Gjirokastra is one of Albania’s most beautiful and historic cities, leading to its recognition by UNESCO. It’s known for traditional Ottoman-era architecture, the Old Bazaar and the castle with its American spy plane.
In winter, the Gjirokastra Christmas Market and the Lights Festival are the most popular events. Read on for dates and what to expect.
Gjirokastra Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Unconfirmed
Gjirokaster Lights Festival dates: 20th December 2024 to 6th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in November. Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Çerçiz Topulli Square and the Old Bazaar.
Opening times: 10am to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Take a walking tour of the Ottoman-era Old Town. Includes a visit to the Old Bazaar and Cfaka neighbourhood.
Public transport: Buses are available.
Parking: Please walk to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Take a day trip to Blue Eye, Saranda or Butrint National Park.
Where to stay: Hotel Kastro is a highly-rated hotel, 3-minutes from the square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: The incredibly scenic location and historic UNESCO-listed old town.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, some options.
Vegan: Limited options.
Gluten-free: Ver limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialties: Oshaf dessert made with figs, sheeps milk and cinnamon. Locally brewed beer, turshi pickled vegetables.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes, if you can manage cobblestones.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
Gjirokaster has one of the most beautiful old towns in the country. Cobblestone streets wind past the old Ottoman-era buildings, many of which have now been restored. I recommend staying in one of these historic old buildings for a unique experience in this part of the world.
I would stay at Hotel Kastro, which is located in one of these old buildings. When you enter, you see traditional Albanian artisanal woodwork on the ceilings.
Recommended Tours
This is an interesting walking tour of the Ottoman-era Old Town, where you’ll visit sites like the Old Bazaar, Skenduli House, and the Castle of Gjirokastra.
Alternatively, you could try a traditional cooking class to discover the local culture through their delicious cuisine.
Event Location
From twinkling lights to festive foods, we love seeing your holiday adventures. Use #UltimateChristmasMarkets to share your moments with us!
What to Expect
Regional Specialties
- Qifqi: Small, fried balls made of rice and sometimes mixed with other ingredients such as herbs or cheese.
- Tave Elbasani: A casserole made with beef or lamb topped with a layer of yogurt and eggs.
- Japrak: Stuffed grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice and herbs.
- Speca te ferguara: Fried peppers stuffed with cheese or ground meat.
- Pasha qofte: Meatballs made with ground beef or lamb, mixed with rice, and boiled in a broth. They’re often served as part of a festive meal, such as during the holiday of Bayram.
- Baklava: Layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey syrup. It’s a classic Balkan dessert.
- Fërgesë: A simmered dish made with peppers, onions and tomatoes, mixed with feta cheese and baked in the oven. This is very easy to make at home once you know how!
- Kallamari i mbushur: Stuffed calamari served with garlic sauce.
- Byrek: The Balkans classic spinach pie.
Sustainability Tips and Ideas
- Shop intentionally and avoid purchasing items that you don’t need.
- Use eco-friendly transport options, such as walking, cycling, or public transport, to get around. This is very easy to do in Albania.
- Choose to stay at a sustainable hotel that uses renewable energy. Plenty of options in sunny Southern Albania.
- Refuse plastic products and packaging in favour of more sustainable alternatives. This is tricky as Albanians still find this to be an odd request. This is slowly changing though.
- When dining out, prioritise locally sourced and organic food. Almost everything is locally produced, so this is easy.
- Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products.
- Support the local arts scene by attending events and live music performances.
If you would like to leave a review of the Xmas Market, feel free to comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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