Things to do in Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër

A long fortress spine above the town, holding a weapons gallery, a captured US aircraft and a view down the Drino valley. The castle dominates Gjirokastër, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town known for its stone-roofed tower houses. Inside you will find the National Armaments Museum, a former prison used under the communist regime and the clock tower, along with open terraces overlooking the valley. Reaching the entrance means a steep walk up cobbled lanes from the old bazaar, so wear comfortable shoes. Allow around two hours for the castle and combine it with the Zekate House or the Skenduli House nearby. The town is about four hours by bus from Tirana and roughly 90 minutes from Sarandë. Summer afternoons get very hot, so mornings are the best time to visit.

Gjirokastër

An 18th-century Ottoman tower house shown by the owning family, with original carved ceilings and hidden rooms.