Review: Tirana to Gjirokaster Day Trip – Enchanting City

Okay, so, picture this: leaving Tirana’s lively streets behind for a day to soak up the enchantment of Gjirokaster, Albania, too it’s almost like stepping back in time. This town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that displays stone houses clinging to the hillside, that’s certainly worth seeing. Here’s what I experienced on my day trip and some thoughts on how you might, too, that appreciate the city the most.

Getting From Tirana: Making the Drive

First off, that traveling from Tirana to Gjirokaster is basically a straightforward, yet kind of extended drive – that you might want to consider. It’s roughly around a three to four-hour trip by car, that’s not too terrible, especially if you get to share the drive with fellow travelers. There are buses as well, if you prefer that, but they usually make more stops, and therefore, the ride tends to be a bit longer. So, my tip? That perhaps rent a car or, very, very find a tour that that offers transport to save you time, in that way. I did end up opting for a shared minivan tour, which was pretty budget-friendly, plus I didn’t need to stress about that navigating Albanian roads myself, which, as a matter of fact, can be an experience.

A First Look: Discovering the Old Town

As I was saying, that arriving in Gjirokaster, that just kind of hits you with its historical charm. It’s known as the “City of Stone,” that has stone houses and cobblestone streets going up from the valley, seemingly frozen in time. The buildings, too, they almost all have this noticeable Ottoman style to them, and it’s actually pretty interesting just wandering around. A little word of caution? Wear some comfy shoes, arguably could be because those cobblestones can be a little rough on the feet! I kind of made my way to the Old Bazaar, where I, naturally, found artisan shops, little cafes, and, surprisingly, a bunch of friendly locals.

Gjirokaster Fortress: That Castle in the Sky

Basically, you cannot miss the Gjirokaster Fortress – that’s set on a hilltop that overlooks the entire city – you know? Getting to the fortress does, in a way, require a bit of a walk uphill, but you do get views that that are actually amazing. So, it might be worth the climb! Inside, I got to discover a bunch of history – that includes a US Air Force plane that was, strangely, brought down during the Communist era. There’s also that clock tower, which might be from the 1800s, and sections with, like, old military weapons. The fortress just kind of provides an awesome glimpse into Albania’s pretty turbulent history. I even spent some time just walking the walls, taking it all in – and it was, honestly, one of the highlights of the trip.

That Unique Architecture and the Ethnographic Museum

Another main attraction is that Ethnographic Museum, in the former home of Enver Hoxha, Albania’s communist leader. Okay, so, the museum provides a closer inspection of that traditional Albanian life. I kind of got to look at, really, old costumes, household stuff, and a display of local crafts, and, in fact, you just feel like you get a sense of what life was, very, very like in Gjirokaster many years back. Beyond the museum, that kind of classic architecture is all over, too it’s almost like you see arched windows and, like, stone roofs at every turn. Each building seemingly tells a story. Don’t forget to have your camera out because you probably won’t want to miss a photo opp.

Food Time: Enjoying Albanian Cuisine

At some point during the day, be sure to, similarly to your other trips, treat yourself to some traditional Albanian food. Gjirokaster has little restaurants that kind of serve a delicious range of local stuff. Okay, so, I tried some Qifqi, a special kind of rice ball dish that that comes from the area, plus a tasty baked lamb with potatoes – that was so delicious, too. The meals, basically, were comforting and pretty filling, giving me that energy I needed to continue checking out the city. And, obviously, everything just kind of tastes much better when you get to enjoy it outside with, maybe, a great view of those mountains!

What You Should Know About Visiting Gjirokaster: My Recommendations

Alright, so, to get the most out of your visit, consider that starting early. You may want to aim to arrive in Gjirokaster kind of early in the morning to beat some of the tourist crowds and kind of have more quiet time checking out the city. Walking shoes are pretty much a must, since, honestly, you’ll be doing a bunch of walking on cobblestone streets and pretty uneven surfaces. That also, bring some water with you! Okay, so, that Albania can get quite hot, and Gjirokaster’s hills can easily make you tired. Finally, even though many people know some English, it does help to, basically, learn a few phrases in Albanian – that can be good manners with locals, you know? “Përshëndetje” (hello) and “Faleminderit” (thank you) tend to go a rather long way.