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Albania · Southern Albania

Gjirokastër travel guide

A stone town below a huge castle

The stone town of Gjirokastër. Photo: Name: Armin Flickr: flickr.com/octopuzz/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3hflight from London
TIAnearest main airport
26° in Augwarmest month
6° in Jancoolest month

Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed town of stone-roofed Ottoman tower houses on a hillside, below one of the largest castles in the Balkans.

It's the birthplace of the writer Ismail Kadare and of communist leader Enver Hoxha, and a Cold War tunnel is open to visitors.

Good forHistoryArchitectureFoodDay trips

What Gjirokastër is known for

  • The castle

    One of the biggest in the Balkans.

  • Tower houses

    Stone-roofed homes.

  • Cold War tunnel

    A secret bunker.

  • Qifqi

    Local rice balls.

Top things to do in Gjirokastër

  1. 1

    Gjirokastër Castle

    Museum and views.

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  2. 2

    Skenduli House

    A traditional house.

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  3. 3

    The Cold War tunnel

    A communist-era bunker.

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  4. 4

    The bazaar

    Cobbled streets and crafts.

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See all tours and tickets in Gjirokastër

Where to stay in Gjirokastër

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Best time to visit Gjirokastër

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to October.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
6.5 C6°J7.2 C7°F9.8 C10°M13.1 C13°A17.7 C18°M22.8 C23°J26.1 C26°J26.2 C26°A21.3 C21°S16.7 C17°O12.3 C12°N8 C8°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Gjirokastër, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 3h from London to TIA, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk the steep old town. Buses go to Sarandë in about 1.5 hours.

Airport transfer to Gjirokastër

Find flights to Gjirokastër (TIA)

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Good to know

  • Wear good shoes: cobbles are slippery.
  • Easy day trip from Sarandë.
  • Stay overnight for the evening light.
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Gjirokastër FAQ

Gjirokastër or Berat?

See both if you can.

Is it a day trip from Sarandë?

Yes, about 1.5 hours.

More places in Albania

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