Gjirokaster Albania | Helpful Travel Guide | What To Do | See | Stay | Eat

Gjirokaster in Albania is famous for its aged town and medieval castle that is situated on a hill. It provides a range of points of interest that are perfect for tourists who want to examine Albanian society and heritage. If you are on the lookout for a position with picturesque landscapes, mountains, castles, and terrific meals in Southern Albania – Gjirokaster is the excellent place.

This report will offer you with all the data you need to have to know about this wonderful location!

7 of the ideal issues to do in Gjirokaster

1. Marvel the Gjirokaster Castle

One of the top points of interest in Albania is Gjirokaster Castle, which is regarded for its background and scenic landscapes. With lots of items to see and do, it’s the great desired destination for any individual who needs an fascinating vacation in Albania.

Gjirokaster Castle was built all around the 12th century. It has been rebuilt lots of times throughout the hundreds of years, and nowadays it stands at 336 meters. You can take pleasure in excellent sights of Southern Albania from atop Gjirokaster Castle whilst discovering within.

2. Tour at Gjirokaster Museum

Gjirokaster Castle and Museum should really be visited as a single working experience. The Gjirokaster Museum is just within the castle, and it contains several artifacts and mementos from the history of Gjirokaster. The museum goes into fantastic detail about the heritage, lifestyle less than Ottoman’s reign, and war between empires. The biographies of some Gjirokaster citizens are also highlighted in the museum. There are some appealing info about the town and its folks to uncover listed here.

3. Store at the bazaar in Gjirokaster Old City

The bazaar is a person of Albania’s most well-known marketplaces that has been about for above 500 decades. It functions an array of standard Albanian products this sort of as olive oil, nearby honey, organic teas, and even the nationwide drink – Raki. It is the great area for souvenirs to take back again property!

The bazaar is also recognized for its lively environment that features an authentic practical experience of Albania. Guests will enjoy the vibrant ambiance of this outdated bazaar, along with its historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and architecture.

4. Stroll as a result of the outdated city of Gjirokaster

The most well-liked spot to check out in Albania is its Outdated City, which has retained significantly of its initial architecture and traditions intact considering that medieval moments. Gjirokaster Old City is a UNESCO Environment Heritage Web-site for a motive. It is actually a one of a kind position that gives the terrific history and society of Albania.

The town is made up of a lot of beautiful stone-paved alleys, classic households, and other structures excellent for visitors to discover. Outside of its historic importance, it is also a attractive position for sightseeing with breathtaking landscapes that are ideal for some shots.

The very best way to discover almost everything that this city delivers is by walking inside of its Outdated Town. You will get an pleasurable glimpse of daily life here as you go by stores, cafes, and households.

5. Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge

Ali Pasha Bridge is the stays of an great aqueduct that was built in the 19th century. The building has prolonged been deserted since then, and it has been remaining in ruins. What can make this position interesting is that visitors can climb within and see the structure up shut.

Now, the framework is applied as a footpath, and it has develop into a preferred attraction for hikers and trekkers. The attraction is only 30 minutes from Gjirokaster Outdated City, and it is a superior way to get away from the crowds.

6. Discover heritage at Gjirokaster Chilly War Tunnel Museum

For history buffs, there is a museum that delivers plenty of info about the Cold War in Albania. It features a tunnel created throughout the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and displays some artifacts from that time.

The museum is in particular common with international vacationers who want to find out a lot more about how Albanians lived under Communism. The tunnel alone is a interesting relic, and it presents visitors an notion of what lifestyle was like during that time period.

7. Check out the Skenduli Home

If you are fascinated in finding out about Albania’s traditional way of living, then Skenduli Household is the place to go. It functions a traditional home that has been preserved for a lot of years, and people can see how it was lived back again in the 17th century. The journey to this home also features an perception into various facets of Albanian tradition, like food stuff preparing, weddings, and even clothes.

Website visitors will be ready to see the everyday daily life of an Albanian loved ones back again in this period of time with all genuine furnishings. Skenduli Home is just minutes absent from Gjirokaster Aged Town, so it’s an uncomplicated quit to make on a day vacation.

How to get to Gjirokaster (from Saranda, Berat, Tirana)

If you are traveling from Saranda, the best selection is to take a direct bus from a quit on Rruga Flamurit close to the Synagogue stays, bringing you straight to Gjirokaster in about 1-1.5 several hours.

If you are coming from Berat, you can acquire a bus from the terminal right to Gjirokaster. The journey usually takes all-around 4 hrs, and the bus tends to make regular stops to decide up couriers.

If you are from Tirana, there are two selections that you can consider. The first 1 is to catch a local bus from Regional Bus Terminal, which can take about 4 hours. The handy however expensive selection is by using a taxi but make positive to e book one in progress.

Once you have achieved Gjirokaster Bus Stop, you need to choose a local bus alongside Bulevardi 18 Shtator street to carry you to the Aged City. From listed here, it’s straightforward for visitors to accessibility attractions like the castle, bazaar, and old town.

Best time to check out Gjirokaster

It would be finest if you visited at the close of summer months or middle of August to love comfy temperature becoming not as well sizzling and not far too chilly. By that time, the peak period is already above, and you prevent crowded points of interest.

Wherever to remain in Gjirokaster

In which I stayed

Gjirokaster has a assortment of accommodations for guests, but the most well-liked place is the Stone Town Hostel. It’s a stunning previous home with a shaded yard, a significant roof terrace, and magnificent sights of the castle. It’s also positioned in the heart of Gjirokaster Aged Town, making it a great place to continue to be.

The hostel is close to all big sights, together with Ali Pasha Bridge and Skenduli House. Website visitors will have straightforward access to every thing this city has to supply by being at Stone City Hostel. It is also a excellent place for assembly other travelers, which you do not get with additional notable resorts.

Additional solutions

What to try to eat and drink in Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster is a spot that offers a good deal of delectable Albanian dishes. The most well-liked possibilities are musaka, an oven-baked dish manufactured with eggplant and potatoes qifqi, a rice ball specialty of Gjirokaster Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie.

The most well known consume is Raki, which has an alcohol amount of 40%.  It is most effective paired with gentle meals or treats like Gjirokaster’s renowned musaka for most taste.

In which to consume

For the best property cooked meal, tourists need to eat at Taverna Tradicionale. It is a spouse and children-operate restaurant that has been well-known with locals for quite a few a long time, and visitors will get to practical experience genuine Albanian dishes in an intimate setting.

The food stuff they serve is clean and built from nearby elements to be certain that you get the very best-tasting meal. Holidaymakers regular this cafe for their delicious area dishes served in a common environment.

There are also a great deal of restaurants in the Gjirokaster Old Town for site visitors to choose from, like Taverna Kuka or Odaja Restaurant. These restaurants are well-known with locals, and website visitors will get a flavor of classic Albanian dishes.

Gjirokaster FAQ

Final feelings on checking out Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster, Albania is a compact city in Southern Albania that features so considerably far more than just its Aged Town and medieval castle. The charming metropolis has an abundance of remarkable things for vacationers who want to investigate Albanian lifestyle and background by means of several sights. If you are looking for a position with all these features, Gjirokaster is a need to-take a look at desired destination for your Albania travel itinerary.

About the creator

Catalin Geangos is the Founder and Editor of TravelTrained and a vacation blogger who generally focuses on nightlife, day trips and tours, hostels, and seaside resorts while traveling in Southeast Asia.