Gjirokastër's Ottoman-era tower houses, roofed in grey stone slabs, climb the slopes below one of the largest castles in the Balkans. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feels unlike anywhere else in Albania.
It's also the birthplace of novelist Ismail Kadare, whose childhood home is now a museum, and of communist leader Enver Hoxha.
Don't miss in Gjirokastër
- Gjirokastër Castle and its views over the Drino valley
- Restored tower houses such as Skenduli and Zekate
- The old bazaar's stone lanes and craft shops
- The Cold War tunnel under the castle hill
How to get to Gjirokastër
- From Tirana: buses take around 3.5–4 hours.
- From Sarandë: about 1–1.5 hours by bus or car, passing the Blue Eye.
- Buses stop in the new town at the bottom of the hill. A short taxi ride up saves a steep climb with luggage.
Watch out for
- The polished stone streets are very slippery, especially when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
- Parking in the old town is tight; leave the car lower down if you can.
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