Things to do in Gjirokaster

Defined by its roads paved with chunky limestone and shale and imposing slate-roofed houses, Gjirokaster is a magical hillside town. Immerse yourself in the local life while enjoying the castle with its views of the picturesque Drina Valley. Here are the top things to do in Gjirokaster during your stay.

Visit Ismail Kadare’s House

Visit the house of the most famous Albanian author, Ismail Kadare. Destroyed by fire in 1997 and recently reconstructed, the house offers several exhibitions demonstrating the work of this Girokaster local. The admission fee is 200 ALL.

See the Cold War Tunnel

Those who have learned of this Gjirokastër secret consider it a must-see. Unlike Tiranë’s bunkers which are now museums, the Gjirokastër tunnel is still in its original state. It is admittedly less academically informative than the former, but much more genuine. The tunnel takes about 20 minutes to walk through.

The guide is knowledgeable and happy to answer any of our questions. The place is damp and cold so you need to be dressed appropriately, and a torch is good to have as many rooms are not illuminated. It costs only 200 lekë, and it brings an important period in Albanian history to life. The tunnels are empty but their atmosphere helps you to put the isolationist period of Albanian history in context.

Explore the Ethnographic Museum

Not everyone knows that Gjirokastër is the hometown of the most famous Albanian man of modern history, Enver Hoxha. The former dictator of Albania was a native of this charming town. He grew up in a beautiful Ottoman-style house located in the middle of the old town. It has since been converted to an ethnographic museum that hosts a superb collection of local arts and crafts.

Go Around Zekate House

Before visiting this place you should consider reading Ismail Kadare’s “Chronicle in Stone”. This book helps set the house in context. Even without having read the book, this house gives you an insight into the traditional lifestyle and decor of the time.

Built in 1812, it is the oldest Ottoman house remaining. The owners of the house are the guides. It doesn’t matter if you are single or in a group, they will take the time to show you every room in the house, explaining their historical use. They are fluent in Italian and good at English. The admission fee is 200 lekë.

Spend time in the Bazaar of Gjirokastra

Up until the mid 20th century, Gjirokastra was an important market center for the western Balkans. It specialized in agricultural products from the region as well as leatherworking and woodworking. The combination of administrative positions and vast feudal landholdings provided the basis for the wealth of the town. By the 1580s, the town had more than 400 dwellings, impressive at the time.

In the 17th century, the Ottoman governor laid out a new commercial quarter complete with a mosque. This first planned town center was almost completely destroyed by fire in the 1750s but was quickly rebuilt. Another fire in 1912 resulted in further reconstruction. This reconstruction gave the opportunity to use steel beams to support the shop fronts in the place of traditional wood. Nowadays the area is the heart of the city with many shops, souvenirs, artisan activities, bars, and restaurants.

Stopover Gjirokastër Castle

This castle has a rich history. In recent history, it’s served as a prison, first by the King of the Albanians, Zog I, then by the Nazis, and finally by the communist regime. Since 1971, it has served as a military museum. Visiting this place and viewing the dozens of war tanks, along with the United States Air Force plane that the Communists captured is free. If you would like to see artillery and memorabilia from the times of the Communist resistance against Nazi occupation, you have to pay an extra 100 or 200 lekë.

Look up the Skenduli House

This 300-year-old house is the most well preserved in the city of Gjirokastra, and everything about it is original. The owner of the house, a descendant of the original owners, is a very knowledgeable and talented story-teller.

Drop-In to see the Army Museum

This museum houses photos of the partisan resistance against the Italians and a vast number of rifles and machine guns. All of the guns housed here were either abandoned by or captured from the Italian and German occupation forces during World War II. You can visit the cells where Albania leaders kept their political prisoners between 1929 and 1968. Within this gallery, there is also a small Italian tank built by Fiat.

Pay a Visit to Fico House

The Fico House is of special interest because it allows us to trace the evolution of the Gjirokastra-style architecture up to the beginning of the 20th century. The architectural treatment of this 1908 house showcases architectural developments of the time; the interior is simpler and the exterior is enriched with new elements compared to previous decades.

The front of this unique house has two arched gates. Additionally, it is the only house in Gjirokastra which has elaborate wooden ornaments of the pediment and window frames. There is no entrance fee, however, the owners appreciate donations and contributions.

Drop by the Babameto House

The Babameto House is an elegant 2-story house in the very heart of the Bazaar. It is, in fact, a combination of two buildings, dated 1885 and 1887 respectively. Each half housed a separate branch of a single-family. The symmetry apparent on the outside is not repeated inside. This itself hints at the influence of western ideas, with less emphasis on collective living. After 10 years of dereliction, the city restored the building in 2013.

Open for the public, it is a good example of revitalization and the modern use of a typical Gjirokastra house. Babameto serves as a Centre for Culture and Heritage, housing culture and tourist events, as well as accommodating other events. The property is under the administration of the Gjirokastra Foundation. Entrance is free but a donation box is available for contributions.

Where to eat in Gjirokaster

The Barrels Gjirokaster

The Barrels is a little vineyard in nature surrounded by grapes. It is 10 minutes away from the center of the city and has traditional Albanian food. The food is finger-licking good.  Meanwhile, the owners are very passionate about his work and he is willing to talk about his country with great love.

Restorant Tradicional Odaja

Odaja is a great traditional restaurant with homemade food. Everything here in this part of the town of Gjirokastra is freshly cooked. Moreover, the menu offers a vegetarian option too and you will really like this place and everything. The staff is really nice and helpful.

Taverna Tradicionale

This is a little restaurant in a corner of Gjirokastra. The people that work there are very polite and friendly. Furthermore, the food is tasty, the drinks are wonderful and this place overall deserves a visit meanwhile in Gjirokastra.

Kujtimi

The Kujtimi restaurant is a family-run restaurant situated in Gjirokaster’s historical center. Moreover, it is considered to be the best restaurant in this city and it definitely is! This is for several reasons: very delicious and tasty local cuisine, very friendly staff and affordable prices.

Where to stay in Gjirokaster

Hotel Fantasy

Hotel Fantasy features a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge, and garden in Gjirokastër. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, room service, and currency exchange for guests.

Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel each room is fitted with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Guests at Hotel Fantasy can enjoy a continental or a buffet breakfast.

Sarandë is 49 km from the accommodation.

Hotel Argjiro

Hotel Argjiro features a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Gjirokastër. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. Free private parking is available and the hotel also offers car hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.

The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel, all rooms come with a private bathroom with free toiletries.

Hotel Argjiro offers a continental or buffet breakfast.

The accommodation offers a terrace.

Stone Rooms 1850

Stone rooms 1850 is Located just 250 m from the castle of Gjirokaster, 25 km from Saranda. Stone Rooms 1850 offers traditional accommodation with stunning views of the city. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are provided.
Decorated according to the local style stone walls, carved wooden ceilings rooms include a TV and free wifi. The private bathroom is fitted with a bathtub, shower, hairdryer.
Traditional cooking is provided on-site. This building is classified as a historic house built in the 19th century

Authentic B&B, Kotoni, in Gjirokaster

Bed & Breakfast Kotoni is a lovely little house, a great choice in Gjirokaster. It provides seven guestrooms equipped with all the facilities that you need to get a pleasant and comfortable stay. For both the historians and romantics among us, it is a gem, handmade from Ottoman stone, with handmade wooden ceilings and wonderfully woven and comfortable linens. From Bed & Breakfast Kotoni you can easily reach the famous Gjirokastër Fortress, the Ethnographic Museum, and the old Bazaar.

Visit Booking.com for good deals on hotels in Gjirokastër.

How To Get To Gjirokaster, Albania

To get to Gjirokaster will take you approximately 4 hours, and there are buses that go daily form the Tirana Southward Bus Station from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm. The trip costs around 1000 ALL.

Then from the bus station in Gjirokaster you have to walk to reach the old town, which is a 20-minute long walk across cobble stone streets. Or you could take the bus that costs 30 ALL and reach the old town.

What does the name Gjirokaster mean?

The name means silver fortress and it is settled on the slope of Mali i Gjere. But many say that the name comes from the Princess Argjiro, who jumped from the castle to not fall into the hand of enemy, and Kaster means Castle.

Climate in Gjirokaster

July in Gjirokaster, Albania, is a tropical summer month, with average temperature varying between 15°C (59°F) and 32°C (89.6°F). In Gjirokaster, the average high-temperature slightly increases, from a warm 28°C (82.4°F) in June, to a hot 32°C (89.6°F). 

January, the same as December, in Gjirokaster, Albania, is another chilly winter month, with average temperature varying between 1°C (33.8°F) and 9°C (48.2°F). January is the coldest month, with an average high-temperature of 9°C (48.2°F) and an average low-temperature of 1°C (33.8°F).