Stone City Hostel

We try to create a fun atmosphere for guests and volunteers alike. We think it's important to build a community to make the tasks run smoothly. We also believe in working hard and being professional. Balance is what we find most essential. We believe in having a well trained staff, but we want to have fun too. We want to socialize, make friends, explore the town and surrounding wilderness, and run a successful hostel. Luckily, we think that if the staff is happy then our guests will be too.

We, the owners of the hostel, are a Dutch/American couple who are passionate about travelers and Albania. We have a combination of local staff and volunteers throughout the season. We enjoy the cultural exchange element of running a hostel but don't wish to be a foreign island (which is why we always make sure to keep locals on the payroll). Our cleaning lady is essential to our team and has been with us from the beginning. We also have one to two shift workers that share the same exact duties as a volunteer. We care about our business and want it to be successful. We believe the start of any successful business is a happy and healthy staff. Plus, we are looking to meet people and make new friends just as much as any guest or volunteer.


Reviews

5.0
(19 reviews)19

Staff & Host

4.5

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

New Zealand

5

I couldn’t recommend volunteering at Stone City Hostel enough! Walter, Brenna, Christina, Lily and Marco were all super welcoming and made me feel well looked after. The work was well organised and explained clearly from the start so it was an easy routine to settle into. It’s also a great place to meet heaps of travellers, explore Gjirokaster, and take trips around on your days off.

7 days ago

Germany

5

I had a truly wonderful time at Stone City Hostel. Wouter and Brenna are two absolutely amazing people who make sure you really have a great time there. The work is really fun, and Gjirokastër is a beautiful city. Definitely one of the best volunteering experiences I’ve had so far.

Also the three local worker are super cool people who became friends very fast! Thank you all very much for the great time! :)

19 days ago

Australia

5

Volunteering at Stone City Hostel was a highlight of my trip! The whole team was warm, welcoming, and created a supportive, friendly space. The atmosphere is truly special—social, cozy, and full of interesting travelers. The work was clear, well-structured, and very manageable. I learned a lot and always felt appreciated. The hostel is thoughtfully run with great facilities that make it feel like a true home away from home. Gjirokastër is a beautiful town with so much character and history and there is so much to do! This was my first volunteering experience and I would highly recommend!

about 2 months ago

United States

5

Volunteering for Wouter and Brenna might’ve ruined any future world packers experiences because of how perfect it was! They have truly put in so much thought, time, and effort into the hostel and it shows. From home cooked cakes every morning to team dinners twice a week, you feel like you are part of the Stone City family. The schedule is given in a month in advance, and each week you have the same shifts, making it extremely easy to go on trips for your two nights off. This is one of the nicest hostels in Europe and it was such a privilege getting to spend a month volunteering in it :))

about 2 months ago

Poland

5

The best volunteering experience for me so far. Wolter and Brenna are kind and are doing an amazing job at creating a good atmosphere. The work isn't difficult, but it requires you to be punctual and organized. You can learn a lot about running a hostel, local culture, and hospitality from the owners and other local workers. The hostel attracts a lot of amazing people, so interactions with guests are a cherry on top.

2 months ago


Perfect for you if you're looking for

Rural

City & Town

Wilderness