to do in Gjirokastra is to visit the underground city, especially in the summer to cool off below ground.
It goes down more than 80 meters deep and is over 1km long. This underground city has over 100 rooms including interrogation rooms, offices and so on as well as multiple escape routes.
This is a stark reminder of the dark communist era that loomed over Albania from 1944 until 1992.
I have to be super transparent for a moment – Although this is one of the best places to visit in Gjirokastra, Bunk Art 1 & 2 in Tirana is far more comprehensive in terms of information and learning more about the communist period.
So if you want a really in-depth look into an underground bunker, highly recommend visiting one of both if you are looking for unique things to do in Tirana.
7. Immerse yourself in the ultimate foodie experience at The Barrels (Te Fucite)
If you’re hungry and looking for things to do, Gjirokaster has got you covered.
This restaurant came highly recommended by one of my readers, and I’m so glad on my recent trip to Gjirokastra that I got to check it out myself.
The Barrels is a restaurant/winery and is the perfect pick for anyone who wants to have a foodie experience in the Albanian countryside.
The Barrels make their own wine (I absolutely loved both the red and white), and offer platters like pictured above as well other seasonal dishes.
One of the best parts about this place, apart from the fantastic service, is the setting. You get to enjoy your food in the countryside looking out to the vineyards and mountains in front.
The family who runs this place are incredibly lovely so make sure you take a visit and support this unique experience.
This restaurant is located between the villages of Topullaraj and Valarë which is only a 15-minute drive from the old part of Gjirokastra city.
We took a taxi and to get there and back which cost us around 1000lek.
8. Eat as much Pasha Qofte as humanly possible
I don’t think I’ve had a local dish this many times in any part of Albania so that says a lot. Pasha Qofte might be like the golden ticket of Gjirokastra.
Pasha Qofte is essentially meatballs within a milky sauce soup. Probably not the best description, and that’s why I am not a food blogger.
Nevertheless, despite my bad description, you HAVE to try this local dish because it’s one of the tastiest dishes I have had in Albania.
If you’re wondering where to eat in Gjirokaster to taste the best pasha qofte, you need to visit Restaurant Muço, which can be located within the side streets of the bazaar.
This restaurant is run by the loveliest couple that makes tasty homemade food at very affordable prices.
Where to Eat in Gjirokastra
The Barrels: Obviously I have to mention this restaurant within this section because it’s a must-try when visiting Gjirokastra.
Make sure you try the platter of different Albanian dishes, as well as the meats and wine right from their own winery. The Barrels is one of the best restaurants in Gjirokaster.
Restaurant Muço: As mentioned above, this is one of my favourite Gjirokaster restaurants and hands down the best restaurant in gjirokaster old town.
They not only do great pasha qofte but also other traditional dishes you can only find in Albania. Plus, you have to try their raki. It’s one of the smoothest rakis I have tasted in the country.
Odaja Traditional restaurant: This place is a must-visit too! If you can, grab the balcony seats to have an amazing view of the street below.
I highly recommend trying the meatballs (the best in the city), as well as the cheese with honey.
Rrapi restaurant: This is another of the great Gjirokastra restaurants located within the old city. The qofte is good, as well as their stuffed peppers.
Taverna Kuka: I have eaten here once and enjoyed the food thoroughly. You can find a lot of different meals to try too.
Taverna Mugana: Usually when I visit Gjirokaster I always go to this restaurant because it’s super quiet and off the path of most of the restaurants.
It’s not far from the entrance to the Gjirokastër Castle and serves some amazing traditional food. I love the qofte here!
It’s also very affordable, sits right next to the mosque and offers some of the best views of Gjirokastra.
Check-in Restaurant: Another great restaurant just off the main part of the bazaar. They do fantastic meat plates here and they have great service.
Kujtimi restaurant: This is a highly recommended restaurant within the city although I have to say, I have not tried it myself. However, friends of mine and readers of my blog have and recommend it.
📦 PACKING TIP: Don’t leave home without a solar powered battery pack so you can keep your devices connected at all times.
The Best Hotels in Gjirokaster, Albania
There are some stunning homestays and hotels in Gjirokaster where you can get an insight into the beautiful architecture within the town.
If you’re more into Airbnb, Gjirokaster has plenty, but I recommend you try these out first!
Kerculla Resort – Luxury Accommodation
This hotel in Gjirokastra came highly recommended by one of my readers and upon research, it’s the top-rated hotel in the town. It’s a beautiful hotel equipped with a swimming pool and stunning views.
For the latest prices and availability, click here.
Guesthouse Mele – Mid-range accommodation
This guesthouse is a perfect base for exploring the city of Gjirokastra. It’s only a 5-10 minute walk to the old bazaar but far away enough that it’s peaceful & quiet.
The breakfast is fantastic and quite a spread of delicious Albanian food. The hosts of the guesthouse are the real highlight of this guesthouse though!
If you come to Gjirokastra I highly recommend booking this guesthouse. It’s also only a 1-minute walk from the Ethnographic Museum. For the latest prices & availability, click here.
Stone city – Budget accommodation
The best hostel in Gjirokastra and my favourite one in Albania is Stone City Hostel. It’s a hostel which has had some incredible renovations and is possibly the most beautiful ever!
I highly recommend staying here if you’re a backpacker in Gjirokaster, Albania or just looking for a place to stay with a great community. Click here for the latest prices & availability.
📚 P.S. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide to get a comprehensive insight into more places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!)
Tours in Gjirokaster
There are several great tours that can teach you more about Gjirokastra, Albania’s history as well as tours to take you to some of the surrounding sites.
Wood crafting experience
Create a souvenir to take home by opting for a 3-hour wood crafting experience.
Wood crafting has been a popular activity in Albania for hundreds of years so why not create a special something to remember your time in the UNESCO city of Gjirokastra.
You’ll get to learn some old wood-crafting techniques as well as sipping wine, which is included! To check out prices and availability click here.
Dress up & Bizaar tour
If you have ever wanted to try on a traditional Albanian costume from the 1800’s and dance around the bazaar then you need to book this now!
This tour not only includes trying on the costume but also a tour around Gjirokastra’s notable spots.
If you would like a mini photoshoot you can also opt to do that as an extra – what an amazing experience to look back on! Click here for the latest prices and availability.
Cooking Class With Chef Gjoca
If you’re more of a foodie and you want to learn how to create some traditional Albanian cuisine then maybe a cooking class with a local is more your style.
At the end of the cooking class, you get to enjoy the delicious food you have made with a glass of wine – of course!
Some dishes you get to make include Qifili, stuffed peppers, meatballs and MORE. For the latest prices and availability, click here.
Faq’s about Gjirokastra
You could easily spend at least 2-3 nights in Gjirokastra, although if you’re pressed for time, an overnight trip is good too. There is actually a lot to see not only in Gjirokastra but also in the surroundings. If you wanted to visit nearby villages you could also do a trip to Libohove which not a lot of tourists know about! You could also add in a hike to Ali Pasha’s bridge.
The castle of Gjirokastra dates back to the 4th century AD. In 1336 the city was named Argyrokastro but then in 1417 the Ottoman army came and conquered the city. In the early 1800s was when most of the beautiful buildings in the city were built. You’ll notice that the city has that distinct Ottoman architectural style that you can also see in the likes of Berat.
YES YES YES! A lot of visitors to Albania make the mistake of going straight from Tirana down to Saranda, but why not make a stop in this beautiful city? Even if you just get to stay here for the day it’s worth it to see the Gjirokaster attractions. Gjirokastra has a unique style and atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in Albania. It’s worth it, 150%!
I know the word looks hard but once you get it you’ll be fine. Say it like JERO-CAST-ER. Now that’s according to my wonderful Kiwi accent so good luck with that!
Absolutely! In fact, Albania, in general, is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists. But specifically in Gjirokaster, there s little to no crime for you to worry about. You can read up more about safety in Albania here.
I hope you visit Gjirokastra when visiting Albania. This small UNESCO town has a lot to offer!
Other articles you will love:
- Traditional Albanian Food: 39 Delicious Albanian Dishes!
- 10 Incredible Cities in Albania to Explore
- 24 Incredibly Beautiful Places to Visit in Albania
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The Comments
John Medved
Hi,
I always enjoy your emails and the info in them.
As a avid cyclist (road) I’m curious as to what you think cycling in Albania would be like in terms of safty on the road, and how it would be viewed by the locals.
Any info is appreciated.
John Medved