Visit The Top 8 Attractions and Things to Do in Gjirokastër

January 8, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 1645 Views

Gjirokaster or Gjirokastra is a city in Albania. It is situated towards southern side of the country in a valley between Gjere Mountains and Drino. Among top things to do in Gjirokaster are exploring castles, old town, handicraft shopping, archaeological site and street food.

The old town of the city is included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is known for being a well preserved Ottoman town and is among the best places to visit in Gjirokaster. Owing to stone houses, the old town is sometimes also called “The City of Stone”. The market or bazaar of the town is among the most interesting things to see in Gjirokaster. You will see two story buildings from 17th – 19th century. There will be shops on the ground facing the streets and houses above them.

In history, the record of this city appear in 1336 under Byzantine rule. It was then addressed by its Greek name Agyrokastro. When it fell under Turkish Ottoman rule, it was known as Ergiri or Ergiri Kasri. You will find many other interesting facts about the city and the region at Gjirokaster tourist attractions like the city’s museum.

The city is also known for being home to well known Albanians like Ismail Kadare and Enver Hoxha. You can visit both their homes to learn about their life and work. Although, Enver Hoxha’s residence is converted into a museum dedicated to local art and craft. But, it is still open to public under Gjirokaster sightseeing.

The National Folklore Festival and Fustanella Festival are also among major Gjirokaster attractions. These both festivals celebrate regional art, music, dance, culture and traditions. The city is also well known for its local variants of street food items and Albanian cuisine.

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Table of Contents

Top 8 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Gjirokaster

1. Castle of Gjirokastra / Gjirokastër Fortress (Kalaja e Gjirokastrës / Kalaja e Argjirosë)

Also known as Argjiro, this is named after a princess in Albanian folklore. This castle allows you to explore the architecture, history and artifacts from the region at this castle.. It is one of the most popular Gjirokaster attractions. You would need 2 to 3 hours for this castle.

2. The Cold War Tunnel

This tunnel was used as a bunker and for transportation during the Cold War. It was built during the 1960s in secret. You can see several war artifacts like weapons, documents, gadgets and so on. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Gjirokaster. You will need an hour or so to explore this place.

3. Old Town

The old town is an integral part of Gjirokaster sightseeing. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The zig-zag cobblestoned streets and stone houses are sights to admire in this part of the city. You can easily spend a couple of hours in the old town when you visit Gjirokaster.

4. Gjirokaster Bazaar

This market looks like a quintessential European small town market. You can see shops on the ground floor and houses atop them. They are as much a place for shopping as they are sightseeing Gjirokaster tourist attractions. It is mainly populated with artisanal shops, handicraft shops, local produces, street food and so on. You would need about an hour or two to explore this place.

5. Zekate House (Zapanaja e Zekatëve)

This 3 story house was built for a general in the Ottoman army some 200 years ago. It has a magnificent regal appeal and houses a museum inside. It is among the most fascinating things to see in Gjirokaster. You would need about 2 hours to see this place.

6. Ethnographic Museum

This museum is housed in the former residence of Enver Hoxha. This museum is one of the best Gjirokaster attractions dedicated to local arts and craft creations. You would need an hour for this museum.

7. National Museum of Armaments

This museum is dedicated to the history of weapons. The exhibits showcases various types of weapons utilized during different points of time and by different empires. It is among the most interesting things to do in Gjirokaster. You will need about an hour for this museum..

8. Ismail Kadare House

This museum was the residence of famous Albanian author Ismail Kadare. The house tells the story of his life and his work. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this place when you during Gjirokaster travel.

If you are still wondering what to see in Gjirokaster, check out the section below. We have put together a list of several attractions and activities to enjoy in this town.

Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Gjirokaster, Albania

Castle of Gjirokastra
Zekate House
Skenduli House
Ethnographic Museum
The Cold War Tunnel
Ismail’s Kadare’s House
Bazar Mosque
Gjirokaster Obelisk
Archeological Park of Antigonea
Arms Museum
Gjirokaster Mosque
Seven Fountains
Adrianopolis Archeological Site
Saint Sotira Church

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Gjirokaster, Albania

Liqeni i Viroit
Mali i Gjere Mountain

Shopping in Gjirokaster, Albania

Gjirokastra Bazaar

Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventure Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania

Hiking
Camping

Sightseeing in Gjirokaster, Albania

Gjirokaster Old Town
Ali Pasha Bridge
Qafa e Pazarit
Cerciz Topulli Square

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Gjirokaster, Albania

Kujtimi
Kerculla
Antigone
Pizzeria Ndrico
Gjoca
Suflac
Sopoti Cafe
Kurveleshi
Taverna Kuka
Kodra
Modus Cafe
El Dorado
Fantazia
Mapo

Where to Stay in Gjirokastër?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Gjirokastër. Below you can check about all those hotels for your perfect stay in Gjirokastër.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Gjirokaster

How to Reach Gjirokaster, Albania?

By Air

The closest airport for Gjirokastra travel is Tirana International Airport. You will have to get to Tirana city to then get road transport to reach Gjirokaster.

By Road

You can get buses to visit Gjirokaster from several cities and town in Albania including Tirana. You can also get a bus from Ioannina, Athens and Meteora to reach Gjirokaster.

If you are planning to travel by road, you should head for route SH4 or E853.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes to get to Gjirokaster.

Image Reference

Castle of Gjirokastra / Gjirokastër Fortress (Kalaja e Gjirokastrës / Kalaja e Argjirosë) – Linda Saitos / PixaBay
The Cold War Tunnel – Adam Jones / Flickr
Old Town – Ervin Gjata / PixaBay
Gjirokaster Bazaar – oh contraire / Flickr
Zekate House (Zapanaja e Zekatëve) – ShkelzenRexha / Wikimedia Commons
Ethnographic Museum – Malenki / Wikimedia Commons
National Museum Of Armaments – dm1795 / Flickr
Ismail Kadare House – Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons