Things to Do in Gjirokaster

Discover Osumi Canyon and find yourself surrounded by his breathtaking 2-3 million years old rock formations that go 100m tall, 8 waterfalls, panoramic landscapes and a lot of good memories.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with expert guides, breathtaking scenery, and thrilling adventures. Enjoy unique insights, safe and exciting activities, and create lasting memories that stand out from the rest!

Visit two of Albania's top attractions on this private tour: medieval Gjirokaster City and the stunning Blue Eye. Discover the charming streets and Ottoman-era houses of Gjirokaster.

Rafting on the Vjosë River in Përmet offers a unique experience, combining adventure with breathtaking natural scenery. Our professional, trained guides ensure a safe and unforgettable adventure, navigating through the river’s currents. Besides the thrills of rafting, you’ll also get to explore charming villages and immerse yourself in the rich local culture and traditions. We offer customized packages for groups, families, or individuals, also providing opportunities to relax and unwind in our cozy, welcoming accommodations. This activity is perfect for those seeking adventure as well as those wanting a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Join on our daily trip from Sarandë and Ksamil to St. Nicholas Monastery Church, Blue Eye, the UNESCO-listed city of Gjirokastër and Lëkurësi Castle.Travel in air-conditioned comfort between locations

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.

Navigate through stunning landscapes, exhilarating rapids, and immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Europe's last wild rivers. Embark on this 2.5-hour rafting tour in Vjosa River National Park.

Our multi-day trips offer a blend of exploration and relaxation. Using top-quality, stable NRS canoes, embark on an expedition that allows you to delve deep into the heart of the Vjosa. With overnight stops at riverside camps accessible by 4x4 vehicles, indulge in delicious meals prepared over a campfire, ensuring a fulfilling and authentic outdoor experience.Accompanied by experienced guides, our trips ensure your safety and comfort. A small raft accompanies the journey, carrying essential supplies and allowing flexibility in equipment and provisions for your expedition.Picture yourself camping in lush forests alongside the Vjosa River, embraced by nature's serenity. Our campsites, strategically located along the riverside, provide a perfect setting for unwinding under the stars. Whether it's a peaceful night by the crackling fire or the cozy shelter of a tent amidst the sounds of nature.

Explore the historic Kruja Castle, one of Albania's most significant landmarks. Discover the country's largest bazaar and browse local handicrafts, and enjoy the Sari Salltik mountain viewpoint.

We offer an exclusive experience to the visitors of our city that choose us to get their tour with and enjoy it the most and get in the mood of a medieval era.

Experience the natural beauty of Osum Canyon and Bogove Waterfall with our exclusive guided tour. This tour is a combination of sightseeing, hiking, and swimming. Learn about the history of the area.

Explore the enchanting town of Permet, known for its stunning nature and rich culture, on this unforgettable day trip from Tirana or Durres. Your adventure starts with a convenient pick-up and a scenic drive, showcasing the beauty of the Vjosa River and its national park. Delve into local traditions as you wander the charming town center, then unwind in the therapeutic waters of the Benja Natural Hot Baths. Marvel at the breathtaking Permet Canyon and its picturesque landscapes, including the Grunas and Langarica canyons. With a knowledgeable guide sharing insights about the area's history and ecology, this tour promises a memorable journey through Albania's hidden gems. - Convenient pick-up from Tirana or Durres for easy access - Relax in the mineral-rich waters of Benja Natural Hot Baths - Explore the stunning Permet Canyon and its natural beauty - Insightful commentary from a knowledgeable guide throughout the day

Join us on a daily trip from Saranda to Lekursi. Explore the Blue Eye Spring, the Mesopotam Monastery, and the Ottoman Bridge. Enjoy a traditional lunch (extra cost) in the UNESCO-listed city of Gjirokastra.

Learn the secrets behind your favorite dishes of Gjirokaster with this 2-hour cooking class in Gjirokastra. Led by your local guide, step inside a traditional tavern, sip on a glass of raki or homemade wine and try your hand at some traditional food, using fresh, local ingredients. Then sit down to savor the fruits of your labor with your fellow chef.

Visit the most significant and picturesque natural and historical sites of Gjirokastra County, blending rich history and culture with the stunning beauty of nature. Enjoy complimentary hotel pickup.

This electric bike tour alongside the majestic Vjosa River grants cyclists a panoramic view of the river's splendor as it meanders gracefully toward the Kaluth Village Bridge, Cycling enthusiasts will relish this stretch, immersed in the serene ambiance alongside the flowing waters of the Vjosa. Permet boasts a mountain biking route renowned for its breathtaking scenery and distinctive segments, offering a captivating cycling adventure. This remarkable journey with electric Bike comprises three distinct sections, each showcasing the region's natural beauty and historical charm.

Explore the stunning Shala River on a scenic boat ride from Komani Dam across Komani Lake. Dive into crystal-clear waters and enjoy one of Albania’s most beautiful natural spots.

Unearth Gjirokastër, Albania's stone city nestled in the rugged south. A UNESCO gem, it echoes with history, cultural treasures, and a majestic castle. Walk cobbled streets with stories, visit the castle, old bazaar, Skenduli house, and ethnographic museum. Taste authentic local cuisine in this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site.

Explore the UNESCO-listed town of Gjirokastra, lively bazaar, and hilltop castle. Then, relax in nature at the magical Blue Eye spring, known for its crystal-clear water and serene atmosphere

Rafting the Last Wild River of Europe The First Rafting Team in the Vjosa Valley – Est. 2012 Brand-New Rafting Center with Scenic Mountain & River Views All Gear is New and EU-Certified (Aqua Design Equipment) Experienced Local Guides Who Know Every Bend of the River Authentic, Non-Touristy Experience – No Mass Groups Free Pickup and drop off from any Hotel in Përmet City Includes Free Photos, Bottled Water & Seasonal Local Fruit Just 15 Minutes from Benja Thermal Baths & Lengarica Canyon

GOLDEN HOUR ARE WAITING FOR YOU. CASTLE fee is 500L for person on EVENT’s day. PICK UP IN KSAMIL 20 minutes before activities start .

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

Explore Sazan Island and the Haxhi Ali Cave on a boat tour from Durrës. Swim in crystal-clear waters, explore a historic military base, and snorkel in the cave.

We offer rafting in the VJOSA river, which from March 13, 2023 is a national park, the last remaining wild river in Europe. Rafting is a group adventure sport. A normal tour has a length of 8.7 km with a duration of about 3 hours depending on the water level in the river. Together we will learn the rules of navigation, enjoy the waves of the Vjosa river, swim in the fresh water and jump from the cliffs. We hope that it will be a great experience for you as it has been for many others before.

Discover the natural wonders and cultural charm of Albania on this day tour. Visit the Bogova Waterfall, Osumi Canyon, and Zaberzan, the Rakia Village.

Funky Guest House and Adventures believes that traveling is the best investment and to make your holiday enjoyable and unforgettable, they organize various 4x4 Safari trips around national park in the region of Përmet. This is the most adventures and fun way to visit the natural beauties, the cultural monuments, the characteristic villages, and meet amazing people. The region of Përmet is blessed because of the landscape, historical and cultural heritage - as is surrounded by high mountains, blue rivers, green hills, amazing national parks, beautiful canyons, hot thermal baths, characteristic villages, old churches, wonderful stone bridges, friendly people, and delicious organic food. We also will visit the Kamincka & Lengarica canyon and thermal waters - one of the most visited attractions in the south of Albania. After the trip, you can enjoy the thermal baths, relax in the pools and explore the canyon. An experience that you will take with you...

Discover the flavors of Southern Albania with a vineyard and wine tasting tour in Gjirokaster.

Funky Guest House and Adventures believes that traveling is the best investment and to make your holiday enjoyable and unforgettable, we organize various horse riding trips in the Vjosa national park and valley. This is the most perfect, ecological way to visit the natural beauties, the cultural monuments, the characteristic villages and experience the local tradition. The region of Përmet is blessed because of the landscape, historical and cultural heritage - as is surrounded by high mountains, blue rivers, green hills, amazing national parks, beautiful canyons, hot thermal baths, characteristic stone villages, old churches, wonderful stone bridges, friendly people and delicious organic food. Funky Guest House and Adventures is not just a destination but an experience that you will take with you. We welcome you this holiday season and we promise you will fall in love with this amazing experience, our town and Albania too! What are you waiting for

Discover some of the magic of the city on this guided walking experience. Visit the medieval Bazaar, the legendary Argjiro Castle, and one of the best-preserved traditional houses, the Zekate House.

Vjosa Wild River... First Europe's National Park, is a must do, at least once in life, happiness rafting experience! Offers a unique combination between exciting rapids and majestic mountains views! Our team mission is to transmit the local life experience, gifting a memorable day in one of the last wild rivers remained in Europe, the best adventure and fun! A special tour accompanied by fidelity, professionalism, security and details that you will never forget! With much love and dedication, you will have all the needed suggestions to help you hear all the Vjosa's "voices": her warm hugs, lovely waves, "angry thrusts", finesse and tranquility she transmits, her joyful rapids & much more, that you would want to come back again and again...

Discover Albania's Osumi Canyon & Bogove Waterfall: a mesmerizing blend of rugged cliffs, lush greenery, & cascading waters. An adventure awaits!

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.

Learn to cook traditional Gjirokastrian dishes like qifqi and lamb with pasta in a hands-on cooking class in Old Bazaar and complete with a shared meal, drinks, and recipes to take home.

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!

How about you explore in one go two scenic water-spots and immerse yourself in the nature that comes alive at every step you take? This is the right activity to choose!

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

On this tour, we dive into the vibrant nightlife of Tirana, where dazzling lights, lively streets, and an electric atmosphere create an unforgettable evening full of magic and excitement.

It is one of the best ways to get into touch with the culinary of this town, important part of the intangible heritage of this town. It is a hands on experience and Teta Marjeta and the guide will make this an unforgettable experience for you?

Admire stunning views from the Castle of Lekursi, gaze into the crystal-clear depths of the Blue Eye Spring, and visit the castle and old bazaar in Gjirokastra on this day trip by van from Sarande.

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

Enjoy a private transfer service from Vlore to Ksamil, Vlore to Sarande, or Tirana to Vlore with a professional driver. Choose from a variety of transfer options to suit your needs and budget.

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”.

Discover Gjirokastra's UNESCO architecture. Explore the old bazaar, Argjiro Castle, and historic 1700s houses. Enjoy lively bars, the Blue Eye's clear waters, stunning views, and nearby restaurants.

During the tour you will have an one of a kind time travelling experience. It will be focused on the less visible sides to visitors. True stories, facts and confenssions will take you to the most dark times of the Albanian history. It will be possible to explain the main concepts that were created and that were strongly injected into the population, such as “The concept of the young man” and whatever this means in the concept of Albanian society, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the ideology of school and art, the way of life of people in the city and in the village. We will have an explanation of how these concepts were applied by the regime of the time in Albania. All these will be taken from photos preserved as facts and taken from the archives of Gjirokastra families.

We'll start with a refreshing stop at the famous Uji i Ftohtë springs, explore historic Gjirokastër, and marvel at the stunning Blue Eye — a perfect day of nature, culture, and adventure!

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.

Let’s go back in time, starting at Cerciz Topulli Square, pass the Old Bazaar, Cfaka, and Dunavat, before reaching Ali Pasha Bridge. This "hike" walk has uneven terrain, so wear sneakers and join us!

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.

Join a hands-on stone carving workshop in Gjirokastra’s Old Bazaar with Master Ermal. Learn the basics of this traditional Albanian craft and create your own personalized stone souvenir to take home.

You will find the landscape very interesting, changing and a bit challenging. It mixes small hills with wide valleys, waters, rare vegetation, livestock atmosphere and the charm of the rural life. Cold war bunkers can be seen along the way. Cini's lake will be an attractive stop for pictures and for the storytelling about this area. You should book this tour to meet a special horse. The horses used on this ride (Albanian horses) are a local breed, a mix of Tarpan and Arab horses. They are small but perfectly suited to the rocky terrain, being surefooted and accustomed to trekking long mountainous routes, allowing riders to feel confident, relaxed and free to enjoy the stunning views. Our horses are easy to ride and are used to riders from all over the world, in long and shorter trails. You can book this tour for the adventure, the rhythm and adrenaline, so intermediate riding level is required. Our professional guides are aiming to keep the harmony among humans, horses and nature.