Backpacking Gjirokaster (Epic Budget Travel Guide for 2024)
After visiting the Stone City, it’s become somewhere that I think about over and over again. You don’t often visit a place with this much charm in such a small area! Here’s my guide to Backpacking Gjirokaster!
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Backpacking Gjirokaster
Backpacking Gjirokaster is essential when visiting Albania. The “Stone City” actually ended up being my favourite place in the entire country! It’s also becoming one of southern Albania’s top destinations, for great reason! It’s really worth visiting.
From the eye-catching cobblestoned Old Town to the epic Castle of Gjirokaster that dominates the city’s skyline. From the lesser-known Ali Pasha Bridge that is Lord of the Rings-esque to the charming Manalat Quarter.
Out of all the cities I visited in the Balkans (and I visited pretty much all of it), it ranks very close to the top of my favourite places. I ended up spending 4 full days here, so you know I loved it.
Here’s my in-depth guide on backpacking Gjirokaster, where I’ll show you how to have the best time possible all whilst on a budget.
Things To Know Before Backpacking Gjirokaster
- The currency in Albania is the Albanian Lek and converts 1 AUD = 63 LEK (67c USD)
- The streets of Gjirokaster are very steep, so bring shoes that you will be fine to walk around in
- Cash is very much king when backpacking Gjirokaster, places like restaurants, cafes and even accommodation rarely accept card payment
- The city is UNESCO World Heritage listed due to its well-preserved historical centre built during the time of the Ottoman Empire. Both Gjirokaster and Berat are listed under the same name
- It’s known as “The Stone City” due to it’s unique architecture and streets, lined with cobblestone.
Check out my full list of things to know before visiting Albania
How To Get To Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is located in southern Albania, close to the popular beach cities Sarande and Himare.
For those backpacking Gjirokaster, the only way to arrive is by furgon (mini bus). In Albania, the public transport system can be a bit chaotic for first-timers – so I recommend checking out my guide on how to get around Albania on a budget.
Here’s a map I made with some common routes from Albanian cities nearby!
How Much Does Backpacking Gjirokaster Cost?
Backpacking Gjirokaster is really affordable. For Albania, it’s probably slightly more pricier than some other places but even then – it’s not that noticeable.
It’s affordability is down to public transport being unnecessary and the number of attractions either being cheap or even free!
But, to establish how much backpacking Gjirokaster will set you back, you have to consider what type of traveller you are.
For example, how much comfort do you really need? What type of activities do you prefer doing?
When I visited during peak season in 2023, I was easily able to keep my daily costs under $30 AUD a day ($18 USD) when backpacking Gjirokaster. My hostel wasn’t too expensive and the amount of free things to do meant I wasn’t holding back on my time here!
In 2024 – the price of a hostel bed has shot up due to Gjirokaster establishing itself firmly on many people’s Albania itinerary, but, it is still possible to visit the city on $30 AUD a day ($18 USD) – just not as easily as it was in 2023.
Now of course, you and I probably won’t have the exact same budget – so here’s a cheeky budget breakdown for different types of budget travellers. Most days, I fit into Frugal Traveller when backpacking Gjirokaster.
Daily Budget Breakdown
| Type of Traveller | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Total |
| Skint Traveller | $0 | $5 | $0 | $3 | $8 |
| Frugal Traveller | $15-25 | $5-10 | $0 | $0-7 | $20-42 |
| A Bit More Comfort | $25-35 | $10-15 | $0 | $0-10 | $35-60 |
Skint Travellers mostly use couch surfing and volunteer in hostels for free accommodation. They cook for themselves, only walk and visit free attractions.
Frugal Travellers will stay in budget hostels, cook their own food or eat at affordable local restaurants, only walk and do both free and paid activities.
Budget travellers fancying A Bit More Comfort still stay in hostels, but don’t cook. They still walk around and aren’t too tight with paid activities.
Planning a trip to Gjirokaster?
Gjirokaster Budget Travel Tips & Tricks
Backpacking Gjirokaster on a small budget can be done without breaking much of a sweat! But of course, there are things you can do when visiting that can help keep your daily costs down.
1. Food In Gjirokaster On A Budget
It is very convenient to pick a restaurant in and around the Gjirokaster Old Bazaar. However, seeing as it is the city’s most popular tourist area – there are tourist prices!
When I was backpacking Gjirokaster, I rarely ate out and instead cooked at the hostel – and when I did it would be a local cafe with cheap eats! Like any tourist spot, the prices drop when you walk just a few streets outside of the popular areas.
The food is still amazing in these spots and often better than restaurants catered towards the tastes of tourists! Here are a couple of budget eats in Gjirokaster that you should try:
2. Shoulder Seasons Are The Best Time To Visit
The shoulder seasons are a fantastic time to be backpacking Gjirokaster because the prices aren’t as high and it’s less busy.
April to mid June & September to October are better times to visit than in summer. In the summer, it can be ridiculously hot. There definitely were some sweaty days when I visited in July!
3. Walk Around!
Backpacking Gjirokaster isn’t all that big – at least the main areas aren’t anyway. In the old bazaar area, I don’t actually remember seeing any public transport. You won’t need it anyway!
This is great for you, as it won’t affect your daily budget so you’ll be able to put the money you saved into some activities and food!
Things To Do In Gjirokaster
Thankfully, a lot of the attractions and activities in Gjirokaster either cost a few dollars or are completely free.
Here are some cool things to do in Gjirokaster on a budget:
1. Wander Around Gjirokaster Old Bazaar
If you look up Gjirokaster online, you’ll mostly see photos of the Old Bazaar area. For good reason too! It’s incredibly charming and has so many fantastic opportunities for travel photography.
From the colourful textile shops to the traditional houses. Make sure you charge your camera before heading out so you can take as many photos as you want!
The history of this area goes all the way back to the Ottoman period, but sadly there’s not heaps left from this time as in the 19th century a lot of it was burnt down!
It’s since been totally rebuilt, making it an awesome place to check out when backpacking Gjirokaster.
2. Ali Pasha Bridge
One of the best things to do in Gjirokaster is visiting Ali Pasha Bridge. Unlike most attractions in the city, the bridge is not located right in the centre. Instead, it’s a steep 30 minute walk over a hill to get there.
Once you do arrive, you’ll be rewarded with a scene out of the Lord of the Rings! That’s what it felt like to me. Check out my in-depth guide on how to get to Ali Pasha Bridge for step by step info on reaching it.
You are very likely to have it all to yourself as well – when I visited I was the only person there (except one friendly farmer). Seemingly not that many tourists know about it! Either that or they can’t be bothered walking out there!
Please, please, please check out Ali Pasha Bridge when backpacking Gjirokaster!
3. Gjirokaster Castle
The top thing to do when backpacking Gjirokaster is visiting the Castle of Gjirokaster!
The castle is the main sight of the city and can be seen from pretty much anywhere. For 400 LEK (~6 AUD) you can get access to the castle and the military museum inside.
It’s an incredibly interesting museum and I spent about an hour and a half there reading everything inside about the history of the castle and what it was like in Gjirokaster during the communist regime.
The castle was actually used as a jail for political prisoners during the regime until the 1970’s!
It’s located right in the heart of the Old Town, and can be done before or after visiting the Old Bazaar!
4. Traditional Houses of Gjirokaster
The traditional houses of Gjirokaster were a large reason that the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
These houses are some of the most unique in the Balkans, and date back centuries! They were owned by the wealthiest people during Ottoman rule, who were often merchants.
They’re known for their huge stone footing and insanely intricate and colourful interior design.
Two popular houses that you can visit are the Skenduli House and Zekate House.
I didn’t visit these houses during my time here as it’s not my cup of tea, but from friends who did – you should only visit one of these houses. Once you’ve seen one, you’re done!
When To Visit Gjirokaster
I recommend backpacking Gjirokaster on either side of summer.
April to June and September to October are fantastic times to visit the Stone City as the prices are a bit more affordable and the weather is perfect.
In winter, it gets really cold and will most likely be pretty miserable with rain! I didn’t have any rain during my time here but I can imagine walking up those steep cobblestone streets will be even harder!
On the flipside, backpacking Gjirokaster in the peak of summer is equally nuts! I ended up here in July and it was insanely hot, and had to either head out early in the morning or wait until the late afternoon before I can do anything.
Thankfully, if you do end up visiting during summer – some attractions serve as great escapes from the heat. The Cold War tunnel and parts of the castle are really cool.
Where To Stay In Gjirokaster
When I was backpacking Gjirokaster, I had to stay in two different hostels because of the limited options available. I wasn’t able to extend at my first hostel so I had to switch for the last couple of nights!
Thankfully, both of these hostels are fantastic.
The first, Stone City Hostel – is probably the best hostel in the Balkans and one of my all-time faves. A dorm room comes with free breakfast and it’s social vibe is top tier, not to mention the insane levels of cleanliness everywhere!
It is the most expensive hostel in Gjirokaster hovering between $25-30 AUD ($17-20 USD) a night.
If this is a bit much for your budget – Friends Hostel is also a great option. It’s run by a friendly local family and has comfy beds and clean facilities (except the kitchen which is a bit yuck).
Sadly it has no free breakfast but that is definitely not a deal breaker. During peak season the price stays around $17-25 AUD ($11-17 USD) a night.
Check out my Hostel Booking Guide
How To Get Around Gjirokaster
If you don’t mind the steep, cobblestone streets – walking will do you fine when backpacking Gjirokaster!
In the heart of the old town, there are no public transport options and quite frankly, you wouldn’t need to use it anyway. It’s fairly small and you can get to most areas worth visiting within 10-20 minutes.
The new part of town is located at the bottom of the hill – and they have a public bus system. When backpacking Gjirokaster, you probably won’t visit the new town as it doesn’t have the same tourist charm as further up the hill.
When arriving in Gjirokaster, you will get dropped off right at the bottom of the hill. With your backpack and in the heat, it’s a pretty tough walk and takes about 25 minutes. If you don’t want to question your existence like I did, you can grab a taxi – but make sure you establish the price before jumping in.
Is Gjirokaster Safe?
Backpacking Gjirokaster is really safe. You shouldn’t worry about your physical safety, but petty theft is around. That being said, it is nowhere near the levels of some famous cities in Europe like Paris or Barcelona!
I didn’t feel the need to keep my hands in my pockets anywhere in the city, unlike the Stari Most in Mostar.
Backpacking Gjirokaster in the summer can be really hot, so make sure you bring plenty of water when you’re walking around as there is the risk of heatstroke.
Check out my guide on travelling responsibly
Where To Go After Gjirokaster
Depending on your general direction, there’s a few different places you can go after backpacking Gjirokaster.
If you’re headed south, you can head down to Sarande for a coastal fix. It takes only an hour on a furgon to get there. That being said, I’m not the biggest fan of Sarande and actually much prefer Himare which is another hour away, but you’ll have to switch furgons in Sarande anyway.
Heaps of people go to Sarande because they can easily go to Corfu by ferry!
Travel a bit further south and you’ll arrive at Ksamil! Another great place for beaches.
If you’re headed north, you can go straight to Berat – the other UNESCO World Heritage city in Albania. This will take roughly 3 hours, but there are only two direct lines there per day.
For more information on figuring out the transport system, check out my guide on how to get around Albania.
How Many Days Do You Need In Gjirokaster?
I think the perfect amount of time to spend backpacking Gjirokaster is 2 full days. It’ll give you enough time to hit the main sights and not feel too rushed.
But of course, how many days you should spend depends on your needs! Thankfully, i’ve got a more in-depth guide listing different travel types and how many days in Gjirokaster I would recommend for them!
Check out my 2 Day Gjirokaster Itinerary!
Travel Insurance For Gjirokaster
If you can’t afford travel insurance, you really shouldn’t be travelling. I’m a big advocate for using travel insurance when solo travelling because it will save my arse if anything goes wrong. I always use Worldnomads, who are easily the best company out there for long-term travellers. Get insured with these guys when backpacking Gjirokaster.
Final Thoughts On Backpacking Gjirokaster
I’m not surprised that backpacking Gjirokaster is becoming very popular. Everything from the history, architecture, nature, food and people mix together seamlessly. It really is an incredibly charming place to spend at least a couple of days in and one that you won’t forget!
But, get in quick! Albania as a whole has seen a huge rise in tourism and backpacking and it won’t be as affordable and authentic for long.
Enjoy!
Check out some more posts about Albania
- 1 Day In Berat Budget Travel Guide
- How Many Days In Berat?
- Tirana to Berat Guide
- 2 Days In Tirana Itinerary
- Is Berat Worth Visiting? 7 Pros & Cons You Need To Know
Book Your Trip With My Favourite Resources:
Cheap Flights: I always use Skyscanner to browse for cheap flights. It offers so many options to help you find a good deal! It even allows you to search for “anywhere” if you haven’t decided where to go yet!
Accommodation: I start my hostel search with Hostelworld. Most hostels are now on this platform making it the place to find the best hostel for you.
Travel Insurance: If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It is so important to have when travelling as it will save you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations! I always use Worldnomads when travelling on a budget as they have the best deals for me.