A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Gjirokaster is famous for being a well-preserved Ottoman town. With its fortress overlooking the entire city, the old houses lean against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades. The birthplace of communist leader Enver Hoxha and notable writer Ismail Kadare, there’s plenty to see in this exceptional town. Dating back to 1336 when it carried a Greek name and was part of the Byzantine Empire, Gjirokaster later came under Ottoman rule and remained so for around five centuries When visiting the old town, you’ll soon notice that there are helpful brown signs all over directing you to the most important sights. The first stop is the fortress that can be reached by a staircase that’s a little less arduous than the steep road. Overlooking the whole town, after entering the fortress’ gate, a large stone hall with an array of military artillery greets visitors. If the hall has peaked your interest you can enter the museum (for an additional fee) and see more memorabilia from the Communist resistance against the German occupation. Outside, you can also inspect a captured United States Air Force plane, which is quite the standout among its surroundings that date back to the 12th century.