Busy cobbled street with shops and traditional white houses with wooden details in the centre of Kruja in Albania

Castles of Gjirokastra

Bite-sized trip

  • Travelife
  • ABTOT
  • ATOL
    • Itinerary:
      Gjirokastra
    • Duration:
      3 days / 2 nights
    • Price:
      From £199 per person (excluding flights)

    If the majestic stone-built Gjirokastra was not on your list to visit, be sure to add it in: it's so worth a detour. One of the great examples of Ottoman architecture, this medieval town overlooking the green Drina valley is full of character. Think entangled cobbled streets, bazaars and a sensational views from the well-preserved castle. Your local guide will help you uncover the area's history during your walk through the town.

    Woman and boy smile on a sunny cobbled street lined with white buildings and shops, with a castle on a distant hill in Kruja

    Display of colourful rugs and cushions with geometric patterns in a shop in Kruja in Albania

    Day 1 – Arrival in Gjirokastra

    Considered by many to be one of the most picturesque towns in Albania, Gjirokastra is a must for travellers, especially those visiting the south. This well-preserved Ottoman-style town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and it’s not hard to see why, with its enchanting cobbled streets and unique buildings which also earned it the nickname the City of Stone. Here you'll stay in one of the small local hotels near the town centre. Packed with character and full of colourful local tapestry, this place will instantly make you feel welcome.

    Day 2 - Explore the town with your guide

    Gjirokastra is very walkable and doesn’t get quite as many tourists as other towns nearby, but there’s plenty to see and do. To help you make the most of your time here, we'll arrange a local guide who will walk you through the town's narrow streets and point out the details you'd have easily missed otherwise. Among other places you'll visit one of the best preserved buildings in the old town, the Skenduli house, with its colourful stained glass windows and many arches. Stroll through the Bazaar, watch the craftsmen at work and gain the secrets of Albanian carpets weaving from the locals.

    Spend the rest of your day wandering through the Old Town, picking up authentic handcrafted gifts, eating delicious local food or sitting back in a bar or café watching the world go by.

    Old mosque with a tall minaret and stone tiled roof in a hillside town under a blue sky in Kruja in Albania
    A historic hillside village with a prominent mosque minaret and traditional houses nestled among trees, with cloud-covered mountains in the background.

    Day 3 – Departure from Gjirokastra

    All good things come to an end and today after breakfast you'll wave goodbye to this charming place. It's time to continue your adventures around Albania and start making your way towards the next destination.

    Accommodation

    Atmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in AlbaniaAtmospheric hotel room with a wooden bed, stone wall and warm lighting in Gjirokastër in Albania
    Traditional houses with stone roofs and a courtyard with a pool in Gjirokastër in Albania
    Traditional house with stone walls, wooden details and a pool with sun loungers in Gjirokastër in Albania

    For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

    Man and woman roast red peppers in a large outdoor pot in Albania
    1Add to my trip

    Cooking class

    • Price:
      From £70 per person
    • Included:
      3-hours cooking class with local chef.

    Today you'll learn about Albanian culture in the best possible way (in our opinion) - through food! With a lot of Italian, Greek and Ottoman influences, Albanian cuisine is rich in flavours and very diverse, with plenty of local delicacies in each region. Under a careful guidance of a local chef you'll cook up a feast and learn about the development of the local staple dishes while trying them fresh from the stove.

    Smiling woman riding a donkey on a hillside path with another rider in front in Albania
    2Add to my trip

    Horse riding in the countryside

    • Price:
      From £70 per person
    • Included:
      Horse riding with a guide, private half-day tour (min age 8 years).

    Discover the countryside on a horseback and get to places that walkers and bikers don't often go to. You'll also have the best view! After a short briefing from your guide, you'll jump on your horse and start the journey. Your guide will show you his favourite places around the Deshnica Valley and you'll have ample time to take in the scenery.

    Interior of a dilapidated underground bunker with arched ceilings, a large rusty generator, ventilation pipes and a dark hallway in Albania
    3Add to my trip

    Cold war city tour

    • Price:
      From £115 per person
    • Included:
      Cold war tour with English-speaking guide

    Discover the intriguing history of the Cold War during your visit to Gjirokastra, Albania. Embark on a fascinating journey as you explore key sites associated with this historic era. Your tour kicks off at the Cold War Tunnel, constructed in the 1970s as a shelter for leaders in the event of attacks. Next, delve into the past with a visit to the castle's prison, followed by a stop at Enver Hoxha's house. Uncover layers of history and gain insight into Albania's role during this pivotal period.

    Bedroom with an ornately carved wooden ceiling and chandelier, a large bed with a dark carved headboard, a red sofa and windows with curtains in Gjirokastër in Albania
    Outdoor breakfast with juice and pastries overlooking traditional stone-roofed buildings in Gjirokastër in Albania
    Aerial view of a luxurious traditional-style resort built into a hillside with white buildings, terraced swimming pools and outdoor dining areas lit up at dusk in Albania
    Traditional bedroom with a large bed, stone accent wall, ornately carved wooden ceiling, chandelier and a wooden staircase in Gjirokastër in Albania
    Traditional bedroom with a large bed, a grey bench, an ornate tapestry above a wooden headboard and a carved wooden ceiling in Gjirokastër in Albania
    4Add to my trip

    Upgrade to our In Style accommodation

    • Price:
      From £164 per person (excluding flights)
    • Included:
      As above

    For a little more comfort, why not upgrade to our In Style accommodation? In Gjirokastra, you'll be staying in beautiful hotel full of luxurious touches: wood carved ceilings, grand chandeliers and a huge terrace overlooking a tiered swimming pool. The views of the old town are a bonus!

    Castles of Gjirokastra

    This bite-sized trip combines well with