Best Day Trips In Albania
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From Tirana/Durres: Gjirokastra UNESCO old town & Ardenica
132 ReviewsExplore Gjirokastra on a day trip from Tirana, visiting its historic castle, old bazaar, and Skenduli House. Enjoy a scenic drive, hilltop spot coffee break, and authentic Albanian cuisine.
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Highlights
- Discover the historical charm of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walk through the lively old bazaar and explore Gjirokastra Castle
- Enjoy a scenic drive through Albania’s picturesque landscapes
- Visit the well-preserved Skenduli House to experience traditional Albanian life
- Visit the Place where Albanian National Hero Skanderbeg was married
Description
Start your day with a scenic drive from Tirana to Gjirokastra, which takes around four hours, including a 30-minute rest stop. After driving for about one and a half hours, your first stop is at Ardenica Monastery. Here, you will visit the monastery and enjoy a coffee break and relax for about 30 minutes with a beautiful tophill view. Afterward, continue your journey to Gjirokastra. Once you arrive, your guide will introduce you to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history and beautiful Ottoman architecture. Take a walk through the old bazaar, where you can explore, take photos, and shop for unique souvenirs while enjoying the lively atmosphere and traditional crafts. Next, visit Gjirokaster Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Albania. The castle sits on a hilltop and offers fantastic views of the city. During your one-hour visit, you’ll learn about its fascinating history and explore the old walls and towers. After the castle visit, enjoy free time for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can try delicious Albanian dishes and relax before continuing the tour. After lunch, take some time to explore on your own, visit the old bazaar again, or walk along the narrow, stone streets of the city. Before leaving Gjirokastra, you will visit Skenduli House (optional), a well-preserved Ottoman-era house built in the 1700s that shows how people lived centuries ago. End your day with a relaxing drive back to Tirana, thinking back on the wonderful sights and experiences from the day. This tour offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and relaxation, giving you a memorable experience of Albania's unique charmIncludes
Hotel or meeting point pick-up and drop-off from TIRANA CITY Pick up and drop-off from DURRES/GOLEM (meeting points) English speaking tour guide Air-conditioned transportation Gjirokastra castle entrance fee Ardenica Monastery entrance feeImportant Information
- PICK UP: If you select the hotel pick-up option, please note that in some cases, you may be kindly asked to walk a short distance (1–5 minutes) to a nearby main street. This is usually due to certain hotels being located on narrow streets where our buses cannot easily access IMPORTANT: You’ll receive the final tour details via email and WhatsApp the night before the tour, between 22:30 and midnight. Pick-up times may slightly change depending on the schedule, so it’s very important to check our message. If you’re asleep when we send the info, just check it in the morning to confirm your pick-up time. MOBILE DATA ROAMING: On the tour day, all communication will be via WhatsApp, so please make sure your phone number is linked to WhatsApp and you have mobile data/roaming enabled. FITNESS LEVEL: Participants should have a basic level of fitness to comfortably complete the tour. PICK UP/DROP-OFF FROM DURRES AND GOLEM IS INCLUDED
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