Sights · Our pick
Skenduli House
A family tower house
A painted Gjirokastër tower house, often shown by the family who own it.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © JoraKasapi · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © JoraKasapi · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
About Skenduli House
Begun in 1700 and enlarged over the generations, Skenduli House is one of the most complete tower houses in Gjirokastër’s UNESCO-listed old town. Room by room it reveals painted walls, carved wooden ceilings, a grand guest hall, fireplaces, a private hammam and hidden spaces built into the stone. Visits are often led by members of the Skenduli family, who share stories of the house and the town with real warmth. It is a short walk uphill from the bazaar; a tour takes about forty minutes, and the guide appreciates a tip.
Our take
- Painted rooms
- Carved ceilings
- Family storytellers
- Address
- Lagjja Palorto
Gjirokastër, the Balkans - Our city guide
- On our Tirana guide
- Price guide
- € (sights price guide)
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Skenduli House before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Location
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Read next
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Shopping & MarketsThe old bazaarGjirokastër’s cobbled market quarter beneath the castle, full of craft shops and cafés.
HotelsHotel KodraA 13-room boutique hotel in Gjirokastër’s old town, with a terrace restaurant below the castle.