Overview

Hurtling through the sweeping plains of the Drino Valley, the ancient Ottoman city of Gjirokastër appears suddenly and unexpectedly, clattering up the steep slopes of the Gjerë Mountains high above the patchwork of verdant farmlands that paint this corner of Albania a vibrant, hazy green. It is famous for its traditional stone houses that are built upon a hill. It's a cultural city and was declared a UNESCO site in 2005, stating that the town's architecture is one of the most representative of the Ottoman era. There's a wealth of Albanian history that you can learn in Gjirokastër.

Gjirokastër is known as the City of Thousand Steps. some consider it as a twin city to Berat, another UNESCO site that is known for its thousand windows. Both cities have their charm but cannot be substituted. The architectures are different, the things you can do are different, and even the local food is diffrent, so we highly recommend you visit both cities when you are in Albania.

Things to Do

Explore Gjirokaster Castle.. One of the most iconic landmarks in Gjirokaster is the Gjirokaster Castle, the second largest castle in the Blakans that sits atop a hill overlooking the Gjirokaster Old Town.

With a strategic vantage point overlooking the valley, this sprawling fortification offers up fantastic views over the city and surrounding countryside and houses a pair of museums and the former prison.

The citadel existed in some form or another since the 12th Century but the 2 largest expansion and renovation effort to the castle were done during the Ali Pasha and King Zog era in the 19th and 20th Century respectively.

Learn About the History of Gjirokastër at the Gjirokastër Museum. This museum is a great place for any history buff, which illustrates how the city played a role in the conflicts around this region. The museum dives deep into the legends surrounding the origin of the name, where the city got its "Stone City" name, what was it like under the rule of Ali Pasha, the Ottoman Lord, how the tug of war between empires affected the city and many more facts that will make you appreciate the city and its people even more.

Explore the Gjirokastër Old Bazaar. The Old Bazaar is the center of commerce in the city ever since the Ottoman-era. Surrounding the area, you will find plenty of lovely Ottoman-style houses as well as many great restaurants for you to indulge yourself in.

The Old Bazaar is especially lively at night so be sure to spend some time walking around the streets of the Bazaar after sunset. Many great restaurants are concentrated around the old bazaar.

Take a Tour Around Skenduli traditional House. Among the charming maze of white-washed, tiny windowed, slate-roofed buildings that make up Gjirokaster's old town, it's not hard to get lost, wandering past pretty facades for hours on end, camera in hand.

The beautifully restored Skenduli House, however, is one of the old town's most beautiful examples of Ottoman-era architecture and well worth a visit. a tour of the home will bring you through each room, explaining all the functions and unique features of the houses. There is a dedicated room for the newlywed, and it is definitely the highlight of the Skenduli house visit.

One of the highlights is wandering through the old town. It's quite small so it doesn't take long but it is a nice way to spec a few hours. The old town has tons of character with its cobblestone streets and stone houses and shops. Here you will find plenty of tourist souvenir shops, artisan products, cafes and restaurants.

Watch the Sunset at Gjirokastër Obelisk. Enjoy a great viewpoint for sunset just outside of Old Town and you do not have to climb to get to it like other viewpoints in the city. From Gjirokastër Obelisk, you will get a 180-degree panoramic view of the mountains around Fjirokaster as well as all the Ottoman-era houses, making it one of the best photo spots in the city.

Hike up to Ali Pasha Bridge. Hidden in the deeply chiseled sloped behind Bjirokastra lies the Ali Pasha Bridge, a remnant of the once spectacular aqueduct system proposed b Ali Pasha himself.

From the main bazaar it's a steep 45-minute walk uphill through the winding old town streets before you emerge onto a rough trail that heads directly up the valley. To return, there's an alternate route that leads across the river a short way below the bridge and meanders downhill toward the southern edge of the old town.

Discover the Nature around Gjirokastër

While the hazy green hues of this mountainous region once represented something a little more sinister (neighboring town Lazarat wasn't called the cannabis capital of Europe for nothing) these days Fjirokastra's vibrant green spaces are quickly becoming known for very different reasons.

Amazing ridge hikes, turquoise plunge pools, historic landmarks and lush forested valleys. With such an incredible setting between the mountains, this region boasts some of the best, untouched nature in Albania and is simply bursting with untapped potential.

Many tour groups offer day trips of all different types and interests.

Visit The Blue Eye. The Blue Eye is a natural water spring located in between Fjirokaster and Sarande. It is a beautiful place to visit, though it does get a little crowded. Many people swim in the clear turquoise water even though there is a clear sign prohibiting it. There are also restaurants as well as a few short walking trails. Th nature around the water spring is very impressive.