Gjirokaster in Albania is popular for its previous city and medieval castle that is found on a hill. It gives a variety of points of interest that are perfect for visitors who want to explore Albanian tradition and record. If you are wanting for a place with picturesque landscapes, mountains, castles, and fantastic meals in Southern Albania – Gjirokaster is the best location.
This posting will deliver you with all the information you have to have to know about this wonderful location!
7 of the best points to do in Gjirokaster
1. Marvel the Gjirokaster Castle
1 of the best points of interest in Albania is Gjirokaster Castle, which is recognised for its record and scenic landscapes. With loads of things to see and do, it is the excellent desired destination for any one who needs an interesting vacation in Albania.
Gjirokaster Castle was developed all around the 12th century. It has been rebuilt a lot of times all through the hundreds of years, and today it stands at 336 meters. You can love wonderful views of Southern Albania from atop Gjirokaster Castle when checking out within.
2. Tour at Gjirokaster Museum
Gjirokaster Castle and Museum must be frequented as a solitary encounter. The Gjirokaster Museum is just within the castle, and it has numerous artifacts and mementos from the historical past of Gjirokaster. The museum goes into excellent detail about the background, lifetime less than Ottoman’s reign, and war amongst empires. The biographies of some Gjirokaster citizens are also highlighted in the museum. There are some attention-grabbing details about the town and its folks to discover below.
3. Shop at the bazaar in Gjirokaster Aged Town
The bazaar is one particular of Albania’s most popular marketplaces that has been all over for more than 500 a long time. It characteristics an array of standard Albanian goods these as olive oil, neighborhood honey, herbal teas, and even the national consume – Raki. It’s the perfect place for souvenirs to get back again dwelling!
The bazaar is also acknowledged for its lively atmosphere that presents an genuine working experience of Albania. Site visitors will enjoy the lively ambiance of this old bazaar, together with its historic structures, cobblestone streets, and architecture.
4. Stroll via the old city of Gjirokaster
The most preferred put to go to in Albania is its Outdated Town, which has retained significantly of its first architecture and traditions intact given that medieval situations. Gjirokaster Outdated City is a UNESCO Earth Heritage Site for a motive. It is certainly a unique spot that delivers the fantastic background and lifestyle of Albania.
The city consists of lots of gorgeous stone-paved alleys, conventional homes, and other properties perfect for site visitors to examine. Beyond its historical significance, it’s also a beautiful spot for sightseeing with gorgeous landscapes that are ideal for some images.
The best way to investigate every thing that this city gives is by strolling inside its Old City. You will get an pleasing glimpse of everyday living right here as you move by retailers, cafes, and residences.
5. Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge
Ali Pasha Bridge is the remains of an enormous aqueduct that was designed in the 19th century. The construction has lengthy been abandoned due to the fact then, and it has been remaining in ruins. What would make this place fascinating is that readers can climb inside and see the framework up close.
These days, the structure is used as a footpath, and it has turn into a preferred attraction for hikers and trekkers. The attraction is only 30 minutes from Gjirokaster Old Town, and it is a excellent way to get absent from the crowds.
6. Master heritage at Gjirokaster Cold War Tunnel Museum
For record buffs, there is a museum that gives a great deal of details about the Cold War in Albania. It attributes a tunnel developed during the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and shows some artifacts from that time.
The museum is in particular popular with overseas vacationers who want to study additional about how Albanians lived under Communism. The tunnel itself is a intriguing relic, and it presents people an plan of what lifetime was like throughout that period of time.
7. Take a look at the Skenduli Home
If you are interested in understanding about Albania’s common life-style, then Skenduli Dwelling is the location to go. It capabilities a conventional home that has been preserved for lots of many years, and visitors can see how it was lived back in the 17th century. The journey to this residence also delivers an perception into diverse factors of Albanian lifestyle, together with food stuff preparing, weddings, and even apparel.
People will be able to see the each day lifestyle of an Albanian family members back again in this period with all genuine furnishings. Skenduli Home is just minutes absent from Gjirokaster Aged Town, so it is an quick halt to make on a day vacation.
How to get to Gjirokaster (from Saranda, Berat, Tirana)
If you are touring from Saranda, the ideal alternative is to get a immediate bus from a end on Rruga Flamurit close to the Synagogue remains, bringing you straight to Gjirokaster in about 1-1.5 hrs.
If you are coming from Berat, you can get a bus from the terminal straight to Gjirokaster. The journey will take about 4 hours, and the bus helps make frequent stops to decide on up couriers.
If you are from Tirana, there are two possibilities that you can consider. The initial a single is to catch a neighborhood bus from Regional Bus Terminal, which can take about 4 hrs. The handy however dear alternative is by driving a taxi but make guaranteed to e-book one particular in advance.
At the time you have achieved Gjirokaster Bus Quit, you should take a nearby bus together Bulevardi 18 Shtator highway to carry you to the Outdated City. From right here, it is effortless for visitors to accessibility points of interest like the castle, bazaar, and outdated city.
Most effective time to take a look at Gjirokaster
It would be finest if you frequented at the end of summer months or middle of August to get pleasure from at ease weather currently being not far too very hot and not far too cold. By that time, the peak season is currently above, and you keep away from crowded sights.
Exactly where to keep in Gjirokaster
Where I stayed
Gjirokaster has a range of lodging for visitors, but the most well-liked put is the Stone City Hostel. It is a attractive previous dwelling with a shaded backyard garden, a large roof terrace, and breathtaking sights of the castle. It’s also found in the heart of Gjirokaster Old City, earning it a wonderful location to continue to be.
The hostel is close to all big points of interest, together with Ali Pasha Bridge and Skenduli Property. Readers will have quick accessibility to anything this city has to present by staying at Stone Metropolis Hostel. It is also a excellent position for meeting other vacationers, which you really do not get with additional distinguished motels.
Much more choices
What to try to eat and consume in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is a place that gives a great deal of delightful Albanian dishes. The most well-known possibilities are musaka, an oven-baked dish created with eggplant and potatoes qifqi, a rice ball specialty of Gjirokaster Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie.
The most preferred drink is Raki, which has an liquor degree of 40%. It is very best paired with gentle meals or treats like Gjirokaster’s famed musaka for highest taste.
Where to consume
For the supreme residence cooked food, vacationers should really consume at Taverna Tradicionale. It is a relatives-operate cafe that has been well-known with locals for a lot of yrs, and readers will get to experience authentic Albanian dishes in an personal location.
The foodstuff they serve is refreshing and made from local components to make certain that you get the most effective-tasting meal. Vacationers recurrent this cafe for their delicious area dishes served in a regular setting.
There are also a good deal of dining places in the Gjirokaster Aged Town for visitors to decide on from, like Taverna Kuka or Odaja Restaurant. These restaurants are popular with locals, and visitors will get a flavor of traditional Albanian dishes.
Gjirokaster FAQ
Is Albania safe to journey to?How quite a few times do you need when you take a look at Gjirokaster?
If you want to see all the principal points of interest of Gjirokaster, we advise at the very least two days. This will give you plenty of time to take a look at the streets of the city and nearby attractions.
Who built the Gjirokaster Castle?
Data indicate that Petro Korçari directed the design of the fortress. The castle’s longevity has been attributed to its construction’s substantial-high-quality operate and elements.
Is Albania protected to travel to?
Albania is at the moment just one of the most secure nations in Europe. The criminal offense charges are reduced, and it is clear-cut to get all over with general public transportation (taxi or bus) without having any challenges. Primarily in Gjirokaster, it is quite protected to walk close to the town and enjoy its web-sites.
Last thoughts on browsing Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, Albania is a compact city in Southern Albania that delivers so a great deal much more than just its Old Town and medieval castle. The charming metropolis has an abundance of thrilling things for travelers who want to examine Albanian society and record as a result of several attractions. If you are looking for a location with all these characteristics, Gjirokaster is a have to-go to desired destination for your Albania travel itinerary.
About the author
Catalin Geangos is the Founder and Editor of TravelTrained and a vacation blogger who primarily focuses on nightlife, day excursions and tours, hostels, and beach front resorts although traveling in Southeast Asia.
