The southern Albanian gem of Gjirokastër is steeped in historical past and bursting with attraction. With a picturesque Outdated City full of Ottoman-era buildings, a bustling bazaar, and fantastically preserved Seventeenth-century properties, Gjirokaster feels prefer it got here straight from a fairytale.
This hillside metropolis has an extended and storied previous and was as soon as part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, although there’s proof displaying that Gjirokaster has been inhabited for round 2,000 years.
Apparently, Gjirokaster is the birthplace of Alabania’s former dictator, Enver Hoxha, who famously constructed the nation’s numerous nuclear bunkers.
There’s way more to Gjirokaster than its fascinating historical past, although, as the town is surrounded by rolling inexperienced landscapes and majestic mountains, making it a hotspot for nature lovers. It was simply my favourite vacation spot in Albania!
Plan your journey to Gjirokaster, Albania
1. Wander Round Gjirokaster Citadel
- Opening hours: Every single day, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Admission charge: 400 Lekë
- Location: Google Maps
The point of interest of this enchanting metropolis is the Gjirokaster Citadel, a towering fortress that dates again to the 14th century.
That is one web site you completely can not miss throughout your keep. Not solely will you be capable of journey again in time as you wander the grounds, recognizing the clock tower, the church, and the arched walkways, however you’ll additionally discover probably the most rewarding views of Gjirokaster from right here.
In the event you’re visiting in summer season, I’d suggest exploring it early within the day, to keep away from working up a critical sweat beneath the Albanian sunshine. This Gjirokaster Citadel tour additionally has Blue Eye, which I’ll discuss later, as one among its stops. This different tour can also be an possibility if you happen to’re coming from Tirana.
2. Brush Up on Your Historical past on the Citadel’s Museums
Gjirokaster Museum
- Opening hours: Every single day, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Admission charge: 200 Lekë
- Location: Google Maps
Arms Museum
- Opening hours: Every single day, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Admission charge: 200 Lekë
- Location: Google Maps
Gjirokaster Citadel can also be residence to some museums, every of which you’ll enter for a small further charge, together with the Gjirokaster Museum and the Arms Museum.
The Gjirokaster Museum is the very best place to study concerning the historical past of this long-standing fortress and the town itself. Having been conquered a number of occasions, this museum brings Gjirokaster’s turbulent previous to life, from images depicting life throughout Communist occasions to artifacts from the Ottoman Empire.
Anybody inquisitive about weaponry ought to cease by the Arms Museum. It’s not as informative because the Gjirokaster Museum, however you’ll discover the likes of World Warfare II equipment and centuries-old weapons inside.
Maybe the good addition to the Arms Museum is an outdated airplane belonging to the U.S. Air Power, which some imagine was taken down through the Chilly Warfare.
3. Discover the Outdated City
My absolute favourite factor to do in Gjirokaster is to easily stroll across the Outdated City, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website. In all places you look, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous examples of white Ottoman structure, cobblestone streets, and hilly walkways.
You’ll have your choose of cute cafes, and eating places dotted alongside the streets, that are the right locations to seize a chunk to eat and watch the world go by. This a part of city is much more beautiful when the solar begins to go down, as fairy lights make every road much more magical.
4. Step Contained in the Spectacular Skenduli Home
- Opening hours: Every single day, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Admission charge: 300 Lekë
- Location: Google Maps
Maybe the very best place to admire the native structure is on the Skenduli Home, an genuine Gjirokaster residence that’s been in the identical household for generations.
Regardless of being as soon as occupied and used as a museum through the Communist period, Skenduli Home is at present operated by a descendant of its unique homeowners, who you’ll greater than seemingly be guided by once you go to.
Through the tour, you’ll be given an perception into life in Gjirokaster through the 1700s as you discover bedrooms, dwelling areas, and a bunker, however the premier room, full with a hearth and frescoes, is the spotlight for me.
5. Prepare dinner Up a Storm at a Culinary Class
In the event you fancy making an attempt one thing a bit of totally different, throw your apron on and study some recipes that you would be able to showcase to your family members again residence in your return!
Albania has some significantly tasty meals, however Gjirokaster additionally has a few of its personal specialties, reminiscent of qifqi, shapkat, and japrak.
Cooking courses are all the time a lot enjoyable, even if you happen to’re a whole novice and don’t price your culinary abilities very extremely.
To whip up some Gjirokaster favorites, try this local-focused class. Nevertheless, this vegetarian class is a wonderful various if you happen to desire to go meat-free, and it even consists of some complimentary raki. For these of you who’ve but to strive raki, that is Albania’s home made, sometimes very robust, spirit of alternative.
6. Expertise the Eerie Chilly Warfare Tunnel
- Opening hours: Every single day, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Admission charge: 200 Lekë
- Location: Google Maps
When Gjirokaster native Enver Hoxha turned more and more paranoid about international invasion through the Seventies, he started constructing numerous bunkers all through Albania, together with the Chilly Warfare Tunnel.
This 59-room pit was constructed to shelter the likes of presidency officers and elite members of society from potential nuclear assaults. It stays very a lot in its unique state at present, minus some stolen furnishings.
Excursions run each hour and final for round half-hour, throughout which your information gives you some background data and an evidence of varied rooms within the bunker.
If I may give you one piece of recommendation, it’s to convey a jacket or cover-up of some type, because it’s fairly chilly in right here even when it’s a blistering 95°F exterior.
7. Do Some Procuring on the Gjirokaster Bazaar
Inside the Outdated City lies the Gjirokaster Bazaar. Now, simply to set expectations, this isn’t some giant roofed procuring area as you may think from bazaars in Turkey or Morocco. That is actually simply two streets lined with small retailers, although they’re within the precise historic location the place retailers gathered since historic occasions.
Having as soon as stood as a standard market for locals for tons of of years, at present, the winding streets of the bazaar largely cater to vacationers.
That is the place you’ll wish to replenish on souvenirs, as there are heaps of shops promoting distinctive trinkets and colourful keepsakes, from patterned carpets and handmade jewellery to ceramics and artworks.
While you’ve had sufficient retail remedy, head to one of many ice cream parlors or bakeries and choose up a candy or savory deal with.
8. Step Contained in the Bazaar Mosque
- Opening hours: Weekdays, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Admission charge: Free
- Location: Google Maps
When Gjirokaster was beneath Ottoman rule, the town boasted fifteen mosques, most of which existed up till Albania turned a communist state. All these locations of worship have been destroyed throughout this time, apart from the Bazaar Mosque.
Until you follow Islam, you may’t enter throughout prayer occasions, however you’ll typically discover folks worshipping at any time of the day, and also you would possibly even encounter the imam throughout your go to.
At current, the mosque is free for all to enter, although it’s vital to recollect to decorate conservatively and guarantee your shoulders and knees are coated once you arrive.
9. Hike to the Ali Pasha Bridge
Regardless of being a much less visited spot than a few of the different locations on this listing, trekking as much as the Ali Pasha Bridge is among the many high issues I’ve carried out in Gjirokaster.
This stone bridge is the one remnant of the Nineteenth-century aqueduct that introduced recent water into the town and is without doubt one of the most exceptional websites exterior of the Outdated City.
You’ll should deal with a brief however arduous hike to achieve the bridge, with some rocky and steep patches alongside the way in which, although it ought to solely take you round 30-40 minutes to finish.
Anybody with a concern of heights ought to be warned that the trail throughout the bridge is freed from fencing, which could be fairly unnerving.
Head off early within the day if you happen to’re making the trek through the summer season, as there’s little or no shade for many of the path.
10. Admire the Vivid Blue Eye
Positioned round an hour’s drive from the Outdated City of Gjiokaster is a pure spring with crystal clear blue waters that should be seen to be believed! Aptly known as the Blue Eye, this pure phenomenon is actually magical and has turn out to be one among Albania’s most beloved points of interest.
Although a number of Albanian legends inform the story of how this web site got here to be, the water comes from an unwater cave, which varieties the pupil of the ‘eye.’
What’s fascinating concerning the Blue Eye is that divers have made it to 50 meters beneath the floor of the spring, nevertheless it stays unknown simply how deep the water goes.
To guard the readability of the water, swimming is just not allowed right here, however sadly, many individuals proceed to ignore the foundations, and it’s not unusual to see folks bathing or leaping in.
Some hyperlinks could also be affiliate hyperlinks, which means I could earn fee from services or products I like to recommend. For extra, see web site insurance policies.
Posted APR 08, 2024
