Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres worth booking?
Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres is a 8-hour experience in Tirana, Albania, from $121 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 3.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $121 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Guide/Driver for the whole day according to the language that you have requested
Not included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Tips/Gratuities for Guide/Driver
- Everything that is not mentioned in the section "Included"
What you'll see and do
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.
120 minutes here · Admission 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.
120 minutes here · Admission 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!
60 minutes here · Admission included
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.
30 minutes here
Belsh
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.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tirana
Durrës
Meeting point
Tirana
Tirana
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Durrës
Ends at
Tirana
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Alb Tourist Experience
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
No not use this company
On no account use this provider. I booked the above trip weeks ago and today we went to the hotel lobby to be picked up. However when I checked the Expedia we site I saw the trip had been cancelled yesterday. No one had the courtesy to contact me and let me know. Totally unprofessional. We were lucky to get a taxi to visit the site but this is orally unacceptable. I will contact the Tourism Authority to lodge a complaint. These people should not be in the tourist industry.
via Tripadvisor
Research Viator tour contractors before leaving to avoid disappointment
Viator said the trip was confirmed, only to find out the company it contracted with was no longer in business on the day of the tour. Very disappointing, since this ancient site was a main reason to visit this country.
via Viator
Great tour in Berat
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.
via Viator
Great day trip from Tirana
Ilir is an excellent tour guide who not only knows all the history but with his work with the tourist board he also knows everyone you will meet on the tour. All the recommendations were excellent and we had a little extra time so got an extra stop rather than the tour being cut short. Overall very pleased with our experience.
via Viator
Fantastic Journey!
This tour was remarkable. I feel honored to have been part of a tour with Ilir. He is so wise and knowledgeable. Thank you, Ilir. We learned SO much from you. We also fell in love with Albania, a country that is beautiful and flourishing. Thank you, again.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $121 to $205
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tirana.
How much does Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres cost?
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Prices start at $121 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tirana usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tirana is not rushed.
Is Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tirana, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tirana can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tirana and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Explore Berat(UNESCO) and Apollonia from Tirana/Durres start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tirana within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tirana?
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On Outty we rank every Tirana experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include From Tirana- Hiking Tour to Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain, From Tirana / Durres: Gamti Mountain and Bovilla lake Day Trip, Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik- Departure from Tirana. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tirana?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tirana?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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