One of the great ancient cities of the Balkans — Apollonia, founded by Greek colonists and grand under Rome, spread over quiet hills near Fier. Its columned monument, hilltop monastery and museum, about two hours from Tirana. Your driver waits while you wander the ruins.
A private round-trip from Tirana with your driver waiting while you explore the site — from €140 per vehicle. Fuel, tolls and an English-speaking driver included; the archaeological-park entrance and any lunch are extra. The park keeps its own opening days and can be closed on Mondays, so check before you travel.
The drive south to Apollonia takes about 2 hours — the fast road toward Fier, then a short run out to the hills where the ancient city stands. It's an easy, mostly flat drive, and the site is quiet enough that you often have the ruins largely to yourself.
Apollonia was founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC and became a wealthy Roman city — Cicero called it 'a great and dignified city', and the young Octavian, later Augustus, studied here. The star monument is the restored Bouleuterion, a row of Corinthian columns, alongside the odeon, the old city walls and the agora spread over the hillside. On the site sits the 13th-century Monastery of St Mary, its church and cloister now housing an archaeological museum.
Because it's private, you set the pace: wander the ruins, take the museum slowly, and enjoy the rural setting before the drive back. Your driver waits throughout and brings you home door-to-door. Apollonia pairs well with Berat, an hour on, if you'd like a fuller day — just ask.
Apollonia's iconic restored Roman colonnade
A 13th-century church and cloister on the site
Finds from the ancient city, inside the monastery
Driver waits; your pace, door-to-door, pairs with Berat
Per vehicle, round-trip with the driver waiting while you explore the site. Includes fuel, tolls and an English-speaking driver. The archaeological-park entrance fee and any lunch are paid on the day. The park and its museum keep their own opening days and can be closed on Mondays — check before you travel and we will plan the day around it.
“From” prices are a guide. Your final price is confirmed on quote and may vary with the date, route, stops, vehicle and number of passengers. Prices are subject to change until your booking is confirmed.
About 2 hours each way, via the fast road toward Fier. It makes a relaxed full-ish day of 6–7 hours with plenty of time on the site.
The restored Bouleuterion colonnade, the odeon, the old walls and agora, and the 13th-century Monastery of St Mary, whose buildings house the archaeological museum. The setting on quiet hills is part of the appeal.
Yes — Berat, the UNESCO 'town of a thousand windows', is about an hour further on and pairs naturally with Apollonia for a full day. Tell us and we'll quote the combination.
The private vehicle round-trip with the driver waiting, fuel, tolls and an English-speaking driver. The archaeological-park entrance and any lunch are paid separately on the day.
Some — the site spreads over a hillside on gravel and grass paths, so comfortable shoes help. It's not strenuous, and you can see the main monuments at an easy pace.
From €140 sedan, €168 minivan — round-trip with waiting, door-to-door. Ancient Illyria at your own pace.