Tour

Gjirokastra, City of Stone

Stone-roofed Ottoman houses climb the hillside beneath a dramatic hilltop castle, while the old bazaar's cobbled lanes are filled with crafts, cafés, and local life.

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Duration
Full day, ~9 hours
Distance
220 km each way
Group size
Up to 8 people
Difficulty
Easy — mostly walking, with some steep cobbled streets

Itinerary

How it runs

  • 07:00Pickup in Tirana, drive south toward Gjirokastra (~3.5 hrs, with a coffee stop).
  • 10:30Arrive in Gjirokastra. Walk through the historic bazaar and its cobbled lanes before continuing uphill to the castle.
  • 11:30Explore Gjirokastra Castle (Kalaja), the city's imposing hilltop fortress, with panoramic views over the Drino Valley and surrounding mountains.
  • 13:00Walk through the old town and visit one of Gjirokastra's characteristic Ottoman houses, with its stone construction and richly decorated interiors.
  • 14:00Lunch (own expense) in the old bazaar — [add your recommended spot].
  • 15:30Free time in the bazaar for coffee, local crafts, souvenirs, or a relaxed walk through the historic streets.
  • 16:00Begin the drive back to Tirana.
  • 19:30Approximate return to Tirana.
Gjirokastra old bazaar and Ottoman stone houses on the hillside
Gjirokastra Castle (Kalaja) overlooking the Drino Valley

Good to know

What's included

  • Transport from Tirana and back
  • [Guide's Name] with you the whole day
  • Castle entry fee

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Entry fees for historic houses or museums
  • Coffee and personal expenses

Price

[€25] per person

Groups of [5]+ get a per-person discount — ask when you reserve.

Reserve this tour

Getting there

From Tirana to Gjirokastra

About 220 km, roughly 3.5 hours each way via the SH4. The line on the map is a straight-line reference, not the actual road route.