Gjirokaster Albania | Helpful Travel Guide | What To Do | See | Stay | Eat

Gjirokaster in Albania is famous for its aged city and medieval castle that is positioned on a hill. It gives a selection of sights that are perfect for visitors who want to check out Albanian tradition and background. If you are looking for a location with picturesque landscapes, mountains, castles, and wonderful foodstuff in Southern Albania – Gjirokaster is the perfect desired destination.

This short article will provide you with all the data you will need to know about this wonderful put!

7 of the ideal things to do in Gjirokaster

1. Marvel the Gjirokaster Castle

A person of the leading attractions in Albania is Gjirokaster Castle, which is recognised for its historical past and scenic landscapes. With plenty of items to see and do, it’s the excellent desired destination for everyone who wants an fascinating vacation in Albania.

Gjirokaster Castle was created all-around the 12th century. It has been rebuilt a lot of instances through the generations, and today it stands at 336 meters. You can take pleasure in fantastic views of Southern Albania from atop Gjirokaster Castle although discovering inside.

2. Tour at Gjirokaster Museum

Gjirokaster Castle and Museum should really be frequented as a one experience. The Gjirokaster Museum is just within the castle, and it consists of lots of artifacts and mementos from the historical past of Gjirokaster. The museum goes into fantastic detail about the historical past, existence beneath Ottoman’s reign, and war in between empires. The biographies of some Gjirokaster citizens are also showcased in the museum. There are some fascinating points about the city and its people today to discover below.

3. Store at the bazaar in Gjirokaster Old Town

The bazaar is just one of Albania’s most popular markets that has been close to for more than 500 several years. It functions an array of traditional Albanian products these kinds of as olive oil, local honey, natural teas, and even the national consume – Raki. It is the excellent put for souvenirs to acquire back again property!

The bazaar is also identified for its lively atmosphere that gives an genuine knowledge of Albania. People will take pleasure in the vivid ambiance of this previous bazaar, alongside with its historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and architecture.

4. Stroll by way of the old town of Gjirokaster

The most well-liked location to visit in Albania is its Previous City, which has retained significantly of its first architecture and traditions intact since medieval instances. Gjirokaster Outdated City is a UNESCO Earth Heritage Internet site for a cause. It is genuinely a special area that provides the terrific history and lifestyle of Albania.

The town consists of many wonderful stone-paved alleys, traditional houses, and other properties perfect for website visitors to check out. Further than its historic significance, it’s also a lovely location for sightseeing with amazing landscapes that are best for some pics.

The greatest way to explore every little thing that this city gives is by going for walks inside its Outdated City. You will get an pleasant glimpse of lifetime in this article as you pass by stores, cafes, and houses.

5. Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge

Ali Pasha Bridge is the continues to be of an tremendous aqueduct that was designed in the 19th century. The development has extensive been deserted considering the fact that then, and it has been remaining in ruins. What would make this position intriguing is that people can climb within and see the structure up near.

These days, the composition is employed as a footpath, and it has come to be a well-known attraction for hikers and trekkers. The attraction is only 30 minutes from Gjirokaster Aged Town, and it is a great way to get away from the crowds.

6. Discover record at Gjirokaster Chilly War Tunnel Museum

For heritage buffs, there is a museum that offers a lot of info about the Cold War in Albania. It functions a tunnel constructed in the course of the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and displays some artifacts from that time.

The museum is specially well-liked with overseas tourists who want to understand more about how Albanians lived underneath Communism. The tunnel itself is a fascinating relic, and it gives readers an thought of what daily life was like in the course of that period.

7. Visit the Skenduli Property

If you are intrigued in mastering about Albania’s common lifestyle, then Skenduli Property is the spot to go. It characteristics a conventional home that has been preserved for a lot of many years, and website visitors can see how it was lived back again in the 17th century. The journey to this dwelling also presents an insight into distinct facets of Albanian lifestyle, which include food preparation, weddings, and even clothing.

Guests will be equipped to see the every day lifestyle of an Albanian loved ones back again in this period with all authentic furnishings. Skenduli House is just minutes away from Gjirokaster Previous Town, so it is an straightforward end to make on a working day excursion.

How to get to Gjirokaster (from Saranda, Berat, Tirana)

If you are touring from Saranda, the very best choice is to acquire a direct bus from a prevent on Rruga Flamurit near the Synagogue remains, bringing you straight to Gjirokaster in about 1-1.5 several hours.

If you are coming from Berat, you can just take a bus from the terminal directly to Gjirokaster. The journey normally takes around 4 hrs, and the bus can make repeated stops to decide on up couriers.

If you are from Tirana, there are two solutions that you can consider. The first one particular is to catch a local bus from Regional Bus Terminal, which normally takes about four hours. The practical but expensive option is by using a taxi but make sure to ebook 1 in progress.

The moment you have reached Gjirokaster Bus Stop, you ought to choose a neighborhood bus alongside Bulevardi 18 Shtator street to deliver you to the Outdated City. From right here, it is straightforward for vacationers to entry sights like the castle, bazaar, and aged city.

Greatest time to pay a visit to Gjirokaster

It would be most effective if you visited at the conclude of summer season or middle of August to get pleasure from cozy temperature remaining not as well hot and not way too chilly. By that time, the peak year is by now over, and you prevent crowded attractions.

Exactly where to keep in Gjirokaster

Where by I stayed

Gjirokaster has a assortment of lodging for people, but the most preferred put is the Stone City Hostel. It’s a attractive old residence with a shaded backyard, a huge roof terrace, and breathtaking views of the castle. It’s also located in the coronary heart of Gjirokaster Aged City, producing it a fantastic spot to continue to be.

The hostel is shut to all major points of interest, together with Ali Pasha Bridge and Skenduli Home. Visitors will have uncomplicated access to everything this city has to present by remaining at Stone Town Hostel. It’s also a wonderful position for assembly other vacationers, which you really do not get with extra popular hotels.

A lot more selections

What to try to eat and consume in Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster is a spot that presents a great deal of delectable Albanian dishes. The most preferred choices are musaka, an oven-baked dish designed with eggplant and potatoes qifqi, a rice ball specialty of Gjirokaster Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie.

The most popular consume is Raki, which has an liquor level of 40%.  It is most effective paired with light-weight foods or snacks like Gjirokaster’s well known musaka for highest taste.

Wherever to try to eat

For the top dwelling cooked meal, travelers should consume at Taverna Tradicionale. It’s a family members-run restaurant that has been preferred with locals for quite a few yrs, and site visitors will get to practical experience reliable Albanian dishes in an intimate environment.

The foodstuff they serve is fresh and created from community substances to guarantee that you get the finest-tasting meal. Travelers recurrent this restaurant for their delectable area dishes served in a traditional placing.

There are also loads of dining places in the Gjirokaster Aged City for guests to opt for from, like Taverna Kuka or Odaja Cafe. These restaurants are preferred with locals, and website visitors will get a flavor of traditional Albanian dishes.

Gjirokaster FAQ

Remaining views on going to Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster, Albania is a tiny town in Southern Albania that gives so considerably much more than just its Aged City and medieval castle. The charming metropolis has an abundance of fascinating issues for tourists who want to examine Albanian culture and historical past through several sights. If you are wanting for a area with all these options, Gjirokaster is a should-check out vacation spot for your Albania vacation itinerary.