Kalemi 2 places travellers inside the Old Bazaar; Hotel Argjiro is beside Çerçiz Topulli Square. We compare access, views, breakfast and the practical realities of a cobbled, hilly historic centre.

Where to stay in Gjirokastër to explore the bazaar and castle on foot?

Gjirokastër cannot be understood from an avenue: its historic centre climbs a hillside towards the castle, with stone houses and grey roofs that earned it the name Stone City. UNESCO includes it with Berat among the best-preserved Ottoman ensembles and highlights its seventeenth-century two-storey houses, bazaar and citadel. Choosing where to sleep also determines how much uphill walking each day requires and where to leave a car or luggage: uneven paving and steep streets are part of the itinerary here, not a minor detail.

Hotel Kalemi 2 sits inside the Old Bazaar, about 200 metres from Çerçiz Topulli Square, the mosque and historic hammam. Its restored traditional house retains carved wooden ceilings and has different room types, some with a balcony, fireplace or views towards the castle. A panoramic terrace, bar, breakfast and free parking add convenience. Guests often praise the building’s character, service and views; check vehicle access if arriving with luggage, as the lanes are narrow and cobbled.

Hotel Argjiro is beside Çerçiz Topulli Square, between the lower centre and streets climbing towards the monuments. It has seven rooms, a restaurant, bar, garden, continental or buffet breakfast and a 24-hour reception according to the municipal portal. Reviews value its position, cleanliness, breakfast and views; some mention small rooms or delays before rooms are ready. Public information disagrees on its category: the municipal portal lists four stars and Google Hotels three. Confirm directly what is included in the booking.

From both addresses, visitors can link the bazaar, traditional houses open to the public, Ethnographic Museum and castle climb, although the elevation changes with the starting point. Kalemi 2 favours a walk through the old trading core; Argjiro is easier to orient from a recognised square and offers dining in the building. Neither removes the climb to the fortress. Wear shoes with good grip, allow time for the slopes and confirm parking, room type and arrival hours before travelling.

The listings checked showed 4.6/5 from 358 reviews for Kalemi 2 and 4.3/5 from 273 for Argjiro. Booking also showed 9.1/10 from 776 reviews for the first property, a separate measure that should not be mixed with Google. The useful distinction is the experience: bazaar and terrace at Kalemi 2 versus a square, garden and restaurant at Argjiro. Choose the address that suits your tolerance for hills and luggage logistics.

Bottom line

Kalemi 2 places you inside the Old Bazaar, while Argjiro gives you a base beside a recognised square with a restaurant. Compare the uphill routes and plan parking and luggage before arrival.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

Three-star hotel in a traditional house in Gjirokastër Old Bazaar

Hotel Kalemi 2

Rruga Alqi Kondi, 6001 Gjirokastër, Albania

4.6 /5 358 reviews

Hotel Kalemi 2 sits inside the Old Bazaar, the traditional trading quarter below Gjirokastër fortress. The local tourism portal places it about 200 metres from Çerçiz Topulli Square, the mosque and the old hammam; the castle and historic houses can be reached on foot along cobbled streets. Its main

Why it made the selection

Panoramic terrace, carved ceilings, a bar and parking

Hours: The local tourism portal lists a 24-hour reception; confirm your arrival time with the property. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Hotel with a restaurant and breakfast beside Çerçiz Topulli Square

Hotel Argjiro

Rruga Gjin Zenebisi, plaza Çerçiz Topulli, 6001 Gjirokastër, Albania

4.3 /5 273 reviews

Hotel Argjiro occupies a corner of Çerçiz Topulli Square, where the contemporary centre begins to climb towards the Old Bazaar and castle. The municipal tourism portal describes it as a small property with seven rooms and views towards the bazaar. Its limited scale gives it a different feel from a l

Why it made the selection

Bazaar views, a restaurant, garden and soundproofed rooms

Hours: 24-hour reception; the local portal lists check-in from 2:00 pm to 11:30 pm and check-out by 11:00 am. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

Official website of Hotel Kalemi 2 ↗ Primary source Gjirokastra Tourism · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hotel Kalemi 2 ↗ Primary source Kalemi Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hotel Kalemi 2 ↗ Primary source UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hotel Argjiro ↗ Primary source Gjirokastra Tourism · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hotel Argjiro ↗ Primary source UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hotel Argjiro ↗ Primary source Gjirokastra Tourism · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Gjirokastra Tourism · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Gjirokastra Tourism · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Kalemi Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Kalemi 2 Hotel, Alqi Kondi ↗ Secondary source Google Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
4,6/5 en 358 opiniones y etiqueta de tres estrellas; consultada 11/10/2026.
Kalemi 2 Hotel, comentarios de Booking ↗ Secondary source Booking.com · Accessed October 11, 2026
La sede de Rruga Alqi Kondi mostraba 9,1/10 en 776 comentarios; escala diferente a Google, consultada 11/10/2026.
Hotel Argjiro, Rruga Gjin Zenebisi ↗ Secondary source Google Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
4,3/5 en 273 opiniones; Google lo etiqueta tres estrellas. Consultada 11/10/2026.
Comentarios de huéspedes ↗ Secondary source Google reviews via Wanderlog · Accessed October 11, 2026
Síntesis de opiniones sobre habitación, desayuno, atención y ubicación; consultada 11/10/2026.
Kalemi 2 Hotel, Google Hotels ↗ Secondary source Google Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
4,6/5 en 358 opiniones, 11/10/2026.
Hotel Argjiro, Google Hotels ↗ Secondary source Google Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
4,3/5 en 273 opiniones, 11/10/2026.
Hotel Kalemi 2, Booking.com ↗ Secondary source Booking.com · Accessed October 11, 2026
9,1/10 en 776 comentarios, escala independiente, 11/10/2026.