If you’re visiting Gjirokastër, the Bazaar is where you’ll want to spend the most time. Right in the center of the city, it’s the perfect place to wander on foot, explore cobbled streets, and get a feel for the mix of history and everyday life that makes Gjirokastër so special.

Here you’ll find restaurants, souvenir shops, bars, and cafés all tucked into stone buildings. A few highlights I’d recommend:

• Te Kube: a nice café with a unique design (and a sound tunnel experience).

• Restaurant Tradicional Odaja: one of the best spots for traditional Albanian food in town.

• Komiteti: a vintage-themed bar to try different flavors of raki.

• Bukowski Bar: a relaxed spot for a drink with friends.

For something a bit more cultural, stop by Pirpiri, where you can see and even try on traditional Albanian clothing, or check out Experience Gjirokastra, which organizes guided tours of the city and trips to nearby sites like Ali Pasha’s Bridge.

When it comes to staying overnight, I always suggest booking a hotel close to the Bazaar. Since it’s the heart of Gjirokastër, you’ll be within walking distance of most of the city’s highlights. Plus, it’s the most atmospheric place to wake up and step outside.