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Gjirokastër's grey stone Ottoman houses and slate roofs climbing the hillside below the castle

Gjirokastër

The stone city, and the best inland day from the coast

Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town built entirely from grey stone, stacked up a hillside beneath an enormous castle in the Drino valley. It is the counterweight to a beach trip and the most rewarding inland day from the south coast, about two hours from Saranda, four from Tirana, and on the road between them.

Gjirokastër at a glance

Where
Inland, in the Drino valley
Status
UNESCO World Heritage Site
From Saranda
1h45-2h, ~400-500 ALL
From Tirana
~4 hours, ~1,200 ALL
Known for
Stone houses, castle, Ottoman bazaar
On the way to
The Blue Eye and the coast

Start here

Gjirokaster Travel Guide: UNESCO Stone City & 2026 Visit

Complete Gjirokaster guide, castle, Old Bazaar, traditional houses, 2026 entry fees, opening hours, where to stay, and how to get there from Himara.

Gjirokaster Day Trip from Himara: Route and Time Plan

How to visit Gjirokaster as a day trip from Himara covering transport choices, UNESCO old town timing, castle visit pacing, and return planning tips.

Getting there

Himara to Gjirokaster: Bus, Taxi & Drive Guide

How to get from Himara to Gjirokaster by bus, taxi, or rental car with current prices, schedules, driving times, and route tips for 2026.

Nearby

South Albania Itinerary: Berat to Saranda in 5 Days

5-day south Albania itinerary from Berat to Saranda: Albanian Riviera beaches, Gjirokastër, Blue Eye, daily route with transport and budget estimates.

Where to stay in Gjirokastër

Compare live rates and availability across Gjirokastër on the map.

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For guided tours, day trips and boat excursions around Gjirokastër, browse tours in Gjirokastër on GetYourGuide.

Best-rated in Gjirokastër

Google ratings and review counts, checked September 2026. Review volume matters more than the score — these drift.

Restaurants

  1. Corner of Bazaar4.9 · 1,311
  2. Restaurant Tradicional Odaja4.6 · 1,150
  3. Ali Pasha's Table5 · 836
  4. Submarine 1054.8 · 823
  5. Restaurant "The Park"4.7 · 769
  6. Libraria Restorant & Bar4.8 · 586

Hotels

  1. Hotel Gjirokastra4.8 · 424
  2. Palorto Hotel4.8 · 226
  3. Hotel Kalemi4.5 · 134
  4. Vladimir Estate4.9 · 103
  5. Guest House Urat4.8 · 99
  6. CastleView-Inn Rooms4.9 · 70

Elsewhere on this coast

HimaraSarandaBeratAll bus routes