Historic and cultural stronghold
Not for nothing is the old part of Gjirokastër a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk through the "Stone City" is a true journey through time. The old center tells of Greek, Roman and Ottoman influences, as well as Gjirokastër being the birthplace of former dictator Enver Hoxha. Today an ethnographic museum stands where his birthplace stood.
Archaeological monuments
Be sure to visit the castle, whose oldest parts date back to the 12th century. Wander between ancient walls and through imposing corridors, and visit the weapons museum with weapons from prehistoric times but also from WWII. From the castle you have a wide view of the city. In the nearby towns of Antigonea and Hadrianopolis there are more archaeological monuments. They are sometimes nothing more than ruins or remnants of walls and floors, but even these tell a compelling story and the setting captures the imagination. The ancient amphitheater at Antigonea could accommodate thousands of spectators. What must that have looked like?
Folkloric festival
A grand Folk Festival takes place in Gjirokaster every five years. This is an exuberant celebration of Albanian culture with traditional music, dance and costumes. The most recent festival was in July 2023.