Tours & tickets
The cold war tunnel

The cold war tunnel: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Saranda: Gjirokastra Stone City & Blue Eye Day Trip

From Saranda: Gjirokastra Stone City & Blue Eye Day Trip

Explore the city of Gjirokastra on an exciting day trip from Saranda. Begin your journey by arriving at Gjirokastra Castle for a one-hour tour of the historic fortress. Walk through the fascinating Old Bazaar and make your way to the Cold War Tunnel, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating site for 30 minutes. Then take a leisurely stroll back to the Old Bazaar, where you will have 30–60 minutes free time to explore the local souvenir shops or enjoy a delicious lunch. Visit Skenduli House, a magnificent 300-year-old museum house and learn all about the local culture for another 30 minutes. Finally, head to the stunning Blue Eye Nature Park, where you'll walk a 1.2 km trail to see the exquisite springs. Enjoy an exciting and informative way to explore the treasures of the city of Gjirokastra.

From Tirana: Gjirokastër Castle, Cold War Tunnel & Bazaar

From Tirana: Gjirokastër Castle, Cold War Tunnel & Bazaar

Embark on a scenic journey from Tirana to GjirokastĂ«r, known as the "City of Stone." Along the way, enjoy a relaxing coffee stop at a local cafĂ© in Lushnje and Tepelene, taking in the peaceful countryside. Upon arrival in GjirokastĂ«r, begin your exploration at the impressive GjirokastĂ«r Castle, a massive fortress offering stunning panoramic views of the Drino Valley. Within the castle, visit the National Museum of Armaments, which showcases Albania’s military history, including weapons from World War II and the Cold War era. Next, delve into the Cold War Tunnel, an underground bunker built during Enver Hoxha’s regime, revealing Albania’s past in a unique and immersive way. Continue your journey through the Old Bazaar, where you’ll have free time to wander the stone-paved streets, admire the Ottoman-era architecture, and shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant, savoring authentic dishes such as Qifqi (rice balls) and Pasha Qofte (meatball soup). After a fulfilling experience, relax on the scenic drive back to Tirana, arriving in the evening.

4 activities found

Traveling now? See what’s available for your dates

Top activities in Gjirokaster

146 activities found
Sort by:

The cold war tunnel: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Saranda: Gjirokastra Stone City & Blue Eye Day Trip

From Saranda: Gjirokastra Stone City & Blue Eye Day Trip

Explore the city of Gjirokastra on an exciting day trip from Saranda. Begin your journey by arriving at Gjirokastra Castle for a one-hour tour of the historic fortress. Walk through the fascinating Old Bazaar and make your way to the Cold War Tunnel, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating site for 30 minutes. Then take a leisurely stroll back to the Old Bazaar, where you will have 30–60 minutes free time to explore the local souvenir shops or enjoy a delicious lunch. Visit Skenduli House, a magnificent 300-year-old museum house and learn all about the local culture for another 30 minutes. Finally, head to the stunning Blue Eye Nature Park, where you'll walk a 1.2 km trail to see the exquisite springs. Enjoy an exciting and informative way to explore the treasures of the city of Gjirokastra.

From Tirana: Gjirokastër Castle, Cold War Tunnel & Bazaar

From Tirana: Gjirokastër Castle, Cold War Tunnel & Bazaar

Embark on a scenic journey from Tirana to GjirokastĂ«r, known as the "City of Stone." Along the way, enjoy a relaxing coffee stop at a local cafĂ© in Lushnje and Tepelene, taking in the peaceful countryside. Upon arrival in GjirokastĂ«r, begin your exploration at the impressive GjirokastĂ«r Castle, a massive fortress offering stunning panoramic views of the Drino Valley. Within the castle, visit the National Museum of Armaments, which showcases Albania’s military history, including weapons from World War II and the Cold War era. Next, delve into the Cold War Tunnel, an underground bunker built during Enver Hoxha’s regime, revealing Albania’s past in a unique and immersive way. Continue your journey through the Old Bazaar, where you’ll have free time to wander the stone-paved streets, admire the Ottoman-era architecture, and shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant, savoring authentic dishes such as Qifqi (rice balls) and Pasha Qofte (meatball soup). After a fulfilling experience, relax on the scenic drive back to Tirana, arriving in the evening.

Other Sightseeing Options in The cold war tunnel

Want to discover all there is to do in The cold war tunnel? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about The cold war tunnel

Overall rating

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
(83 reviews)
5
5 out of 5 stars

It was perfect!! We were lucky, there were only two of us, so we got a private tour with a local guide who was patient, very knowledgeable, and spoke French (which she speaks very well, even if she won't admit it 😉). Please note if you are coming from the Greek islands. Take the time difference into account. We got caught out and left very early, only to end up being late. Fortunately, the guide and driver kindly waited for us 🙏 Thank you again, it was a wonderful day, we'll be back to Albania to discover more of this beautiful country!!

5
5 out of 5 stars

The guide, Marsia, was knowledgeable, friendly and flexible. We were taken to places we had not anticipated that were interesting and worth visiting. We had expected a pleasant and informative tour, and were provided with a much more interesting and quality experience.

5
5 out of 5 stars

This trip was superb from start to finish. It was really easy to book - which we did at quite short notice. Our guide was really knowledgeable and friendly and made the day fun and run smoothly. The trip was the highlight of our holiday.

5
5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the whole experience, the guide Maria was really knowledgeable and local so was very patient with the questions . Though it took more time but I loved it .it was all about worth it . Thanks you

5
5 out of 5 stars

The tour was incredible, and was made even more unique by our guide Marsia, who was so warm, insightful and accommodating. We cannot recommend this experience more highly.