After you’ve visited Berat, your next road trip stop in Albania has to be Gjirokaster. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites are equally worth visiting but they couldn’t be more different in terms of architecture, their unique points of interest, and even the food. Gjirokaster is also known as the “city of stone” or the “city of a thousand steps”. Once you arrive in this historic city you’ll immediately notice the beautiful Ottoman-era houses and narrow streets carved from stone. There really are some fantastic things to do in Gjirokaster despite its small size.
Gjirokaster’s history is directly tied to the construction of its castle, although evidence suggests the site has been inhabited since the 4th century. Historical records from the 14th century refer to the city in its Greek name when it was part of the Byzantine Empire. And by the 15th century it fell under Ottoman rule for five centuries.
It may not be a large old town but there are a lot of things to do in Gjirokaster during a day trip. There are also numerous historical and archaeological sites nearby that are worth driving to such as Antigonea and Hadrianopolis.
Here are the best things to do in Gjirokaster to add to your itinerary. I’ve also covered places to eat in Gjirokaster and where to stay in this historic mountain city.
Renting a car in Albania
If you’re looking to rent a car while you’re in Albania and have arrived through Tirana, I would recommend booking through Capital Car Rental. They have offices at Tirana’s airport as well as in the city centre, so you can pick up your vehicle where it’s the most convenient for you. Capital Car Rental have a good selection of automatic cars available in case you can’t drive a manual one.
Things to do in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster Castle
Gjirokaster Castle is by far one of the best things in Gjirokaster, perched high on a cliff overlooking the city. This incredible fortress is the second largest castle in Albania and is home to Gjirokaster Museum where you can learn more about the unique history of the city. Entry to the castle costs 400 ALL and if you don’t visit the museum it should take you no more than an hour to walk around. I would recommend visiting near closing so there are less people in your photos.
Old Bazaar
One of the top things to see in Gjirokaster is the Old Bazaar. This is the very centre of the old town and although it dates back to the 17th century it was almost completely destroyed in the 19th century and had to be rebuilt. The buildings have all been constructed in a similar way and are adapted to the slope of the old town. The Old Bazaar is a popular area with tourists looking to purchase souvenirs or find something to eat.
Close to the Old Bazaar is the Cold War Tunnel Museum which was built in the 1970’s and has survived in its original state. It costs 200 ALL to enter and should take around 30 minutes to explore. This is one of the most interesting things to do in Gjirokaster so make sure it’s on your list!
Explore the shops
The centre of Gjirokaster is very tourist-oriented and in the peak travel season you’ll find it difficult to move with all of the crowds. Once you’ve taken the time to visit the main points of interest in Gjirokaster it may be worth spending an hour or two exploring the various shops in and around the Old Bazaar. Many of these are tacky souvenir shops but you’ll find some hidden gems here too.
Bazaar Mosque
The Bazaar Mosque is one of the most important cultural monuments in Gjirokaster and it’s located in the Old Bazaar. It dates back to the 17th century and was the only mosque in the city that was spared destruction by the communists in the mid-20th century. It’s open daily for visitors and admission is free so take a look inside if you have the time. This may not make it onto everyone’s list of things to do in Gjirokaster but it’s still a highlight of the old town.
Gjirokaster Obelisk
One of the more unique and less visited attractions in Gjirokaster is the Obelisk. I wasn’t able to locate this monument, even using Google Maps, so the photo I took is from the entrance to the castle. Gjirokaster Obelisk is a symbol of education in Albania and was built near the site of the first school in Gjirokaster where the Albanian language was secretly taught under Ottoman rule. Visiting it is one of the most unique things to do in Gjirokaster – if you can find it!
Visit the museums and fortified houses
If you’re interested in learning about the history and culture of Gjirokaster then I would recommend going inside at least one of the fortified houses, located near the Old Bazaar. Skenduli House is one of the most popular options and the best preserved Ottoman house with a history dating back over 300 years. Another option is Zekate House which was built in the early 19th century.
As well as the fortified Ottoman houses, you can learn all about Gjirokaster through the various museums located in the old town such as the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Palorto Mosque, and the Gjirokaster Museum.
Buy some local souvenirs
If this is your first time visiting Gjirokaster then chances are you’re going to want to take home a souvenir or two. While there are a lot of tourist shops located in and around the Old Bazaar, not many of them are artisan shops. Take some extra time to explore the side streets of Gjirokaster’s old town because there are a lot of shops that sell handmade goods and souvenirs here. Looking for artisan shops is one of my favourite things to do in Gjirokaster because you never know what you’ll come across.
Ali Pasha Bridge
If you’re short on time but want to do some hiking in Gjirokaster then a short walk up to Ali Pasha Bridge is a must. This is one of the most unique things to do in Gjirokaster and is a bit off the beaten path, with a strenuous uphill walk through various residential areas, but it’s worth it for the incredible views.
If you arrive at Ali Pasha Bridge near 17:00 you may be able to catch a glimpse of the farmers herding their sheep across the bridge to another field. I was a little late but I still saw the sheep – albeit after they had crossed the bridge.
Wake up early to explore Gjirokaster
My last advice for things to do in Gjirokaster is to wake up as early as possible! The weather in Gjirokaster can vary due to its geographical location so at sunrise you may experience some fog or low cloud coverage. However, you’ll have the old town all to yourself which is a rarity for such a popular city in Albania. In my opinion this is one of the best things to do in Gjirokaster and you definitely won’t regret it.
Places to eat in Gjirokaster
Kodra Sweet Hill
You can find Kodra Sweet Hill in the Old Bazaar, not far from the Bazaar Mosque. They’re well known in the old town for their ice cream but they also have a great selection of freshly made fruit juices and smoothies. The prices are very cheap and you can mix and match the fruit to build a drink to your liking. Stopping here is one of the best things to do in Gjirokaster if you’re craving something healthy.
Edua
There are a lot of restaurants in Gjirokaster to choose from but unfortunately a lot of them are tourist-oriented and don’t serve the best quality food. If you want to try some traditional homemade Albanian food based around local produce then you have to visit Edua. They have a phenomenal seasonal menu as well as a small shop inside so you can purchase some of the locally made products as well. I enjoyed it so much that I went to Edua for dinner both of the days I was in Gjirokaster.
Where to stay in Gjirokaster
Hotel Argjiro
Not sure where to stay in Gjirokaster? Luckily for you I’ve found not only a fantastic historic hotel in the town centre but also one that’s undergone recent renovations so it has all new facilities for guests. Hotel Argjiro is located at the base of the Old Bazaar and sits across the road from a free parking garage in Gjirokaster.
The building was originally constructed in 1891 as a family apartment and from 1930 until 2002 it operated as a hotel in some form. By 2016 it had reopened its doors as the newly renovated Hotel Argjiro.
I stayed in one of their double rooms which was very spacious. It included a desk, a small seating area, a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and toiletries, and an incredible view over the rooftops of the Ottoman houses from the window. Since my room wasn’t facing the main road there were no noise problems either.
The buffet breakfast in the morning offers a huge selection of traditional Albanian food, freshly baked goods, and fruits. You’ll find a lot of unique breakfast options here and breakfast is included with the booking which is great. You can also enjoy the seating and bar area in the lobby throughout the day. Out of all of the hotels in Gjirokaster you won’t find one better in terms of amenities and location than Hotel Argjiro.
When you’re booking your room at Hotel Argjiro, it’s a good idea to check if there are any rooms available with a view of the old town. The view is beautiful throughout the day, but it takes on a completely different vibe near sunset. One of the best views in Gjirokaster that I came across was from the comfort of my hotel room.
>> Book early to secure your room at Hotel Argjiro <<
Is Gjirokaster worth visiting?
Some visitors to Albania think that they need to decide between Berat or Gjirokaster but you can easily see both if you have two days to spare. Gjirokaster has a lot to offer tourists in terms of culture, history, and cuisine so any first time visitor to Albania should have this beautiful historic city on their itinerary. I spent 2 days in Gjirokaster and used one of these days to explore some of the archaeological sites nearby which are worth it too.
If you have any questions about visiting Gjirokaster, or how to get here from Tirana or Vlore, please feel free to get in touch with me via email or reach out to me through Instagram. You can also follow along with my latest travels and find some helpful tips too.
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