The fortress
Hilltop, vast, with a Cold-War aircraft on the ramparts and an eerie tunnel below. Allow 90 minutes.
The Ottoman houses
Skenduli and Zekate houses are the two best-preserved — fortified, multi-storey, built for an extended Ottoman family with rooms for every season.
Where to eat
Qifqi (rice and herb croquettes) are a Gjirokastër specialty. Eat them in the old bazaar.
From the road
Practical tips
- → One night is enough; two if you want to see Antigonea ruins nearby.
- → The cobblestones are slippery in rain — bring decent shoes.
- → Combine with Berat or with the Riviera.
