Tour Overview
Before reaching the ‘Stone City’ of Gjirokaster, the tour makes a short stop at the fortress of Ali Pasha Tepelene which was once frequented by British poet Lord Byron. Upon reaching Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will visit the historic bazaar where you can buy traditional arts and crafts items as well as antiques. We will visit the castle which sits on top of the mountain as well as having the chance to explore its winding streets full of historic homes and various museums. This is a truly unique city, preserved for centuries and providing great photo opportunities and a truly unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Marvel at the wonderful views of Gjirokaster from up high
- Experience the magical atmosphere of historic Albania
- Visit one of the oldest Ottoman-style homes, the Zekate House
- Explore the majestic and legendary Argjiro Castle
- Buy a souvenir from a local artisan shop in the Old Bazaar
Itinerary
The cold waterfall in Tepelena-Gjirokasta Old City Part of UNESCO-The National Museum of Armaments-Bektashi Turbe (tomb)-The American Airplane-Traditonal lunch (optional)
We depart from Durres early in the morning at 08:00 AM for Gjirokastra (approx. 3-hour drive.) Between the two cities, we will happily stop for a coffee break on the way. The main interesting sight is Gjirokastra & Antigonea, the ancient city. Walking tour for 2 hours straight to Gjirokastra Castle which is one of the largest in Balkans and one of the most magnificent structures.
Things to see in the castle:
Bektashi Turbe (tomb): Situated to the right about 50m inside the main gate you will see a small building tucked into the walls of the castle amidst a lovely garden. It contains the remains of two Bektashi Babas.
Artillery Gallery: Turning left from the main entrance, you will enter a long gallery lined with artillery pieces. All of these guns were either abandoned by, or captured from, the Italian and German occupation forces during World War II. Within this gallery there is also a small Italian tank built by Fiat.
National Museum of Armaments: Originally opened in 1971, the National Museum of Armaments is located in what was once the part of the prison. The current displays cover Albanian arms from independence in 1912 to the end of World War II, and most of the museum is dedicated to the Partisan struggle against the Italian and German occupation forces from 1939 to 1944.
The American Airplane: The remains of a United States Air Force T33 Shooting Star are exhibited on the ramparts overlooking the city. The airplane was forced to land at Rina’s Airport, near Tirana in December 1957 due to technical problems.
Trip includes
Included
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Castle Entrance fees
Excluded
Availability
Loading. Please wait.
Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Protected
Travel withing your own bubble.
Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Why book with Travelshopbooking
Best price quaranteed.
100% financial protection.
Earn $20+ in travel credits.
Cancellation Policy
On our global marketplace TravelShop Booking Supplier is recognized globally as an online tourism marketplace connecting travelers, suppliers, and tour operators worldwide. All users acknowledge that TravelShop Booking is a platform not liable for canceled tours, poor services, or unforeseen circumstances occurring before, during, or after the tour.
Need help or have a question about this tour?
if you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
We're ready to help.