Your stay — Relax
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The Property — Relax
The Relax is a straightforward three-star spot on the main boulevard, with tidy rooms and a small rooftop terrace that gives you a view of the castle. It is a practical base for travellers who want an ok night’s sleep and a decent breakfast without frills. The lobby is functional, tiled, with a reception desk that doubles as a souvenir counter. Suits budget-conscious couples or solo hikers who arrive in the afternoon and head straight out to explore.
Chronicles of Gjirokaster
Gjirokastër is a UNESCO World Heritage site built around a 12th-century fortress that now houses a museum of Albanian folk history. The city developed under Ottoman rule and is famous for its distinctive stone-roofed towers, called kullas, which give it a fortress-like skyline. After the 1960s, it became the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’ as modernist apartment blocks appeared among the old quarters. Today it retains a quiet, scholarly air, partly because it is the birthplace of writer Ismail Kadare, whose novels are set in these same cobbled streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Gjirokaster guide →Best months
May and September offer clear skies and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s °C, good for exploring the old town without the July crush.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak for sun-seekers and for the National Folklore Festival, held every five years (next in 2028) but smaller events still happen. Hotel prices double, so book months ahead; streets are crowded with day-trippers from Sarandë and the Albanian Riviera coast.
Budget shoulder season
June and October give you mild weather (22-25 °C), fewer tourists and room rates about 30% cheaper than July. October can be wetter, but the castle views in low sun are worth it.
Weather & packing
Gjirokastër sits at 300 m elevation, so it is cooler and breezier than the coast; after July heat, bring a light jacket for the evening. Pack sturdy waterproof walking shoes – the old town’s cobbles are slippery when wet and there is no flat pavement anywhere near the bazaar.
Live City Briefing — Gjirokaster
- A major upgrade to the Rruga Sali Çeka boulevard (the main road past the hotel) has been completed, so there is less construction dust and noise than in 2025.
- The Gjirokastër Bazaar reopened its restored western arcade in April 2026, with new craft workshops that sell local stone carving and filigree.
- City water supply is still intermittent in July – the Relax usually keeps a reserve tank, but pack a refillable bottle and expect short cut-offs in the afternoon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Relax, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the building (mountain side). These rooms get the best light and are farthest from street noise on the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor or facing the main street – the road is a primary route for local traffic and can get busy, especially in summer evenings.
Best views
Rooms on the front side have a direct view of the old bazaar and the castle – the reason people come here – but come with traffic rumble. Back rooms look over rooftops to the hills, quieter and still pleasant.
Quietest floors
Third floor and above are quietest – higher floors insulate from street-level bustle and the reception area.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road through Gjirokaster – not constant but trucks and buses early morning and late afternoon. Also occasional bar music from a taverna across the street.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the third floor facing the back if you need sleep – the hill views are still nice. If you want the castle view, take earplugs; the view is worth it. Check-in tends to be quick after 14:00; parking is on the street but usually free after 18:00.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Relax
Free WiFi throughout with a guest login; typical speed around 20 Mbps, adequate for streaming.
No lift. The hotel is in a restored Ottoman stone building with stairs-only access to all floors.
No digital newsstand. No physical newspapers provided. The hotel is a typical Ottoman-era tower house (kullë) with thick stone walls and a wooden terrace.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00 at no charge. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 20 EUR, subject to availability.
Free storage before check-in and after check-out, no time limit.
A single step at the main entrance (10 cm). No wheelchair-accessible rooms; the property has narrow doorways and stairs. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-street parking available immediately outside the hotel on a first-come basis. Nearest public car park is 200 m away at 'Parking Sheshi i Pazarit', 5 EUR per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required to secure reservation; at check-in, a 50 EUR card hold is taken for incidentals and released at checkout.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- 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)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Muza Ime Musine Kokalari — 180 m · ~2 min walk
Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar i Gjirokastrës — 493 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
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
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices — they take a big cut.
Cards work in most hotels, supermarkets, and decent restaurants in town, but many small cafes, street vendors, and rural taxis only take cash, so keep lek on you.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% if service is good. Taxis: round to the nearest 100 lek. Hotel staff: 100-200 lek for a porter or maid.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso or a macchiato at a local bar — runs around 50-80 lek.
A byrek (savory pie) and a drink from a bakery — about 120-200 lek.
A main course of grilled meat or pasta at a modest restaurant — roughly 500-800 lek.
Bake shops near the bazaar and the main pedestrian street sell byrek, qofte (meatballs), and sandwiches for quick cheap eats.
Conad, Eurospar, and Big Market are common budget supermarkets in Gjirokaster.
The bazaar (Old Town market street) has stalls and small shops with affordable, local-style clothing; otherwise, hit the chain stores on the main boulevard toward the new town.
Walking is best — the old town is compact and steep. For longer trips, local furgons (minibuses) to other towns cost 200-400 lek. No airport in Gjirokaster; the nearest is Tirana, then a furgon here (about 1200-1500 lek).
Eat lunch like a local from bakeries rather than sit-down restaurants. Stay in a guesthouse (private room) outside the citadel area for lower prices. Carry a water bottle — tap water is safe in Gjirokaster.
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 Relax
🕒 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 →Getting Around
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.
About Gjirokaster
Wikipedia ↗
Gjirokastër (Albanian: [ɟiɾoˈkastəɾ, -tɾa], Albanian definite form: Gjirokastra) is a city in southern Albania and the seat of Gjirokastër County and Gjirokastër Municipality. It is located in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino, at 300 metres above sea level. Its old town is a UNESCO...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Relax?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the building (mountain side). These rooms get the best light and are farthest from street noise on the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Relax?
Avoid rooms on the first floor or facing the main street – the road is a primary route for local traffic and can get busy, especially in summer evenings.
Is Relax noisy?
Street noise from the main road through Gjirokaster – not constant but trucks and buses early morning and late afternoon. Also occasional bar music from a taverna across the street.
Which rooms have the best views at Relax?
Rooms on the front side have a direct view of the old bazaar and the castle – the reason people come here – but come with traffic rumble. Back rooms look over rooftops to the hills, quieter and still pleasant.
What are insider tips for staying at Relax?
Ask for a room on the third floor facing the back if you need sleep – the hill views are still nice. If you want the castle view, take earplugs; the view is worth it. Check-in tends to be quick after 14:00; parking is on the street but usually free after 18:00.
What time is check-in at Relax?
Check-in at Relax is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Relax have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout with a guest login; typical speed around 20 Mbps, adequate for streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Relax?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Relax?
A byrek (savory pie) and a drink from a bakery — about 120-200 lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Relax?
Walking is best — the old town is compact and steep. For longer trips, local furgons (minibuses) to other towns cost 200-400 lek. No airport in Gjirokaster; the nearest is Tirana, then a furgon here (about 1200-1500 lek).
When is the best time to visit Gjirokaster?
May and September offer clear skies and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s °C, good for exploring the old town without the July crush.
Top Attractions in 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.