Gjirokastra UNESCO city and Ardenica full-day trip with pick-up
Excursions & day trips

Gjirokastra UNESCO city and Ardenica full-day trip with pick-up

from
£33.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 12 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • The tour offers a full-day exploration of southern Albania, including the Ardenica Monastery and Gjirokastra
  • You'll experience the tranquility of the 13th-century Ardenica Monastery, nestled amidst olive trees
  • There will be an opportunity to admire the monastery's frescoes and panoramic views over the Myzeqe plain
  • A visit to the historic town of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is included
  • You can discover local crafts, silver jewellery, textiles, and traditional shops in Gjirokastra's old bazaar
What to expect

Embark on a day-long adventure through southern Albania, taking in the serene Ardenica Monastery and the UNESCO-protected city of Gjirokastra. The journey commences with a scenic drive from either Tirana, Durrës, or Golem, offering views of the countryside and small towns along the way. As you travel, the tour guide will regale you with tales, legends, and insights into Albanian history and culture.

The first destination is the tranquil Ardenica Monastery. Nestled on a hill amidst olive trees, this 13th-century site provides a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. You'll have around half an hour to explore the monastery, admire its frescoes, and soak up panoramic views over the Myzeqe plain. This historic place is also known as the wedding venue of Skanderbeg.

From there, the journey continues to the historic town of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Ottoman architecture, stone houses, and steep cobbled streets. A guided walk through the old bazaar reveals local crafts, silver jewellery, textiles, and traditional shops. It's an ideal spot for photography and discovering the city’s distinctive character. Following the guided tour, you'll have some free time to visit a museum, savour a traditional lunch, or wander through the narrow streets of the "stone city."

As the afternoon draws to a close, you'll begin the return drive to Tirana, Durrës, or Golem, concluding a day rich in history, culture, and scenic vistas.

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What's included
  • check Guided tour
  • check Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
  • check Roundtrip transportation
  • check Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What's not included
  • x_not_included Personal expenses
  • x_not_included Food and beverages
Where
Meeting point:
You'll be picked up from your accommodation in Tirana, Durrës, or Golem. Please confirm the exact pick-up time and place directly with the local provider. You will find the contact details on the voucher after booking. If your hotel is outside the urban area, you need to come to a meeting point. You’ll receive the final details via email and WhatsApp the night before the tour.
What to remember

Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for people with walking problems

Not allowed:

  • Children under 3 years old

Know in advance:

  • Please note that from November to May, most museums, including the castle, may be closed on Mondays
  • On the tour day, all communication will be via WhatsApp, so please make sure your phone number is linked to WhatsApp and you have mobile data/roaming enabled
  • You’ll receive the final tour details via email and WhatsApp the night before the tour, between 10 pm and midnight. Pick-up times may slightly change depending on the schedule, so it’s very important to check the message of the local operator. If you’re asleep when they send the info, just check it in the morning to confirm your pick-up time
  • If you select the hotel pick-up option, please note that in some cases, you may be kindly asked to walk a short distance (1–10 minutes) to a nearby main street. This is usually due to certain hotels being located on narrow streets where buses cannot easily access
Read more
Provider
Smart Tour Albania
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

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