
Albanian Archaeology
From £1,595
Summary
After 50 years of political isolation, Albania is only just emerging as a holiday destination, with a refreshing lack of modern development and a unique, timeless quality. In archaeological terms, Albania offers some of the best sites in Europe with a host of Classical cities that were once on a par with those in Greece and Italy. A dramatic landscape of high mountains and rugged coastline adds to the experience as we tour the country and visit the best of the sites. These include Durrës on the Adriatic coast, one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans; Apollonia, the second largest Greek colony in Albania; the UNESCO World Heritage site at Butrint, which dates from the 7th century BC, and the remote mountain city of Byllis.
PLEASE NOTE THAT A REASONABLE DEGREE OF MOBILITY IS REQUIRED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS HOLIDAY AS THERE IS SOME WALKING INVOLVED
Tour highlights:
- The Roman amphitheatre in Durres, one of the largest in the Balkans
- Apollonia, the second oldest Greek colony in Albania, dating back 2700 years
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint
- Dramatic views from the remote site of Byllis
- The medieval town of Berat, another UNESCO World Heritage site
Enhance your experience
Whether you want to add extra nights on either side of your tour, you want to upgrade your flight or hotel room, or you are hoping to enjoy a door-to-door airport transfer, we can help.
To add special extras to your tour, call our Specialist Sales Executives to discuss your needs on 01334 657155.
Meet your Experts
Peter Yeoman
Tour Manager
Peter Yeoman was, until recently, Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland, with responsibility for the archaeology and the knowledge base for the estate of 345 properties in their care.
Your itinerary
Day 1 -
We depart from London Gatwick on a direct British Airways flight to Tirana - other regional flight connections and/or overnight accommodation before or after the tour available on request. On arrival we will be met by our coach and transferred to our modern hotel. A light dinner will be served on arrival.

Hotel | Hotel Oxford, Tirana |
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Meals included | Dinner |
Hotel Oxford, Tirana
Hotel Oxford is a 4-star boutique hotel situated in the heart of Tirana just a short walk from Skanderbeg square and most of the city’s cultural and public institutions such as the National Opera, Historical Museum, Municipality of Tirana, Parliament and most of the ministries.
Hotel Oxford has 28 guest rooms across five floors of a classical revival building. Rooms include air conditioning, a Flat Screen HD-TV, a minibar, a safe and a hairdryer.
The hotel also has a restaurant and bar.
Day 2 -
Following breakfast this morning we will enjoy a walking tour of Tirana including visits to the Skanderbeg Square, the Mosque of Et’hem Bej and the National Historical Museum.
We continue to Kruje, north of Tirana. The central attraction of this city is the bazaar with many souvenir and antique stalls selling many local arts and crafts. You will have free time to wander around.
At an agreed time we continue to Skanderbeg Castle.
We will return to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening.

Hotel | Hotel Oxford, Tirana |
---|---|
Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Oxford, Tirana
Hotel Oxford is a 4-star boutique hotel situated in the heart of Tirana just a short walk from Skanderbeg square and most of the city’s cultural and public institutions such as the National Opera, Historical Museum, Municipality of Tirana, Parliament and most of the ministries.
Hotel Oxford has 28 guest rooms across five floors of a classical revival building. Rooms include air conditioning, a Flat Screen HD-TV, a minibar, a safe and a hairdryer.
The hotel also has a restaurant and bar.
Day 3 -
This morning after breakfast we drive along the beautiful coast by the Bay of Vlora, through the Coldwater tunnel, next to the villa of former dictator Enver Hoxha, and alongside the orange plantations of Radhima. As we leave Radhima we will see the landscape change as we climb up to 1100 metres above sea level through the forest of Llogara National Park. We will stop for a photo opportunity at the top of the pass before descending back down to sea level on the recently rebuilt "Strada Bianca" road.
We continue our drive south through the seven villages of the Himara region. The region of Himara is 72 km long and is rich with natural and historical monuments such as Llamani beach and the 18th century panoramic castle of Ali Pasha. After visiting the springs of Borshi we continue our travel towards Saranda arriving late afternoon where we will overnight.
Dinner will be in a local fish restaurant this evening.

Hotel | Hotel Brilant, Saranda |
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Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Brilant, Saranda
This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. Providing free Wi-Fi and free private parking just 100 yards from the town's main boulevard, Hotel Brilant Saranda has spacious rooms with LCD cable TVs, air conditioning and minibars. Front desk is attended 24/7, and you can relax in the hotel bar.
There is a grocery shop 50 yards from the hotel, nearest restaurant with Mediterranean specialities is 100 yards away, while a night club can be found at a distance of 200 yards.
Car rental services are offered by the hotel staff. The historic centre of Sarandë is about 750 yards away.
Day 4 -
Following breakfast we will depart for an all day visit to the World Heritage site of Butrint. The ancient city of Butrint was founded in the 7th century BC by the Corkirians, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. What began as a Greek colony became one of the most important towns in the Mediterranean and a Roman colony in the 1st century AD. We will admire the theatre, the temple of Asclepion, the Baptisteries, the Gymnasium, the aqueduct, the largest Basilica in south Albania. We will also visit the Venetian castle situated on top of the town, where a very interesting small museum hosts original artefacts discovered during the excavations.
In the evening just before sunset we will go to Lekuresi Castle located on top of the hill overlooking the bay of Saranda. We will enjoy the sunset with views of the Island of Corfu in the middle of the blue Ionian waters.
We return to our hotel in Saranda. Dinner is served in the evening.

Hotel | Hotel Brilant, Saranda |
---|---|
Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Brilant, Saranda
This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. Providing free Wi-Fi and free private parking just 100 yards from the town's main boulevard, Hotel Brilant Saranda has spacious rooms with LCD cable TVs, air conditioning and minibars. Front desk is attended 24/7, and you can relax in the hotel bar.
There is a grocery shop 50 yards from the hotel, nearest restaurant with Mediterranean specialities is 100 yards away, while a night club can be found at a distance of 200 yards.
Car rental services are offered by the hotel staff. The historic centre of Sarandë is about 750 yards away.
Day 5 -
After breakfast we will drive over the mountains from Saranda to the Gjirokastra valley and the town of Gjirokastra. Our visit starts with the 8th century castle museum which was formerly a prison. After the castle we visit the ethnographic museum, better known as the birthplace of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha. We will have some time to wander through the 18th century bazaar before we end our day with a visit to Antigonea Archaeological Park.
We will overnight in Gjirokastra - dinner will be served in the evening.

Hotel | Hotel Argjiro, Gjirokastër |
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Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Argjiro, Gjirokastër
Hotel Argjiro features a garden and a terrace in Gjirokastër. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. Rooms have a patio.
At the hotel, each room includes a desk and a flat-screen TV. Hotel Argjiro features some units that feature a balcony, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. All guest rooms at the accommodation have air conditioning and a wardrobe.
The daily breakfast offers continental, buffet or à la carte options. Guests can grab a bite to eat in the in-house restaurant, which serves local cuisine.
Speaking Greek, English and Italian, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical advice on the area at the reception.
Day 6 -
This morning after we continue north to visit the remote site of Byllis, which is dramatically situated on a mountain top overlooking the Vjose River valley. We also visit Cobo Winery where we enjoy a tour.
This evening we will overnight at Berat. Dinner will be served in the hotel this evening.

Hotel | Hotel Mangalemi |
---|---|
Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Mangalemi
Built on the ruins of Turkish mansions in the historic centre of the Mangalem Quarter and located 350 yards from the town centre, Hotel Mangalemi features traditional Berati architecture. It offers an on-site bar and restaurant serving traditional Albanian food, air-conditioned rooms and free Wi-Fi.
All rooms are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen cable TV, minibar and a bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. Free public parking is available in the vicinity.
A grocery shop is just next to the Mangalemi Hotel, while historic sights, various shops and attractions can be found in the centre of Berat. The Main Bus Station is located at a distance of 1.9 miles.
Day 7 -
We depart this morning after breakfast to explore the attractive Mediaeval town of Berat, situated on a hill dominating the River Osum and its gorge. Berat has been a UNESCO World Heritage town since 2008. The lower city, situated by the riverside, was once the exclusive preserve of Muslim inhabitants while, by agreement, the Christians held the citadel. During our time here, we will visit Byzantine churches and mosques before returning to our hotel where dinner will be served in the evening.

Hotel | Hotel Mangalemi |
---|---|
Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Hotel Mangalemi
Built on the ruins of Turkish mansions in the historic centre of the Mangalem Quarter and located 350 yards from the town centre, Hotel Mangalemi features traditional Berati architecture. It offers an on-site bar and restaurant serving traditional Albanian food, air-conditioned rooms and free Wi-Fi.
All rooms are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen cable TV, minibar and a bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. Free public parking is available in the vicinity.
A grocery shop is just next to the Mangalemi Hotel, while historic sights, various shops and attractions can be found in the centre of Berat. The Main Bus Station is located at a distance of 1.9 miles.
Day 8 -
Sadly we must check out of our hotel this morning. We still have time for some visits today before heading back to the airport. Firstly we explore the archaeological site of Apollonia, the second largest Greek colony in Albania, which dates from the 7th century BC. We visit the Odeon, the Pritaneon, the temple of Diana and the monastery next to the site, which is built with marble and stone taken from the temple and the old Greek Theatre.
Later we will drive to Durres on the Adriatic coast, which dates from the 7th century BC and was the historical capital of Albania between 1276 and 1920. Here we will visit one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans, located within the walls of the Roman castle. We will wander through the galleries of the amphitheatre and walk through the main gate to the arena where 1800 years ago people would cheer the winning gladiator asking the Emperor for his freedom.
We return to Tirana Airport in time for our return flights.

Meals included | Breakfast |
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Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Accommodation
- Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager
- Comfortable coach travel throughout
- Meals - as per the itinerary
Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 October 2022 | BALB221011 | 11 October 2022 (Tuesday) | 18 October 2022 (Tuesday) | Peter Yeoman | £1,595 (inc. flights) |
£200 | £225 | Book your trip |
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