Where should I stay in Gjirokastër?
In the old town under the fortress if you want the stone houses and the cobbled lanes, or in the newer town below if you would rather not climb. Gjirokastër is the quieter of Albania's two UNESCO towns and it sits on the road south, so it fits naturally into a trip heading for the coast.
Old town or the town below
The old quarter is the reason to come: grey slate roofs, fortified Ottoman houses built like small castles, and the bazaar street running up towards the fortress. Guesthouses inside these houses are the most memorable places to stay in the country, and the least convenient — the lanes are steep, cobbled and not driveable.
The newer town below has ordinary hotels, parking and flat ground. It is the sensible option if you are arriving late, travelling with luggage, or would rather not do the climb twice a day.
Getting there — why it fits the southern route
Gjirokastër sits on the main road between Tirana and Sarandë, which is its practical advantage: you do not detour for it, you stop at it. That makes it the natural inland night on the way to or from the Riviera.
It is several hours from Berat with no quick connection between them, so treat the two UNESCO towns as separate stops on a route rather than a pair you can do in a day.
When to come
Spring and autumn are best. The town is inland and the stone holds heat, so midday in July and August is hard work, particularly with the fortress climb.
It stays open year-round, unlike the coast, and winter here is genuinely quiet — few visitors, low rates, and the old town to yourself. Whenever you come, stay the night: Gjirokastër empties completely of day-trippers and that is when it is at its best.
Common questions
- Should I stay in Gjirokastër old town or the new town?
- Old town for atmosphere and the traditional houses; new town for parking, flat ground and convenience. The old quarter's lanes are steep and cobbled.
- Is Gjirokastër worth an overnight stay?
- More than Berat, arguably. It empties of day visitors in the late afternoon and the old town after dark is the thing people remember.
- How far is Gjirokastër from Sarandë?
- It is on the main road between Tirana and Sarandë, which is why it works as a stop rather than a detour on the way to the coast.
- Is Gjirokastër suitable if you have mobility difficulties?
- The old town is not — steep cobbled lanes throughout. The newer town below is flat and has conventional hotels.
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Last updated 2026-08-01