Stone City Hostel in Gjirokaster

Very clean rooms and bathrooms great value for money the breakfast was awesomeThanks to all the volunteers working here you guys are great

can’t say enough good things about this hostel!GREAT facilities, SO clean, beautiful interior, great common room, great atmosphere. the staff were beyond accommodating - they even made us a breakfast to bring on our morning bus! the breakfast is somehow lovely, too.such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. i’d go back to gjirokaster for this hostel alone.

The receptionist from Singapur is a lovely girl who explained the best places to visit and eat in Gjirokaster. She was really welcoming. The hostel was super clean and the interior design makes it even better. They also offered wash and dry service.

A hostel located at the foot of old town within minutes of groceries and restaurants. The owners and volunteers take great pride in how the run the hostel which is evident in the cleanliness of the bathroom, kitchen and outside eating areas. A free buffet breakfast is provided daily with tea/coffee, fruit, feta, bread, tomatoes and cucumber and a fried egg upon request. Breanna also makes amazing cakes/brownies/slices too! The owner runs daily activities at 5pm which brings people together and is a great way to meet others. Anything you need e.g. ideas for what to do, bus times, Albania itinerary ideas just ask Walter!

This is an exceptionally well-run social hostel, with daily activities and a great atmosphere. Walter, Breanna, Christina and other volunteers are helpful and welcoming for any questions you may have. Breakfast is very good: fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, cakes, tomato’s, cucumbers, spreads.Walter knows the area very well, and can also guide you to swim spots, hiking paths, restaurants and other attractions in the area.

Such a lovely place, beautiful patio area, good dorms, spotless bathrooms with a dry area for your clothes. What a difference that makes! Yummy breakfasts and great location. Social hostel but also quite relaxing, with a tortoise and puppy Buddy. I didnt use the kitchen but seemed fully equipped. Brenna, Walter and the 2 volunteers were so helpful and friendly. I felt very comfortable and homely there

This is honestly one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in. It is inside the old city and it’s perfectly situated to visit everything by foot. The rooms are very comfortable with drawers to put your belongings in. There are enough toilets and showers and they are always squeaky clean. There is a beautiful terrace and breakfast is delicious as well.The environment is welcoming and warm. The guests are respectful and polite and we met beautiful people.The owners, Wouter and Brin, are super nice and incredibly knowledgeable not only about the Gjirokaster area, but about Albania in general and they were always happy to share their insights with us.Do not hesitate to stay here, you won’t regret it!

Definitely a must-stay hostel in Gjirokastra! Well situated, extremely clean, well decorated, super nice volunteers and owner. The shared breakast made us feet at home.Even the beds are confortable, which is rare enough to be mentioned!(Ask if they still have Buddy the dog when you visit it)

By far one of the best hostels in Albania! The dorm rooms are cosy. The bathrooms are really clean and great showers! But my favourite thing was the free breakfast! I love that everyone sits around the table in the morning, the environment makes it so easy to meet other travellers. The terrace is also gorgeous and the hostel is really well located in town.

Awesome staff, solid breakfast, ridiculously clean and great general facilities. Outdoor space was nice and social in the evenings

Best hostel in Albania. They are so kind, they do activities all days, the breakfast is amazing, the atmosphere with other people was perfect, the rooms and bathrooms are very clean and well ready, the price is ok. I just can recommend this hostel and say faleminderit for hosting me.

Great hostel, well located, very clean and superb breakfast included

Everything you read here is true. The hostel is perfect and shouldn’t be missed if you are in Gjirokaster. Walter and the staff were so friendly and helpful. It’s a very social place, but not a party hostel for the young and drunk.I stayed in a private room with a dedicated bathroom, and it was the perfect mix of hotel and hostel.- very clean, recently renovated, and beautiful building- spacious, well appointed outdoor area.- kitchen and common areas cozy and inviting- perfect location in old town, right by all the restaurants- comfortable beds, AC, clean bathroomsAlso, don’t miss the free walking tour they do every day5/5

I would love to give more stars!!!Perfect stay!I am backpacking over 10 years and that was most probably the best "hostel" I have ever been. For my taste it is more like a boutique - hotel, just that you share your room with some more people...But from the very beginning: I was welcomed very friendly by the owner. After showing me around he was explaining the surrounding and giving suggestions for what to do... and was helping me out concerning my questions... furthermore he was offering a city walk on Sunday. Very interesting! The place itself is amazing and super clean! The interior is lovely!!! I stayed in the 6 bed room. The view was amazing! Same on the terrace! Nice few, a lot of space, beautiful greenery/flowers. Great location close to all sights. Fabulous breakfast!

Stone city is probably the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in! Walter, Brenna and the rest of the team make it such a special place to stay. The layout of the common areas encourages people to talk to each other and as a solo traveller this was really important for me. The bedrooms and bathroom are clean and have everything you might need. There is also a nice outdoor terrace to chill on and chat with people. The breakfast is very fresh and everyone sits around the table together, making it very sociable. I also went on a free city tour ran by Walter where he took us to some areas of the city and told us about the history of gjirokaster, this was really fun and interesting as well. Next time I plan to come to Albania I will definitely be making a stop at stone city and gjirokaster again!

Best place to stay in town. Clean, nice, lovely owners and good atmosphere.

The owners are an energy filled couple! They cook amazing breakfast, lead awsome hikes, have all the info and bake fresh uncromprehendable sweets for breakfast!! Good price, good service provided and clean hostile. stay here they also have saved animals many times, while I was here they had 3 kittens from the street and a silly poor flying bird.

Stayed here with two friends for 2 nights in April, 2022. It is hands down one of the best hostel experiences I have ever had. Amazing staff and the owner Walter was fantastic. Great company and easy going. On day 2 Walter organized a hike in the nearby villages including a " snack" at the end of the hike, at a local restaurant (best food I had in Albania)Rooms were clean, bathrooms spotless and breakfast was always fun at the communal table / kitchen. Also a shout out to whoever chose the Interior colours of the hostel ;)

One of the best hostels on the planet, maybe in the galaxy.

Absolutely nothing but great things to say about this place. We originally booked three nights and ended up staying ten. Probably would have stayed even longer, but the hostel is now closed for the season.The free breakfast is the best you’ll ever have. The rooms are immaculately clean, and so is the kitchen/ common area. The owners are really cool and they hang out with the guests. They have so much info about when the buses are and things to do in the surrounding area, as well as other towns in Albania.This hostel is super social. The breakfast/ dinner table is set up so everyone can talk to each other and hang out. We really felt at home here, and that’s so important to us as we travel full time. The people who work at the hostel are all so amazing. Kristina, Ben and Marco made our stay unforgettable!We can’t wait to come back!! You will not regret staying here, We would give 10 stars if we could. Love you guys thank you for everything!!

Stayed here two nights. Ive travelled 80+ countries, stayed in literally hundreds of hostels... This is easily one of the best. Along with all of the usual and expected things the mattresses are new and firm and comfortable, blankets thick, pillows fluffy, hot water boilers are new and above each shower so always warm (HOTwater. There is a propper sized living area, comfortable, with enough space. Dorms are nicely spaced not over crowded. Bunks are solid. Outside space is a propper sun trap with ample seating. Breakfast and the walking tour are both amazing, and free. Owners are knowledgeable super helpful and above all really friendly. By no means a party hostel but very sociable. They really do tick each and every box. Great location. Under bed lockers. Towels provided. Super clean. Secure. Great location. Socially and environmentally conscious. The cake at breakfast is delicious. WiFi is strong throughout. Wood fire inside on the colder days. Full kitchen with everything you need to cook. Books, games etc. Trying to find something to say for an improvement....but nothing comes to mind.

Absolutely amazing hostel, everything about it. Breakfast & walking tour was included.

The owner Wouter (Walter for the friendsand his employees are extremely helpful and are glad to share their extensive knowledge of Gjirokaster and Albania. Definitely ask about the hike with the hidden monastery ending at Dhoksali. Excellent location (5minfrom castle, which is must visit when around Gjirokaster. Wishing the best to Wouter!

The best Balkan hostel experience everThe host and owner Walter is the most welcoming people you can meet, if youre lucky hell give you the local city tour that takes you through the history, culture, and best tour you can get in Gjirokaster. One of my favorite hostel experiences on my life!

If I was a travel blogger I would write an entire blog post about this hostel. Excellent location, amazing breakfast, and extremely friendly/helpful owners and staff. You cant copy a vibe, but I wish other hostels were more like this one. Ill be back!

I wish all hostels were like this one! This hostel has a perfect backpacker atmosphere, is beautifully designed, has free tours/activities, great breakfast, lots of space to work, super clean, and is truly a gem. Thank you so much Walter and Brenna and the rest of the staff ❤️

Fantastic, beautiful hostel in a beautiful city. The owners and their volunteers are incredibly helpful and friendly, the vibe was always active without being too rowdy. The free breakfast every morning was excellent, especially the eggs and the different cake every day.

One of the best hostels I have ever been! Comfy beds, nice garden and cosy livingroom with everything you need. Beautiful old building filled with nice people and animals (kittens!! 😻). Walter, Brenna and staff gave us really good advice and we loved the tour and the breakfast very much. The atmosphere of this hostel is really something special.

Very competent, knowledgable, helpful and friendly staff. The rooms were very comfortable, loved the living area and outdoor sitting area. You could stay here for months and still not get bored. Wouter arranged an amazing whole day tour for us that was definitely the highlight of the stay there. This is guys is amazing, took us to the places that we would have never seen otherwise. The waterfall, the villages, off road views and top of the mountains, simply amazing. I was leaving very early so the packed me breakfast, a lovely gesture. I loved it so much there that i extended one more day of my stay. Without any doubt this is the best Hostel in Gjirokaster and perhaps in Albania.

This is how hostel experiences should be! A beautiful house carefully decorated and designed with a wonderful terrace. Really nice owners who enjoy the companies and sharing stories with travellers. At breakfast I thought it was a special celebration, maybe one of the volunteers birthday, but apparently that is the breakfast they serve every morning. Go here and enjoy!

I cant say enough good things about Stone City Hostel. Walter and Brenna have built a home for travelers that they happen to call a hostel. The beautiful old house has been lovingly restored and there are both dorms and private rooms. There are multiple common spaces to hang out and chat. They provide a delicious breakfast with fresh bread, fruit, and baked goods. Walter also gives great tours of the old city full of tales and stories. And there are all the friendly people working at and staying at Stone City. Its truly a home for travelers.

Perfect hostel to stay! Nice staff, clean and cozy, comfortable beds, good breakfast and a beautiful place. The owner offers a very interesting tour for guests. Definitely worth paying a visit!

This is a beautiful hostel with exceptional, knowledgeable hosts who can offer a wide variety of experiences. Theres wonderful breakfast and conversation, great advice on where to go and what to see, theres a bar if thats your thing, there are fun board games in a gorgeous garden if thats your thing. Also, we stayed in the triple room with the private bathroom, and it has wonderful light and a great overall vibe. I slept super well. Highly recommended hostel!

Amazing place. Extremely clean, new, comfy and homely. Breakfast are pretty good. Walking tour with the owner was more than fantastic. And the most important thing you have a good and very interesting people around. From the first second I felt like a part of a big family. Definitely the best one !

Amazingly friendly staff, fabulous view from the private room, and KITTENS! Fantastic hostel experience, and the breakfast was delicious.

Incredible hostel with a relaxed atmosphere, clean and comfortable rooms, clean and tidy shared spaces and bathrooms. The owners are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and relaxed. There is a fantastic patio outside. The owner runs a walking tour which was extremely interesting and informative. The location is perfect, with just a 2 minute walk to the bazaar. The breakfast provided is simple yet delicious.

Amazing hostel with great staff! The owner knows a lot about gijrokaster, but also about Albania in general. The hostel is clean and has air-conditioning!

Very nice hostel. The staff were very welcoming and very informative. Free breakfast was delicious. Location was good, very close to the main attattraction. I would highly recommend this place.

I was looking forward to staying here however the owners bad attitude ruined it for us. He cancelled our booking without letting us know and laughed in our face when telling us what he had done. For a long time he was the only hostel in town and it appears he has become arrogant due to the constant business. Now that the town has more accommodation options I wouldn’t recommend this place purely by the arrogance of the owner.In response to the owner, he did offer to help us with finding other accommodation by calling a hostel that was 100m up the road. I think a kinder option would have been to atleast walk us there as its wouldnt have been that difficult.When we rang the hostel they cancelled the incorrect nights despite us calling them twice to confirm for the friday night, when we said we were not going to make it for the first night due to running late we offered to still pay for it on the phone as we knew it was late notice. We asked him why he never tried to contact us when as he says we didnt show up to which he said he didnt know how despite us booking through hostelworld where contact details were available.I should also mention he refused to refund us our deposit.In addition, when he says threaten with a bad review, we advised him we would comment exactly what occurred - which is what weve done. He was then quick to update hostelworld and cancel the booking which means were unable to review through that platform. Ive contact hostelworld directly to Express my disappointment.As you can see from his response, the arrogance is clear with no apologies given for our treatment.

Was really excited to stay at this hostel because of all the positive reviews, however when we got there they had cancelled our bookings for incorrect nights (despite us ringing to confirm twiceand simply laughed at us when we expressed our disappointment. We found out later from people in town that we were not the first people this had happened to. I think the owner is quite arrogant about having the busiest hostel in the city and doesnt care if he treats a few people badly.In response to the owner, he did offer to help us with finding other accommodation by calling a hostel that was 100m up the road. I think a kinder option would have been to atleast walk us there as its wouldnt have been that difficult.When we rang the hostel they cancelled the incorrect nights despite us calling them twice to confirm for the friday night, when we said we were not going to make it for the first night due to running late we offered to still pay for it on the phone as we knew it was late notice. We asked him why he never tried to contact us when as he says we didnt show up to which he said he didnt know how despite us booking through hostelworld where contact details were available.I should also mention he refused to refund us our deposit.In addition, when he says threaten with a bad review, we advised him we would comment exactly what occurred - which is what weve done. He was then quick to update hostelworld and cancel the booking which means were unable to review through that platform. Ive contact hostelworld directly to Express my disappointment.As you can see from his response, the arrogance is clear with no apologies given for our treatment.

I always pick the places to stay according to their location. Heart of the old town. Very nice owners. Top place, loved it. The common areas invite you to chill, have a drink and a laugh with fellow guests.

Good facilities, clean dorms and well laid out. The staff were helpful with information on the buses and the local area, and a friendly atmosphere.

A beautifully renovated house in the old town run by a Dutch guy Wolter. Rooms are tidy, the breakfast is nice and big.Wolter can take the guests to daytrips to the national park nearby.The raki with elderflower syrup was memorable :)

Amazing place! The social spaces are nice, you actually want to socialize there! The beds are comfy, the showers are good, the toilet paper can be flushed! The owners are very nice and knowledgeable, youll now what to do in the city and even where to go next. One of the nicest stop I had during my trip in Albania.

Top notch hostel, Walter the owner is a brilliant guy and provides the best breakfast I have ever had (even compared with 4 and 5 star hotels!). Definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Gjirokaster

Possibly the prettiest hostel Ive ever seen.Right I the heart of the old town.Friendly owner, great friendly social atmosphere amongst guests.Spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated.Great views of the castle, and relaxing chill out area on the terrace.If youre looking for a hostel, or a private room in Gjirokaster, look no further.

This was one of my favorite hostel experiences so far in life. Wouter and Angela and the rest of the team are so nice and helpful. Theres a really cozy, homey vibe at the hostel. Not to mention it is beautifully designed and super clean with comfortable beds and warm showers! The breakfast is also superb. What more can you ask for?

I loved this hostel, very clean , cosy. The owner sweet and helpful.The wiew from our window was stunningI recommend this hostel yo everyone.Thanks you so much for this beautiful hostel.

Clean, friendly, and really loved the interior of the hostel! Great view of the castle from the room, feel so comfortable sleeping in the dorm. Bathroom shower is super awesome! Their free breakfast is by far the best! Fresh bread, vegetables, eggs, homemade jam, cheese and coffee/tea. Walter (the ownergave recommendations for places to eat as well as took the time to walk with us for a short tour around the town like a local. Appreciate the extra service :)

Very nice place. Staff is super helpful. Owner gave me some excellent restaurant recommendations and helped me with buses. In the morning they cooked me an egg then gave me toast, really good cheese, bread, jam, etc. A comfortable and homey place. They go out of their way to be helpful. Everything is brand new, super modern and very clean. They try really hard here to make you happy; they really care. Its bright and sunny in the rooms. Oh and they have an exceptional view of the Castle right out your window.