Beyond Tirana · Beyond Tirana
Gjirokastër Castle
One of the largest in the Balkans
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Gjirokastër Castle
The castle above Gjirokastër, at 336 metres, is one of the largest in the Balkans and dominates the town and the Drino valley. Inside are vaulted galleries, a museum of arms with captured artillery, a United States Air Force plane brought down in 1957, a Bektashi tomb and the clock tower, with wide views over the valley. It hosts the National Folk Festival every few years. Allow two hours, and bring water in summer.
Why it's on our list
- Vaulted galleries
- Arms museum
- Festival stage
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Gjirokastër Castle before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Gjirokastër Castle are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Rruga Gjin Zenebishti200 m2 min walk
- Taxi rank, Rruga 18 Shtatori1.2 km16 min walk