Gjirokaster, Albania is a city packed full of history. With a citadel dating back to the 13th century and architecture known to date from the 17th century, the city is a delight. Formally known as ‘the city of silver stones’ due to the reflection of the stones during a sunny day, the city has become more popular among tourists in recent years. Additionally, with a UNESCO world heritage site-deemed old town, it is easy to see why.
Below, I will highlight the Castle of Gjirokaster, the Old Bazaar and a day trip / weekend from Gjirokaster.
Castle of Gjirokaster
Built from stone blocks in the 4th century AD, the castle of Gjirokaster is a highlight of the city with sweeping views from above featuring mountains, city views, ruins and a clock tower.
The entrance cost is around $4.50 USD with a wide range of open hours.
Old Bazaar
Another great landmark in Gjirokaster is the Old Bazaar which is known as the cultural or one of the cultural centers of the city. From dining to drinks to shopping, you can find it all here- not to mention, it is truly something to see!
Day Trip: Two Countries in One Vacation
An easy day trip from Gjirokaster is via a minivan from the main bus stand direct to Sarande, Albania where you can take a ferry to Corfu, Greece for a taste of additional sites, sounds and foods. While it does make for a long day trip, it is a possibility! One thing to note though is that lines for the ferries can get long so it’s recommended to be there 40-45 minutes prior even on the return.
Happy travels! -K
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