Gjirokaster Day Trip from Tirana, includes visit “Stone city” of Gjirokaster. We will visit the fortress, the old town, typical house of 18th century and enjoy the delicious food in the traditional tavernas of the old city. We will spend the overnight in a featured hotel in Gjirokaster.
The tour of Gjirokastra is a long full day tour, with about 6 hours of driving in total. In case you have only one day available, we recomend to depart early morning . Gjirokastra, also called the ‘stone city’ with its stone house roof-tops, with a high influence of ottoman style buildings and architecture. This uniqueness of architectural style listed it among the world cultural heritage sites under UNESCO from 2005
Tirana Unless otherwise agreed.
06.30 or 07.00
We will leave Tirana at 06. 30 and drive towards Gjirokaster. One stop on the road for personal needs, thus arriving in destination at about 11.00.
The main characteristic of Gjirokastra is the intensive use of stone in building the houses, which look like small fortresses, the streets of cobblestone, which all lead to Bazaar. We will here the Mosque of Bazaar, built in 1557. Due to all these features, Gjirokastra is also known as the “The Stone City”.
First we will visit the Fortress. The most important structure of the city, which is the biggest castle in Albania. Inside the castle, you can visit the Museum of Weapons, opened in 1971. Weapons from the prehistoric times up to the World War II are exhibited on here. The National Folk Festival has taken place in this castle during the years.
Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born. This house (today a museum) is located in the Palorto quarter.
Skenduli House. Skender Skenduli, another wealthy land owner, built the Skendulate House in 1823 during Gjirokastra’s greatest period. The house had two courtyards and is unique in having both an internal and external staircase. It used to have 46 chimneys, indicating the wealth of the Skënduli family. The main guest room (oda), in particular, is distinguished by its decorated ceiling and wooden poles, just as the many other wooden decorations throughout this house give it an unrepeatable value. The great number of loopholes and the sophisticated locks of the main doors bear witness of its defensive function. Lunch in Gjirokaster.
After lunch we will drive back to Tirana. 4 hours driving, including one stop. End of our tour.
