Major city · Albania
Gjirokastër
Give Gjirokastër 2 nights: one full day for the castle and stone houses, one half-day for the bazaar, then move on by furgon.
Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed stone town on a steep hill in southeastern Albania, split between the old town on the ridge and the new town in the valley. Two nights covers the castle, the Ottoman tower houses and the bazaar without rushing, and it works as a base for the Greek border or a stop between Berat and Sarandë. Cobbles are slippery, the climb is real, and buses leave from a roadside shoulder rather than a terminal.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ALL
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry, crowded), Dec–Feb (cold, some sites on short hours)
- Airport
- TIA
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Albania ↗Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport before you book.
- Albania ↗If you drive, carry your licence, rental papers and insurance proof, and expect unlit mountain roads and livestock after dark.
- Albania ↗Land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece are used by buses; allow for queues in summer and check that your rental contract allows crossing.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gjirokastër112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gjirokastër, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Albanian lek (ALL).Albania-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone and One sell tourist SIMs at the airport and in shops; passport required.Albania-wide
- Tap waterTap water is not reliably drinkable in all towns; bottled water is cheap and standard.Albania-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Albania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Albania-wide
- SafetyGjirokastër is a small, low-crime town and generally safe for tourists; the real risks are the steep, slick cobbles, summer heat on the climb…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCafés for customers; ruins and beaches have basic facilities.Albania-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (police, ambulance, fire) · 129 police · 127 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBeach businesses close October–May; some museums close on Monday.Albania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTIA Tirana International Airport (Nënë Tereza) (No airport at Gjirokastër; most arrivals fly into Tirana, then 4–5 h by bus or car south.
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable but steep and cobbled; the new town is flat.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a bazaar café100–200 lek
- Sit-down mealMain course in an old-town restaurant700–1,500 lek
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, centre to national-road bus stopAbout 200 lek
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personALL 1,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomALL 5,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomALL 9,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ALL 2,500 · Mid ALL 5,000 · High ALL 9,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TIA Tirana International Airport (Nënë Tereza) (No airport at Gjirokastër; most arrivals fly into Tirana, then 4–5 h by bus or car south. Corfu (CFU) in Greece is an alternative for the Sarandë ferry route.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gjirokastër: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable but steep and cobbled; the new town is flat. A local bus circuit links the two for about 30 lek, and taxis are cheap (about 200 lek from the centre to the bus stop on the national road). From the central roundabout to the regional bus stop is a flat 10-minute walk along the boulevard.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Antigone (ancient Illyrian city)
cautionDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Drive or taxi to Asim Zeneli village, then a 3-hour round-trip hike
Ruins only, no facilities; a local guide is worth hiring.
Libohovë village
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Furgon or taxi southeast, about 20 km (12 mi)Furgon or taxi southeast, about 12 mi (20 km)
Sarajet and castle, plus the old olive tree in the centre.
Sofratikë archaeological site
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Drive southeast about 14 km (8.7 mi)Drive southeast about 8.7 mi (14 km)
Ancient theatre and baths; little signage, go with a car.
Përmet
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or furgon northeast via Këlcyrë, about 60 km (37 mi)Bus or furgon northeast via Këlcyrë, about 37 mi (60 km)
Better as a night stop than a return day trip.
Ioannina, Greece
goDoor to door: About 2 h
International bus from the private agency offices near the junction, 07:00 departureInternational bus from the private agency offices near the junction, 7:00 AM departure
€5 one way; bring your passport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old Town / Bazaar (Pazar i Vjetër)
Stone guesthouses and hostels within walking distance of the castle and bazaar; steep lanes, few cars, best for a short stay.
Palorto quarter
Quietest old-town quarter, home to the big tower houses such as Zekate; uphill from everything, so pack light.
New town (valley)
Cheaper hotels, flat streets, easy walk to the bus stop on the national road; 10–15 min uphill to the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 2,500–4,000 lek excl. bed
- Mid
- 4,000–7,000 lek excl. bed
- High
- 7,000+ lek excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × ALL 5,000 | ALL 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ALL 5,000 | ALL 20,000 |
| Castle entrance2 × ALL 400 | ALL 800 |
| Armaments Museum inside the castle2 × ALL 200 | ALL 400 |
| Ethnographic Museum with guided tour2 × ALL 200 | ALL 400 |
| Local bus circuit, one ride2 × ALL 30 | ALL 60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ALL 2,500 | ALL 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ALL 3,670 |
| Trip total≈ ALL 10,080 per person per day, bed included | ALL 40,330 |
2026 estimate in lek; long-distance transport and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bazaar café | 100–200 lek |
| Byrek (savoury pastry) | 80–150 lek |
| Qifqi (rice and egg bake), plate | 400–700 lek |
| Main course in an old-town restaurant | 700–1,500 lek |
| Local raki, glass | 150–300 lek |
| Taxi, centre to national-road bus stop | About 200 lek |
| Internet café, per hour | 50–100 lek |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cobbles are polished and slick after rain: grippy shoes, and take the stairs slowly.
- Buses and furgons leave from a shoulder on the national road, not a station; ask locally which point serves your destination.
- Many guesthouses take cash only, in lek or euros; carry enough before you arrive.
- Some houses and the Kadare House are under restoration and may be closed: check locally before walking up.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (police, ambulance, fire)
- 112
- Police
- 129
- Ambulance
- 127
- Fire
- 128
Pocket card
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GjirokastërGjirokastër
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Në këtë adresë, ju lutemTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police129
- Ambulance127
- Fire128
Embassy
No embassies in Gjirokastër; Greece has a consulate on Sheshi i Çerçizit (check hours). Most other countries: embassies in Tirana.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gjirokastër → Tirana, bus: about 1,000 lek, hourly from about 07:00 to 13:00about 1,000 lek, hourly from about 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Gjirokastër → Sarandë, bus: about 300 lek, hourly until early afternoon
- Gjirokastër → Ioannina, international bus: about €5 (≈ US$6), 07:00 departureabout €5 (≈ US$6), 7:00 AM departure
- Gjirokastër → Athens, international bus: about €20 (≈ US$25), 20:30 departureabout €20 (≈ US$25), 8:30 PM departure
Say or show
- Përshëndetje — Hello (per-shen-DET-yeh)
- Faleminderit — Thank you (fa-le-min-DEH-rit)
- Sa kushton? — How much is it? (sa koosh-TON)
- Mund të paguaj me kartë? — Can I pay by card? (moond tuh pa-GOO-ai meh KAR-tuh)
- Ku është kalaja? — Where is the castle? (koo USH-tuh ka-LA-ya)
- Faturën, ju lutem — The bill, please (fa-TOO-run, yoo LOO-tem)
Carry small lek notes for buses, museums and cafés; many guesthouses take cash only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gjirokastër. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry, crowded), Dec–Feb (cold, some sites on short hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TIA arrivals: last bus south, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: castle and bazaar, Palorto tower houses, new-town valley.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry fees (castle, Ethnographic Museum, Zekate House) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border-crossing fixture for the Kakavijë/Ioannina run so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Gjirokastër
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