Apollonia and Berat UNESCO tour from Tirana

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Apollonia Archaeological Park

  Apollonia is an archaeological park in center of Albania. In the ancient times, Apollonia was an important Greek city. The city was founded in 588 BC by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth. However, it was during the Roman period that the city of Apollonia really flourished. In the 4th century AD, Apollonia was an important economic city and trade center. The city was known for its famous school of philosophy. Cicero, a famous Roman public speaker, called Apollonia "a great and important city". And the city was also one of the most important gateways to the Via Egnatia, which was a Roman trade route through the Balkans. The ruins of Apollonia were re-discovered in the beginning of the 19th century. The park is set of a hilly plateau and it is surrounded by calming nature.

  2 hours • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Berat Castle

  The Berat Castle is an enormous fortress called "Kala" on the top of the hill in Berat. From the castle, you will have amazing views in all directions and see the historical town and river below. Within the castle walls, you will see a village-like neighbourhood, called Kala. Until this day, some people are still living within the castle walls. The castle dates back to the 13th century and there are many Byzantine churches within the walls and one Ottoman mosque.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 3
  National Iconographic Museum Onufri

  The Museum of Iconography is a museum with religious painting from several Albanian monasteries. The museum is located within the castle walls in the largest church on the premises, called "the Church of the Dormition of St. Mary". The museum is named "Onufri" after the Albanian fresco and icon-painter.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4

  Then in the afternoon, we will visit the Mangalem & Gorica Quarters. These are the traditional neighbourhoods build on the side of the hill. You will see hundreds of little white Ottoman-style houses. From the bottom of the hill, it looks like the little houses are stacked on top of each other. Therefore, Berat is called "the city of a thousand windows". In short, Berat is a very romantic city with an Italian atmosphere.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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