9 BEST Hotels In Gjirokaster For Exploring The Old Town 2025

After spending a month exploring Albania from high to low, Gjirokaster was one of our favourite places. Located in the southern Drino Valley, only an hour from the coastal town of Saranda, Gjirokaster is characterised by its cobblestone streets, white-washed buildings, and the well-preserved castle looming over the town.

With some of the best hotels in Gjirokaster lining the UNESCO World Heritage Old Bazaar, you’ll only ever be a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle. Imagine having breakfast on a roof terrace, surrounded by mountains, with the vibrant old town just below. It really is something special.

Gjirokaster is located in the southern Drino Valley, only an hour from the coastal town of Saranda, which makes combining Gjirokaster into your longer Albanian itinerary super easy.

With so many incredible places to stay, we’ve rounded up the 9 best hotels in Gjirokaster for every budget, all conveniently located to explore the best of the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. Whether you’re after a luxury stay, something mid-range, or somewhere a little more budget-friendly, we’ve got something for you.

It’s worth noting, that even the luxury hotels in Gjirokaster are not too expensive, especially compared to Western European countries. In fact, they’ll likely only set you back just over £100 per night! Go on, treat yourself.

➡️ Helpful Tip: Short on time and looking for the best hotel in Gjirokaster?

• Best Budget Option – Stone City Hostel
• Best Luxury Option – Kerculla Resort

Best Affordable Hotels In Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster is an incredibly affordable destination, so if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of options for you! Whether you want to immerse yourself in a local homestay, meet other travellers in a hostel, or relax in a private hotel room, we have an option for you.

Best Budget Guest House In Gjirokaster

✅ Panoramic View Guest House

One of the best budget hotels in Gjirokaster for exploring the old town has to be Panoramic View Guest House. Located right at the top edge of the old town, this guest house offers the most amazing views over the city and surrounding mountains.

The hosts are wonderful and provide you with a delicious breakfast daily, served on the terrace overlooking the town. All the food is freshly prepared, and will often include produce the owners have grown themselves!

Despite not speaking much English, often relying on Google translate, the owners will welcome you into their home as if you’re their own family. Don’t turn down the chance to try some of their homemade raki for a truly authentic Albanian experience!

Costing just £30 per night for a couple in peak season, this is one of the best places to stay in Gjirokaster if you’re on a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice on service.

Best Hostels In Gjirokaster

✅ Stone City Hostel

What awaits you at Stone City Hostel is nothing short of a warm, welcoming, cosy atmosphere. As soon as you step through the door, you’re made to feel as though you’re part of the family, a feeling that’s fostered throughout your stay.

With breakfasts served around a big table where everyone will eat together, allowing you to make new friends and enjoy some home comforts.

The hostel is beautifully decorated throughout and will cost you just £15 for a bunk in a dorm room, or £47 for a private room. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and all communal areas are kept spotlessly clean.

There’s free filtered water, a fully equipped kitchen, books, board games, and daily tours and activities for you to enjoy. We’d highly recommend the free walking tour the hostel runs in order to learn more about the area from a local.

Conveniently located in the heart of the old town, Stone City Hostel is the best hostel in Gjirokaster for a hassle-free stay.

✅ Friends Guesthouse & Hostel

With a dorm room setting you back just £10 per night in peak season, and a private room costing just £24, Friends Guesthouse and Hostel is one of the best places to stay in Gjirokaster on a budget.

Located just across from the walls of Gjirokaster Castle, the location is perfect for exploring the old town and everything that Gjirokaster has to offer.

With any hostel, the owners and the people they attract have the potential to really make your stay amazing. At Friends Guesthouse and Hostel, you’re welcomed in with open arms, and you’re bound to meet other like-minded travellers to explore Gjirokaster with. The hospitality at this place is just amazing.

What we really love about it is the group dinner nights on the terrace, which really help to foster new friendships.

Plus, if you’re an animal lover like us, the hostel is home to the cutest dog named Cookie, as well as a cat!

Best Mid-Range Hotels In Gjirokaster

If your budget is a little larger, and guesthouses and hostels just aren’t for you, we’ve rounded up the best hotels in Gjirokaster for exploring the old town.

Best Apartments In Gjirokaster

✅ Jani Studio Apartments

Located just a short walk from the Old Bazaar, Jani Studio Apartments are stylishly decorated with a one-night stay setting you back just £56 for two people in peak season!

With various apartments available to suit you, you’ll have the convenience of being able to cook up a meal for yourself, whilst still having a great night’s sleep.

The owners are lovely, and they’ll likely communicate with you via Whatsapp before you check-in to make sure everything is okay for you. Plus, you might be so lucky as to find a plate of cookies and a bottle of wine waiting for you on arrival!

Despite being completely self-contained, Jani Studio Apartments really feel like a hotel, with exceptional service, and a similar luxurious vibe. The bath robes and towels are as soft as the high-end hotels!

The saying “you get what you pay for” doesn’t really apply here, as we believe you get so much more. A modern luxurious apartment, without the luxury price tag!

✅ Guesthouse Dashi

In our opinion, Guesthouse Dashi is a bit of a secret, yet one we think you should definitely know about! We spent several nights staying here and honestly, it was incredible. Plus, it’ll only set you back around £37 per night!

We love staying in apartments because it gives you the convenience of being able to cook for yourself on occasion, have unlimited cups of coffee, and even have your own washing machine! Guesthouse Dashi has all that and more.

The apartment is simply but beautifully furnished, and is incredibly spacious. In fact, we couldn’t believe how much space we had!

The apartment has it’s own private secure parking space right outside, and is conveniently located near a small supermarket in the new town.

This does, however, mean you’ve got a 15-20 minute walk to reach the old town. However, we think this apartment is absolutely worth the effort.

Best Hotels In Gjirokaster

✅ Hotel Kalemi 2

Hotel Kalemi 2 is one of the best mid-range hotels in Gjirkaster! Setting you back just £85 per night for 2 people, the rooms are spacious and traditional. This gives you a really good insight into traditional Albanian culture.

Make sure you look up, as the traditional stone walls are topped with ornate carved-wood ceilings and details that you won’t get anywhere else.

Despite being located right in the centre of the old town, Hotel Kalemi 2 doesn’t receive much street noise, making your trip hassle-free. It is in such a good location for exploring, especially if this is your first time in Gjirokaster.

Parking is right outside of the hotel, which is incredibly convenient for your stay. The hotel staff are truly lovely and will make this stay a memorable one.

✅ The Stone Sky Hotel

Looking for a modern, yet traditional stay? Then a stay at the Stone Sky Hotel is perfect for you!

Located in a beautiful, traditional white stone building in the middle of Gjirokaster old town, Stone Sky Hotel ensures you can explore at ease. Everything you could want to visit will be right on your doorstep!

The traditional white stone walls show through into the recently-renovated rooms, with traditional carpets and throws making it the perfect blend of old and new.

Setting you back around £60 per night for two people, an incredible breakfast is included in your stay. Breakfast is served on the hotel’s terrace, offering incredible views over Gjirokaster. You’ll be able to sample a mix of fruit, eggs, and traditional Albanian delicacies, making sure you won’t go hungry.

It is worth noting that car parking is not right outside the hotel, but a 5 minute walk up some stairs. Despite this, Stone Sky Hotel has to be one of the best hotels in Gjirokaster and we would highly recommend it.

Best Hotels In Gjirokaster For A Luxurious Stay

Luxury Resort

✅ Kerculla Resort

Setting you back just over £100 per night in high season for a double room, Kerculla Resort is the best hotel in Gjirokaster to spoil yourself with a little luxury, whilst maintaining an affordable price tag.

In fact, you can even grab yourself a deluxe suit for just over £200 – what a bargain!! This is probably the lowest price you will get for luxury like this in the whole of Europe.

The best part about Kerculla Resort has to be the incredible view over the whole of Gjirokaster. Located in the hills just above the old town (though still within walking distance), you could spend hours sat on the terrace admiring the vistas.

Oh, and did we mention it has a pool?!

Despite being one of the best hotels in Gjirokaster, Kerculla Resort maintains a traditional design, with a touch of elegance, and the staff treat you like you’re the only guests there. Their thoughtfulness and kindness really go a long way.

Luxury Hotel

✅ Hotel Fantasy

If you’re after somewhere with a more slick and modern design, Hotel Fantasy is the best hotel in Gjirokaster for you! The thing that sets this hotel apart is it’s convenient location just a two-minute walk from both the Old Bazaar and Gjirokaster Castle. This means that almost everything you’ll want to see will be within a short walk.

Many of the rooms come with a view over the whole of the castle, and the outdoor patio area is just perfect for your morning coffee. The on-site restaurant uses only fresh local ingredients, producing mouthwatering meals.

And honestly, the Deluxe Suit is just something else entirely. Spacious, elegantly decorated, INCREDIBLE views, and even a bath to relax in after a long day of exploring. It doesn’t get much better than that!

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Best Hotels In Gjirokaster: FAQs

Have some questions about your stay? Dive into our FAQ section where we’ve tried to answer some of the questions we get asked all the time!

How Long Should I Spend In Gjirokaster?

Gjirokaster is an incredible town and we’d recommend spending a minimum of 3 nights there in order to get a feel for the place and visit the main attractions. This includes the Old Bazaar, Gjirokaster Castle, Ali Pasha Bridge, and some of the city’s museums.

You could also spend a morning visiting the nearby Blue Eye, located just a 35-minute drive away.

If you’re short on time, we wouldn’t recommend spending any less than 2 nights in the city. There’s so much to do, we wouldn’t want you to miss out!

What Is There To Do In Gjirokaster?

Gjirokaster has so many amazing things to do! Here’s our recommend top 5 things to do:

Is Gjirokaster Safe?

We never once felt unsafe in Gjirokaster, or in Albania as a whole, and found the locals to be the most kindhearted, welcoming individuals we’ve ever met.

We’ve never heard of anyone having any issues in Gjirokaster, however, like in any destination, it’s advisable to exercise common travel precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, take care of your belongings, and stay informed about local conditions.

Do I Need A Car To Explore Gjirokaster?

Nope! Gjirokaster is a perfectly walkable city, and in fact it can be difficult to drive down the narrow cobblestone paths anyway. If you’re hiring a car to drive in Albania, we would recommend leaving it at your hotel and walking once you’ve arrived.

What Currency Do They Use In Albania?

The currency in Albania is the Albanian Leke. 100 ALL is equivalent to approximately £0.84 / €0.97 / $1.06. Many places will also accept Euros, at the exchange rate of 100 ALL = €1.

It is worth noting, the majority of places in Albania are cash only!! This includes shops, restaurants, hotels, museums, and most other tourist activities.

The only bank that allows free cash withdrawal is Credins Bank, which can be found in most larger cities. There is a Credins Bank in the newer part of Gjirokaster, around a 30-minute walk from the old town.

Is Albania Worth Visiting?

Yes!! Albania is an absolutely stunning country with so much to do. From quaint old cities to the vibrant capital city, mountains, and beaches, there really is something for everyone.

The locals are the friendliest people we’ve ever encountered on our travels to date and will make your visit to their country better than you could ever imagine.

The food is delicious, the prices are low compared to the rest of Europe, and there are far fewer tourists than most other Mediterranean countries.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Gjirokaster?

Gjirokaster is best enjoyed in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, from April to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasantly mild, prices are lower, and there are far fewer tourists around.

Wrap Up: Best Hotels In Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. If you’re looking for the best hotels in Gjirokaster for exploring the old town, you really are spoiled for choice.

From the luxurious rooms at Kerculla Resort, to the stunning views from Stone Sky Hotel, and the friendships you’ll make staying at Stone City Hostel, there’s something to suit everyone.

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