- Gjirokastra Bazaar - Departure from Tirana at 08:30 am.Pass By: Gjirokaster Castle\nGjirokastra (approx. 3-hour drive.)\nGjirokastra is love on the first sight. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town is famous for being a well-preserved Ottoman style town, with its fortress overlooking the entire city, the old houses lean against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades. Being the birthplace of the Nobel-laurate writer Ismail Kadare and also of the notorious communist leader Enver Hoxha, the city is intriguing and controversial as it preserves well all phases of history.\nIn this short tour you will have the opportunity to discover some of the magic of the city by visiting the medieval Old Bazaar and the highlight of the city the Argjiro Castle.We will start the tour at Cerciz Topulli square where we will get some information about the tour and also learn a bit about the history of the city. Than we continue towards the Old Bazaar stopping at the Neck of Bazaar learning a bit about the architecture of the Bazaar and another stop at Obelisk the first school of the city. We have an amazing view of the city from here. It is the perfect spot to see some of the old characteristic buildings of the Stone City and also a perfect place to shot some pictures. Than we head towards the Castle where we spend around an hour and a half and learn more about the magic of the city and the history of the Castle. After the Castle we head towards the magical house of Zekate a must see. We learn there about the architecture of the house, what were the rooms used for, take some nice picture accompanied by successors of Zekate. Our last stop will be the Ethnographic Museum which was the house where the dictator of Albania Enver Hoxha was born.
- Tea and coffee
- All fees and/or taxes
- Ethnographic Museum visit
- Museum of Weapons exploration
- Lunch
Gjirokastra, a quaint town perched on a hillside, is characterized by its impressive castle, cobbled streets of limestone and shale, striking slate-roofed homes, and breathtaking views of the Drina Valley. It’s a town that’s been exquisitely portrayed by Ismail Kadare, Albania’s most renowned writer, in his work ‘Chronicle in Stone’. Despite being a dwelling place for 2500 years, it’s the 600 ‘monumental’ houses from the Ottoman period that draws in the tourists today. In Albania, Gjirokastra is inevitably associated with the former dictator, Enver Hoxha, a native of the town. He ensured the preservation of the town during his reign, although his memory doesn’t hold any special place in the present-day town. This tour is aimed to make you savor the unique charm and warmth of Gjirokastra, beyond just visiting the popular tourist hotspots. You’ll be accompanied by our knowledgeable guides who are well-versed with every secret this city holds.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
