Top 5 Gjirokaster Private Tours: See the Stone City Your Way

Top 5 Gjirokaster Private Tours: See the Stone City Your Way

Gjirokaster

Thinking about seeing Gjirokaster? This amazing “Stone City” is tucked away in southern Albania. It has cobblestone streets and cool houses that are like towers. It’s like stepping back in history. You get to explore, wander, and see neat spots. But to really soak it all up, you might want to consider having a private tour. A private tour makes your visit way more interesting. You see more than what’s in the usual tourist spots and get stories you wouldn’t hear otherwise. Now, picking a tour can be a bit much, so let’s look at five neat private tours of Gjirokaster. Hopefully, this list can assist with picking out the tour that seems just right for you.

1. The “Gjirokaster Castle & Old Town Discovery” Tour

Gjirokaster Castle

First on the list, it’s almost always a sure hit, is the “Gjirokaster Castle & Old Town Discovery” tour. Basically, if you only have just a little bit of time to spend, you really can’t skip seeing Gjirokaster Castle. That majestic old place is perched on a hill, so high above the town. The folks leading this tour? They make sure you see it all. You hear stories about the castle’s history. Tales are told about everything from battles to the festivals back in the day. The tour too covers all the amazing old houses in the Old Town, places where past big shots used to live.

You actually get to stroll along cobblestone streets with an expert. It’s neat when you get to learn about the architecture, so old that the town is special because of it. If you want a quick way to see the biggest, main historical parts, then that choice seems to be the way to go. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Gjirokaster Castle & Old Town Tour)

2. “Culinary Secrets of Gjirokaster” Food Tour

Albanian Food

For a look that is tastier, anyway, consider the “Culinary Secrets of Gjirokaster” food tour. Food can be more than just food, it turns into insight to the heart of an area’s story. This trip allows you to try yummy food only from that area. You can sample things like “Pasha Qofte,” which might be this meatball dish. You might also try “shapkat,” which some people tell me, is cornbread, typically savory. That might tickle your tastebuds. It’s almost certain the guides on this kind of tour really care a lot about the meals and can actually take you to places some regular tourist probably wouldn’t find. They seem to usually go straight to hidden restaurants and talk with the families running them. If you love to eat and love learning about how food links with where you are, this one sounds perfect for seeing Gjirokaster.

Get ready to eat like a local and pick up some neat things you might not have otherwise found out. You are, that way, going to have an amazing visit with all kinds of flavors. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Gjirokaster Food Tour)

3. “Off-the-Beaten-Path Gjirokaster” Hidden Gems Tour

Hidden Gems Albania

Now, if you like seeing things that just about nobody gets to see, the “Off-the-Beaten-Path Gjirokaster” tour probably looks great to you. In a way, everybody heads to the castle and checks out the bazaar, which makes a good amount of sense. Yet, that tour? It will take you down very old little roads, the kind hardly anyone uses. Expect to find secret spots that tourists just don’t see that often. It’s been claimed by several tour groups that they show family homes or ancient craft stores where old-time artisans keep toiling. Actually, this tour lets you learn a bit about real daily life that keeps chugging away in Gjirokaster, far from big tourist crowds and lines.

You’ll get an inside look at some neat, secluded gems the city hides away, to be honest, so get this trip if it strikes your excitement spot. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Hidden Gems Gjirokaster Tour)

4. “Gjirokaster History & Heritage Deep Dive” Tour

Albanian History

Okay, so maybe you like history? Perhaps you can try the “Gjirokaster History & Heritage Deep Dive” tour. The way history unfolds from old to current day, I think this might suit people that like to dig very deep. Typically, you can see all of the important landmarks and the old bits from a very skilled historian who’s familiar with every fact they know. The guides just seem to know stories beyond the castle’s founding; very likely it’ll include a lot about the battles fought in Gjirokaster or Albania’s political atmosphere, or things that molded it. You’ll almost certainly see exhibits and old spots that show Gjirokaster’s heritage and civilization, perhaps even learn of a traditional cultural custom. That tour might bring context to any historical moment that you walk through and view, in person.

Basically, the deep dive into the city might even make you think of it very differently afterward. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Gjirokaster History Tour)

5. “Panoramic Gjirokaster Photography Tour”

Gjirokaster Albania View

Last but definitely still neat, what if you want to snag some beautiful pictures? Then the “Panoramic Gjirokaster Photography Tour” will very likely appeal to that angle of your mind. This one takes folks all over town and towards the best vantage points to catch that great postcard style picture. As a matter of fact, that can feel great if you like Instagram or actually have real camera equipment to dust off and use. The photo-guides not only bring you to scenic stops, that is what you sign up for, but, just a little, coach you through tricks, how light plays at times in the morning or sunset, or how best to compose neat angles to get pro results. These people make Gjirokaster, and your pictures, turn out like the gorgeous city should look.

You are going to come away with amazing mementos and quite a lot more love regarding capturing photos. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Photography Tour Gjirokaster)

Read our full review: Gjirokaster Private Sightseeing Tours Full Review and Details

Questions People Also Ask

What’s cool about taking a private tour anyway?

Taking one gives you much more freedom, yet, since they custom-design the tour, it caters completely to what seems interesting for you. Instead of being herded somewhere with loads of other folks, this, honestly, is a personal journey.

How much would a private tour set me back around Gjirokaster?

Costs go all over. In fact, it could come down to time, but perhaps it includes add-ons, and that type of stuff. Many seem fairly priced though, compared against group options if one prices them out correctly.

Is it something to plan way beforehand?

As a matter of fact, certain peak visiting days could certainly fill up a guide’s time pretty quickly. Booking early might ensure a time.

Do a majority of guides speak other languages I might actually understand?

The most reliable tours would actually use speakers for all languages and not only cater to those knowing one single dialect.