Gjirokastra Travel Guide

Around 120 km from Tirana, the city of Gjirokastra is actually more a small- but extremely pretty- town. Although a flourishing settlement in the 1200s, the town suffered at the hands of the invading Turks in 1417. It is today known for a number of reasons- including the fact that it is the hometown of the national hero, Enver Hoxha. The town is dotted with old monuments, the main ones being the main citadel (today a museum of arms and armaments), the Ethnographic Museum, the Turkish Baths, and the quaint Bazar Mosque. The city’s markets are also well known for their embroideries, silks, and cheeses- save up money to do some shopping here- it’s worth it.