Price from:€50.00
This guaranteed excursion will bring you inland in South Albania. The Old Town in Gjirokastra is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The neck of the old bazaar, (Qafa e Pazarit), the heart of the old town, is the intersection of five stony streets. Each one of these streets takes you to historic sites, monuments, or characteristic houses of the town. Visiting The Stone City means also visiting the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the communist head of Albania from 1944-1985.
This mighty fortress towers over the town; its ramparts provide outstanding views not only of the town but of the surrounding countryside. Built-in the 4th century, there are displays of weaponry, a captured American aircraft, museum displays, and even a former prison. Be sure to look for the story of Argjiro, a princess who jumped to her death from the heights rather than surrender to Ottoman invaders.
Local ladies still make handmade doilies. You will be able to both watch and participate in the creation of this famous doily made with Albanian patterns.
Free time for lunch and shopping. Look for that one-of-a-kind souvenir: an Albanian t-shirt—red with the nation’s emblem. It’s quite likely none of your friends will have one!
So, uncover the mystery and history of South Albania in this unique Gjirokastra stone city guaranteed excursion tour of the UNESCO town of Gjirokastra.
This tour starts in the city of Saranda, located on the coast in the southern part of Albania. It was named in honor of the Byzantine monastery of the Agioi Saranda (Forty Martyrs of Sebaste). The Venetians called it Santa Quaranta when they controlled it. During its annexation by the Italians in World War II, Saranda was renamed “Porto Edda” in honor of Mussolini’s daughters. Saranda is included in some cruise itineraries. This is a perfect shore excursion if your cruise includes this lovely destination.
After meeting the guide in Saranda, you will travel northeast for 1 ½ hours through the coastal mountains into the Albanian interior. Your destination is Gjirokastra: “City of Stones.” As you near Gjirokastra and descend into the broad, beautiful valley, you will be able to see Greece—the border is very close. In 370 B.C., a Greek general named Pyrrhus led campaigns against Rome and achieved a Pyrrhic Victory—a term still in use today to label any conquest that costs the victor more than it was worth. He won at great expense and is said to have commented, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.”
Gjirokastra’s old town is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The neck of the old bazaar, (Qafa e Pazarit), the heart of the old town, is the intersection of five stony streets. Each one of these streets takes you to historic sites, monuments, or characteristic houses of the town. It is also the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the communist head of Albania from 1944-1985.
You will walk through the old bazaar with its wood and stone carving shops and pass through streets with the old houses and buildings protected by UNESCO towards the Castle of Gjirokastra. This mighty fortress towers over the town; its ramparts provide outstanding views not only of the town but of the surrounding countryside. Built in the 4th century, there are displays of weaponry, a captured American aircraft, museum displays, and even a former prison. Be sure to look for the story of Argjiro, a princess who jumped to her death from the heights rather than surrender to Ottoman invaders.
Local ladies still make handmade doilies. You will be able to both watch and participate in the creation of this famous doily made with Albanian patterns.
Free time for lunch and shopping. Look for that one-of-a-kind souvenir: an Albanian t-shirt—red with the nation’s emblem. It’s quite likely none of your friends will have one!
Drive back to Saranda through the Albanian countryside.
Kindly find as below all the details of this tour
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Elite Travel Albania. Rruga Mitat Hoxha 23, 9700. Saranda, Albania The local guide will be waiting for you with ETG Welcome Sign |
||||
DEPARTURE TIME | The tour will depart on 09:00. Please be there 15 minutes in advance | ||||
RETURN TIME | The tour will end approximately at 16:00. | ||||
INCLUDED |
|
||||
NOT INCLUDED |
|
This tour is operative all year round on the selected dates. Kindly check the calendar or contact us for any questions.
NO HIDDEN COSTS
See every rate available, with no booking fee or any other hidden costs.
SECURITY IN YOUR TRANSACTION
We follow the highest standards of security protocol to ensure our guests’ safety and security online.
PRIVACY POLICY
We care about the privacy of your personal data and take every measure to ensure we are in line with the latest data protection regulation.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Reserving on our website is quick and easy. If you have any queries, our Reservations team are ready to assist you, and can also assist with any restaurant or spa bookings during your stay.
BOOKING CONFIRMATION BY E-MAIL
You will receive an email confirmation with details of your reservation immediately after your booking.
MODIFICATION OF BOOKING
If you wish to change your dates or other details of your reservation, you can contact us by phone or e-mail.
CANCELLATION POLICY
For a full refund on the Guaranteed tours and excursions, cancel at least 72 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Check our full Terms & Conditions policy here.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.