All citiesGjirokastër Things to do and walking itinerary
Albania Gjirokastër travel guide
20 things to do in Gjirokastër, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Gjirokastër guide sections (9)
Top things to do in Gjirokastër
- Gjirokastër Fortress: Standing 336 m up, the castle looks down on the town and includes a Bektashi türbe. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Antigonia: Ruins of the ancient Greek city, chief inland town of the Chaonians in Epirus, just south of Saraqinisht. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Gjirokastër Mosque: Also known as the Memi Bey Mosque, the Bazaar Mosque has been a cultural monument since 1973 and is part of the UNESCO-listed centre. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Libohovë Fortress: An Ottoman-era castle in the town of Libohovë near Gjirokastër. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Zekate House: Built in 1811-1812 for Beqir Zeko, an official of Ali Pasha, it is one of the largest Ottoman-era houses in town. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Zall Teqe: Also known as the Asim Baba Tekke, this Bektashi lodge was completed in 1780. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum: Built in 1966 on the site of Enver Hoxha's birth house, it now shows the town's traditional way of life. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gjirokastër Obelisk: A 7 m obelisk celebrating the Albanian language, at the town's highest point near the first Albanian school, opened in 1908. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Holy Transfiguration Church: Built in 1784, the Orthodox church has been a Cultural Monument of Albania since 1963. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Çerçiz Topulli Square: Really a widened street, the square leads at its western end into the old bazaar. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- National Museum of Weapons: museum in Gjirokaster, Albania (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Transfiguration Monastery Church, Mingul: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Michael's Monastery Church, Nivan: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kardhiq Castle: cultural heritage monument of Albania (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Meçite Mosque (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Skenduli house in Gjirokastër: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 15 min)
- House of Muhamet Fico: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kadare-House in Gjirokastra: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St. Elijah's Church, Stegopull: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St. Mary's Monastery, Goranxi: cultural Monument in Albania (visit ≈ 15 min)
1-day Gjirokastër walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Bazaar. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.1 km · 6,840 steps · 1 h 8 min on the way): Gjirokastër Obelisk → Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum → Zekate House → Gjirokastër Mosque → Zall Teqe → Holy Transfiguration Church → Gjirokastër Fortress → Çerçiz Topulli Square
Where to stay in Gjirokastër
- Old Bazaar: Stone houses and restaurants below the castle, with everything on foot.
- Palorto: A quiet quarter of old mansions west of the castle.
Getting from the airport to Gjirokastër
- Tirana Rinas (TIA): Car or transfer ≈ 3-3.5 h (230 km)
Getting around
The town climbs a steep slope and the cobbles are slippery, so wear flat shoes. Climb to the castle early in the morning. Buses to Saranda and Butrint leave from the new town below.
Classic places to eat
- Kujtimi: Tavë kosi, qofte and grilled lamb under a vaulted ceiling in the old bazaar.
- Odaja: Traditional Albanian food in the bazaar, with meat-free options.
Day trips
- Butrint: 37 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Gjirokastër
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: Traffic can be aggressive and roads narrow. Avoid rural driving at night.
- Warning: Drones need a permit. Don't photograph military sites.
- The currency is the lek. Euros are widely taken at varying rates.
- Some older Albanians shake their head for yes and nod for no. Ask if unsure.
- Cover shoulders and knees in mosques and churches.
- Emergency: 112 (police 129, ambulance 127, fire 128)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Prefer bottled water.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Albania, Wikivoyage: Albania, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Gjirokastër travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Gjirokastër?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 14 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Butrint).
- What are the top things to do in Gjirokastër?
- Highlights: Gjirokastër Fortress, Antigonia, Gjirokastër Mosque, Libohovë Fortress and Zekate House. The map has 20 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Gjirokastër?
- Old Bazaar: Stone houses and restaurants below the castle, with everything on foot. Other options: Palorto.
- How do you get from the airport to Gjirokastër city centre?
- Tirana Rinas (TIA): Car or transfer ≈ 3-3.5 h (230 km)
- How do you get around Gjirokastër?
- The town climbs a steep slope and the cobbles are slippery, so wear flat shoes. Climb to the castle early in the morning. Buses to Saranda and Butrint leave from the new town below.
- What is the emergency number in Gjirokastër?
- Emergency: 112 (police 129, ambulance 127, fire 128).
- Do you tip in Gjirokastër?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
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