Attractions in Gjirokastër & Zagoria
A city of stone and Europe's last wild river 🏰⛰️
Showing 23 attractions · Sorted by importance
Fir of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park
📍 Përmet
🌲 NatureKnown as the 'green lung' of Southern Albania, this park offers vast Macedonian fir forests and scenic trails suitable for family hiking and picnics.
Gjirokastër Castle
📍 Gjirokastër
🏛 LandmarkA massive 12th-century fortress offering panoramic views, military museums, and a historic clock tower.
Vjosa Wild River National Park
📍 Përmet
🌲 NatureEurope's first wild river national park features pristine turquoise waters and dramatic canyons, perfect for family-friendly rafting and nature walks.
Gjirokastër Old Bazaar
📍 Gjirokastër
🏘 Town / VillageThe heart of the old town featuring traditional crafts, unique stone architecture, and charming cafes on cobblestone streets.
Vjosa Valley Cycling Route
📍 Përmet
🥾 Hiking & Cycling61km moderate cycling route along Europe's last wild river, the Vjosa. Primarily paved, the route features 785m elevation gain and scenic mountain backdrops. Bike rental: Cycle Albania (cyclealbania.com).
Vjosa Valley Scenic Drive (SH75)
📍 Tepelenë
🚗 Road TripApproximately 60km paved route (1.5-2 hours) following the Vjosa, Europe's last wild river. Highlights include the spectacular Këlcyrë Gorge, the confluence of the Drino and Vjosa rivers, and views of the Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel-Nemërçkë mountain range.
Zagoria Heritage Trail
📍 Peshtan
🥾 Hiking & Cycling70km challenging 4-5 day multi-day trek traversing the remote Zagoria Valley. Features limestone peaks, Ottoman-era stone bridges, and traditional villages like Limar and Hoshtevë, with a total elevation gain of approximately 3,000m.
Antigonea Archaeological Park
📍 Saraqinisht
🏘 Town / VillageAn ancient city founded in the 3rd century BC with visible foundations of houses and streets set against a mountain landscape.
Church of the Dormition of the Virgin
📍 Labovë e Kryqit
🏛 LandmarkOne of the oldest and most beautiful Byzantine churches in Albania, famous for its intricate brickwork and frescoes.
Zekate House
📍 Gjirokastër
🏛 LandmarkA grand example of a fortified Ottoman tower house with twin towers and elaborate interior decorations.
Antigonea Archaeological Park Trail
📍 Gjirokastër
🥾 Hiking & Cycling14km moderate round-trip trail from the Drino Valley to the ancient ruins of Antigonea. Features a 600m elevation gain through Mediterranean shrubland and historic village paths. Duration: 4-5 hours.
Dhembel Pass Hike
📍 Sheper
🥾 Hiking & Cycling18km challenging point-to-point hike connecting the Zagoria and Vjosa valleys. Reaches an altitude of 1,450m with a 1,400m elevation descent into the stone village of Leusë. Duration: 7-9 hours.
Horse Riding Albania (Caravan Itineraries)
📍 Gjirokastër
🐄 FarmAn immersive rural experience offering guided horse treks through the ancient trails and stone villages of the Zagoria region and Drino Valley.
Tepelenë Castle
📍 Tepelenë
🏰 CastleA formidable stone fortress overlooking the Vjosa River, once the power base of the legendary Ali Pasha.
Agroturizëm Te Hanu
📍 Gjirokastër
🐄 FarmA traditional farm experience in the Drino Valley focusing on indigenous livestock and heirloom crops in a scenic rural setting.
Ali Pasha Bridge
📍 Gjirokastër
🏛 LandmarkA striking remnant of a 19th-century stone aqueduct system built to bring water to the city's fortress.
Cold War Tunnel
📍 Gjirokastër
🏛 LandmarkA large underground bunker built during the communist era, now a museum showcasing secret passages and command rooms.
Drino Valley Cultural Route
📍 Gjirokastër
🚗 Road TripA 30km paved section of the SH4 highway (30-40 mins) running between Gjirokastër and the Greek border. Key highlights include the UNESCO city views, the Roman ruins of Antigonea (via detour), and the massive Lunxhëri mountain wall.
Ferma VIP (Agroturizëm VIP)
📍 Gjirokastër
🐄 FarmA family-oriented agritourism farm featuring a variety of animals including deer and ostriches, with traditional dining and farm-to-table activities.
Gjirokastër Art Gallery
📍 Gjirokastër
🖼 Art GalleryHoused in a beautiful historic building, this public gallery features a unique collection of Albanian socialist realist paintings and contemporary local art.
Sarandapor Hot Springs
📍 Leskovik
♨ Hot SpringRemote natural geothermal springs located on the banks of the Sarandapor River near the Greek border. The mineral-rich waters are known for their high temperature and therapeutic properties, collected in rustic, unadorned outdoor pools in a wild river valley setting.