Looking to take a break from bustling cities to get a taste of the real Albania? Try Gjirokastra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has all the atmosphere of the authentic Albanian countryside. You’ll find amazing views, and a vast, eye-catching castle overlooking the city. The narrow winding streets give Gjirokastra a fairytale feel. It's a lovely place to stroll. Discover your new favorite café among the nooks and crannies. Besides the inspiring countryside, Albanian gastronomy is one of the highlights of Gjirokastra. You'll delight in authentic regional specialities like Qifqi, a local dish made from rice and egg with seasonal herbs. But the delicious Albanian cuisine is only one part of the charm here.
Authentic Albania.
Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that won't disappoint.
Gjirokastra is a quiet, safe destination. It's perfect for a two-day visit, which will give you time to explore the culture. Plus you'll get away from the bigger cities to experience the other side of Albania. The pace may be slow here, but there’s plenty to see when visiting Gjirokastra. The Old Town is one of the first places to discover, with its distinctive white houses. It’s also worthwhile to drive outside the city. Then you can take in the gorgeous views and lovely landscape not far from the coast. We can offer very convenient, comfortable and reasonably priced hotels in Gjirokastra. This ensures you’ll have an excellent stay here. You'll also have local guides and tips for the best places in and around Gjirokastra.
Things to do in Gjirokastra
Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Gjirokastra
Spend some time in Gjirokastra on a tour that takes in other cities in Albania and neighboring countries. Our custom tour packages including Gjirokastra and other destinations throughout Albania and Europe make multi-city trips hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.
* Starting price is per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.
Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.
Where to stay in Gjirokastra
What we love about Gjirokastra
Trip Planning & Local Teams Specialist
Gjirokastra was love at first sight. Next to Tirana, it's my favorite place in Albania. Maybe it was due to me not having big expectations, thinking it would be just another remote, small, UNESCO-listed historic town. It turned out to be a proper surprise. If you're intrigued about mystery, history, authenticity, traditions, and local experiences, take the chance to visit it.
Team Leader for France, Benelux & Switzerland
Authentic, mystical, and spectacular! Gjirokastra is one of Albania's gems, and a must-visit town. Protected by UNESCO and home of the dictator Enver Hoxha as well as the famous writer Ismail Kadare, Gjirocastra is the area's cultural center. Despite Hoxa's ruthless regime, Gjirocastra retained its authenticity, which is visible on each corner. I was amazed with the small but strong community's local pride. I definitely wish to go back to Gjirocastra. What left another strong impression on me was the long drive from Gjirocastra to Ohrid (in North Macedonia) by the canyon of the turquoise Vjosa river- one of Europe’s last wild rivers. The scenery of the river engraved is deep in my memory and sometimes I feel it was just a dream!
Glowing Reviews from Our Guests
We went to Albania in July 2024 for the history and scenery - and it was fantastic - but we were particularly surprised and impressed by the friendliness and warm hospitality of everyone we encountered. JayWay did a terrific job organizing our trip and we saw many wonderful places in every corner of Albania (with a lovely side trip to Lake Ohrid in Macedonia as well)
Visited : Albania, North Macedonia
Itinerary : Tirana, Gjirokastra, Ohrid, Tirana
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I love this way of traveling, the traveling logistics, guides, activities, and hotels are all taken care of for you. The decisions have been very sound and the activities and cities chosen have all been great. Very well thought out travel experience!
Visited : Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania
Itinerary : Split, Skopje, Ohrid, Gjirokastra, Tirana
Rating :
We found the natural landscapes of Albania breathtakingly beautiful and the history, both ancient and modern, fascinating. The food was amazing and we loved our guide. Albania was a surprise package for us, we didn’t know what to expect and we absolutely loved it.
Visited : Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Italy
Itinerary : Athens, Delphi, Parga, Corfu, Ioannina, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Skopje, Ohrid, Gjirokastra, Tirana, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Split, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Zagreb, Rovinj, Ljubljana, Trieste, Venice
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Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Gjirokastra
What are prices like in Gjirokastra?
You can roughly expect to spend around $7 for a quick lunch and beer, $12 for dinner, and $4-8 for museums and landmarks.
How can I get around Gjirokastra?
Tirana is a relatively small city and most of the main attractions are within walking distance of the hotels we work with. The taxis are cheap, and you can get around the city with them for less than $5. Agree on a price before starting your journey.
How long should I stay in Gjirokastra?
We recommend spending at least two days in town.
Is Gjirokastra safe?
Gjirokastra is a safe place, but we still recommend keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.