Gjirokastër Castle Attracts 300,000 Visitors in Ten Months

Gjirokastër Castle welcomed 300,000 domestic and foreign visitors between January and October 2026. Visitor numbers rose by 6.5% compared with the same period in 2025.
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared the latest figures and reported a 10.5% increase in revenue over the same period last year.
“Between January and October 2026, 300,000 domestic and foreign visitors explored the history and heritage of this iconic monument. Visitor numbers increased by 6.5%, while revenue grew by 10.5% compared with the previous year,” Gonxhja said.
Gjirokastër Castle ranks among Albania’s most important historical and cultural monuments. It also attracts large numbers of domestic and international tourists to the historic city. The castle houses the National Museum of Armaments, which opened in 1971 and displays weapons from different historical periods.
The fortress stands on a hill overlooking the city, at an altitude of approximately 370 metres above sea level, near Mali i Gjerë. Meanwhile, growing visitor numbers continue to strengthen Gjirokastër’s position as one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations.



