Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër is a historic city in southern Albania, built on the eastern slopes of the Gjerë Mountains overlooking the Drino Valley. Known as the “City of Stone,” it is recognised for its distinctive Ottoman architecture, steep cobbled streets and stone-roofed houses that follow the contours of the hillside.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gjirokastër preserves one of Albania’s best examples of a traditional Ottoman townscape. The hilltop castle, historic neighbourhoods and layered architecture reflect the city’s long cultural history and its unique relationship with the surrounding mountainous landscape.