Gjirokastër

Gjirokaster banner.jpg|1280px]]|View of Gjirokaster from the Castle

Gjirokastër is a town and a UNESCO world legacy site in Southeastern Albania|Southeastern Albania.

Gjirokastër Halal Explorer

Gjirokastër Tourism Board Centre near the Old Bazaar☎ +355 84 267077 Opening Hours: Every day 09:00-17:00 (March - Nov); 09:00-15:00 (Dec-Feb)

Travel to Gjirokastër

Regional Bus & Furgon Station at the entrance to the town, on the Northwest corner where the town's main boulevard intersects the National Road. It is just past this intersection going north, on an empty lot opposite a shopping complex which includes Drino and Kaffe Cafe Lani. There is a small shelter there with seating and a sign saying Autobus Bileta ("bus tickets").

It's less of a "bus station" and more of a collective gathering place for buses and furgons (shared shuttle vanes) along the shoulder of the road. From here you can catch northbound buses to Tirana, Vlorë, Fier, Berat, Tepelene, Korçë, Permet, and southbound buses to Sarandë. -International buses direct to Ioannina (€5, 07:0/ departure) and Athens (€20, 20:30 departure) in Greece are available from the private bus agency offices found around the junction. A shuttle to the Kakavie border crossing with Greece runs several times a day. - Buses depart every day on the route Sarandë - Gjirokastër (300 leke) stopping hourly at the bottom of the hill until the early afternoon. Buses and shuttle vanes are going to Tirana (1000 leke) every hour from around 07:00 until 13:00 and then there is a bus at 14:30 and a night bus leaving at 24:00 (it arrives in Tirane at 05:45 near Skanderbeg Plaza).

Transportation and other tourism information is available from the employees of the Tourism Information Center (TIC), located in the old town, on the left side of the road leading towards the castle.

How to get around in Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër can be divided into roughly two halves and the old town up on the hill, and the new town in the valley below. You can walk just about anywhere if you're able to handle the steep cobbled streets. Taxis are affordable and there is a public bus circuit that connects the old town and the new town for about 30 leke. From the roundabout at the center of town to the bus station on the National Road is a fairly flat, easy, 10-minutes walk along the main boulevard. Taxis will make this trip for around 200 leke.

What to see in Gjirokastër

Gjiro1 - An example of some of the old Ottoman houses in Gjirokastër

• Gjirokastër Castle Rruga Evlia Celebi 1 - 40.074, 20.141 - at the top of the hill - 200 leke entrance Gjirokastër Fortress - Gjirokastra- The historical and geographical center of the city and the Castle is billed as the second largest in all the Balkans, and is worth a look. The Armaments Museum is located in the castle (separate 200 leke entrance) and contains a collection of mostly post-War perioid weapons, photographs and artwork: the main gallery, with its eerily lit corridor, contains two columns of large German and Italian field guns, remnants of WWII. The Castle also contains two Bektashi tekes and the stage for the internationally-renowned Gjirokaster National Folk Festival, a prison (now part of the Armaments Museum and available with an extra charge) and numerous chambers, some in ruins, open to exploration. A second museum gallery and the Zenebishi Gallery, features occasional free art exhibits. Underneath the castle is the underground bunker built in the Cold War.

• Ethnographic Museum Rr. Hysen Hoxha, 3 40.075556, 20.134722 - The entrance fee is 200 lek and includes a guided tour Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum - Once Enver Hoxha's house, it is a well-restored Ottoman house which displays clothing, kitchenware, tools and other cultural artifacts. The guided tour (available in Albanian, English, and German though availability should be checked in advance).

• 'Old Bazaar and Historic Ottoman Homes The old bazaar is still the social and commercial center of the Old Town of Gjirokaster. Though the newer sections of the city have attracted many businesses and people and the bazaar and its surrounding homes dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries still manages to capture a bit of the bygone perioid of Gjirokastrite life. Several of the houses are at various levels of restoration and are open to the public. Traditional houses include Cabej House, and Topulli House. The Bazaar has undergone a cleaning and exterior restoration as part of the government's revitalization plan.

• Kadare House 40.076194, 20.136278 - 2011 Gjirokastra, Były dom Ismaila Kadare House of renown writer Ismail Kadare undergoing reconstruction.

• Skenduli House 40.07519, 20.1354 - Gjirokastër Skenduli-Haus - Talseite 2 A A renovated traditional house

• Zekate House Rruga Mazllëm Shazivari, 40.0748, 20.1323 in the historic Palorto quarter - Zekate House - Banesa Zapanaja e Zekatëve 01 It is the most visited of Gjirokastër's monumental stone houses. It is one of the largest of its kind, featuring three floors spread over two large towers. The house was recently restored again (having undergone earlier restorations during the Communist era) and is kept open by its owners as a museum house. In addition to providing an interesting primer of the characteristic architectural elements of the city's tower houses, it offers a beautiful view of the city below.

• Saint Sotira Church 40.075808, 20.143296 in the Old Bazaar quarter - Opening Hours: every day between 07:00-07:30 and 19:00-19:30; Sunday Service takes place between 07:00 and 10:00 can also be visited upon request Saint Sotir Church, Gjirokaster thit is a well preserved 18th century Orthodox Church.

• Gjirokaster Mosque - Rruga Gjin Zenebisi 40.07388, 20.13798 in the Old Bazaar This mosque is a true testimony of the communist religious ban in Albania. Spared from destruction from its religious importance and the mosque was transformed as a circus training centre only to return to its original setting after the 1990s in the form of a Muslim school.

• Seven Fountains, Mechite Mosque Remains, and the Hamams - The fountains and the exterior of the Hamams have been restored. One can observe the dedicatory inscriptions on the fountains and the cone shaped traditional roofs of the Hamams.

• Cold War Museum - Underground bunker of Enver Hoxha with around 70 rooms built for emergency situations.

Archaeological sites

• Sofratike - Sofratikë | 39.99212, 20.21526 Southeast 14 kilometers Site of an ancient theater and baths
• Kardhiq - 40.12219, 20.02905 Northwest 20 kilometers site of an ancient castle
• Paleokaster - Palokastër | 40.1589, 20.1025 North 12 kilometers Site of an ancient village.

• Labove - Labovë e Sipërme, Labovë e Madhe? | 40.073704, 20.291656 20 kilometers east via Libohove Home of one of the oldest standing Orthodox churches in the Balkans and Tombs of Ali Pasha's sister and nephew in Libohove village.

• Tepelena | 40.2987, 20.0165 Northwest 33 kilometers the fortress of Ali Pasha
• The Illyrian city of Antigone Qyteti i vjetër i Antigonesë near the village of Asim Zeneli GPS 40.087 ,20.222 roughly 6 km east This village is the starting point of a 3-hour round trip hike to the ruins of Antigone; it makes a nice day hike for the physically fit (you will want to hire a local shepherd as a guide).

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gjirokastër

• Viroit Park - Parku i Viroit | Parku i Viroit 40.10204, 20.12128 located 2 km north, along the SH4A park encompassing the Viroi Lake and surrounding hills. The park features a relaxing environment and an lodging area.

Events

• National Folklore Festival - A festival showcasing traditional Albanian music and dance considered as the most important event in its genre. Held every 5 years since 1968 in Gjirokaster Castle, it was last held in May 2015. An artisans' exhibition took place as well.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gjirokastër

• Take a look at the Artisans' Center near the Information Center featuring many souvenirs and traditional crafts.

Halal Restaurants in Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër is known for its Qifqi (baked dish made of Rice, egg, and seasonings). The city is also well known for its dairy products, especially its white Cheese.

There are also well established restaurants in Gjirokastër catering to travellers and the local crowd.

Old town

• Fantazia – specializes in Pizzas and salad, but offers traditional Albanian fare, good views of the city.
• Kujtim's – serves a wide variety of Gjirokastrian specialties.
• The newly renovated Çajupi Hotel's Terrace Restaurant,
• The Byrek Shop
• Muço's Suflaç & Restaurant – Good omelets in the morning
• Hajri's Coffee Bar
• Sopoti Cafe

New town

• Kufoi's, Pizzas Erai
• Antigone Fast Food Suflaç,
• Suflaç at the Hotel One Restaurant
• Modus Cafe – for coffee

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gjirokastër

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Muslim Friendly hotels in Gjirokastër

• Kotoni Bed&Breakfast Rr. Bashkim Kokona, 8 40.07383, 20.13652 ☎ +355 84 263526 €30 The first guest house in Gjirokastra, since 1992, comes up with more traditional rooms and a characteristic restaurant. Each room has coloured satellite TV, bathroom, heating. 200 m from the old bazaar, you can obtain a great view of the old and new part of the town. - +phone=+355 69 23 66 846
• Hashorva Guesthouse | Rr. Varosh 40.07600, 20.13780 The Hashorva Family, a well established name in the Lagjia Varosh Neighborhood, offers one very large, faithfully restored traditional Ottoman Era room, with a double bed and sitting area. The house is over 200 years old and is kept in wonderful condition by its original owners. Naturally cool in the summer and the guest bathroom is off the main hallway with 24-hour hot water and modern facilities. It's in the heart of Gjirokastër, an easy 5 to 15 minutes walk from all the major sites of Historic Old Town and 10 minutes walk to the new town and the bus station on the National Road. The large guest room is €20/night - it has a large double bed, a single bed off to the side. (Payment can be made by cash only in Albanian lek, euros or US dollars

• Hotel Relax streets Sheshi i Çerçizit - €25 inc. breakfast 9 double rooms and 1 suite, with A/C. This wonderful hotel lies at the foot of the hilly center of beautiful Gjirokaster. It is a small hotel owned by a very sweet family. The father handles business, and is helped by his nice teenage daughter. They are incredible friendly and the hotel is very clean and has everything you need, including a cosy sitting area and balcony, overlooking the square. There is a bar downstairs, also owned by the family, so after visiting Gjirokaster it is perfect to relax and have a Coffee. - Hotel Sopoti Sopoti Hostel | Pazar i Vjeter GPS 40.0744670,20.13924 Old Pazar, Gjirokastër 1000 leke/person - A formerly grand hotel, it feels somewhat forgotten; rooms are basic, ask for one with a balcony to get a view of the castle, bathrooms are shared. The manager of the hotel is a refined older gentleman who also runs the bar/kafe downstairs. He knows some English.price is 1200 lek per person. If you ask for wifi internet (which doesnt seem to happen very often) you will be given the password for a nearby cafe, but it is too far away so it can only work betwwen 03:00 and 06:00 when nobody else uses it. still a good choice for a single traveller as it is cheaper than a dorm bed in one of the towns hostels

• Hotel Gjirokaster - Modeled after a traditional Ottoman House. Excellent location that is half-way between the castle and the market area. Friendly staff and free breakfast included.

Telecommunications in Gjirokastër

Internet

Gjirokastra Albania - Characteristic street in Gjirokastër

There are internet cafes in Gjirokastër which usually charge between 50 and 100 lek per hour.

• Internet Kafe (Opposite the mosque)
• Google Internet Kafe

Cope in Gjirokastër

Consulates in Gjirokastër

• Greece | Konsulata e Pergjithshme e Greqise - Sheshi I Cercizit, Gjirokaster ☎ +355 8426 3804, +355 8426 2010 (Emergencies) +355 8426 8141 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:30-16:30

Travel Next from Gjirokastër

• Berat - North 120 kilometers via Këlcyrë Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world legacy list. Nearby is the world-famous Osum Canyon.
• Fier
• Ioannina, Greece | Southeast 90 kilometers
• Korce NE 190 km via Tepelene several miles from the Greek border. This urban center is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape.
• Pogradec | directions=NE 240 km via Korca — Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake and the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival recently.
• Pёrmet NE 60 km via Këlcyrë roughly 30 kilometers from the Greek border. Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Pёrmet is in the Vjosa River Valley. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. Around Benjё, and Leusё villages.
• Sarandë Southwest 55 kmA city known for its unforgettable beaches and colorful spring blooms.
• Vlorë N-NW 110 km Lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here.

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