🏰✨ Solo Time Traveler’s Dream: Gjirokastër Castle – Albania’s Stone Giant

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#balkanshiddengem

For solo adventurers craving medieval grandeur with wild Balkan energy, this hilltop fortress offers:

Why Solo?

✔ Ghostly Exploration – Wander underground Cold War bunkers and Ottoman prisons alone
✔ Panoramic Views – The entire Drina Valley unfolds beneath your feet
✔ Local Encounters – Chat with castle caretakers who share incredible stories

Must-See Secrets

🛩️ The Captured US Spy Plane

· Cold War relic displayed in the weapons museum
· Climb inside for eerie solo photos

⚔️ Ottoman Clock Tower

· Best spot for golden hour over "Stone City"
· Original 1811 mechanism still (sort of) works

🧱 The Prison Tunnels

· Bring a flashlight to explore Zog-era cells
· Find hidden inscriptions from communist prisoners

Perfect Solo Visit

🌅 Early Morning (8AM Open)

· Enter through the Gates of Ali Pasha
· Photograph empty stone pathways

☀️ Midday

· Visit the National Armaments Museum (included in ticket)
· Cool off in the covered bazaar below

🌇 Sunset

· Claim a stone perch near the Venetian cannon collection
· Listen for the evening call to prayer echoing up from town

Pro Tips:
✔ 500 Lek Entry (~€4) includes all areas
✔ Wear sturdy shoes – the limestone is treacherously smooth
✔ Visit Tuesday-Thursday to avoid weekend crowds

Hidden Gem: The castle’s forgotten western wall – perfect for solitude with a view

Did You Know? This fortress appeared in 1960s Albanian spy films as a "Turkish stronghold"!

Solo Bonus: The nearby Zekate House (19th-century tower) offers intimate Ottoman-era immersion

Getting There:

· From Tirana: 4-hour furgon (shared van) to Gjirokastër
· On-site: 20-minute uphill walk from the bazaar (follow the stone steps)

Perfect For: 2-3 hours of solo exploration. The castle cats make excellent companions! 🐈 #soloalbania

⚠️ Note: Some tunnels are unlit – phone flashlight works but a headlamp is better