13 Apollonia & Ardenica Ruins in Albania to Build a Day Around

1.Gjirokastra & Bylis Illyrian City Day tour Tirana/Durres/Golem

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Day trip from Tirana to ancient Bylis and UNESCO Gjirokastër, with fortress views, Ottoman streets, and an easy air-conditioned pickup.

“An absolutely fantastic tour that I would definitely recommend. The Gijorkastra was a brilliant place and lots to explore, followed by Blue Eye, a unique place. The countryside is amazing and awe inspiring. Julio was the tour guide and apart from being knowledgeable about the places he was great to talk to and very friendly. A credit to his job. If you also get the chance to go into Sandero and along the Albanian Riviera grab the chance as once in a lifetime extra part of the tour. Thanks for making such a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Apollonia & Durres | History & Local Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $217

See Apollonia with an archaeologist, eat a local countryside lunch, then tour Durrës ruins and street art in a small-group day.

“Bellissima esperienza davvero, ho scoperto posti nuovi, dal fascino incredibile. Apollonia è splendida e grazie al tour del sito archeologico ne ho scoperto la storia. Durazzo è una piacevole località sul mare. Un grazie sincero a Mimi, compagnia piacevole e fonte infinita di sapere.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.1001 Windows of Berat & Golden Sunset in Apollonia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $126

UNESCO Berat and Apollonia sunset in one day from Tirana, with a guide for context, castle views, and optional traditional lunch.

“I have to say, this was one of the highlights of our trip to Albania. Our guide Jetmir was extremely attentive and informative. He made sure our trip was one for the books. Berat is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania and we had enough time to explore and even enjoy traditional lunch there. Apollonia is without a doubt a must see when visiting Albania. The museum is pretty impressive and the ruins of the city are breathtaking. The time of our visit to the archeological site was perfect, because we were able to capture pictures with a beautiful golden light. I would highly recommend this experience to…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Zvernec, Apollonia and Berat Day Trip Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $102

From Vlora, tour Zvernec Monastery, Apollonia ruins, and UNESCO Berat, with a small group and included entrances.

“This was a great day trip (9+ hours) and the guide/driver Claudio was also great. Though not listed as an option, the company offered to pick me up at my hotel which saved me a walk of a few km’s. The tour through Appalonia was very good. The ruins are in good shape and very interesting (I’ve also recently toured ruins in Athens, Corinth and Ephesus). This one is not quite the size of those at 150 hectares but some very good examples of some well preserved ruins. This area covers the BC era when Greece controlled it as well as Roman controlled times later. I’m sure there are still…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Day tour to: Apollonia, Narta Lagoon & Zvernec Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 11 reviews · 1 day · from $51Best value

A one-day Apollonia, Narta Lagoon, and Zvernec Monastery trip from Tirana or Durrës, with air-conditioned transport and a guided tour.

“We enjoyed the trip and the places of the itinerary very much. Our guide Toni gave us very good historical information and was always open to answer all our questions very competently. We can recommend him as an excellent and very pleasant guide. We wish him all the very best.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Ancients and Ottomans – Apollonia and Berat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $135

Ancients and Ottomans day trip from Tirana to Berat and Apollonia, with castle views, Onufri art, and Byzantine ruins.

“It's my first time in Europe, and getting to see Albania with Toni was truly a pleasure. I was nervous about going solo, but I left feeling like I made a friend not only in Toni but in the people he spoke with along the way. He's knowledgable, passionate, and fun. He made me feel like a local even though I speak no Albanian, and made sure to give me the historical context for everything we saw and did. I can't recommend him enough. If I could give more stars I would! Thanks Toni for an unforgettable day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Zvernec, Ardenica, Local Winery & Food Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 6 hours · from $106

Wooden bridge, two monasteries, and a family winery tasting with local food, picked up from Vlora for a calm, value-packed day trip.

“If you want to experience Albania beyond the beaches, this is the tour for you. Beautiful countryside, warm people, and unforgettable food and wine. Everything felt authentic and relaxed”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Full Day Trip to Durres, Apollonia and Ardenica Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $212

A small-group 8-hour history day trip from Durrës to Apollonia and Ardenica Monastery, with A/C transport and guided stops.

“Journée très agréable avec Ilir. Départ à l'heure, voiture confortable, parle parfaitement anglais. Ilir a accepté de modifier le tour suivant une demande faite la veille (et qui rallongeait considérablement le tour, merci beaucoup 🙏 pour cette flexibilité). Journée super pour découvrir plusieurs sites emblématiques de l'Albanie.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · from $118

Private day trip from Tirana or Durres to UNESCO Berat and Apollonia ruins, with castle town views, Onufri icons, and lakeside Belsh.

“Wonderfull tour with Dennis, great company with lots of knowledge and private car to show us around everything in more or less detail, regarding our preferences.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Day Tour: Apollonia Narta Lagoon & Zvernec Monastery.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 8 hours · from $68

Explore Apollonia’s ancient ruins and the Zvernec Monastery in Narta Lagoon, with a guided day tour from Tirana or Durrës.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Ardencia and Apollonia Day Trip from Tirana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $109

Ardencia and Apollonia day trip from Tirana with A/C pickup, guided monastery and ancient ruins, plus lunch time in 8 hours.

“We were very lucky because we found the best guide in Tirana. We went to Ardenica Monastery and Apollonia archeological site. We also have a lot of informations about the communiste period, the financial crisis and the futur may be in european union. Thanks for all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Gjirokastra & Bylis Illyrian City Day tour Tirana/Durres

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · 11 hours · from $66

Gjirokaster and Bylis day tour from Tirana or Durres: UNESCO old town, Argjiro Castle, bazaar shopping, and Illyrian ruins.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Apollonia & Durres | History & Local Food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · from $221

Full-day Tirana tour to Apollonia with an archaeologist, a countryside lunch near Golem Beach, then guided ruins in Durrës, with pickup.

“This was an amazing tour! Flori was great and knew the area really well. He took me to a great local restaurant with excellent, fresh food. The guide in Appolonia knew the history and was very knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review