Gjirokaster Activity Guide
This guide sorts the activities in Gjirokaster by how much time you have. The town is compact and steep, and most of what you can do costs little. Amounts are in Albanian lek (ALL). Carry cash, because the castle, tunnel, houses and museum desks do not take cards.
If you have one hour
Wander the bazaar along Qafa e Pazarit and pause at Çerçiz Topulli Square. Neither costs anything. The old lanes are steep limestone cobbles that shine and slip when damp, so shoes with a firm sole are the one piece of kit that matters.
If you want an indoor stop, the Cold War Tunnel takes about 20 to 30 minutes with a guide and costs about 200 ALL. Ask at the Tourist Information office on the square for the way in. The tunnel is a Hoxha-era shelter museum and a sober visit.
If you have half a day
Visit the castle, Kalaja e Gjirokastrës, for about 400 ALL, and plan 1.5 to 2 hours there. The armaments museum may add around 200 ALL. Winter opening is shorter and Monday closing is possible, so check locally. Part of the castle was a prison in the 20th century, and the communist period is part of that story, so keep the visit quiet.
Or spend the morning learning a skill. A 2-hour “Cook Like a Local” class from Kalemi Travel and Tours in the Old Bazaar teaches qifqi, the local rice, herb and egg balls fried in a cast-iron mould. Cook with Marjeta lists classes at 12:00 and 18:00 daily. A stone-carving session at “Master Ermal” in the Old Bazaar starts from about 1,000 ALL, and woodcarver Anastas Petridhi has a bazaar shop you can browse.
If you have a full day
Ride out with Caravan Horse Riding Albania, whose stables sit above Asim Zeneli, about 15 minutes by car. Listings include a 2.5-hour lakeside ride at about EUR 50 per person, a 3-hour ride in the Drino Valley and a day ride called Ride and Shine at about EUR 129. Some rides cap rider weight at about 90 kg.
Or drive 14 km to Antigonea for ruins and a mosaic floor, or go to the Blue Eye spring about 35 km away to look at the water from the path. Swimming is forbidden there.
Rafting and climbing
Rafting trips run on the Vjosa river from Përmet, about 60 km from town, at about EUR 25 to 35 on a Class III section. The castle is a protected monument, so climbing its walls is off limits.
Staying safe
Albania is a normal destination for visitors. Check the current UK government advice and the US equivalent. Road deaths are among the highest in Europe, so go carefully on the mountain roads.
Booking help
Browse activities on GetYourGuide . This tunnel page has the official hours.
Read more: sightseeing in town and day trips .