Gjirokaster

Visit 4 different places in I day on this tour from Sarande and Ksamil. Explore the St. Nicholas Monastery Church, marvel at the Blue Eye, stroll through the city Gjirokastër, and admire the views from Lekuresi Castle. Immerse yourself in a Albanian culture and nature on a full-day tour.Discover 4 fascinating locations in just 1 day with your local guide.Admire the spectacularly clear waters of the natural Blue Eye spring. Pause for reflection at the St. Nicholas Monastery Church, Mesopotam.Step back in time on the streets of Gjirokastër and at Lëkurësi Castle.

Rafting in the crystal clean waters of the Vjosa River will give you an unforgettable and very unique experience at the last wild river in Europe. Enjoying the landscape of the national park from the boat, swimming and jumping from the rocks for an amazing experience.

Albania Rafting offer the best albanian trip on the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers, is a class II rafting with some rapids of class III . Prepare for waves up to four feet and narrow passages that send the boat shimmying and water gushing over the sides. Vjosa river’s entire 270km course is wild and untamed and adorned with beautiful canyons, braided river sections, islands and oxbows. Meeting point in our Vjosa Albania Rafting Base After the wearings of all the rafting equipments our minivan will pick you up and bring in the starting point onli 35 min from our base. Length of rafting trip Transportation from Rafting Base to starting point 35 min Preparation, instructions and downriver 2,5 – 3 hours Optional tour Kayaking in Vjosa

Discover the beauty of southern Albania with a unique tour that takes you through Berat, Gjirokastër, Butrint, and Saranda. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage sites, explore Berat’s ancient castle, the charming streets of Gjirokastër, and the stunning archaeological site of Butrint. Experience the picturesque beaches of Ksamil and the Blue Eye, all while immersing yourself in local culture and cuisine. This well-rounded tour combines history, nature, and tradition—book your unforgettable journey today and explore the best of Albania’s southern treasures!

In this trip we will explore the unknown part of Gjirokaster, the magic of the town that every tourist skips. We start from the center of the old town the “Cerciz Topulli Square” and head towards The “Old Bazaar” which is not a Bazaar anymore. This is the first neighborhood outside the walls of the castle and lies along beneath the Castle walls. The characteristic cobblestone and some of the oldest houses are the most beautiful elements of this neighborhood. After passing the “Zerzebili” bridge, we reach another ancient neighborhood in town called “Cfaka”. Here we will pass some old houses which are first monument category and also a tekke which belongs to the Bektashi Order. It is a beautiful combination of Nature, many sheep on top of hills, and old houses to arrive in our last destination, the “Ali Pasha Bridge”.

We will explore the unknown part of Gjirokaster, the magic of the town that every tourist skips. We start from “Cerciz Topulli Square” and head towards The “Old Bazaar”. It is the first neighborhood outside the castle and lies along beneath the its walls. The characteristic cobblestone the orthodox church and some of the oldest houses are the most beautiful elements. After passing the stream of Nanxa (where they are building a new street), we reach the neighborhood of “Cfaka”. Here we will pass by some first monument category houses, a rebuild mosque and then reach the last neighborhood “Dunavat” where we will find a tekke of the Bektashi Order. It is a beautiful combination of Nature and old houses before arriving to “Ali Pasha Bridge”, a remaining of the aqueduct build more than 200 years ago to bring water to the castle. It takes approximately 3 hrs and you should be prepared to walk on a not so comfortable terrain. So put on your sneakers and join us to this back in time trip.

In this tour, you will discover the magic of the city by visiting the medieval Bazaar, the highlight of the city Argjiro Castle, and one of the best-preserved houses, the Zekate House. Starting at Cerciz Topulli Square with our local guide, we continue toward the Old Bazaar, stopping at the Neck of Bazaar, where we meet artisans working with old methods, and head toward the Castle. The 2.5-hectare castle, full of history, tragedy, and legends, will be explained by the guide. You’ll be 330 meters above sea level, enjoying breathtaking views of Gjirokastra, the typical tower houses covered with grey stone, usually two or three floors. The last stop is the Zekate House, a gift by Ali Pasha Tepelena to his accountant, Beqir Zeko. This tour aims to let you experience the unique, magical, and friendly atmosphere of Gjirokastra, not just visit popular attractions. Entrance: 400 ALL/Castle 300 ALL/Zekate.

We shall drive over the mountains to the scenic Drinos valley to see Gjirokastra, the austere stone city perched on the Wide Mountain. One of the most famous mediaeval towns of the region the city dates back to the 3rd century BC. We shall visit the mighty fortress, the old Bazaar and the 300 years old Skenduli house as one of the best representatives of the original architecture of Gjirokastra. We shall visit Benja thermal baths..A stone bridge arcs over a winding stretch of brilliantly blue-green water. Built-in the Middle Ages, it has been letting people cross the sulfur-rich river since the days of the Ottoman Empire. Warm water rushes beneath it, providing a relaxing treat for those who visit. Near the bridge, you’ll find the the Benja Thermal Baths, born from the geothermal waters near Përmet, Albania. The heated water flows down the river unless it gets diverted into one of the several human-made pools. They’re a splendid spot for a hot soak on a crisp, cool day.

Gjirokaster walking tour is the best way to explore the town with local certified guides During the tour we will show you the amazing stone city of Gjirokaster focusing on it's history, culture, architecture, traditions, and local histories. We will see the most interesting parts of the city like the Bazzar area or areas where are located the most beautiful Gjirokaster style houses like Scenduli house or some of houses of local famous people like the house of the dictator Enver Hoxha or the house of Ismail Kadare the most famous Albanian writer. We will visit also the castle but we will not visit the castle inside as it has a price for tickets and we want to let people choose if visiting or no or when visiting and how much time they want to spent there. Anyway the tour ends near the castle entry so you can go inside right after the tour if you want. During our tour we will also pass by the best panoramic spots for amazing views and have possiblity to take beautiful panoramic pictures

Our tour of Gjirokastër and Saranda is legit one of a kind! You’ll explore the medieval vibes of Gjirokastër’s old town and castle, with epic views and cool history. Then, hit up Saranda and The Riviera for some beach time, fresh seafood, and crystal-clear waters. It’s the perfect mix of culture, nature, and chill vibes!

Join us on a full-day trip from Tirana to Albania’s south, blending nature and history. Our first stop is Aragosta Music, a beautiful spot by the Vjosa River, where you’ll enjoy views of one of Europe’s last wild rivers. Next, we head to Gjirokastër, the UNESCO "Stone City." Explore the impressive Gjirokastër Castle with a detailed guided tour, rich in history and panoramic views. Then walk through the UNESCO old town, famous for its stone houses and cobbled streets. As a token of gratitude, we offer everyone a souvenir and a bottle of water. You’re also welcome at our bazaar spot to enjoy coffee, raki, or drinks. After the tour, enjoy three hours of free time to explore local food, shops, and museums. We end the day regrouping for the return to Tirana, taking home memories of Gjirokastër’s heritage and charm.

The fascinating old centre of Gjirokaster is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Largely medieval, with some lovely architecture to admire, reflecting the town’s wealthy past, it is built on a hill overlooking a valley and mountains. This interesting museum will give a good impression of the way of living in Albania during the Ottoman period. For lunch we will leave town and drive to a nearby lake, where some specialties of the area can be tasted. On our way back to Saranda, we will pass from the national park Syri I Kalter. In this peaceful forest, we will walk (5 min) to the crystal clear spring called Blue Eye, where 900 m3 water per minute is coming from deep down the earth. If time permits, there will be a short coffee break at the restaurant next to the fast streaming river in the park, before heading back to the port of Saranda.

Our kayaking trip takes place in one of the most beautiful parts of the river of Vjosa, the last wild river in Europe. We will start from Kelcyra's Gorge in southern Albania created by the Vjosa river, near the town of Kelcyre. The gorge has panoramic and relaxing views, during the trip we will enjoy the "Blue Eye" which has a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near the village of Muzine Finiq. We will pedal through the canyon and the waterfalls for about 2 and half hour until we arrive at the village of Peshtan Gathering at restaurant Salmoni, you will park the cars there and our shuttle will pick you up and take you to the departure point of Kelcyra gorge. Preparing for the adventure, wearing neoprene suits, thermal sweatshirts, life jackets and helmets it’s a must. The whole trip will give you a very special feeling and the adrenaline will be covering your body going through Vjosa rapids, the beautiful canyons of Kelcyra, the waterfalls and the “Blue Eye” experience.

A tour to Blue Eye and Gjirokaster would be a fascinating journey through some of Albania's most beautiful and historical regions. Blue Eye, located near the town of Saranda, is a stunning natural spring with crystal-clear blue waters that make it look like a giant eye. The surrounding area is also beautiful, with lush greenery and stunning views. Gjirokaster, on the other hand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Albania's most historic towns. With its narrow cobblestone streets, Ottoman-era architecture, and stunning castle overlooking the town, Gjirokaster is a must-see for anyone interested in history and culture. Together, a tour to Blue Eye and Gjirokaster would offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, making for an unforgettable experience in Albania.

You can not speak about Gjirokastra without enjoying its traditional typical food. It will be a unique experience making your mouth water and bringing back your appetite. Their tastes are similar to the preparation of centuries-old recipes which you will find and prepare instantly while you are in Gjirokastra, in addition you will taste a meal that you have just learnt to prepare.

We meet at Cerciz Topulli square, where you join with your host and walk over to one of the oldest neighbourhoods, “Pazar i Vjeter” to meet Marjeta and her husband. We begin the class with a glass of raki or a soft drink while chatting with your group mates. The food we are going to prepare is a vegetarian menu, and under the guidance of Marjeta we will learn three dishes. The first one is called “Qofte bobollaqe” consisting mainly on yogurt, the traditional “Qifqis” found only in Gjirokaster and consisting mainly on rice and the desert called “Hasude”. All these three are accompanied by the salad of the season Marjeta has already prepared for you. After all the hard work, sit down with your group to savor each of your dishes. Pair your menu with a complimentary glass of wine, raki, or a soft drink and have a nice chat while you eat. Your cooking class will conclude after the meal. Cheers and Bon appetite!

Therapeutic art is a unique technique for revitalizing the mind and soul through creativity and expression of emotions. We offer an ART opportunity to communicate and explore new, perhaps unfamiliar aspects, of your personality. Doodles is the embodiment of free art, inside the lines, but at the same time outside the frames. It is a method of meditation. Through repetition it stimulates concentration and hypnotizes you to another spiritual level by adding colors, to your emotions. Inspired by local motifs, you will decide with your coach the design to be drawn. This experience will be a long-term art and tea therapy option. It will teach you techniques that you might use in the future.

Design and create your own piece of art in wood and take it home as a souvenir or a gift for your loved ones!

Marvel at views of the city, the lonian Sea, and Ksamil from Lekuresi. Expereince seeing clearly to the bottom of the 50-meter deep Blue Eye Spring. Visit the ramparts of Gjirokastra Castle for views of the town of Giirokaster Shop for handcrafts, antiques, and souvenirs at the Gjirokastra Bazaar Enjoy the convenience of round-trip van transfers from central Sarande

In this experience you have the opportunity to dress up in the traditional costumes of the southern region and have one hour to walk up around the bazaar and shoot your best memories. Have a small chat with Elida Zhulati, our Artisan of the traditional costumes and learn a bit more about our intangible heritage. Then dress up in those costumes and get the attention of every visitor in the town while walking on them in the bazaar. You can also order yours and we ship it to your home after we sew it for you.