Gjirokaster Travel Guide: Things to Do in the City of Stone
[This article contains affiliate links.]
The next stop on my trip through the lush green interior of Albania was the city of stone…Gjirokaster. Like most modern European cities there is an old town and a new town. We will be looking at the old town exclusively (though next time I visit I ‘d like to check out the new town as well.) Old town is built on a hill (And what a hill that is! Get ready for some heavy calf and cardio workouts!) with the new city surrounding the hill. At the top of the hill sits Gjirokaster castle. This fortress has one of the most awesome views I have seen in my whole life rivaling even the view from the top of the Acropolis.
Along with beautiful views, the city of Gjirokaster has a rich and important history. From its 3rd century walls to its sixth-century citadel this city played a role in the Greek empire and many other ruling parties. Another Unesco World Heritage, Gjirokaster is also the birthplace of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. The man who led an isolationist regime for forty years.
Gjirokaster’s history is rich and longer than I can write about in this blog, so if your interested check out this site. As you may have guessed (hello history nerd!) I really enjoyed all the history that there was to learn in this small picturesque city. In fact, there was nothing about this city that I didn’t love.
Accommodations…Stone City Hostel
I don’t know about you but when I am traveling one of the most nerve-racking situations is arriving and trying to figure out where the hell I am going. Though the nerves were there the directions to the hostel were spot on which was a great start to my three-day stay at the Stone City Hostel.
The check-in process was quick and easy and Brenna (I hope I am spelling your name right, if not message me and let me know) was immensely helpful with a rundown of the must-see things in Gjirokaster. When you walk into this hostel you immediately feel the easy-going vibe. With a warm and welcoming common room, it is clear that the team at Stone City Hostel love having groups of people come together for good conversations. This welcoming feeling makes it really easy to make friends with your fellow travelers (even if your sort of an introvert, like this girl).
Wouter and Brenna have done an amazing job and in my mind, there is no better a place to stay than the Stone City hostel. In fact, it is in my top 5 hostels of my entire trip. (BTW…The beds are super comfortable and the breakfast is outstanding.)
Things I did (and some I didn’t get to)…
There are so many things to do but much like Saranda I only had three days in this fantastic city, so I had to prioritize. Let’s get down to the things I was able to fit in my itinerary and then I will also give you some other things that might interest you that I didn't make it to…
Ethnographic Museum…. Skenduli House
For those of you (like me) that don’t know what an ethnographic museum is let's discuss that first. An ethnographic museum is basically an old house that has had its interior furnishings and decorations preserved in the fashion it would have been when it was being lived in. Why would that be important or even interesting? Well, it’s a glimpse into the everyday life of those from the past and a way to really understand that world as well.
If you are a history nerd like me or even just a little curious about how people were able to get on without all the modern conveniences then I say check this place out. It is also a great way to understand the lifestyle and culture of the people of wherever you are visiting. I only went to one of the museums in Gjirokaster, the Skenduli House.
The Skenduli House is an Ottoman Era mansion and is an interesting way to spend half an hour. The tour is lead by one of the owners and is very informative. The tour walks your through each room and the guide breaks down customs and information about the rooms and their furnishings. If this is something you are interested in then make sure to at least see one of the two museums.
Gjirokaster Castle…
The castle is perched above the city and is quite a hike (especially for those of us that are not in any type of shape…like this girl!). Push through the pain and take plenty of water breaks on the way up because the fortress is well worth it. The admission to the main part of the castle was 200 Lek (which would be roughly $2 as of the writing of this.) With this, you have access to the main castle hall and the walls itself. I didn’t go to the museum but it costs an extra 200 Lek.
So for a total of roughly 400 Lek, you get full access to everything the fortress has to offer. Once you walk through the halls of the castle you then make your way to the walls of the fortress and this is where the castle earns its money in my mind. The vistas and ruins that meet you as you exit the halls are amazing. If you do nothing else in Gjirokaster this is the site you have to see.
Things I didn’t get to…
The three-day itinerary and the way I am choosing to travel (as well as the weather) didn’t allow me to experience two of the biggest attractions in Gjirokaster. But if you are able to make your way to Gjirokaster then you should also check out…
Zekate House…the other ethnographic museum
Much like the Skenduli House this an Ottoman-era mansion that now serves as an ethnographic museum. Make sure if you have the time to check this one out as well as the Skenduli house.
The Cold War Tunnel…a guided tour
I have heard mixed opinions on this one, but to balance out the historical aspect of your travels this would be great as it is a different era than the other suggestion that I have made.
Most of the feedback that I got was the level of enjoyment of this site is directly proportional to the guide you get. Apparently there are some that give you a better experience than others. So, cross your fingers and hope you get one of the good ones especially if you are super interested in the Cold War era.
My three days in Gjirokaster were magnificent and if you are doing a tour of the interior of Albania then this beautiful city is a must.
Check out my vlog over on my YouTube channel:
If you would like to get more content you can check out my other vlogs on my YouTube channel. Or follow me on Instagram @ penumbra1977.
