Gjirokastra an Ottoman merchant town and one of the few still surviving in the Balkans.
Situated in southern Albania, Gjirokastra perches on the steep side of the Drino valley overlooking an historic landscape framed by snow-capped mountains. This ‘city of a thousand steps’ comprises hundreds of Ottoman-style tower houses with distinctive stone roofs, wooden balconies and whitewashed stone walls. Dominated by the sheer flanks of its vast castle, Gjirokastra is a magical city with a tumultuous past. From feudal stronghold to Ottoman jewel to Italian colony, the city has known many rulers and has inspired poets, authors and artists.
Known by many as the City of Stone, Gjirokastra is a developing centre for cultural heritage tourism. A walk around the network of cobbled streets that climb steeply out of the bazaar will transport you back in time. A visit to the vast 13th-century castle brings the adventurous tales of medieval rulers and communist atrocities alive. There is much to see in Gjirokastra and the surrounding areas, and a stay in bed and breakfast accommodation in one of the converted Ottoman houses can make an excellent base for exploring the region. We hope this website will provide all you need to be inspired to visit Gjirokastra.
Permet isn't part of most classic itineraries but a new destination in Southern Albania on the rise. It's not the cultural monuments but stunning nature that surrounds the little town and extends into the neighboring hills, mountains and valleys that attract visitors.
Permet is known for its cuisine, raki and now recovering wineries. Just outside of town you will find the noteworthy Church of Saint Mary in the village Leuse, further afield at the entrance of Lengarica Canyon the warm sulfur springs of Benja, Sopot Waterfall at the base of the awe-inspiring 650m North face of Mt. Nemercka and Fir of Hotova forest national park among other sights. Permet is located 90min from the UNESCO site Gjirokaster and can be visited on a day trip, an overnight stay is much more rewarding though.
Tepelene is in Southern Albania, on the west or left bank of the river Vjosa. The city was the mothertown and secondary residence of Ali Pasha Tepelene, who was the Governor of Ioannina from 1788-1822.
Walking away from Tepelena you can find the castle of the city with the panorama from the Vjosa river. The suburbs offer unique landscapes with beautiful canyons, and waterfalls especially the area from Benca to Nivica and Progonat.
Located in the southern part of the Albanian Riviera lies the coastal city of Saranda/Sarandë. During the summer months Saranda is buzzing with people, in fact, apparently the usual population is around 30,000, but during the summer that figure can spiral up to 300,000.
Great restaurants, a beautiful coastline and the perfect base to explore other breath-taking places nearby, is the main reasons tourists flock here during the summer. It’s very affordable so if you’re a backpacker this place is heaven. The crystal clear turquoise water and affordability make this the perfect holiday destination for solo travellers, couples, and families. Some place you can visit while in Saranda:
1.Lekursi castle. Nestled at the top of the hill and overlooking Saranda is Lëkurësi Castle. Although the castle is not that impressive as it has now been turned into a restaurant, the views overlooking Saranda and even into the farmland nearby, are stunning and well worth the trip. You can hike up which takes about 45 minutes to an hour. I took a taxi, just remember to haggle for the price as I was overcharged on the way there. A lot of travellers even hitchhike back to the city centre.
2.Butrint is a site full of ancient ruins located not far from Ksamil. It was habited before the Greeks settled, and after that, the Romans took over. It will take 2 or 3 hours to explore and costs 700 Lek entry. You will want to visit in the morning or late afternoon as the sun can be overbearing in the summer, and you will appreciate it a lot more in the cooler weather. The bus to Butrint cost 100 Lek. It’s the same bus that stops off at Ksamil beforehand.
3.The blue eye is a natural phenomenon. Divers have tried to discover how deep the spring is but have only gone down 50 meters deep and still to this day cannot find the source or how far down the spring goes. Usually, people spend an hour or two. There is nothing else to do other than look at the spring or to go swimming if you’re brave. The water year-round is 10 degrees!
4.Just before Ksamil is Mirror beach. It’s a more secluded affair with just as beautiful beaches as Ksamil. The road is not the best at all. In the summer months as it gets full it can be quite a pain getting in/out because the road is mostly one-way and it’s a very bumpy dirt road. The hassle of getting there is worth it though!
Below you fill find our full program with the details about our 7 day guides in the cities of Permet, Tepelene, Gjirokaster and Saranda.
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This article was prepared by: Alexander Paskali - movement activist for the promotion of remote rural areas for more access and development “Dropull a rural experience” Coordinator of “Hiking South Albania” group, leader of personalized local guides in Dropull area for 6 years , visits to cult sites and areas of particular importance, very good connoisseurs of mountain trails.
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