Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër is a town and a UNESCO world heritage site in Southeastern Albania.

• Tourist Information Centre, +355 84 267077. Every day 09:00-17:00 (Mar-Nov); 09:00-15:00 (Dec-Feb).

Tourist Information Centre, +355 84 267077. Every day 09:00-17:00 (Mar-Nov); 09:00-15:00 (Dec-Feb).

• Gjirokastër Castle, Rruga Evlia Celebi 1 (at the top of the hill. The historical and geographical center of the city, the Castle is billed as the second largest in all the Balkans, and is worth a look. The Armaments Museum is located in the castle (separate 200 leke entrance) and contains a collection of mostly post-War era weapons, photographs and artwork: the main gallery, with its eerily lit corridor, contains two columns of large German and Italian field guns, remnants of WWII. The Castle also contains two Bektashi tekes, the stage for the internationally-renowned Gjirokaster National Folk Festival, a prison (now part of the Armaments Museum and available with an extra charge) and numerous chambers, some in ruins, open to exploration. A second museum gallery, the Zenebishi Gallery, features occasional free art exhibits. Underneath the castle is the underground bunker built in the Cold War. 200 leke entrance.
• Ethnographic Museum, Rr. Hysen Hoxha, 3. Once Enver Hoxha's house, it is a well-restored Ottoman house which displays clothing, kitchenware, tools and other cultural artifacts. The guided tour (available in Albanian, English, and German though availability should be checked in advance). The entrance fee is 200 lek and includes a guided tour.
• 'Old Bazaar and Historic Ottoman Homes. The old bazaar is still the social and commercial center of the Old Town of Gjirokaster. Though the newer sections of the city have attracted many businesses and people, the bazaar and its surrounding homes dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries still manages to capture a bit of the bygone era of Gjirokastrite life. Several of the houses are at various levels of restoration and are open to the public. Traditional houses include Cabej House, and Topulli House. The Bazaar has undergone a cleaning and exterior restoration as part of the government's revitalization plan.
• Kadare House. House of renown writer Ismail Kadare undergoing reconstruction.
• Skenduli House. A renovated traditional house
• Zekate House, Rruga Mazllëm Shazivari, (in the historic Palorto quarter. It is the most visited of Gjirokastër's monumental stone houses. It is one of the largest of its kind, featuring three floors spread over two large towers. The house was recently restored again (having undergone earlier restorations during the Communist era) and is kept open by its owners as a museum house. In addition to providing an interesting primer of the characteristic architectural elements of the city's tower houses, it offers a beautiful view of the city below.
• Saint Sotira Church. every day between 07:00-07:30 and 19:00-19:30; Sunday Service takes place between 07:00 and 10:00 can also be visited upon request. this is a well preserved 18th century Orthodox Church.
• Gjirokaster Mosque, Rruga Gjin Zenebisi (in the Old Bazaar. This mosque is a true testimony of the communist religious ban in Albania. Spared from destruction from its religious importance, the mosque was transformed as a circus training centre only to return to its original setting after the 1990s in the form of a Muslim school.
• Seven Fountains, Mechite Mosque Remains, and the Hamams. The fountains and the exterior of the Hamams have been restored. One can observe the dedicatory inscriptions on the fountains and the cone shaped traditional roofs of the Hamams.
• Cold War Museum. Underground bunker of Enver Hoxha with around 70 rooms built for emergency situations.

• Sofratike. Site of an ancient theater and baths
• Kardhiq. site of an ancient castle
• Paleokaster. Site of an ancient village.
• Labove. Home of one of the oldest standing Orthodox churches in the Balkans and Tombs of Ali Pasha's sister and nephew in Libohove village.
• Tepelena. the fortress of Ali Pasha
• The Illyrian city of Antigone, near the village of Asim Zeneli (roughly 6 km east. This village is the starting point of a 3-hour round trip hike to the ruins of Antigone; it makes a nice day hike for the physically fit (you will want to hire a local shepherd as a guide).

Sofratike. Site of an ancient theater and baths

Kardhiq. site of an ancient castle

Paleokaster. Site of an ancient village.

Labove. Home of one of the oldest standing Orthodox churches in the Balkans and Tombs of Ali Pasha's sister and nephew in Libohove village.

Tepelena. the fortress of Ali Pasha

The Illyrian city of Antigone, near the village of Asim Zeneli (roughly 6 km east. This village is the starting point of a 3-hour round trip hike to the ruins of Antigone; it makes a nice day hike for the physically fit (you will want to hire a local shepherd as a guide).

Gjirokastër Castle, Rruga Evlia Celebi 1 (at the top of the hill. The historical and geographical center of the city, the Castle is billed as the second largest in all the Balkans, and is worth a look. The Armaments Museum is located in the castle (separate 200 leke entrance) and contains a collection of mostly post-War era weapons, photographs and artwork: the main gallery, with its eerily lit corridor, contains two columns of large German and Italian field guns, remnants of WWII. The Castle also contains two Bektashi tekes, the stage for the internationally-renowned Gjirokaster National Folk Festival, a prison (now part of the Armaments Museum and available with an extra charge) and numerous chambers, some in ruins, open to exploration. A second museum gallery, the Zenebishi Gallery, features occasional free art exhibits. Underneath the castle is the underground bunker built in the Cold War. 200 leke entrance.

Ethnographic Museum, Rr. Hysen Hoxha, 3. Once Enver Hoxha's house, it is a well-restored Ottoman house which displays clothing, kitchenware, tools and other cultural artifacts. The guided tour (available in Albanian, English, and German though availability should be checked in advance). The entrance fee is 200 lek and includes a guided tour.

'Old Bazaar and Historic Ottoman Homes. The old bazaar is still the social and commercial center of the Old Town of Gjirokaster. Though the newer sections of the city have attracted many businesses and people, the bazaar and its surrounding homes dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries still manages to capture a bit of the bygone era of Gjirokastrite life. Several of the houses are at various levels of restoration and are open to the public. Traditional houses include Cabej House, and Topulli House. The Bazaar has undergone a cleaning and exterior restoration as part of the government's revitalization plan.

Kadare House. House of renown writer Ismail Kadare undergoing reconstruction.

Skenduli House. A renovated traditional house

Zekate House, Rruga Mazllëm Shazivari, (in the historic Palorto quarter. It is the most visited of Gjirokastër's monumental stone houses. It is one of the largest of its kind, featuring three floors spread over two large towers. The house was recently restored again (having undergone earlier restorations during the Communist era) and is kept open by its owners as a museum house. In addition to providing an interesting primer of the characteristic architectural elements of the city's tower houses, it offers a beautiful view of the city below.

Saint Sotira Church. every day between 07:00-07:30 and 19:00-19:30; Sunday Service takes place between 07:00 and 10:00 can also be visited upon request. this is a well preserved 18th century Orthodox Church.

Gjirokaster Mosque, Rruga Gjin Zenebisi (in the Old Bazaar. This mosque is a true testimony of the communist religious ban in Albania. Spared from destruction from its religious importance, the mosque was transformed as a circus training centre only to return to its original setting after the 1990s in the form of a Muslim school.

Seven Fountains, Mechite Mosque Remains, and the Hamams. The fountains and the exterior of the Hamams have been restored. One can observe the dedicatory inscriptions on the fountains and the cone shaped traditional roofs of the Hamams.

Cold War Museum. Underground bunker of Enver Hoxha with around 70 rooms built for emergency situations.

• Viroit Park, Parku i Viroit (located 2 km north, along the SH4. A park encompassing the Viroi Lake and surrounding hills. The park features a relaxing environment and an accommodation area.

• National Folklore Festival. A festival showcasing traditional Albanian music and dance considered as the most important event in its genre. Held every 5 years since 1968 in Gjirokaster Castle, it was last held in May 2015. An artisans' exhibition took place as well.

National Folklore Festival. A festival showcasing traditional Albanian music and dance considered as the most important event in its genre. Held every 5 years since 1968 in Gjirokaster Castle, it was last held in May 2015. An artisans' exhibition took place as well.

Viroit Park, Parku i Viroit (located 2 km north, along the SH4. A park encompassing the Viroi Lake and surrounding hills. The park features a relaxing environment and an accommodation area.

• Take a look at the Artisans' Center near the Information Center featuring many souvenirs and traditional crafts.

Take a look at the Artisans' Center near the Information Center featuring many souvenirs and traditional crafts.

Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white cheese.

There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd.

Old town

• Fantazia – specializes in pizza and salad, but offers traditional Albanian fare, good views of the city.
• Kujtim's – serves a wide variety of Gjirokastrian specialties.
• The newly renovated Çajupi Hotel's Terrace Restaurant,
• The Byrek Shop
• Muço's Suflaç & Restaurant – Good omelets in the morning
• Hajri's Coffee Bar
• Sopoti Cafe

New town

• Kufoi's, Pizza Erai
• Antigone Fast Food Suflaç,
• Suflaç at the Hotel One Restaurant
• Modus Cafe – for coffee

There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour.

• Internet Kafe (Opposite the mosque)
• Google Internet Kafe

There are also a few cafes which provide free wireless:

• Hotel Cajupi (on the roof top terrace/cafe)
• Restaurant Kuka
• Bar Karamel
• Bar Grand
• Gulf fuel station on the road to Saranda. A coffee is 100 lek, doubtful if you may find a cheaper option

Internet Kafe (Opposite the mosque)

Google Internet Kafe

Hotel Cajupi (on the roof top terrace/cafe)

Restaurant Kuka

Bar Karamel

Bar Grand

• Greece Greece, Konsulata e Pergjithshme e Greqise - Sheshi I Cercizit, Gjirokaster, +355 8426 3804, +355 8426 2010 (Emergencies). M-F 09:30-16:30.

Greece Greece, Konsulata e Pergjithshme e Greqise - Sheshi I Cercizit, Gjirokaster, +355 8426 3804, +355 8426 2010 (Emergencies). M-F 09:30-16:30.

• Berat. Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Nearby is the world-famous Osum Canyon.
• Fier
• Ioannina, Greece.
• Korce. This city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape.
• Pogradec. — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival recently.
• Pёrmet. Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Pёrmet is in the Vjosa River Valley. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. Around it: Benjё, and Leusё villages.
• Sarandë. A city known for its unforgettable beaches and colorful spring blooms.
• Vlorë. Lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here.

Berat. Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the [[UNESCO]] world heritage list. Nearby is the world-famous Osum Canyon.

Ioannina, Greece.

Korce. This city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape.

Pogradec. — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival recently.

Pёrmet. Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Pёrmet is in the Vjosa River Valley. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. Around it: Benjё, and Leusё villages.

Sarandë. A city known for its unforgettable beaches and colorful spring blooms.

Vlorë. Lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here.