By air
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), ~3.5 h by road
Europe · Albania
Gjirokastër, Albania
A stone city of tower houses under a great castle
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to June or September to October — mild weather for walking
Don't miss
Gjirokastër Castle
Skenduli House
Zekate House
The Old Bazaar
Things to do
Touring old tower houses
Exploring the castle
Browsing the bazaar
Hiking the Drino valley
Where to eat
What to pack
Sturdy shoes for cobbled slopes, light jacket
A quieter corner
The Blue Eye, a deep blue spring on the road towards Sarandë
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Gjirokastër?
April to June or September to October — mild weather for walking. What to pack: Sturdy shoes for cobbled slopes, light jacket.
How do I get to Gjirokastër?
Fly into Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), ~3.5 h by road.
What is there to do in Gjirokastër?
Touring old tower houses, exploring the castle, browsing the bazaar, hiking the Drino valley. A quieter find: The Blue Eye, a deep blue spring on the road towards Sarandë.
What should I eat in Gjirokastër?
Qifqi rice balls, oshaf, lamb dishes, local cheeses.
About Gjirokastër
- Mountains
- Hills
Where it is
Gjirokastër sits on a mountainside above the Drino valley in southern Albania, below a large hilltop castle.
History
Gjirokastër grew around its castle in the medieval period and flourished under Ottoman rule, when wealthy families built fortified stone tower houses on the slopes. The town is the birthplace of the novelist Ismail Kadare. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.
People
Albanian is spoken in Gjirokastër, and the town and its valley are known for polyphonic folk singing and a strong tradition of stone building.
Known for
- Ottoman-era stone tower houses
- Grey stone roofs
- A huge hilltop castle
- The national folk festival
Did you know?
Gjirokastër is often called the city of stone because its houses are built and roofed with local stone slabs.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.