Gjirokastër
Discover Gjirokastër
From here you can catch northbound buses to Tirana, Vlorë, Fier, Berat, Tepelene, Korçë, Permet, and southbound buses to Sarandë. Buses and minibuses are going to Tirana (1,000 leke) every hour from around 07:00 until 13:00, then there is a bus at 14:30 and a night bus leaving at 00:00 (it arrives in Tirane at 05:45 near Skanderbeg Square).
What to Experience in Gjirokastër
Taste of Gjirokastër...
Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white cheese. There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd. Raki Mani (aka Mulberry Raki) is supposed to be a local speciality, but it is hard to find. You will have the best chances in June or July. There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour. There are also a few cafes which provide free wireless:
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Gjirokastër.
Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white cheese. There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd. Raki Mani (aka Mulberry Raki) is supposed to be a local speciality, but it is hard to find. You will have the best chances in June or July. There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour. There are also a few cafes which provide free wireless:
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom here you can catch northbound buses to Tirana, Vlorë, Fier, Berat, Tepelene, Korçë, Permet, and southbound buses to Sarandë. Buses and minibuses are going to Tirana (1,000 leke) every hour from around 07:00 until 13:00, then there is a bus at 14:30 and a night bus leaving at 00:00 (it arrives in Tirane at 05:45 near Skanderbeg Square). A shuttle to the Kakavie border crossing with Greece runs several times a day. Buses depart every day on the route Sarandë-Gjirokastër (300 leke) stopping hourly at the bottom of the hill until the early afternoon. International buses direct to Ioannina (€5, 07:00 departure) and Athens (€20, 20:30 departure) in Greece are available from the private bus agency offices found around the junction. Transportation and other tourism information is available from the employees of the Tourism Information Center (TIC), located in the old town, on the left side of the road leading towards the castle....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Gjirokastër can be divided into roughly two halves, the old town up on the hill, and the new town in the valley below. You can walk just about anywhere if you're able to handle the steep cobbled streets. Taxis are cheap and there is a public bus circuit that connects the old town and the new town for about 30 leke. From the roundabout at the center of town to the bus station on the National Road is a fairly flat, easy, 10-minute walk along the main boulevard. Taxis will make this trip for around 200 leke. Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white cheese. There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd. Raki Mani (aka Mulberry Raki) is supposed to be a local speciality, but it is hard to find. You will have the best chances in June or July.
Where to Stay
There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour. There are also a few cafes which provide free wireless:
Money & Budget
Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white cheese. There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd. Raki Mani (aka Mulberry Raki) is supposed to be a local speciality, but it is hard to find. You will have the best chances in June or July. There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour. There are also a few cafes which provide free wireless:
Safety Information
Glimpses of Gjirokastër
Gjirokaster Albania. When using my images, please cite me as follows: Dirk Pohlers / Adventure Albania Travel Blog and link to my website: www.adventurealbania.com
a hillside with houses on it and a mountain in the background
a clock tower on top of a stone building
Gjirokaster Albania. When using my images, please cite me as follows: Dirk Pohlers / Adventure Albania Travel Blog and link to my website: www.adventurealbania.com
a hillside with houses on it and a mountain in the background
a clock tower on top of a stone building
Gjirokaster Albania. When using my images, please cite me as follows: Dirk Pohlers / Adventure Albania Travel Blog and link to my website: www.adventurealbania.com
a hillside with houses on it and a mountain in the background
a clock tower on top of a stone building
Gjirokaster Albania. When using my images, please cite me as follows: Dirk Pohlers / Adventure Albania Travel Blog and link to my website: www.adventurealbania.com
a hillside with houses on it and a mountain in the background
a clock tower on top of a stone building
Gjirokaster Albania. When using my images, please cite me as follows: Dirk Pohlers / Adventure Albania Travel Blog and link to my website: www.adventurealbania.com