Votre séjour — Old Bazaar 1790
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La propriété — Old Bazaar 1790
Old Bazaar 1790 sits on the cobbled lane of Gjirokaster’s old bazaar, a restored Ottoman stone house with thick walls and wooden balconies. Its lobby feels like a snug, candle-lit cellar with arched doorways and a fireplace; the smell of coffee and damp stone lingers. This is a place for travellers who want authentic, unpolished character rather than modern luxury – the kind where you climb creaky stairs and share a bathroom. It suits soloists, backpackers, and history buffs who value location over amenities.
Chroniques de Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster was founded in the 4th century BC as a fortified Illyrian settlement, but its Ottoman-era character dates from the 18th and 19th centuries when it became a trade hub. The city’s stone houses with slate roofs earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005, and its 13th-century castle dominates the skyline. Under the communist regime, it was the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, and the town still feels frozen in that era – shuttered shops, grey concrete, and a palpable wariness of the past. Today it’s a quiet tourist stop for its ‘Stone City’ architecture and the nearby Blue Eye spring, though the bazaar remains sleepy outside summer weekends.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Gjirokaster →Meilleurs mois
May, June, September. Warm and sunny (20–28°C), with fewer tourists than July–August, and the castle museum is open without queues.
Peak / Festival surge
July–August. Temperatures hit 35°C, and the town swells with Albanian diaspora visiting on summer holidays. Hotel prices double; Old Bazaar 1790’s rooms book out by March. The Gjirokaster National Folklore Festival (every 5 years, next in 2027) also drives crowds.
La saison des épaules
April and October. Days are mild (15–20°C), but nights drop to 10°C. Rain is possible; room rates drop 30–40% compared to peak summer.
Météo & Emballage
Gjirokaster sits at 300m elevation, so summer afternoons are hot but evenings cool quickly. Pack a lightweight jacket and sturdy walking shoes – the steep, uneven cobbles are treacherous after rain.
Briefing de la ville — Gjirokaster
- The main road from Saranda to Gjirokaster (SH4) is undergoing partial resurfacing through August 2026; expect 15–30 minute delays near the Qafa e Muzina pass.
- The Gjirokaster Castle museum now accepts card payments for entry (300 lek/€3), though cash is still preferred for the on-site armory exhibit.
- A new daily bus service from Tirana to Gjirokaster started in May 2026, operated by ‘Albanian Express’, leaving at 7 AM and returning at 4 PM – tickets 1200 lek one-way.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Old Bazaar 1790, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from Rruga Astrit Karagjozi. These upper floors minimise street-level disturbance and offer a better chance of a quiet night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those overlooking the street. Ground-level rooms here pick up traffic and foot noise from Rruga Astrit Karagjozi.
Best views
Rooms at the back (away from the street) likely face the old bazaar lanes or castle hill, offering classic Gjirokaster stone-roof views. Front rooms look onto Rruga Astrit Karagjozi and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest, assuming the hotel has 4 floors (typical for a 3-star in this town).
🔊 Noise notes
Rruga Astrit Karagjozi is a main access road into the old town, so expect vehicle noise from early morning until late evening, with occasional motorcycle exhausts. The old bazaar area can have bar or restaurant chatter spilling out until midnight in summer.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask reception for parking guidance—the street is narrow and public parking fills fast. 2. Request a back-facing room at least 2 days in advance; the hotel has limited quiet rooms because of its roadside position.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hôtel Facilités — Old Bazaar 1790
Free, fair (approx 10 Mbps) throughout. No login – network: OldBazaar1790, password on check-in card
No lift. Three-storey building, all rooms accessed by stone stairs. No ground-floor guest rooms
No newspaper or digital newsstand. The building is an 18th-century Ottoman tower house – original stone walls, carved wooden ceilings, restored cobbled courtyard
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 09:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 half-night charge. Reception hours 07:00–22:00 (winter 08:00–20:00). After-hours arrival by pre-arranged code
Free, on request. Storage room monitored by CCTV
Not wheelchair accessible. Street entrance up two steps; no ramp. No step-free access anywhere. Narrow corridors and low doorways
No on-site parking. Public free parking (unmarked) on Rruga Astrit Karagjozi, limited. Paid secure car park (Parking Qyteti 2) 150 m south, ALL 500 per night. No EV charging
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: ALL 100 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full amount charged 7 days before arrival; refundable damage hold of ALL 2,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary à proximité
- Mosque: Xhamia e Gjirokastrës (125 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Xhamia e Teqes (164 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Xhamia Palorto (357 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Mitropolia (676 m · ~8 min walk)
Style de vie et récréation
Muza Ime Musine Kokalari — 180 m · ~2 min walk
Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar i Gjirokastrës — 493 m · ~6 min walk
5 minutes de radios essentielles
Nearest — 106 m · ~1 min walk
Bujar Shehu — 154 m · ~2 min walk
Mini Market Pazar — 215 m · ~3 min walk
Bashkia Gjirokaster — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Exchange euros or dollars at any bank or exchange office in Gjirokaster; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards work in larger shops, hotels, and some restaurants in the centre; cash is still king at markets, smaller cafes, and for taxis.
Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants; not expected in taxis but appreciated; a couple hundred lek for hotel cleaners if staying multiple nights.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso or filter coffee at a local bar or bakery: about 50-100 lek.
A byrek (savoury pie) or sandwich from a bakery with a drink: around 200-300 lek.
Grilled meat or a pasta dish at a traditional restaurant main: roughly 400-600 lek.
Bakery windows and stalls near the bazaar or main square selling byrek, qofte, and roasted corn.
Supermarkets like Big Market or small neighbourhood mini-markets near Rruga Astrit Karagjozi.
Market stalls and small shops in the old bazaar for budget clothing and accessories.
Walking is the best way around the old town; minibuses (furgons) between cities cost 300-500 lek for a short hop; from Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana city centre then a furgon to Gjirokaster (total around 1000 lek).
Eat at bakeries and market stalls for cheap breakfasts and snacks; carry cash for small purchases to avoid card surcharges; use public furgons rather than private taxis between towns.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Gjirokaster, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Old Bazaar 1790
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 106 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Bujar Shehu — 154 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
Gjirokaster Bus Station (South Terminal) → Hotel Eden, Old Town entrance
💡 Furgons drop you at the main square, not the hotel. It's a steep 5-minute uphill walk from there. If you have luggage, take a taxi instead.
Gjirokaster city centre → Hotel Eden
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in—drivers rarely use meters. A short hop from the bus station to Eden should cost no more than 400 Lek.
Tirana International Bus Terminal (South) → Gjirokaster Bus Station (East side)
💡 The bus drops you at the new station on the east side of town. From there, a taxi to Eden costs about €4. Bring water—the journey winds through mountains, no rest stops.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) → Hotel Eden, Gjirokaster
💡 Book through the hotel for a fixed rate around €90, or haggle with drivers outside arrivals. Avoid unofficial taxis in the terminal.
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Old Bazaar 1790?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from Rruga Astrit Karagjozi. These upper floors minimise street-level disturbance and offer a better chance of a quiet night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Old Bazaar 1790?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those overlooking the street. Ground-level rooms here pick up traffic and foot noise from Rruga Astrit Karagjozi.
Is Old Bazaar 1790 noisy?
Rruga Astrit Karagjozi is a main access road into the old town, so expect vehicle noise from early morning until late evening, with occasional motorcycle exhausts. The old bazaar area can have bar or restaurant chatter spilling out until midnight in summer.
Which rooms have the best views at Old Bazaar 1790?
Rooms at the back (away from the street) likely face the old bazaar lanes or castle hill, offering classic Gjirokaster stone-roof views. Front rooms look onto Rruga Astrit Karagjozi and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Old Bazaar 1790?
1. If you drive, ask reception for parking guidance—the street is narrow and public parking fills fast. 2. Request a back-facing room at least 2 days in advance; the hotel has limited quiet rooms because of its roadside position.
What time is check-in at Old Bazaar 1790?
Check-in at Old Bazaar 1790 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Old Bazaar 1790 have Wi-Fi?
Free, fair (approx 10 Mbps) throughout. No login – network: OldBazaar1790, password on check-in card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Old Bazaar 1790?
ALL 100 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Old Bazaar 1790?
A byrek (savoury pie) or sandwich from a bakery with a drink: around 200-300 lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Old Bazaar 1790?
Walking is the best way around the old town; minibuses (furgons) between cities cost 300-500 lek for a short hop; from Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana city centre then a furgon to Gjirokaster (total around 1000 lek).
When is the best time to visit Gjirokaster?
May, June, September. Warm and sunny (20–28°C), with fewer tourists than July–August, and the castle museum is open without queues.
Principales attractions à Gjirokaster
💡 Pick up a small bag of dried figs or mountain tea for under £1. The shopkeepers haggle, so try if you're buying more than one item.
💡 Bring an empty bottle to refill—the water is excellent. The path from the centre is a gentle 15-minute downhill walk back up takes longer.
💡 Ask the caretaker to show you the hidden escape tunnel—few visitors know about it. Allow 30 minutes max.
💡 Go late afternoon when it's quieter and the light is good for photos. The walk up is steep; wear proper shoes.
💡 The owner lives on site and will show you around in Albanian with good-natured hand gestures. It's worth it for the double-tower facade view.