You booked this experience
Make your trip unforgettable

Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres

4 Reviews 4.00 out of 5 stars Based on 4 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Tirana, Albania
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

8 to 10 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 3 more
French, German, Italian

Overview

This is a lovely tour that shows one of the oldest towns in Albania. First, we will get back to antiquity by visiting Apollonia, a city that was found in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra. In the first century B.C., Octavian Augustus studied philosophy there until he heard news of Caesar’s murder in the Senate and went on to become the next emperor. Berat castle it is the biggest inhabited castle in Albania. Our guide will show you the way how the Albanians live and how they have built the typical houses in central Albania. We will also visit the lower part of the town where we will see the Mangalemi neighborhood which gives the nickname of the "1000 Windows" city. Afterwards we will return from a different route which makes another highlight of this daytrip. The road is through the countryside and shows how the agriculture is developed in the central Albania. We will get to see hills, cultivated fields and natural lakes.

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Guide/Driver for the whole day according to the language that you have requested
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the section "Included"
See 1 moreSee 4 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Our tour representative will be 15-20 minutes in advance before the departure at the pickup place.

OR
Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Apollonia Archaeological Park

The famous Roman orator Cicero, astonished by the beauty of Apollonia named it in his Philippics, “magna urbs et gravis” - a great and important city. Established in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra, the ancient city is located 11 km to the west of the city of Fier. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Apollonia achieved its zenith in the 4th - 3rd centuries B.C. In the first century B.C., Octavian Augustus studied philosophy there until he heard news of Caesar’s murder in the Senate and went on to become the next emperor. Visit the city and an Orthodox monastery turned into archaeological museum.
Read more

2 hours Admission Ticket Included

Berat Castle

The castle is the only one in Albania that still has houses and inhabitants within its walls, going about their daily life in exactly the same place their predecessors did centuries ago. Being more than 2400 year old Berat it is one of the most attractive towns in Albania. Established in the 3rd century B.C by an Illyrian tribe of central Albania with a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Turks who build quite a few mosques in the area below the town’s old castle.
Read more

2 hours Admission Ticket Included

National Iconographic Museum Onufri

Built in 1797, this cathedral is situated at the highest altitude of the Berat Castle, though it can be a little difficult to find. While the Ottomans were Muslim, they allowed Christians to continue practicing their faith and build churches, though not very visibly. This cathedral is one of them, a typical church of three naves and two rows of tall stone columns. Inside, you initially find yourself facing the Holy Altar with masterful engravings and paintings of Bible scenes in the incredibly lavish and ornate iconostasis of the Cathedral – the only one to have survived from the former metropolitan complex. The iconostasis, created in 1807, the most eye-catching part of the interior of the church, is considered one of the greatest accomplishments of the 19th-century Albanian wood-carving masters. It stretches along the entire interior of the cathedral and includes twelve royal icons as well as twenty-seven small festive icons. The royal icons, objects of reverence and worship, carved in wood and covered in gold, are simply magnificent!
Read more

1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Mangalem

Berat is situated at the foot of Tomorri Mountain and on the shores of River Osum. We will visit the Mangalemi Old Neighbourhood after the visit of the castle. Built in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible. It is famous for its white-washed houses with their many windows which seem to have been built on top of each other, that give it the nickname “town of a thousand windows”. It retains a unique style of architecture, with narrow and stone paved streets.
Read more

30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Belsh (pass by)

On the way back we will visit Belsh Town that is located at the shore of a small natural lake. The town is situated in the Dumrea plain which has about 85 different sized lakes that are all natural. The road has a very nice landscape which makes it another highlight in this tour.
Read more
Show 4 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-209717P6

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.00
4 reviews

Average 4.00 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
3
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Ohrid, Full Day Trip from Tirana

Ohrid is a city in the southwestern part of North Macedonia, on the northeast coast of Ohrid Lake. Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are one of …More

Ohrid is a city in the southwestern part of North Macedonia, on the northeast coast of Ohrid Lake. Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are one of...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (4)
from
$333

Golem ATV Adventure – Off-Road Experience in Durrës

Discover the ultimate ATV tour in Golem, just minutes from Durrës. Escape the beach and explore Albania’s scenic countryside on this guided off-road quad adventure …More

Discover the ultimate ATV tour in Golem, just minutes from Durrës. Escape the beach and explore Albania’s scenic countryside on this guided off-road quad adventure...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.7 (6)
from
$45

Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Silver Route”

Mention the Balkans to anyone and it can conjure up a plethora of images - flashpoint of the First World War, the atrocities of the …More

Mention the Balkans to anyone and it can conjure up a plethora of images - flashpoint of the First World War, the atrocities of the...

9 days Hotel pickup offered
from
$2,695

Tirana Sunset Bike Tour Cycle Albania's Capital and Park Visit

Tirana is most beautiful at sunset, with glowing skies, calm streets, and a relaxed evening energy. On this guided group tour led by friendly guides, …More

Tirana is most beautiful at sunset, with glowing skies, calm streets, and a relaxed evening energy. On this guided group tour led by friendly guides,...

2 to 3 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$46

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Traditional Albanian Cooking Class in Tirana with Raki Tasting

Discover the flavors of Albania at our interactive cooking class in Tirana. A friendly local chef will guide you every step of the way. Enjoy …More

Discover the flavors of Albania at our interactive cooking class in Tirana. A friendly local chef will guide you every step of the way. Enjoy...

4 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (180)
from
$51

Albanian Night Show: Traditional Music, Dance & Dinner in Tirana

Discover Albanian heritage through dance, music and attire, with the option to enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner in the heart of Tirana! Experience Albanian culture …More

Discover Albanian heritage through dance, music and attire, with the option to enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner in the heart of Tirana! Experience Albanian culture...

2 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (715)
from
$50

Berat UNESCO Heritage and Belshi Lake Tour - From Tirana/ Durres

Join a guided tour of Berat City, a UNESCO heritage site. Explore the historic neighborhoods of Mangalemi & Gorica. Visit Berat Castle and stop at …More

Join a guided tour of Berat City, a UNESCO heritage site. Explore the historic neighborhoods of Mangalemi & Gorica. Visit Berat Castle and stop at...

9 to 10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,459)
from
$28

Shala river & Komani lake -Day trip from Tirana/Durres/ Shkodra

Named "the Thailand of Albania", Shala River is definitely one of the most beautiful destinations of Albania. Reachable only by boat and surrounded by mountains, …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Named "the Thailand of Albania", Shala River is definitely one of the most beautiful destinations of Albania. Reachable only by boat and surrounded by mountains,...

13 to 15 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.9 (392)
from
$17

What's Included

Activity name

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Guide/Driver for the whole day according to the language that you have requested
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the section "Included"
  • Tips/Gratuities for Guide/Driver

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Report Product Issue

Activity name