Visiting Ali Pasha Bridge From Gjirokaster (An Easy Guide)
Visiting Ali Pasha Bridge is something you must do when in Gjirokaster. It’s a place lesser-known than the popular attractions of the castle and bazaar but it might just be my favourite. Come along and i’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting!
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Visiting Ali Pasha Bridge
Ali Pasha Bridge was one of the nicest things I did that made the stop in Gjirokaster on my Albania itinerary even more worth it. It’s a place that’s off-the-beaten path and it looks like something straight out of The Lord of the Rings!
Despite looking like it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s actually located a short distance from Gjirokaster’s famous cobblestone streets which makes it something you can do when you feel like – it definitely doesn’t require much planning!
Aside from seeing the bridge, you’ll bump into very welcoming locals who once you give them a smile and wave, open up and ask you how you are in Albanian (which is “si jeni”).
But first, here’s a bit about Ali Pasha Bridge and why it was important in Gjirokaster’s history:
A Bit About Ali Pasha Bridge
Ali Pasha Bridge is not just a cool looking bridge, it’s got history behind it too!
In the beginning of the 19th century, Ali Pasha (an Albanian ruler) commissioned the bridge very humbly named after himself as an important part of an aqueduct system to bring water to the Castle of Gjirokaster which at the time, had no natural water source!
This was huge, as it was a key to keeping the castle functioning!
In 1932, most of the aqueduct was destroyed however it wasn’t much of a problem as it had pretty much no use.
Nowadays, the Ali Pasha Bridge section remains and it’s one of the best offbeat destinations in not only Gjirokaster, but all of Albania. You should absolutely go.
Here’s how to get to Ali Pasha Bridge:
How To Get To Ali Pasha Bridge
After looking at photos of Ali Pasha Bridge online, I assumed it would be a huge hike because it looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere!
After talking about it with the owner of my hostel, I was pleasantly surprised when she told me it’s only a 30 minute hike from Gjirokaster Bazaar!
This was more than enough to convince me to visit Ali Pasha Bridge one afternoon.
Google Maps directions to Ali Pasha Bridge
How Hard Is It?
If you’re currently reading this in Gjirokaster, you’ll know that it’s a city full of hills and there’s rarely a moment where you’re walking on flat ground. The hike to Ali Pasha Bridge is no different.
The entire time you will be walking uphill through a residential district before reaching an amazing lookout over the valley.
I seriously recommend ditching your thongs (flip flops for the non-Australians reading) and putting on a pair of enclosed shoes – most of the trail is unstable rock and if you’re not careful you can hurt yourself.
Once you do arrive at the lookout, you can walk down a path to the bridge itself and explore it up close!
I really loved the hike, I was the only one visiting and I kept coming across lovely elderly Albanian men who obviously didn’t speak a word of English but still smiled and waved saying “Përshëndetje” which means hello.
Best Time To Visit Ali Pasha Bridge
The best time to visit Ali Pasha Bridge is either at sunrise or about an hour before sunset. Whilst you will rarely come across other tourists, the main reason to come at these times is the heat – especially if you are coming to Gjirokaster in the summer.
I visited in June and went to Ali Pasha Bridge around sunset and it was HOT. By the time I reached the viewpoint my shirt was saturated from my sweat.
In general, I recommend visiting the country in April or May when it’s not crazy hot like in the summer months.
Check out my post on visiting Gjirokaster vs Berat
Things To Do Near Ali Pasha Bridge
Thanks to the bridge being located in walking distance from the Old Town of Gjirokaster, you can fit in some other things to see when visiting.
Here are a few things you can do before or after visiting Ali Pasha Bridge:
Gjirokaster Bazaar
The Gjirokaster Bazaar is certainly one of the nicer bazaars I visited during my time in the Balkans. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. It’s a very colourful part of town with cobblestone streets lined with coffee shops and artisan stalls.
It’s probably the best place to take photos in Gjirokaster.
Check out my 2 Days In Gjirokaster Itinerary
Gjirokaster Castle
Gjirokaster Castle is absolutely worth the visit. For 200 LEK you can enter and explore the fortress containing a military museum.
It’s also got a cracker of a view. At the top, you can overlook the entire city making it perfect for good travel photography.
Check out my in-depth Backpacking Gjirokaster Guide
Grab A Bite To Eat
Despite Ali Pasha Bridge being located pretty close to the city, it’s not until you get back down to around the Old Town will you find any restaurants.
After the sweaty hike, I could not be arsed to cook and went to the first restaurant I found and ate some delicious spiced meatballs.
Check out my guide on how to decide How Many Days In Gjirokaster to spend
Where To Stay Near Ali Pasha Bridge
You’re in luck – Gjirokaster is home to the best hostel in all of Albania!
Stone City Hostel is actually one of my favourite hostels of all time after staying in over 70 hostels on my travels. But what makes it so good?
The hostel has a really homely social vibe with great communal spaces. Everything is so clean and the beds are incredibly comfy. If you’ve been backpacking for a while now you’ll know that it’s rare to get a bed you remember!
And of course, the free breakfast is so god damn tasty and actually fills you up which is so crucial when travelling on a budget.
Another hostel I stayed in for one night was Friends Hostel which was still quite nice! Everything was clean (except the kitchen) and the air conditioning was ice-cold which was very welcome in the Albanian summer!
Related article: How To Get Around Albania
Travel Insurance
I believe that if you can’t afford to purchase travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It will save you if everything gets a bit hectic. As I mentioned early, if you’re not careful hiking to Ali Pasha Bridge – you can easily roll an ankle. Having travel insurance means you won’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for your treatment.
Visiting Ali Pasha Bridge: Final Thoughts
Gjirokaster is worth visiting and so underrated. I’d say that’s down to the amount of cool things to do! In 2024, it can be hard to find places that are seriously off-the-beaten path.
Whilst Gjirokaster is quite popular amongst regional tourists, especially when their Folk Festival is on – people simply don’t tend to go to Ali Pasha Bridge!
This is your chance to check out something new with no other travellers around!
Check out all of my posts about Albania
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.