Built by large landowners, the city of Gjirokastër is structured around an ancient 13th century citadel and is an important cultural center of Albania. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its impressive Ottoman architecture and the way it has preserved its cultural heritage over the centuries.

One of the main attractions of Gjirokastra is its old town, known as "the citadel". The old town of Gjirokastër is full of beautiful traditional stone-built houses, known as kullë, of Turkish origin and characteristic of the Balkan region. These houses have tiled roofs and carved wooden windows, and some of them date back to the 18th century. A typical kullë consists of a first floor, a second floor for winter living and a second floor with balconies made of wood for the summer season. The interior decoration is usually very ornate with paintings of floral motifs.

In addition to the beautiful network of narrow streets where the impressive traditional Ottoman houses stand, the Gjirokastër Castle is another of the main attractions of the city. The fortress sits atop the hill, with panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area. Although only ruins remain of what was the medieval fortification, it is the second largest castle in the entire Balkan peninsula.

The fortress is believed to have been built around the 3rd century AD and has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the centuries. Crowned by a beautiful clock tower, the castle is home to the Museum of Weapons, a military museum with weaponry from different eras, most notably an American Air Force plane on display inside. Under the castle there is an anti-nuclear tunnel dating from the socialist era.

Another important tourist attraction in Gjirokastër is the house of the poet Ismail Kadaré, one of Albania's most important writers. The house has been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and work, and has a large collection of his books, photographs and personal items.

The Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastër, located in one of the traditional houses, is in the district of Palorto, the best preserved district of the old town. The building corresponds to the house of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, who ruled Albania between 1944 and 1985.

The museum has a large collection of traditional Albanian artifacts and objects, as well as a display of the life and customs of the city's inhabitants over the centuries. Intricate wood carvings and authentic costumes are reminiscent of Ottoman culture.

Other places of interest in Gjirokastër include an old bazaar, where it is possible to buy typical products of the region, a mosque dating from the sixteenth century and two churches of the eighteenth century. Another highlight is the obelisk of Gjirokastër, a monument erected in the first decade of the twentieth century as a symbol of education in Albania, a place from which it is also possible to contemplate magnificent views of the city.

Due to its architectural charm, Gjirokastër was declared a City-Museum during the socialist era, as it represents one of the best preserved models of an Ottoman city.

Gjirokastër is, in short, a fascinating and unique city that offers visitors an authentic experience of Albania, and establishes itself as a well-preserved testimony of the Ottoman people, whose cultural influence was maintained for almost five centuries in the region.

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