Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër is one of the best-preserved Ottoman-era cities in the Balkans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the "City of Stone" for its distinctive grey-slate rooftops and cobbled streets, the city climbs steeply up a hillside dominated by its massive medieval fortress.

The old bazaar is a maze of stone-paved lanes lined with traditional houses — some dating back 300–400 years — many of which have been converted into guesthouses, cafés, and craft shops. The architecture is unlike anywhere else in Albania: multi-storey stone towers with overhanging upper floors, designed to withstand both harsh winters and military sieges.

The Gjirokastër Castle is the city's centrepiece — one of the largest castles in the Balkans. Inside you'll find a military museum, a Cold War-era US spy plane, and panoramic views across the Drinos Valley to the mountains of Greece.

Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of two of Albania's most famous sons: writer and Nobel Prize nominee Ismail Kadare, and former communist dictator Enver Hoxha.

Visitor tips:

• Allow a full day — there is more to see than most visitors expect

• Wear comfortable shoes — the cobblestones are very uneven

• The National Folk Festival is held here every 5 years and is not to be missed

• Combine with a visit to the Blue Eye spring on the same day trip