Gjirokaster in Albania is popular for its aged city and medieval castle that is situated on a hill. It gives a wide variety of sights that are great for holidaymakers who want to investigate Albanian society and heritage. If you are wanting for a area with picturesque landscapes, mountains, castles, and great foods in Southern Albania – Gjirokaster is the best spot.
This post will give you with all the details you need to have to know about this awesome put!
7 of the most effective issues to do in Gjirokaster
1. Marvel the Gjirokaster Castle
One of the top points of interest in Albania is Gjirokaster Castle, which is identified for its history and scenic landscapes. With a great deal of issues to see and do, it’s the ideal location for any person who needs an remarkable vacation in Albania.
Gjirokaster Castle was designed about the 12th century. It has been rebuilt quite a few situations through the hundreds of years, and right now it stands at 336 meters. You can take pleasure in wonderful views of Southern Albania from atop Gjirokaster Castle though discovering within.
2. Tour at Gjirokaster Museum
Gjirokaster Castle and Museum ought to be visited as a single experience. The Gjirokaster Museum is just within the castle, and it consists of lots of artifacts and mementos from the heritage of Gjirokaster. The museum goes into wonderful element about the historical past, daily life less than Ottoman’s reign, and war in between empires. The biographies of some Gjirokaster citizens are also featured in the museum. There are some interesting facts about the town and its people to discover here.
3. Store at the bazaar in Gjirokaster Old City
The bazaar is a person of Albania’s most well-known markets that has been about for about 500 several years. It options an array of conventional Albanian items this sort of as olive oil, regional honey, natural teas, and even the nationwide consume – Raki. It’s the excellent put for souvenirs to take back again residence!
The bazaar is also acknowledged for its energetic environment that delivers an genuine experience of Albania. Site visitors will enjoy the vivid atmosphere of this previous bazaar, together with its historic structures, cobblestone streets, and architecture.
4. Stroll through the old town of Gjirokaster
The most well-liked put to stop by in Albania is its Aged Town, which has retained a lot of its unique architecture and traditions intact considering the fact that medieval moments. Gjirokaster Previous City is a UNESCO Planet Heritage Internet site for a rationale. It is actually a exclusive location that provides the terrific historical past and society of Albania.
The city is made up of quite a few lovely stone-paved alleys, conventional households, and other buildings great for readers to investigate. Outside of its historical importance, it is also a lovely spot for sightseeing with beautiful landscapes that are excellent for some shots.
The very best way to take a look at anything that this town presents is by walking inside its Previous Town. You will get an pleasing glimpse of existence listed here as you move by retailers, cafes, and residences.
5. Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge
Ali Pasha Bridge is the remains of an monumental aqueduct that was crafted in the 19th century. The construction has prolonged been abandoned considering that then, and it has been left in ruins. What helps make this spot fascinating is that readers can climb within and see the composition up near.
Right now, the framework is made use of as a footpath, and it has turn into a well-liked attraction for hikers and trekkers. The attraction is only 30 minutes from Gjirokaster Outdated City, and it is a great way to get absent from the crowds.
6. Study history at Gjirokaster Chilly War Tunnel Museum
For history buffs, there is a museum that features a good deal of details about the Chilly War in Albania. It features a tunnel developed all through the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and displays some artifacts from that time.
The museum is particularly common with overseas travelers who want to discover a lot more about how Albanians lived underneath Communism. The tunnel alone is a intriguing relic, and it presents website visitors an thought of what existence was like for the duration of that interval.
7. Stop by the Skenduli Residence
If you are intrigued in studying about Albania’s standard life style, then Skenduli Household is the place to go. It options a regular house that has been preserved for numerous yrs, and people can see how it was lived back in the 17th century. The journey to this dwelling also provides an perception into diverse aspects of Albanian society, including foods preparation, weddings, and even apparel.
Visitors will be able to see the daily life of an Albanian household back again in this interval with all authentic furnishings. Skenduli Dwelling is just minutes away from Gjirokaster Old City, so it is an effortless halt to make on a working day vacation.
How to get to Gjirokaster (from Saranda, Berat, Tirana)
If you are touring from Saranda, the most effective selection is to get a immediate bus from a prevent on Rruga Flamurit in close proximity to the Synagogue remains, bringing you straight to Gjirokaster in about 1-1.5 several hours.
If you are coming from Berat, you can choose a bus from the terminal specifically to Gjirokaster. The journey usually takes close to four several hours, and the bus can make regular stops to select up couriers.
If you are from Tirana, there are two possibilities that you can get. The initial one is to capture a nearby bus from Regional Bus Terminal, which usually takes about 4 several hours. The hassle-free nonetheless expensive selection is by riding a taxi but make guaranteed to e book a person in advance.
The moment you have reached Gjirokaster Bus Halt, you ought to take a neighborhood bus alongside Bulevardi 18 Shtator highway to deliver you to the Previous City. From listed here, it is uncomplicated for tourists to access sights like the castle, bazaar, and aged town.
Greatest time to go to Gjirokaster
It would be ideal if you frequented at the conclusion of summertime or center of August to delight in at ease weather conditions being not too sizzling and not way too chilly. By that time, the peak year is already more than, and you keep away from crowded sights.
In which to remain in Gjirokaster
Wherever I stayed
Gjirokaster has a range of accommodations for guests, but the most common spot is the Stone City Hostel. It is a wonderful previous dwelling with a shaded yard, a big roof terrace, and breathtaking views of the castle. It’s also found in the heart of Gjirokaster Aged Town, building it a fantastic put to keep.
The hostel is close to all significant attractions, like Ali Pasha Bridge and Skenduli Property. Website visitors will have effortless obtain to every little thing this town has to offer by staying at Stone Metropolis Hostel. It is also a wonderful position for assembly other vacationers, which you really don’t get with a lot more popular hotels.
A lot more alternatives
What to try to eat and consume in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is a location that features plenty of scrumptious Albanian dishes. The most preferred selections are musaka, an oven-baked dish produced with eggplant and potatoes qifqi, a rice ball specialty of Gjirokaster Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie.
The most well-liked consume is Raki, which has an alcohol level of 40%. It is finest paired with light foods or snacks like Gjirokaster’s popular musaka for highest taste.
Where to try to eat
For the greatest home cooked food, tourists really should take in at Taverna Tradicionale. It’s a relatives-run restaurant that has been popular with locals for a lot of years, and people will get to expertise reliable Albanian dishes in an personal location.
The meals they serve is clean and built from area elements to guarantee that you get the best-tasting meal. Travellers frequent this restaurant for their mouth watering area dishes served in a classic placing.
There are also a lot of restaurants in the Gjirokaster Old Town for visitors to opt for from, like Taverna Kuka or Odaja Cafe. These dining establishments are well known with locals, and site visitors will get a taste of regular Albanian dishes.
Gjirokaster FAQ
Is Albania safe to travel to?How lots of days do you need when you pay a visit to Gjirokaster?
If you want to see all the key sights of Gjirokaster, we suggest at minimum two days. This will give you ample time to discover the streets of the city and close by attractions.
Who built the Gjirokaster Castle?
Documents point out 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 harmless to travel to?
Albania is at the moment one of the most secure countries in Europe. The crime fees are small, and it is simple to get about with public transportation (taxi or bus) with no any concerns. Specifically in Gjirokaster, it is really risk-free to wander around the city and love its web pages.
Closing views on going to Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, Albania is a small town in Southern Albania that provides so considerably much more than just its Old Town and medieval castle. The charming city has an abundance of exciting things for vacationers who want to investigate Albanian tradition and heritage through several sights. If you are seeking for a spot with all these functions, Gjirokaster is a have to-visit vacation spot for your Albania vacation itinerary.
About the author
Catalin Geangos is the Founder and Editor of TravelTrained and a vacation blogger who mainly focuses on nightlife, working day trips and tours, hostels, and beach resorts whilst touring in Southeast Asia.