All Gjirokaster Tours & Excursions in 2026

Paddle your own sit-on-top kayak while a raft with a guide stays alongside for safety and support. Beginner-friendly, scenic, and unique to Përmet. Photos included.

Experience the Vjosa River with local rafting guides who have more than 10 years of experience on its waters. Paddle through one of Europe’s last wild rivers while enjoying spectacular mountain scenery, crystal-clear water and untouched nature. Our experience combines real river knowledge, safety, adventure and genuine local hospitality. We provide professional rafting equipment, a safety briefing, drinking water, fresh fruit, photos and videos, plus free pickup and transport in Permet. Whether it is your first rafting experience or you already love adventure, our local team will make you feel safe, welcome and part of the Vjosa experience. You won’t just raft the Vjosa — you’ll experience it with people who know and love this river.

Antigonea , also transliterated as Antigonia and Antigoneia, was an ancient city in Chaonia, Epirus, and the chief inland city of the ancient Chaonians. It was founded in the 3rd century BC by Pyrrhus of Epirus, who named it after one of his wives, Antigone, daughter of Berenice I and step-daughter of Ptolemy I of Egypt.

Gjirokaster has been a hub for horse-riders for hundreds of years, but navigating local trails requires a guide. Ride through the hills and rocky valleys surrounding the quaint Ottoman-built town during this small-group, half-day horseback trek. Spot Cold War-era bunkers hidden in the ground, little villages, and golden eagles and other endangered birds as you complete a six-mile (10-kilometer) route through the Drino Valley countryside.

This trip starts in Gjirokaster where we jump into one of our unique off-road vehicles and then head towards the ex communist villages, Valare, Shen Thodher and Erind. We will than climb to the field of Cajupi to make a stop at the spring of Brat and also at a luxurious shepherds hut where we can have a shepherds style breakfast. We will restart the trip now through the region of Zagoria and our next stop will be an abandoned magnificent bridge dating back in 1777. Another great place to rest cool down and then hop in the cars again towards the Holy Apostles church in Hoshteve with breathtaking paintings inside. A must visit! The lunch stop will be at Policani village where we will enjoy the bio products of the region. After lunch head towards the waterfall of Selcka, a miracle of nature, an unbelievable swimming pool, as our last stop for a day to remember. Choose us and spend a unforgettable day in the surroundings of Gjirokaster with a mix of nature history and characteristic food.

Passionate traveler and local guide with years of experience sharing hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences. I love helping visitors discover the stories, flavors, and traditions that make this destination special.

Experience the authentic taste of Gjirokastra through hands-on cooking of traditional Albanian dishes. Learn centuries old recipes, cook alongside a local chef, and savor flavors you can’t find anywhere else, from handmade pasta to rice balls. Every bite is a true taste of Albanian heritage.

Our tour offers a unique blend of adventure and natural beauty that sets it apart from others. Here’s what makes our tour special: Exclusive 4x4 Off-Road Experience: We provide top-notch 4x4 vehicles that are perfect for tackling the rugged terrain around the Vjora River. This ensures a safe and thrilling adventure for all participants. Scenic Vjora River Route: Our tour includes a picturesque route along the Vjora River, known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. You'll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Expert Guides: Our guides are highly knowledgeable about the area and its history, adding depth to your journey with insights and stories that enhance the experience. Customer Satisfaction: We prioritize your satisfaction and safety throughout the tour, ensuring that every aspect of your adventure is well-planned and enjoyable.

We meet at Cerciz Topulli square, where you join with your host and walk over to one of the oldest neighbourhoods, “Pazar i Vjeter” to meet Marjeta and her husband. We begin the class with a glass of raki or a soft drink while chatting with your group mates. The food we are going to prepare is a vegetarian menu, and under the guidance of Marjeta we will learn three dishes. The first one is called “Qofte bobollaqe” consisting mainly on yogurt, the traditional “Qifqis” found only in Gjirokaster and consisting mainly on rice and the desert called “Hasude”. All these three are accompanied by the salad of the season Marjeta has already prepared for you. After all the hard work, sit down with your group to savor each of your dishes. Pair your menu with a complimentary glass of wine, raki, or a soft drink and have a nice chat while you eat. Your cooking class will conclude after the meal. Cheers and Bon appetite!

Four Gjirokastër natives shaped this Albanian hill town — a guerrilla fighter, a novelist, a pasha, and a pioneering feminist writer. A communist dictatorship shadowed all of them. This self-guided audio tour follows their stories through the UNESCO-listed City of Stones. Starting at Çerçiz Topulli Square, where seven fighters once held off 200 Ottoman soldiers, you'll climb through the old bazaar to Ismail Kadare's childhood home. The 19th-century Skënduli House has 64 windows, four Turkish baths, and a pomegranate-carved wedding room. At Musine Kokalari's house museum, you'll learn how Albania's first female political writer paid for defending democracy with decades of exile. It ends at Gjirokastër Castle, above the ruins of ancient Antigonea, where a downed American spy plane sits on display. This tour is perfect for history lovers. Download the VoiceMap app and enter your voucher code from the confirmation email to start touring at your own pace.

Learn to prepare traditional Albanian dishes with this Gjirokastra cooking class. Whip up local favorites like oven-cooked cheese, rice balls, stuffed peppers, savory pies, and a sweet dessert alongside a professional chef and a small group of just 10 people or fewer. At the end of the class, enjoy your meal paired with a glass of wine.

With spectacular waves and hollows, strong currents, narrow passages, and wilderness views of Vjosa National Park, rafting the Vjosa River is an experience few travelers forget. Discover it with an instructor/guide and all the safety equipment you need on this half-day adventure from Permet, with time for swimming and diving from the rocks as well.

Discover Gjirokastër, the charming “stone city” classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its cobblestone streets and admire the slate-roofed tower houses, witnesses to a rich history mixing Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Listen to the stories of the merchants and writers who shaped this city, while enjoying the beauty of the silver stone in the sun. This one-hour, 2.2 km tour takes you through the fascinating past of Gjirokastër. - 2.2 km route through the historic city - Visit tower houses and cobblestone alleys - Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage of the city - Immersion in history with local anecdotes

Get acquainted with making Gjirokaster cuisine from a local instructor during this private cooking experience. Enjoy personalized attention throughout as you learn how to cook two traditional dishes plus a dessert. Familiarize yourself with the spices and herbs that are commonly used in making Gjirokaster meals. After your class, sit down to eat the food you’ve just cooked.

Kayaking on the Vjosa River For Adventure Travelers with Kayak Experience Explore the power and beauty of the Vjosa River, Europe’s last wild river, with a guided kayaking adventure designed for travelers who already have some paddling skills. Enjoy fast-moving sections, technical lines, and crystal-clear water surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes. Our professional guides lead small groups, providing safety, high-quality gear, and a dynamic route perfect for intermediate kayakers seeking a real outdoor challenge in Albania. If you’re an adventure traveler looking for a unique and wild river experience, kayaking on the Vjosa is one of the best activities in southern Albania.

Navigate the stunning waters of Vjosa National Park on a thrilling kayaking adventure from Përmet. This 2.5-hour experience allows you to paddle through Albania's pristine landscapes, surrounded by breathtaking nature. With a guide and support raft by your side, you’ll explore the river's unique ecosystems while utilizing top-notch safety gear and kayaks. Perfect for those with a moderate fitness level, this activity promises an engaging way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

Explore the breathtaking Vjosa River Valley on a scenic bike ride through one of Europe’s last wild rivers. Perfect for nature lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts, this relaxing experience combines peaceful riverside cycling, mountain views, and authentic local landscapes away from crowded tourist areas. Enjoy fresh air, beautiful photo stops, and a unique connection with the untouched beauty of southern Albania.

Rafting Vjosa in Permet Albania is unique because it takes place on Europe’s last wild river, where the Vjosa River flows freely through untouched landscapes. Unlike regulated rivers, rafting Vjosa offers a natural and authentic experience, making rafting in Permet one of the most special outdoor activities in Albania. Operating since 2012, we are the first rafting company in the Vjosa Valley, providing a well-organized and safe rafting Vjosa experience with certified local guides, modern equipment, and a dedicated rafting center in Permet.

Experience the thrill of rafting on Europe’s last wild rivers during this full-day shared excursion in Vjosa National Park. Departing from Gjirokaster, you’ll enjoy an invigorating rafting adventure in a group capped at only 16 people. After free time for a fresh fish lunch (at your own expense), you’ll also get to soak in the thermal pools of Benje or explore Langarica Canyon on foot before returning to Gjirokaster.

This Albanian cooking class in Gjirokaster is perfect for food lovers, travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience, and anyone interested in learning to cook traditional Albanian recipes in a fun, hands-on environment. Join a hands-on Albanian cooking class on a terrace in historic Gjirokaster. Learn to prepare three traditional dishes using simple, beginner-friendly recipes. Cook local favorites like Gjirokaster rice balls, cornbread, and halva. Enjoy a warm, communal atmosphere and interactive atmosphere. Sit down together for a shared meal and taste the dishes you’ve created, served with a glass of raki or wine.

Funky Guest House and Adventures believes that traveling is the best investment and to make your holiday enjoyable and unforgettable, they organize various 4x4 Safari trips around national park in the region of Përmet. This is the most adventures and fun way to visit the natural beauties, the cultural monuments, the characteristic villages, and meet amazing people. The region of Përmet is blessed because of the landscape, historical and cultural heritage - as is surrounded by high mountains, blue rivers, green hills, amazing national parks, beautiful canyons, hot thermal baths, characteristic villages, old churches, wonderful stone bridges, friendly people, and delicious organic food. We also will visit the Kamincka & Lengarica canyon and thermal waters - one of the most visited attractions in the south of Albania. After the trip, you can enjoy the thermal baths, relax in the pools and explore the canyon. An experience that you will take with you...

In this experience you have the opportunity to dress up in the traditional costumes of the southern region and have one hour to walk up around the bazaar and shoot your best memories. Have a small chat with Elida Zhulati, our Artisan of the traditional costumes and learn a bit more about our intangible heritage. Then dress up in those costumes and get the attention of every visitor in the town while walking on them in the bazaar. You can also order yours and we ship it to your home after we sew it for you.

Rafting Vjosa in Permet Albania is unique because it takes place on Europe’s last wild river, where the Vjosa River flows freely through untouched landscapes. Unlike regulated rivers, rafting Vjosa offers a natural and authentic experience, making rafting in Permet one of the most special outdoor activities in Albania. Operating since 2012, we are the first rafting company in the Vjosa Valley, providing a well-organized and safe rafting Vjosa experience with certified local guides, modern equipment, and a dedicated rafting center in Permet.

Experience the Vjosa River the traditional way with an authentic tubing activity in the heart of Vjosa River National Park, Përmet. Unlike rafting or kayaking, our experience uses **traditional rubber inner tubes**, offering a simple, fun, and refreshing way to connect with one of Europe's last wild rivers. What makes our activity special is its authenticity. Tubing is an old-school way of enjoying the river, bringing you closer to the water as you float through beautiful natural landscapes, surrounded by mountains and untouched wilderness. A professional local guide accompanies the group in a kayak, providing assistance and ensuring a well-organized experience. Small groups, quality safety equipment, and personal attention make the activity even more enjoyable. This isn't just another river activity. It's a chance to experience the Vjosa in its simplest, most traditional form.