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 14 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.”
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 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.”
Walk Gjirokastër’s Old Bazaar and castle with Eugene, a licensed English-speaking local guide. In two hours, you’ll see the communist-era obelisk, the 1600 bazaar mosque, and one of the Balkans’ largest castles, with time left for your own exploring.
“Eugene provided a fabulous tour - he was very knowledgeable and a very personable guy. Two hours (rather than 3) was great as we still had time to see other things. Highly recommend”
Start at Cerciz Topulli Square and walk with an English-speaking guide through Gjirokastër’s Old Bazaar, Cfake, and Dunavat. See old stone houses, a rebuilt mosque, a Bektashi tekke, and Ali Pasha Bridge, an aqueduct remnant. Guide Besi is noted for family stories and thoughtful help.
“Leuke begeleiding, mooie wandeling af en toe te snel”
Join a local host in Gjirokastra’s UNESCO-listed Old Bazaar for a two-hour, hands-on class. Prepare qifqi, lamb pasta, and a seasonal dessert, then share lunch with salad, tea, wine, or raki. The class is offered in English, Italian, Greek, or Albanian.
Travel from Durrës or Golem with an English-speaking guide to Vlorë, Llogara National Park, and Dhërmi Beach. Expect mountain roads, sea views, photo stops, one hour in Vlorë, and three hours for swimming and free time at Dhërmi. Guides such as Eriglent and Mikel have earned special praise for their care and organization.
“Posto bellissimo, paesaggi stupendi e mare cristallino. Un paese che sorprende per la sua natura, la sua storia e l’ospitalità della gente. In più, abbiamo avuto una guida molto brava ed esperta, che ha reso l’esperienza ancora più interessante e piacevole. Consiglio vivamente di visitarla!”
Travel by private 4x4 from Saranda or Ksamil to Albania’s Blue Eye and Gjirokaster. Your licensed guide, including guide Rajan on one reported tour, handles the route while you swim, tour the castle, eat, shop, and enjoy time at your own pace.
“Hele vriendelijke jongen die goed Engels praat en ons veel heeft verteld over (het leven in) Albanië en mooie plekken heeft laten zien waar je ook de tijd krijgt om alleen rond te kijken.”
Pick a harbour, a spring or a mountain road.
