On this full-day trip, discover the Ottoman city of Berat starting from Tirana, a trip that includes pickup and drop-off from the city center and a guided tour of Berat’s historic castle and the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia.
See a historic center that’s been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and get a glimpse of Albania at its most picturesque.
Tirana & On request
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
Visit the ‘one thousand windows’ city and the magnificent hilltop castle. Discover the ancient archaeological city of Apollonia and experience a part of the Albanian history and culture.
The tour starts at 9:00 am from the city center in Tirana. It will take approximately 2 hours to reach Berat. Upon arrival in the city, you’ll see a fascinating blend of architectural styles that tell the story of Berat’s diverse religious and cultural communities. In the lower part of the city, spot some of the distinctive tiered houses climbing the steep hillside. Head to high promontory overlooking the city to explore the castle, or kala, which was fortified in the 5th century after the Romans burned it down in 200 BC. Take in some of the Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques that are protected by the castle walls, and snap panoramic photos from the historic battlements. We will stop for lunch on a traditional restaurant.
Then we depart for Apollonia. The evocative ruins of the ancient Illyiran city of Apollonia sit on a windswept hilltop some 12km west of the city of Fier. While a large part of the ruins remain buried under the ground, what has been excavated within the 4km of city walls is pure poetry. The highlights include the theatre and the elegant pillars of the restored facade of the city’s 2nd-century-AD administrative centre. After this amazing experience we return to Tirana.
Local Experience
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Adventure driving