Gjirokastra is one of the best-preserved Ottoman cities in the Balkans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Built on the steep slopes of the Drino valley in southern Albania, the city earns its nickname — “the City of Stone” — from the grey stone slates that tile its roofs and the massive stone blocks of its houses, many of which date from the 18th and 19th centuries. A 13th-century Venetian-era castle dominates the upper ridge; below it, the Old Bazaar runs down the hillside through two or three tiers of trading houses, workshops, and guesthouses.
Gjirokastra is also the birthplace of two of Albania’s most significant literary and political figures: the novelist Ismail Kadare and the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Evidence of both, and of the complex layers of Albanian history, appears throughout the city.
For most travellers, Gjirokastra is a one-to-two-night stop: enough time to walk the bazaar, visit the castle, and explore one or two of the Ottoman tower houses. It is more of a cultural and historical destination than a leisure resort, which makes it a good complement to a few nights on the coast.
The Main Areas
Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër)
The historic trading quarter is the obvious place to stay. The cobbled main street (Rruga Çerçiz Topulli) climbs through the bazaar with workshops, restaurants, and guesthouses lining both sides. Properties here occupy Ottoman trading houses or 19th-century residential buildings, and even the most modest guesthouses have stone walls, timber ceilings, and a particular quality of light that is specific to this type of architecture.
The castle is accessible on foot from the bazaar in twenty to thirty minutes. The Skenduli House — one of the most intact Ottoman tower houses in Albania — is a five-minute walk from the main bazaar street. Evening in the bazaar is quiet and atmospheric; most day visitors leave by late afternoon, and the guesthouses and small restaurants are left largely to overnight guests.
Castle Quarter (Upper Gjirokastra)
The streets immediately below the castle walls form a residential area with the best elevated views over the Drino valley and the city rooftops. A small number of guesthouses have opened here, particularly in restored tower houses. The setting is exceptional — you can see across the valley to the mountains on clear days — but access requires navigating very steep lanes, which is impractical with heavy luggage. Best suited to travellers staying for two or more nights who can arrive with manageable bags.
New Town
The commercial area at the base of the hill is where the bus station, banks, supermarkets, and most of the Albanian chain hotels are located. Flat, accessible, and cheaper than the Old Bazaar — but without any of the character that makes Gjirokastra worth visiting. The walk from the New Town up to the Old Bazaar takes fifteen to twenty minutes and involves a steady climb.
Budget Options (Under €45/night)
Himalayas Guesthouse (Old Bazaar area, from approximately €25–45 as of 2026): A consistently well-reviewed guesthouse on Rruga Qazim Babameto in the heart of the Old Bazaar, rated 9.5/10 for location on Booking.com. Recently renovated with a garden, terrace, mountain and valley views, bar, and free WiFi. Breakfast is served with a view of the surrounding stone rooftops. One of the best-positioned budget options in the city for travellers focused on the historic quarter.
Hotel Sopoti (New Town, from approximately €25–40 as of 2026): A practical budget option in the New Town, suitable for travellers arriving late by bus or needing an early departure the following morning. No historic character, but clean rooms with air conditioning and reliable WiFi. A taxi to the Old Bazaar from here costs approximately €3–5.
Guesthouse Kodra (Old Bazaar area, from approximately €30–45 as of 2026): A family-run property in the bazaar area with a small number of rooms, a shared terrace, and home-cooked meals available on request. The kind of guesthouse that makes one-night stays feel like two — genuinely personal and unhurried.
Mid-Range Options (€45–85/night)
Hotel Gjirokastra (New Town/lower city, from approximately €50–75 as of 2026): A larger hotel below the Old Bazaar with more facilities than the guesthouses — a restaurant, parking, and larger rooms with modern bathrooms. Suits travellers arriving by car or with heavier luggage who want a stable base with easier access. The hotel’s restaurant serves reliable Albanian food and is used by both guests and local business travellers.
Hotel Kotoni (Old Bazaar/central, from approximately €55–85 as of 2026): A well-regarded property in or near the old quarter, combining good access to the bazaar streets with a more reliable level of finish than the family guesthouses. Rooms are air-conditioned; the terrace offers views across the valley. A good compromise between the character of the Old Bazaar and the consistency of a proper hotel.
Hotel Cajupi (Old Town centre, from approximately €55–85 as of 2026): A 4-star property right in the centre of the old town, with a terrace, restaurant, and bar. Spacious rooms and a central location — steps from the old town square — make it a reliable mid-range option for those who want consistent facilities and easy walking access to the bazaar and castle route.
Splurge Options (€85/night and above)
Hotel Kalaja (Upper Old Bazaar/castle area, from approximately €85–120 as of 2026): One of the better-positioned properties in Gjirokastra, situated close to the castle with views that justify the premium. The rooms in properties at this level in Gjirokastra typically occupy fully restored 19th-century tower houses with original architectural features — stone vaulted ceilings, wide-plank timber floors, and handmade textiles. The best option in the city for a special occasion or honeymoon stay.
Restored tower houses and boutique guesthouses (from approximately €80–130 as of 2026): Gjirokastra has a small but growing category of fully restored Ottoman tower houses operating as boutique guesthouses with four to eight suites. These are harder to find on mainstream platforms — Booking.com searches for “Gjirokastra boutique” or Google Maps searches for guesthouses in the Old Bazaar tend to surface them. Worth the effort if you are staying two or more nights and the setting matters.
Practical Booking Advice
Gjirokastra has a shorter and less intense peak season than the coastal resorts. July and August see the most visitors, but the city is far smaller in total capacity than Saranda or Ksamil — the better bazaar guesthouses have six to twelve rooms each and fill quickly in peak summer. Booking four to six weeks ahead is advisable for July and August stays in the Old Bazaar.
Shoulder season (April, May, September, October) is excellent in Gjirokastra: cooler temperatures make the uphill walks more comfortable, the castle is far less crowded, and prices drop noticeably from peak rates. The Albanian Folklore Festival, held in the city every five years (most recently 2023), draws large crowds when it runs.
The nearest airports are Tirana International (TIA, approximately 230 km north) and Ioannina Airport in Greece (IOA, approximately 150 km south via the Kakavia border crossing). Renting a car significantly improves the experience of the southern Albania circuit — you can combine Gjirokastra with the Blue Eye spring, Antigonea archaeological site, and the coast without depending on furgon timings.
Albania uses the Albanian lek (ALL) but euros are widely accepted. The Old Bazaar has a small number of ATMs; the New Town has better banking infrastructure. Cards are accepted at most hotels but not at all small guesthouses and restaurants — carry some cash.
For tours and day trips from Gjirokastra — including guided castle visits and the Blue Eye spring — see our Albania tours page.
Best Area for First-Timers
The Old Bazaar is the correct choice for a first visit. Himalayas Guesthouse is the standout budget option: genuinely good value, excellent reviews, and in the heart of the bazaar on Rruga Qazim Babameto. For a mid-range stay with better room standards, Hotel Kotoni or Hotel Cajupi offers a reliable upgrade.
Visitors arriving by car or with mobility concerns should consider the New Town hotels — the Old Bazaar lanes are steep, uneven, and require navigating with luggage — with a plan to taxi up to the bazaar each morning.
Compare prices and availability across all Gjirokastra hotels — Search hotels in Gjirokastra.
Plan Your Trip
Flights: Search flights to Albania — Aviasales compares across airlines for the best available price.
Travel insurance: Get travel insurance for Albania — covers medical, cancellation, and trip interruption.
eSIM: Buy an eSIM for the Balkans — Airalo data plans work across Albania and the region.
See also: Albania travel guide | Where to stay in Berat | Where to stay in Saranda | Gjirokastra restaurants