Lazarat Cheese Tasting + Live Iso-Polyphonic Singing near Gjirokastra
Taste seven local cheeses and hear live iso-polyphonic singing in a Lazarat village.
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Tour Overview
This is a hands-on food and culture experience near Gjirokastra, hosted by a shepherding family in Lazarat. You taste about seven dishes made from fresh local dairy, from kaçkavall and yellow cheese melted over the fire to homemade butter and yogurt, served with grilled bread and a glass of raki or fruit juice.
What makes it special? Live iso-polyphony, the layered Albanian folk singing that UNESCO lists as cultural heritage. You can try holding the ‘iso’ yourself. There is also a small family museum of old shepherding tools.
How long and where? About one to two hours, in Lazarat just outside Gjirokastra, with views over the Drinos Valley. It works for small groups and pairs well with a day in the UNESCO old town of Gjirokastra. Round-trip transport from Gjirokastra is not included.
Day Trip Itinerary
Stop 1: Meet your host in Lazarat village
10:00Stop 2: Cheese tasting at the family table
10:30Seven traditional cheeses with oven cornbread, local olive oil, honey and preserves, alongside homemade Lazarat raki.
Stop 3: Live iso-polyphonic singing
11:30A 45-minute live set sung at the table by Lazarat singers, no stage, no microphone ,with meze alongside and time for questions.
Stop 4: End the experience
12:00A final raki and conversation with the singers, before returning to Gjirokastër.
What's Included
What's Not Included
Price & Booking Details
Pricing coming soon.
Meeting Point, Pickup & Logistics
Transportation: Self-arrival
Who This Tour Is Best For
Audience info coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is iso-polyphony exactly?
It is the indigenous multi-voice singing tradition of southern Albania, usually 3–4 singers, no instruments, one voice holding a sustained drone (the iso) while the others weave counter-melodies above. UNESCO declared it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.
Is the singing a polished show or the real thing?
The real thing. The singers are Lazarat residents who sing as part of village life and perform for you at the family table, no microphone, no stage.
Which cheeses are in the tasting?
Typically djathë i bardhë (brined white), kaçkavall (aged, sometimes smoked) and gjizë (fresh soft cheese), plus a fourth seasonal cheese, served with oven cornbread, local olive oil, honey and homemade preserves.
Is alcohol included?
Yes, homemade Lazarat raki throughout the session.
Can I record the singing?
Yes, please ask the singers first. Most are happy to be recorded; the guide will translate the request.
Is this a lunch?
No, it is a tasting plus performance. Plenty of cheese, bread, meze and raki, but not a full sit-down meal. Most guests have a light lunch afterwards in Gjirokastra.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, everyone is welcome! The experience is family-friendly and suitable for families looking to enjoy the activity together.
What language is the session in?
The singing is in Albanian (Tosk/Lab dialect); the InAlb guide translates into English. Italian, German or Spanish available on request for private bookings.
Verified Customer Reviews
Customer reviews coming soon.
