Gjirokaster in Albania is popular for its old town and medieval castle that is located on a hill. It presents a wide variety of points of interest that are great for vacationers who want to explore Albanian culture and history. If you are hunting for a position with picturesque landscapes, mountains, castles, and wonderful foods in Southern Albania – Gjirokaster is the best place.
This posting will offer you with all the info you require to know about this remarkable put!
7 of the very best items to do in Gjirokaster
1. Marvel the Gjirokaster Castle
1 of the prime points of interest in Albania is Gjirokaster Castle, which is recognised for its record and scenic landscapes. With a good deal of issues to see and do, it is the excellent destination for anyone who would like an thrilling vacation in Albania.
Gjirokaster Castle was constructed around the 12th century. It has been rebuilt numerous occasions for the duration of the centuries, and now it stands at 336 meters. You can appreciate terrific views of Southern Albania from atop Gjirokaster Castle whilst discovering inside of.
2. Tour at Gjirokaster Museum
Gjirokaster Castle and Museum really should be visited as a solitary expertise. The Gjirokaster Museum is just inside the castle, and it has a lot of artifacts and mementos from the historical past of Gjirokaster. The museum goes into great depth about the record, daily life less than Ottoman’s reign, and war concerning empires. The biographies of some Gjirokaster citizens are also showcased in the museum. There are some fascinating facts about the city and its folks to explore listed here.
3. Store at the bazaar in Gjirokaster Outdated Town
The bazaar is a single of Albania’s most well known marketplaces that has been close to for in excess of 500 decades. It characteristics an array of conventional Albanian items this sort of as olive oil, community honey, herbal teas, and even the national consume – Raki. It is the perfect spot for souvenirs to take back house!
The bazaar is also recognized for its lively atmosphere that offers an genuine expertise of Albania. Readers will delight in the vivid ambiance of this aged bazaar, along with its historic properties, cobblestone streets, and architecture.
4. Stroll by the aged city of Gjirokaster
The most well-known position to check out in Albania is its Previous Town, which has retained a lot of its first architecture and traditions intact considering the fact that medieval moments. Gjirokaster Outdated Town is a UNESCO Entire world Heritage Web page for a motive. It is really a exceptional position that presents the good history and culture of Albania.
The town consists of lots of lovely stone-paved alleys, conventional houses, and other buildings excellent for people to examine. Past its historic significance, it’s also a attractive position for sightseeing with beautiful landscapes that are excellent for some photos.
The finest way to discover everything that this city delivers is by walking inside its Previous Town. You will get an satisfying glimpse of existence listed here as you go by stores, cafes, and residences.
5. Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge
Ali Pasha Bridge is the remains of an massive aqueduct that was constructed in the 19th century. The development has extended been deserted because then, and it has been left in ruins. What makes this place exciting is that guests can climb inside of and see the framework up shut.
Currently, the framework is utilized as a footpath, and it has become a popular attraction for hikers and trekkers. The attraction is only 30 minutes from Gjirokaster Aged City, and it is a very good way to get away from the crowds.
6. Understand background at Gjirokaster Cold War Tunnel Museum
For historical past buffs, there is a museum that offers loads of information about the Cold War in Albania. It attributes a tunnel created during the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and shows some artifacts from that time.
The museum is primarily popular with foreign vacationers who want to master extra about how Albanians lived underneath Communism. The tunnel alone is a intriguing relic, and it offers visitors an thought of what life was like throughout that interval.
7. Take a look at the Skenduli House
If you are fascinated in discovering about Albania’s traditional life-style, then Skenduli Dwelling is the location to go. It characteristics a standard property that has been preserved for lots of many years, and readers can see how it was lived back in the 17th century. The excursion to this household also provides an perception into different areas of Albanian tradition, such as food stuff preparation, weddings, and even outfits.
Visitors will be equipped to see the daily life of an Albanian household back in this period with all authentic furnishings. Skenduli Dwelling is just minutes absent from Gjirokaster Outdated Town, so it’s an effortless quit to make on a day journey.
How to get to Gjirokaster (from Saranda, Berat, Tirana)
If you are touring from Saranda, the ideal solution is to consider a direct bus from a end on Rruga Flamurit near the Synagogue remains, bringing you straight to Gjirokaster in about 1-1.5 hrs.
If you are coming from Berat, you can just take a bus from the terminal instantly to Gjirokaster. The journey will take about four hours, and the bus helps make frequent stops to select up couriers.
If you are from Tirana, there are two choices that you can get. The initial 1 is to catch a neighborhood bus from Regional Bus Terminal, which normally takes about 4 hours. The hassle-free however dear alternative is by riding a taxi but make certain to e-book one particular in progress.
When you have achieved Gjirokaster Bus Quit, you need to choose a local bus together Bulevardi 18 Shtator road to convey you to the Old Town. From right here, it is effortless for tourists to access sights like the castle, bazaar, and previous town.
Most effective time to go to Gjirokaster
It would be best if you visited at the finish of summertime or center of August to get pleasure from snug weather remaining not way too incredibly hot and not way too cold. By that time, the peak year is previously about, and you avoid crowded attractions.
Wherever to continue to be in Gjirokaster
Exactly where I stayed
Gjirokaster has a vary of lodging for people, but the most popular area is the Stone City Hostel. It’s a beautiful old household with a shaded backyard garden, a large roof terrace, and magnificent views of the castle. It is also situated in the coronary heart of Gjirokaster Aged City, generating it a wonderful location to remain.
The hostel is near to all significant attractions, such as Ali Pasha Bridge and Skenduli Dwelling. Visitors will have quick entry to every little thing this city has to supply by remaining at Stone Town Hostel. It is also a excellent put for conference other tourists, which you do not get with additional outstanding inns.
Far more alternatives
What to eat and consume in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is a place that delivers a great deal of scrumptious Albanian dishes. The most well-liked choices are musaka, an oven-baked dish built with eggplant and potatoes qifqi, a rice ball specialty of Gjirokaster Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie.
The most common drink is Raki, which has an alcoholic beverages level of 40%. It is most effective paired with light meals or snacks like Gjirokaster’s famed musaka for most flavor.
The place to consume
For the top residence cooked food, tourists ought to consume at Taverna Tradicionale. It is a relatives-operate cafe that has been well known with locals for a lot of several years, and visitors will get to experience reliable Albanian dishes in an personal setting.
The foodstuff they serve is refreshing and made from nearby substances to assure that you get the best-tasting meal. Visitors recurrent this restaurant for their delectable neighborhood dishes served in a regular location.
There are also a good deal of dining places in the Gjirokaster Aged Town for people to decide on from, like Taverna Kuka or Odaja Restaurant. These dining establishments are preferred with locals, and website visitors will get a flavor of conventional Albanian dishes.
Gjirokaster FAQ
Is Albania risk-free to vacation to?How quite a few days do you require when you check out Gjirokaster?
If you want to see all the key attractions of Gjirokaster, we propose at least two times. This will give you sufficient time to investigate the streets of the town and nearby sights.
Who created the Gjirokaster Castle?
Documents indicate that Petro Korçari directed the development of the fortress. The castle’s longevity has been attributed to its construction’s high-high quality perform and products.
Is Albania protected to travel to?
Albania is now one of the most secure countries in Europe. The crime costs are very low, and it is uncomplicated to get all around with public transportation (taxi or bus) without having any troubles. Specifically in Gjirokaster, it is really safe to wander all around the city and take pleasure in its web sites.
Ultimate feelings on going to Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, Albania is a small city in Southern Albania that gives so significantly much more than just its Outdated Town and medieval castle. The charming town has an abundance of exciting points for holidaymakers who want to examine Albanian culture and history by way of many points of interest. If you are wanting for a put with all these options, Gjirokaster is a ought to-go to desired destination for your Albania vacation itinerary.
About the author
Catalin Geangos is the Founder and Editor of TravelTrained and a vacation blogger who generally focuses on nightlife, day outings and excursions, hostels, and beach front resorts while traveling in Southeast Asia.
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