Things to do & places to visit in Gjirokaster County, Albania

Gjirokaster County #5 destination in Albania 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 2.396 traveler reviews, of 51 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Tirane, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 9:30.

Top things to do (44)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Funky Adventures (118 reviews)
- Amazing views, people, and horses
River Rafting & Tubing • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Safaris • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Day Trips

Such a great experience! It was mine and my cousins first time ever horseback riding. We checked into the guesthouse a little late and he was still able to accomdate us for horseback riding the following morning, even though it was last minute. The horses were so beautiful and we had such a great time with him and his team. You can tell how much love he has for Përmet by all the history he gives you on it during the trip. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an adventurous experience! See more..
5.0 Experience Gjirokastra (34 reviews)
- Experiencing Gjirokastra ina unique way.
Paint & Pottery Studios • Walking Tours • Cooking Classes • Hiking & Camping Tours

The rumors in the city talk about Experience Gjirokastra as the only enterprise that could give you totally a new and unique feeling of Gjirokastra. We took it as a family to make a trip in a unique place and it was a blast. Beside the age differences Eni made it possible for each of us to be unique. If you go through Gjirokastra this is something that you shouldn't miss. See more..
5.0 Vjosa Explorer (30 reviews)
- River Raft with No Fear -- Only Fun
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM City Tours • Sightseeing Tours

Highly recommend choosing Vjosa Explorer for River Rafting (a must-do adventure!) in Permet. I wasn't sure about choosing this adventure, but my nerves quickly washed away with "Sunny" as our professional, firm, yet friendly and fun guide. He really made the adventure enjoyable and safe so we could all soak in the gorgeous Vjosa river and surrounding natural beauty. Great way to see Permet, especially in the hotter summer temps, to cool off!!! See more..
5.0 Caravan Horse Riding Albania (11 reviews)
- Stunning landscape from horseback
Spent 2-3 hours Equestrian Trails

Caravan Horse Riding Albania is organising horse riding trails for intermediate and advanced level riders. We welcome non riders book ourfarm visit tour. Our week trails,Zagoria Pathways and King Skerdilajd Army Route are the most popular. Our center has 38 Albanian horses and we are happy to share our experience with guests. See more..
5.0 Hangover Cocktail Bar (10 reviews)
- I like it
Friday: 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM Bars & Clubs

The best espresso in Albania!! Staff very kind. Nice atmosphere I will come back with my best friend Alessia. See more..
5.0 Saint Maria Church of Leuse (9 reviews)
- A LITTLE GEM OF A CHURCH
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

A roughly two kilometer, uphill walk from Permet will take you to this beautiful little church. For a bit of huffing and puffing you will be rewarded. It can be reached by vehicle too. You could take photographs inside, a treat. There are stairs you can climb for a different angle, sharing the space with bats. The church itself is reached before entering the village of Leuse. With the hike to reach it, its rustic setting and colourful frescoes, it was one of the best churches visited in Albania. See more..
5.0 South Albania Trail (8 reviews)
- Nivica
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Multi-day Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours

It is a great area for nature lovers. hiking, trekking horse riding and in particular the canyons. However, this area has a unique pastoral life still strong since ancient times. Fascinating is the temple of the sacred oaks, a place where people still worship and sacrifice to the spirit of the oaks. See more..
5.0 Edua.gjirokaster (6 reviews)
- Great experience
Friday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Cooking Classes • Wine Tours & Tastings

It was a great experience to cook some of the traditional food. It was fun making the food together with a local cook and see the restaurant kitchen from inside. It didn’t take us 2h 30 though. I think it was in between 1h and 1h 30 for cooking. Afterwards you eat the meal you prepared by yourself. The food tasted really good. See more..
5.0 Bar Classic (6 reviews)
- Perfect
Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs

Comfortable place with friendly people...make the best cocktail and smoothie in the town...if you want something perfect go there. See more..
5.0 Buggy Albania (5 reviews)
- Amazing day
City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Photography Tours • Archaeology Tours • Day Trips

We booked a four hour tour and it was amazing. Great views. Great guides and a perfect lunch stop in a traditional house. One of he guides grandmothers cooked for us, she was so lovely and made the tour even better. Well worth doing this trip. See more..
5.0 C-Adventures&Tours (3 reviews)
- Really interesting and nice tour.
Friday: 8:00 AM - 11:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours • Day Trips

Really interesting and nice tour to the most interesting places in Gjrokaster. Very friendly and experienced tour guide. Thank you! See more..
5.0 Hiking South Albania (3 reviews)
- Pepel lakes
Hiking & Camping Tours

Excellent outdoor service , friendly guides, beautiful nature. Pepel lakes guide is a place not to be missed. See more..
5.0 Travel With Friends (1 review)
- Magnificent place to go for more then one day!!!!
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Day Trips

Just cam back last week from Girokaster Albania,, Breathless experience,were to start , very friendly service, available at any time , they made possible to se many sids in three days ,the last one we went to visit a very old church build on village to go with it called Labova e Kryqit, a special one, everything was in live and original like was yesterday not 1500 years a go ,shocking experience, the village authentic and the people very friendly , they invited us for lunch in they home and cocked fur us traditional dishes on the spot from they own bio garden ,definitely we come back this time for long time,,,,,, See more..
5.0 Pasticeri Bleta (1 review)
- A great place to taste local sweets
Wine Tours & Tastings

This is THE place to visit if you would like a taste of the local sweets. Alexandra, who speaks English fluently and has vast knowledge regarding her profession and endless patience, will share with you each and every pastry, jam, sweets and other delicacies she has - all made of local products and by hand. You can taste on the spot and/or take home. The locally famous wild fig jam made of whole fruits as well as the walnut jam made of whole fruit is especially recommended. Try also her amazing marzipan and walnut mixed with local orange delicacy. We could spend hours there. See more..
5.0 Tekke of Frasher (1 review)
- Luogo mistico
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Per chi arriva fino a Frasher merita una visita questo luogo per conoscere la cultura Bektashi in un luogo ricco di storia e di natura See more..
4.5 Gjirokaster Castle (892 reviews)
- Very insightful
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Military Museums • Historic Sites • Castles

A fun day exploring 'Castle Gjirokastra' a 12th-century fortress, very insightful learning about the experiences of living in a communist country, and eerie wandering through the cells and of course more wonderful views of Drino valley. There is also a weapons museum, where you can even pick them up! A wonderful experience for 400 Albania Lek (ALL) converts to approximately 3 EUR and worth the additional 200 (ALL) to explore the museums. Gjirokastër Castle is a fortress in Gjirokastër, Albania (during Ottoman rule, it was historically known as Ergiri while local Greeks referred to it as Argyrokastro, a name also applied to the castle. Gjirokastër Castle is situated at the height of 336m above sea level and under protection from UNESCO. See more..
4.5 Skenduli House (303 reviews)
- A HOUSE OF THE WELL TO DO
Architectural Buildings

If you really want to know the best model of local architecture in 19th century, a visit to Skenduli house is a must. Everything is totally original and is the most authentic building in Gjirokastra. This is the best preserved house in old city of Gjirokastra, more than 300 years old (built in 1823). The owner of the house, Nasip Skenduli, a descendant of the family that originally build the house, is an amazing story teller. He will explain you everything about the house and the preserving process in years. It used to be the original Ethnographic museum during communist time, but now the owners have their house back and keep it open for visitors. What makes this house so special? Its structure shows that this has been the richest houses in Gjirokastra, because it had 9 fireplaces, (more fireplaces more richer the family was); 6 bathrooms, 12 rooms, 44 doors, 64 windows, and 4 hamam (turkish bath). Many rooms are preserved in their original shape and this is amazing. See more..
4.5 Zekate House (174 reviews)
- Interesting tower house
Historic Sites

One of the most beautiful and best preserved houses of Gjirokastra. The Zekate House is a grand example of the typical (tower-house), belonging to the wealthiest families in Gjirokastra in 19th century. It belonged to Beqir Zeko, a general administrator of Ali Pasha. It was built in 1811-1812. Where you are in the top of it, the view of river valley is amazing. This 3 storey house has very strong defensive features, and that is why she is still so powerful until nowadays. The ground floor contains storage rooms, the kitchen and the cistern. The first floor has two rooms used as living quarters for branches of the family, while the third floor has a grand reception room and two other smaller rooms. The principal room is very typical of the grandest of these dwellings with frescoed walls, a carved ceiling and an ornate fireplace. This house gives visitors a vast understandings of the vernacular architecture. The entrance fee is € 1.00. See more..
4.5 Benja Thermal Baths (82 reviews)
- The Benja Thermal Baths and Ottoman Bridge - well worth the side trip
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Hot Springs & Geysers

The drive from the City of Permeti to the Thermal Baths of Benja was scenic and relaxing. Also located adjacent to the baths was a wonderful architectural example of an ancient stone constructed Ottoman Bridge which spans the Lengarica River. The baths are located below the bridge collect water from several thermal springs which collects in a large bathing/swimming/wading pool. Temperature of the springs is 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. A very enjoyable and soothing sidetrip indeed. Would highly recommend, not only for the architectural and historical significance, but for the baths themselves. See more..
4.5 Church of Labove e Kryqit (22 reviews)
- Byzantine architecture and pristine nature
Churches & Cathedrals

I visited the area with friends and we all enjoyed the beautiful nature and breathtaking views along the drive to Labova village in the Gjirokastra District. The Church of the Dormition itself was the gem hidden in this almost abandoned village. Beautiful Byzantine architecture from the 13th century, build on foundations from the 6th century dominated the center square of the village, overlooking the valley of Drinos River. The portico with columns and arches served as the platform which supported the main building and the impressive dome which was leaning a litle to the right. See more..
4.5 The Blue Eye (20 reviews)
- Beautiful place
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

The Blue Eye, which is located on the main road between Saranda and Gjirokastra, just 25 km away from Saranda town, is a karst source, the best known and most unique in Albania. The cold water that comes from the land, 50 meters inside, appears on the surface to force a flow of 6 m³/s, creating a small basin which then flows into the river of Bistrica. See more..
4.5 Guri i Qytetit (14 reviews)
- Wonderful view
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts • Geologic Formations

The view from the stone is wonderful. You can see Vjosa River and the old bridge. By the night the stone is decorated with lights. See more..
4.5 Rafting Vjosa (13 reviews)
- Vjosa River
River Rafting & Tubing

Perfect place to feel the natyre . With a nice guide. The rouds are little bit straight. But is nice to travel . See more..
4.5 Nature&joy (10 reviews)
- A walk around Viroi lake close to Gjirokastra in Albania
Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

You will know the albanian beautiful nature See more..
4.5 Fir of Hotova National Park (9 reviews)
- Gorgeous natural scenery, a sea of trees in the mountains
National Parks

The Fir of Hotova National Park is also known as the Lungs of the South for its incredible array of trees and wildlife! The park is home to Alipostivan, a Bektashi Tekke with panoramic views of the mountains and Greece, and the village of Frasher, an important cultural landmark with a lovely museum. Driving through the National Park is like entering a sea of trees in the mountains. There are springs with crystal clear water, charming cabins for picnics, and many other attractions. But the roads aren't completely paved, so it's a good idea to enter the park with a heavy-duty vehicle or with a local driver. The park is also great for hiking if you have a good GPS system or a local guide! See more..
4.5 Tekke of Baba Aliu (4 reviews)
- Panoramic mountain views and cultural heritage
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts • Religious Sites

The Tekke of Baba Aliu is a Bektashi religious site in Alipostivan, a mountaintop village in Bredhi i Hotoves National Park. I've visited multiple times, once on May 14th for the village festival, and another time in early March. Both visits offered fantastic panoramic views and interesting cultural heritage. The site is large with many buildings to explore, and it is still developing rapidly. Definitely a spot to visit in the Permet region! See more..
4.5 Kisha e Shën Kollit (3 reviews)
- Nice church
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

If you visit Permet go to visit this church. You can go by foot in 5 minutes into the streets of the city. It is built with stones and have a very nice view. See more..
4.5 Kulla E Sahatit (2 reviews)
- Ideal para ver el atardecer de la ciudad
Castles

Esta zona que está al final del castillo es la mejor zona para ver el atardecer de la ciudad rodeada de las montañas. Cuando lo visite no estaba abierto, solo paseas por el exterior. See more..
4.5 Antigonea Archaeological Park (2 reviews)
- Archaeological site with great atmosphere and tragic history
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks

We arrived at Antigonea much later than expected, but instead of being disappointed, we found the site deserted and very atmospheric as the sun began to set. As the ticket box was closed, there was no entry fee to pay at the site which is completely open (200 leke, which is about $2.50 Australian dollars). We don't know what information is handed out at the ticket box, but there is an excellent brochure available on the Internet, giving the history of the site and a map. There is one information board at the entrance which is very faded and almost unreadable. Antigonea is spectacularly situated on the top of a ridge, overlooking the Drinos Valley. It was founded in 295 BC by Pyrrhos, the King of the Molossians, and named Antigonea after his first wife, the daughter of the Macedonian nobles Berenice and Philip. Antigonea subsequently developed into one of the most important economic, social, cultural and political centres in the late 3rd-early 2nd century BC. The urban surface of the city within and outside the fortified walls is estimated to have been about 60 hectares. The city was surrounded by solid limestone block walls about 4,000 metres long. In 198 BC, Roman legions vanquished the army of Philip V, the King of Macedonia, near Antigonea. In 167 BC, tragically Antigonea and 70 other cities of Epirus were burnt to the ground in one night by the army of Aemilius Paullus who took revenge for the damages inflicted on Italy by the Pyrrhic War. We had a car to reach the site, which we doubt would be accessible by public transport. We would advise caution driving as we encountered numerous goats, one large cow happily standing in the middle of the road, and a flock of sheep/goats with a shepherd on the road. See more..
4.0 Gjirokastra Bazaar (248 reviews)
- Most picturesque Albanian old town
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

Gjirokaster bazar is set at foothill beneath the imposing Gjirokaster castle. It's a maze of winding cobbled streets going up and down. Entire area is packed with dozens of shops - some authentic selling Albanian hand crafts like rugs and clothing items, some ordinary touristic selling souvenirs. Anyway, it's a great and very picturesque area to stroll among Ottoman era architecture. Be sure to have a drink in one of many bars or to try the traditional pastry - byrek. See more..