Museums in the city of Gjirokastër have become important centers for tourism development and for attracting both domestic and foreign visitors.

According to data published by the Cultural Heritage Agency, museum attendance in the stone city has increased by 30% compared to the same period last year.

The Kadare Museum remains one of the most popular stops on the tourist route in Gjirokastër, drawing literature enthusiasts who admire the work of Albania’s literary giant.

“Every visitor who comes to Gjirokastër has the Kadare Museum as one of their main destinations, as it offers the opportunity to understand the cultural, economic, and historical development of the city. Despite the international recognition of Ismail Kadare through his literary works, seeing the local reality up close is far more tangible. We are seeing increased visitor numbers and growing interest in our museums — something clearly shown by the statistics, with a 30% increase in interest compared to last year,” said Befjola Braho, coordinator of the Kadare Museum.

The Cold War Museum, located inside a communist-era bunker, also draws strong interest from foreign tourists visiting Gjirokastër this summer.

The concrete tunnel, Cold War relics, and original interior spaces spark curiosity about this historical period.

“The Cold War Tunnel is currently one of the most visited sites in Gjirokastër. We have tourists from nearly every country — mostly from Europe, especially Spain, France, and Germany, but also from other regions. There’s been a notable increase in the number of tourists compared to last year, which was already one of the most successful tourism years for Gjirokastër,” said Albana Matushi, coordinator of the Cold War Museum.

Other museums serving tourists in Gjirokastër include the Armaments Museum and the Ethnographic Museum, both of which have also seen a significant number of visitors during this period.

Tourism has now become the leading sector driving the local economy in the historic stone city.