Gjirokaster is located on a hillside in the south of Albania, overlooking a stunning river valley. It’s known for its ancient history, Ottoman-style architecture and imposing castle, which is one of the biggest in the Balkans. From the first moment you set foot in its cobbled streets, you’ll be enchanted with this place. And while many people choose to visit Gjirokaster as a quick day trip, we highly recommend staying at least a few days here if you can. This UNESCO World Heritage town has a diverse mix of things to do.

😴 Where we stayed: Villa 70 (highly recommend!) https://www.booking.com/hotel/al/villa-70.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

7 of the BEST Things to do in Gjirokaster:

7. Stroll around the Old Bazaar
The Old Bazaar is the most picturesque area in Gjirokaster and strolling around it is an experience in itself. There are many souvenir shops, traditional cafés, restaurants, and some beautiful Ottoman-era houses. You’ll quickly understand why Gjirokaster is considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Albania. So bring your camera and spend time taking in the atmosphere.

6. Visit the Castle
Dominating the town, the castle is the most-visited tourist attraction in Gjirokaster for a good reason. While it’s still unclear when this fortification was exactly built, there’s no doubt that it witnessed the turbulent history of the region across centuries. Inside the castle you can see the Clock Tower, an Aritallary Gallery, and a US Air Force plane that made an emergency landing in Albania during the Cold War. The Castle’s Museum is also a must-do when inside.

5. Take a look inside Zekate house
After visiting the castle, you should head to Zekate House, a traditional Ottoman-era house that dates back to the early 1800s. It’s a typical tower house, belonging to the wealthy families of 19th century Gjirokaster. Zekate is a 3-storey house and has gorgeous interiors and rooms, which can all be accessed.

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4. Try the local specialties
Gjirokaster has its own produce and unique culinary traditions. The town’s signature dish includes baked rice balls, and you can find it in almost every restaurant in the city. Restaurants we recommend are: Odaja, Taverna Kuka, and The Barrels.

3. Walk to the Ali Pasha bridge
Another great thing to do in Gjirokaster is to hike to Ali Pasha’s bridge, which is set in a narrow gorge right outside of town. It takes about 45 minutes of uphill walking to reach the aqueduct from the castle. But if you have a rental car, it might be easier to drive the first part, which is a mostly paved road.

2. Learn about the Cold War Tunnels
When traveling around Albania you’ll discover many bunkers that were built during the Cold War. Gjirokaster has its own version of a bunker, which sits underneath the castle. The Cold War Tunnel was a secret 800-meter long tunnel bunker that has been transformed into a small museum.

1. Watch sunset from the Obelisk
Given Gjirokaster’s hilly character, it’s no wonder that there are many beautiful viewpoints to enjoy. Our favorite one was from the Obelisk monument in the heart of the old town. From here, you can oversee the entire town, castle, and valley.

📺 MORE ALBANIA VIDEOS:
– Saranda Best Things To Do: https://youtu.be/DfSf0IVzofE
– Tirana Best Things To Do: https://youtu.be/IASIu531Ijc
– Berat Things To Do: https://youtu.be/P8_hWFs2MIA
– Albania Top 15 Places To Visit: https://youtu.be/MbO4XGmdADk
– Albanian Alps 3-4 day itinerary: coming soon!

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🎵 MUSIC CREDITS:
Truth Or Consequences by Spearfisher
Rejoice in the morning by The David Roy Collective
Balkan Jalisco by Spearfisher
After The Storm by Cameron Mackay

🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
1:01 Old Bazaar
1:38 Gjirokaster Castle
2:33 Zekate House
3:33 Try The Local Food
4:17 Ali Pasha Bridge
5:02 Cold War Tunnels
5:45 The Obelisk
6:22 More Gjirokaster Tips

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