Gjirokaster - Gjirokaster is a historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Strolling through Gjirokaster offers a glimpse into its past during the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The city is characterized by its stone houses and cobblestone streets, earning it the nickname “stone city.” Known in Albania as a “museum city,” Gjirokaster is adorned with beautiful historical buildings, making it a delightful place to explore.

Gjirokaster Castle - Perched atop a hill, Gjirokaster Castle offers a breathtaking view of the historic city and its traditional stone houses. It is one of the largest hilltop castles in the Balkans and dominates the cityscape. Originally built in the 12th century by the local Byzantine government, the castle was renovated and expanded during the Ottoman Empire and the reign of King Zog. From the 1930s onward, it served primarily as a prison for government dissidents.

Gjirokastra Bazaar - The Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster is a traditional marketplace dating back to the Middle Ages. It features a variety of craftsmen shops, souvenir stores, and coffee houses. Visitors can purchase handmade wooden items, handwoven rugs, and delicate lace products. The bazaar’s cobblestone street is set on a steep hillside.

Skenduli House - Skenduli House is a must-visit in Gjirokaster. This original family home, over 300 years old, offers a unique insight into the life of a wealthy family during the Ottoman period. The house boasts 9 fireplaces, 6 bathrooms, 12 rooms, 44 doors, 64 windows, and 4 Turkish baths. Owned by the same family for generations, they provide tours and share stories about its history. Highlights include the wedding ceremony room with stained glass windows, carved wooden ceilings, and a fireplace adorned with pomegranates symbolizing fertility.

The Cold War Tunnel - The Cold War Tunnel is a massive bunker beneath Gjirokaster Castle, built by former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Paranoid about foreign invasion or nuclear attack, Hoxha constructed 750,000 bunkers across Albania. The Cold War Tunnel, built in secret in the 1960s and revealed to locals in the 1990s, is 800 meters long with 59 rooms, capable of holding up to 300 people. Although empty, the rooms’ purposes are labeled on the doors, including areas for government ministries, interrogators, party elites, power generation, water storage, sleeping, decontamination, and air filtration.

Zekate House - Zekate House is a historic townhouse in Gjirokaster, exemplifying traditional tower house architecture. Built in 1812, it is considered one of the finest examples of Gjirokaster’s Ottoman-style architecture. Such impressive homes were once owned by wealthy individuals like government officials and merchants. Inside, visitors can see the original interior, including stained-glass windows, wooden ceilings, and wall frescoes, offering a glimpse into life during the Ottoman period.

Gjirokastër Obelisk - The Obelisk is a monument at the highest point in Gjirokaster, symbolizing education in the Albanian language. Under the Turkish Ottoman Empire, education in Albanian was forbidden for centuries. The Obelisk is near the site of the first Albanian language school in Gjirokaster, opened in 1908. Opening such a school was dangerous, especially for the teachers. The monument offers stunning views of the old city and its stone houses.

Çerçiz Topulli Square - Çerçiz Topulli Square is a historic square named after the national hero Çerçiz Topulli, who fought against the Ottoman Turks in the early 20th century. Known for killing the Ottoman commander Bimbashi in 1908, Topulli later fought to protect Albania’s independence in 1912. A statue of him stands in the square.

Ethnographic Museum - The Ethnographic Museum provides insight into the traditional lifestyle of a wealthy family in Gjirokaster. Located on the site of former dictator Enver Hoxha’s childhood home, which was destroyed by fire, the museum displays artifacts, household items, folk costumes, clothing, and kitchenware from the past.

Ali Pasha Bridge - In 1811, Ottoman Governor Ali Pasha constructed a 12-kilometer-long aqueduct to bring drinking water to Gjirokaster from Sopot Mountain. Although mostly demolished in 1932, a section in the Manalat Quarter still stands, known as the “Ali Pasha Bridge,” “Manalat Bridge,” or “Dunavat Bridge.” It is a 30-minute hike from Gjirokaster and an off-the-beaten-path attraction for visitors.