Albania · GJIROKASTER TOURS
The stone town climbs a hillside under a very large castle, and most visits arrive as part of a longer southern run. The 15 below separate the ones that stop properly from the ones that give you forty minutes.
Travel from Sarandë by air-conditioned van with an English or Greek-speaking guide. Jona is often the guide, bringing history and humor to Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye spring, and Lekursi Castle. Expect about 7.5 to 8 hours, mountain roads, walking, free time, and hotel or port pickup.
“Jona was a great guide, very informative and both driver and guide were very friendly and helpful. Great day out.”
Walk from Cerciz Topulli Square through Gjirokaster’s Old Bazaar to Argjiro Castle and the 1812 Zekate House. An English-speaking guide, including Klarens on some departures, explains local history, legends, crafts, and city views during this three-hour tour.
“Klarens was really knowledgeable and friendly too! He provided a really informative tour that gave us a lot of personal insight into the city as well as giving interesting anecdotes about the history. He skillfully navigated crowds and bad weather to ensure we were comfortable and kept very good time. We would strongly recommend!”
Join a small English-speaking group from Saranda for a 4.5-hour afternoon outing to the Blue Eye spring, Isak Winery, and Lekursi Castle. Guide Klajdi is known for attentive service and clear local insight. Wine tasting costs an extra €15 and includes food.
“Great tour!! Our guide was very polite and knowledgeable, he went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our experience. Highly recommend! The blue eye was lovely and not too busy, the wine and food at the vineyard was delicious and the views from the castle were amazing 💕”
Travel with a small group of up to eight from Sarandë or Gjirokastër to Benja Thermal Baths and Langarica Canyon. Guide Klajdi is known for fluent English and thoughtful local help. Expect warm sulfur pools, an Ottoman bridge, river walking, rural views, and no included lunch.
“La randonnée était toute simplement magnifique ! Le canyon de langarica est à couper le souffle, il y a plusieurs sources thermales qui sont superbes, c'était l'une des meilleures excursions qu'on ait faite en Albanie ! Cependant je trouve le prix légèrement élevé, sinon c'était top et le guide à une conduite plus qu'irréprochable ! Merci encore !”
Walk Gjirokaster with a professional guide through its old bazaar, hilltop castle, and Zekate House. Guides such as Arli, Blerim Topuli, and Blerim bring local stories and personal connections. The $16.82 price covers guiding, but castle and house admission cost extra.
“Bieren (? spelling) was excellent. Besides being a great guy, he has an obvious passion for the history of what we were seeing, and could expound off of any question we asked. Quite enjoyable.”
Meet your guide at Çerçiz Topulli Square and walk to Gjirokastër’s Old Bazaar for a 150-minute vegetarian cooking class with Marjeta and her husband. Prepare qofte bobollaqe, qifqi, and hasude, then eat together with wine, raki, or soft drinks. English translation and recipes are included.
“So much fun!!! Marijta is amazing and the dishes are delicious. It was a very feel good experience, just like cooking with local friends. Klarisa our translator, was also great and super nice, patiently explaining all the ingredients, steps and jokes. Can’t recommend enough :)”
Meet your host at Cerciz Topulli Square, walk to Master Nurce’s workshop, and learn Gjirokaster’s woodcraft tradition. With guidance from instructors including Victor or Viktor, carve a sign, necklace, key hanger, or mirror while enjoying raki or homemade wine. English instruction and all tools are included.
“We kregen een korte introductie van Gjirokaster en de decoratie in de oude gebouwen. Daarna mochten we zelf aan de slag met ons kunstwerk onder begeleiding van de meester. Leuke persoonlijke cursus met een mooi souvenir om mee naar huis te nemen.”
Meet at Edua in Gjirokaster’s medieval bazaar for a private, English-language cooking class. You’ll prepare qifqi, traditional OSA pasta with lamb, and hasude dessert, learn about mountain spices and tea, then eat what you make.
“Really fun ~1hr cooking class where we learnt a lot about the culture of Gjirokaster and Albania and then ate our delicious meal in the restaurant after. Thank you for the great experience!”
Walk from Cerciz Topulli Square to Pazar i Vjeter, where Teta Marjeta teaches three Gjirokaster dishes in her home. With an English translator, you’ll make qofte bobollaqe, qifqi, and hasude, then share the meal with wine, raki, or a soft drink.
“The highlight of the experience was Marieta – she was definitely a character: joyful, cheeky, and so much fun! We were welcomed by a friendly translator who stayed with us throughout, which added to the experience. They answered all of our questions, and additional dishes accompanied what we made.”
Walk from Cerciz Topulli Square through Gjirokaster’s old Bazaar and Cfaka neighborhood to views of Ali Pasha Bridge. English-speaking local guides such as Arli, Viki, Marco, and Mario share the town’s past and present. Expect cobblestones, hills, old houses, and uneven ground.
“Heel veel informatie. De informatie werd heel levendig gebracht, door een jonge inwoner uit Gjirokaster. Met veel humor en eigen ervaringen erin verwerkt. Topklasse.”
Meet your host at Cerciz Topulli Square, walk three minutes to Master Nurce Workshop, learn about local wood, sketch a design, and carve it under Viktor’s guidance. An English-speaking translator helps you make a sign or small woodwork piece to take home.
“This was such an incredible experience and one of the highlights of my time in Albania! The instructor and translator were both kind and helpful and we had great conversations in addition to the woodworking being fun. I felt like I learned a lot about Albania through this experience.”
Start at Çerçiz Topulli Square and walk through Gjirokaster’s Old Bazaar, Cfake, and Dunavat area to Ali Pasha Bridge. Guide Besi has led some departures, sharing local history and culture in Albanian or English. Expect cobblestones, uphill paths, old houses, sheep-filled hills, and a three-hour walk.
“Het was een super hike met gids Besi En erg interessant omdat hij ook veel wist te vertellen over van alles en nog wat Ook was Besi erg vriendelijk en behulpzaam”
Travel from Sarandë to the Blue Eye and Gjirokastra with a local driver such as Denis or Andrew. Swim-free at the crystal-clear spring, explore Argjiro Castle and the old bazaar, then enjoy free time for food, photos, and traditional stone houses.
“Wonderful trip with Dennis who was so friendly and knowledgeable,.We had a fantastic day at the blue eye and Gjirokaster and we felt safe with this careful driving.Highly recommend his tour company”
Travel from Berat to Çorovode, gear up with an English-speaking guide such as Miri, then raft through Osumi Canyon for about two hours. Expect gentle rapids, waterfalls, caves, swimming stops, a tasty lunch, and a scenic mountain drive. No rafting experience is needed.
“Fantastic Rafting Tour! The canyon was so beautiful, with so many great waterfalls. We had a great group, and a great guide, all of whom made the experience so much fun.”
Meet your host at Cerciz Topulli Square, then walk to Marjeta’s home with guide Besi. Prepare Gjirokaster specialties including Osa, qifqi, and hasude, using fresh ingredients before sharing the meal with wine, raki, or a soft drink.
“Super fun cooking class at Marieta house. Cooked three local dishes with wine and on a cute veranda with local ingredients. Everyone including our translator Besi were amazing and so friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend for an overall awesome experience of food, culture and a good time.”
Pick a harbour, a spring or a mountain road.
