Gjirokastër, Albania

Gjirokastër

A stone city of slate-roofed tower houses below a huge castle.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
Blue Eye SpringAlbania · Nature spotBlue Eye Spring18 kmKsamilAlbania · Popular townKsamil36 kmKastoriaGreece · Hidden townKastoria108 kmPrespa LakesGreece · Nature spotPrespa Lakes113 kmOhridNorth Macedonia · Hidden townOhrid129 kmMeteoraGreece · Nature spotMeteora134 kmTiranaAlbania · CityTirana142 kmLecceItaly · CityLecce170 km

Things to do

2 days in Gjirokastër

Day 1

  1. MorningExplore the castle with its armoury and the views over the valley.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Zekate House or Skenduli House to see an Ottoman tower house inside.
  3. EveningHave dinner in the old bazaar as the stone streets cool down.

Day 2

Drive to the Blue Eye Spring and on to Sarandë and Ksamil.

What to eat

Qifqi, rice balls with herbs and egg, a local speciality.

Local tips

Make the most of Gjirokastër

Beat the crowds

Quiet most of the year. The folk festival every few years fills the castle.

Best photo spot

The slate rooftops of the old bazaar from the castle walls.

Getting there

Buses run from Tirana (about 4 hours) and from Sarandë on the coast (about 1.5 hours).

Don't miss nearby

The Blue Eye spring, on the way to Sarandë, and the ancient city of Butrint near the Greek border.

Good to know

Visit one of the old tower houses inside, like the Skenduli House. The cobbled streets are steep and slippery when wet.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Gjirokastër

Our most hidden places around Gjirokastër: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Gjirokastër to take with you.

49 km away
51 km away
72 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Gjirokastër

Getting there

  • Corfu Airport (CFU)55 km away
  • Ohrid Airport (OHD)135 km away
  • Tirana140 km away
  • Lecce170 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryAlbania

Questions

Gjirokastër: good to know

Is Gjirokastër worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A stone city of slate-roofed tower houses below a huge castle.

How many days do you need in Gjirokastër?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Gjirokastër?

You can visit all year. Quiet most of the year. The folk festival every few years fills the castle.

How do you get to Gjirokastër?

The nearest airport is Corfu Airport (CFU), about 55 km away. Buses run from Tirana (about 4 hours) and from Sarandë on the coast (about 1.5 hours).

What is there to see near Gjirokastër?

Nearby hidden places include Blue Eye Spring (18 km), Ksamil (36 km) and Kastoria (108 km).

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