Hotels in Gjirokastër: the Old Bazaar, the castle slopes and the lower town (2026)
Gjirokastër is the 'stone city', an Ottoman UNESCO World Heritage town perched on the slope of a valley in southern Albania: steep cobbled streets, stone tower-houses with slate roofs, an imposing castle and one of the few Ottoman bazaars that survive in the Balkans. It's not a beach destination but a cultural and historical one, ideal for lovers of architecture, museums and good traditional food. It's worth staying at least one night: once the day-trip buses leave, the illuminated old town can be enjoyed in peace.
Getting to Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is in southern Albania, on the motorway linking Tirana with the Ionian coast. It's easy to reach by bus or car:
✈️Tirana (TIA) airport — the largest international one, ~215 km / ~3 h 30-4 h by car.
✈️Closer alternatives: Corfu (Greece) ~2 h 45 and Ioannina (Greece) ~1 h 35, handy if you're combining with Greece.
🚌Bus from Tirana — ~3 h 30-5 h, daily departures, ~16 €.
🚌Bus from Saranda — just ~1 h, ~6 €, about 5 departures a day (ideal if you're coming from the Riviera or Corfu).
🚗By car on the SH4/A2 motorway; the most convenient way to see the region.
📍Buses drop you in the lower town; from the drop-off point to the Old Bazaar it's uphill (a short taxi with luggage).
The 3 areas to stay in Gjirokastër
1. Old Bazaar — stone quarter Best for most
The tourist and historical core: cobbled streets with shops, cafés and restaurants, a few minutes' walk from the castle. Everything is within walking distance and it comes alive at night. On the downside, it's the busiest area and the slopes are hard work with luggage.
2. Palorto and the castle slopes Authentic and with views
The upper slopes where the traditional tower-houses cling to steep streets; many restored guesthouses have terraces looking over the valley and the castle. Quieter and full of charm, in exchange for steep climbs and being a little away from the nightlife.
3. Lower town — new centre Price and convenience
The lower part south of the old town: lower prices, flatter ground, easier parking and more modern places to stay (some with a pool or spa), a short drive from the historic quarter. Less of a 'stone postcard' and you have to climb up to reach the bazaar.
Excursions and activities from Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër gives twice as much with a couple of well-chosen visits: the castle and its weapons museum, the Skenduli House and the Ottoman house-museums, the Old Bazaar, and trips to the Blue Eye of Muzinë or to Butrint. These are the most booked activities, most with free cancellation:
7 recommended places to stay in Gjirokastër
A mix of restored stone guesthouses, hotels and an award-winning hostel, spread across the Old Bazaar, the castle slopes and the lower town. Guide prices per night for a double room; it's worth booking ahead as many have few rooms.
Stone City Hostel Hostel
≈ 35 €
Start of the Old Bazaar, in a monumental house
The viewsTerraceRoom
Albania's most award-winning hostel, in a historic house at the start of the bazaar.
Voted the best hostel in Albania
Unbeatable location and social atmosphere
Shared dorms, little privacy
Not for you if you're after luxury
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
36€*▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪···
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
▪ sold out· no rate yet
The priciest is October (around €36 a night).
* Double rooms may not be available on those dates: other room types are shown, usually larger ones.
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
A lovely hostel super close to the centre of Gjirokaster. It makes you feel at home, comfortable clean bathrooms, super quiet at night and a spectacular early breakfast, very plentiful and all home-made and tasty.
Juliana · Jun 2026
9,0I recommend it
Friendly staff, set in the old town. A very lovely old house with a very pleasant terrace. A very generous breakfast. Close to the castle.
José · May 2026
10Highly recommended
Good value for money. Central, pretty and with every comfort. From the moment you arrive they make you feel at home. The best hostel I've stayed in in Albania.
Romina · May 2025
10The best hostel in the world
Everything!! I've travelled a lot and this is the best hostel I've stayed in, everything perfect, I'd come back a thousand times!! I recommend it 100%. Comfortable beds, perfect location, very friendly staff, and the breakfast A REAL TREAT, very generous and delicious.
Maria · Sep 2024
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 646. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Old Bazaar 1790 Guesthouse
≈ 160 €
Right in the Old Bazaar
The hotelRoomBathroom
A restored Ottoman house over 200 years old, full of character and with breakfast with a view.
Authentic historic character
Unbeatable walkable location in the bazaar
Old building: stairs and some street noise
Parking is tricky
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
75€*75€*75€*75€*75€*65€*65€*65€*65€*65€*160€65€*
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
The priciest is August (around €160 a night).
* Double rooms may not be available on those dates: other room types are shown, usually larger ones.
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
The hotel is a house with a great history; the owner showed it to us and explained it very kindly, the room and breakfast superb
Inma · Aug 2025
9,0Fantastic
Yes, it's very well located and has the distinction of being an old house full of charm. Very friendly staff and a generous breakfast.
Chiqui · Sep 2023
8,0A traditional hotel for a traditional city like Gjirokastra
The hotel is a traditional building and the rooms are decorated in a style that takes you back to late-18th-century Albania. The breakfast is spectacular and the staff very friendly.
Ioannis · Jul 2026
8,0Very good
Excellent service, the receptionist and breakfast attendant extremely friendly. The location at the top of the town also very good.
Javier · Apr 2025
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 240. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Hotel Kalemi 2 ⭐⭐⭐
≈ 65-95 €
Old town, near the castle
The hotelRestaurantRoom
A traditional boutique hotel with a terrace and views of the castle.
Traditional decor and a terrace with views
Very attentive staff
Steep climb to get there
Rooms of varying size
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
75€65€65€65€65€65€80€80€80€80€95€95€
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
The most expensive is August (around 95 € a night), and the cheapest November (around 65 €: 32% less).
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
The location was ideal, right by the bazaar, so everything was close. A very generous breakfast. The room was beautiful, very nicely styled, in keeping with the town's aesthetic.
Luis · Jul 2026
10Excellent choice. I'd do it again
The hotel has a unique charm. Really very beautiful
Federico · Jun 2026
10Beautiful room
The room was beautiful, large and clean. Breakfast fine, nothing more
Enric · Jun 2026
10A very good spot
Very well located, the rooms are huge and the breakfast is fine. The staff super friendly and helped us with everything we needed
Celia · May 2026
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 777. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Hotel Gjirokastra ⭐⭐⭐
≈ 50-90 €
Next to the castle (~50 m away)
The hotelPoolRoom
A traditional stone-and-timber building with a garden, very well rated.
Garden, free wifi and parking, own restaurant
Very close to the castle
Close to the castle = steep hills
Little nightlife nearby
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
65€60€60€50€50€50€65€70€80€85€90€·
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
· no rate yet
The most expensive is August (around 90 € a night), and the cheapest January (around 50 €: 44% less).
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
Perfect location, relatively easy to reach and right by the great bazaar and all the sights. The owners very friendly and the traditional breakfast very plentiful and tasty
Mª · Jun 2026
10Exceptional
Wonderful, highly recommended. The way the staff treat you. The room very comfortable. The breakfast exquisite. The pool is a little oasis
Marta · Jun 2026
9,0Fantastic hotel and stay. Worth repeating.
The traditional style of the house the hotel is in, the kindness of the couple who looked after us, the location, the facilities, the views and the spectacular breakfast.
Irene · Apr 2026
9,0JUST LIKE HOME
The kindness of the family and the location. The breakfast amazing
Julio · Apr 2026
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 1367. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Hotel Bebej Tradicional ⭐⭐⭐
≈ 50-55 €
Historic quarter
TerraceRestaurantRoom
A traditional house with very high scores, excellent value for money.
Very well rated (~9,5)
Great value for money
Steep streets of the old town
Limited capacity, book ahead
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
52€53€53€▪▪47€*52€52€52€53€53€53€
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
▪ sold out
The most expensive is November (around 53 € a night), and the cheapest October (around 52 €: 2% less).
* Double rooms may not be available on those dates: other room types are shown, usually larger ones.
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
The availability of the host (Maradona), very well organised in everything. A good breakfast. The room very large and everything very clean.
Laura · Jul 2026
10Two excellent days
Maradona is an excellent host, attentive to everything, he recommended places to visit even in the heat, everything very clean, the location is great for visiting the castle, the breakfast very tasty.
Ana · Jul 2026
10Exceptional
The host Maradona, very hospitable. He was there whenever you needed him, the breakfast very good and the facilities too. We'd come back.
Sonia · Jul 2026
10A night to get to know Gjirokaster
The room was super cool, you feel at home and the owners are super friendly. The breakfast omelette... incredible! We were very comfortable and I'd come back if we ever return. The location for us great, close to the centre but away from the noise.
Garazi · Jun 2026
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 1208. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Cumaku Boutique Hotel & Spa Boutique hotel
≈ 70-100 €
Lower town / outskirts of the centre
The hotelPoolRoom
A boutique with a pool and spa, ideal for relaxing and for those travelling by car.
Pool, spa and garden
Free parking, convenient by car
Far from the Old Bazaar (a car helps)
Not the typical historic stone house
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
84€79€79€69€69€74€84€92€99€99€99€99€
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
The most expensive is June (around 99 € a night), and the cheapest January (around 69 €: 30% less).
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
We liked everything. The location and facilities are very good, the staff very friendly. A very generous breakfast.
Cristina · Jul 2026
10Exceptional
Fantastic hotel. Perfect service. Very lovely, with a pool that's essential on hot days. Fantastic breakfast. I heartily recommend it. It has lots of charm and is very well located. It has free parking.
Raquel · Jun 2026
10Superb
A beautiful hotel. It has a very good location, very well-kept rooms and superb communal areas (especially the pool). A tasty and very varied breakfast.
Marc · Jun 2026
9,0A stylish hotel with a top-notch breakfast
A new place to stay, well-kept room and bathroom, perfect breakfast! The pool and the views of the castle beautiful!
Miguel · Jun 2026
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 615. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Stone House Obelisk Guesthouse
≈ 40 €
Stone slopes of the old town
RoomLiving areaAnother room
An authentic stone house with mountain views and a family welcome.
Stone house with views and a private entrance
A family welcome
More basic amenities than a hotel
Access via steep streets
How much per night, month by month
Guide price per night, double room for 2 people
▪▪▪▪39€*39€*39€*39€*39€*39€*39€*39€*
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
▪ sold out
The priciest is February (around €39 a night).
* Double rooms may not be available on those dates: other room types are shown, usually larger ones.
Real prices per night, taxes and fees included, for 2 people. We check 2 consecutive nights; if none, we show the 1-night price (in red, low availability). The price is per room, not per person. Checked on 14/10/2026, updated weekly.
The location right in the centre, the rooms new and very clean, the owners very friendly, attentive to everything and with a tasty, plentiful breakfast.
Inmaculada · Jul 2026
10Exceptional
The location and the breakfast. It really was a pleasure to stay at the hotel, the room very pretty, immaculate and very well decorated. The excellent breakfast served on the terrace with beautiful views of the castle. 100% recommended.
Fabiola · Jul 2026
10Exceptional
Everything! Right in the centre. Very clean, pretty and cosy. The stay felt too short. The lady lovely. She made us a top-notch breakfast on the terrace with views of the castle. Brilliant!!
Lorena · Jun 2026
10Better than your own home, unbeatable!
How wonderful! I can only give a 10. The place is superbly located close to everything. The owner is a really pleasant and hospitable woman. The house is immaculate, you can tell she looks after every detail with care, the room was huge with a very modern private bathroom.
Begoña · Aug 2025
Real reviews from verified guests. A selection of 4 out of 387. Checked on 16/10/2026.
Map of hotels in Gjirokastër
See where each area and hotel in Gjirokastër sits, with real prices and availability on the map.
Sort out the rest of your trip
Gjirokastër is best enjoyed with a car to tour the region (the Blue Eye, Butrint and Saranda are all a short drive away). From Tirana airport, a private transfer or the bus is best; once in the city, the old town is walkable.
Real activities and ratings. Scores converted to a 10-point scale. Checked on 15/10/2026.
The most popular things to see and do in Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër Castle and weapons museum — the fortress above the city.
Ottoman house-museums (Skenduli and Zekate) — 18th-century stone mansions.
Old Bazaar — crafts and cafés on cobbled streets.
Blue Eye of Muzinë — a turquoise spring on the way to Saranda.
Trip to Butrint — World Heritage ruins.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Gjirokastër?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October): mild weather and fewer people. Summer is the liveliest but very hot and crowded.
Is it worth staying overnight or is a day trip enough?
It's worth staying at least one night: once the day buses leave, the old town can be enjoyed quiet and lit up. You can see the must-sees in 1 day; 2 days is ideal.
How much is the castle and what are its hours?
It's open every day from 9 am to 7 pm; entry ~200 lek (+200 lek for the museums). Best to go at opening or before closing to avoid the groups.
Can you get around everywhere on foot?
Yes, the old town is compact, but the streets are cobbled and very steep: wear comfortable shoes and, with heavy luggage, a taxi to the hotel helps.
Is it a beach destination?
No. It's a mountain museum-city, cultural and historical. For the beach you have to go to the Riviera (Saranda/Ksamil is ~1 h away).
What are the typical places to stay like?
Many are restored Ottoman stone guesthouses, with terraces and views of the castle; there's also an award-winning hostel and boutique hotels. Book ahead in high season as they have few rooms.
Transparency: this is an independent guide; we are not the official site of any hotel. If you book through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative (July 2026).
