• Durres - The ancient city of Dyrrachium, situated on the eastern Adriatic coast, was established by Greek settlers in the 7th century BC. It became a vital part of the Roman and later the Byzantine Empires. Its strategic location and Mediterranean climate made it the starting point of the Via Egnatia, a significant route across the Balkans to Constantinople.

Today, Durres is a year-round tourist destination. Visitors can explore the Old Town, Byzantine forum ruins, Roman baths, the modern city center, the famous Roman Amphitheatre, the Venetian tower, and the archaeological museum, which showcases remarkable ancient finds, particularly in urban planning.

• Durres Amphitheatre - Situated in the city’s heart, the Roman Amphitheater of Durrës was initiated under Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD. It suffered destruction from earthquakes in the 6th and 10th centuries.

Discovered in 1966, it remains the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans, once accommodating 20,000 spectators. It is on Albania’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage list and is a top tourist attraction.

• Venetian Tower of Durrës - A first-category cultural monument, the Venetian Tower is a stunning historical defense structure in Durrës. Part of the Byzantine fortress, it was a formidable defense along the Adriatic coast.

The current fortress dates back to Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491–518), a native of Durrës. Built over the Byzantine tower remains in the 15th century, it was armed with cannons for sea defense and served as a key observation point. Renovated in 2023, it now houses Albania’s first Heritage Interpretation Center, offering visitors a digital and multimedia exploration of the city’s history.

• Byzantine Forum (Macellum) - Located in central Durrës, the Byzantine Forum was built during Emperor Anastasios’s reign in the late 6th century. It was a central civic and religious site in the Byzantine era.

Considered one of Albania’s finest Late Roman and Early Byzantine structures, it resembles Constantinople’s Curved Forum, destroyed in 1204. Despite being surrounded by modern Durres, it retains an ancient atmosphere. Its circular paved area suggests it hosted formal events, and its rotunda likely held a large statue. Market and trade activities centered around it.

• Beach of Durrës - A visit to Durres is incomplete without a stroll along the Beach Promenade, enjoying the Adriatic Sea views and relaxing at the many cafes, shops, and restaurants along the shore.

• Berat Castle - Behind the fortress walls atop Berat’s hill lies the whitewashed, village-like Kala neighborhood. Wandering its cobbled streets, visitors may find themselves in private courtyards, mistaken for churches or ruins, but locals are welcoming.

• National Iconographic Museum Onufri - Located in the Kala quarter’s largest church, the Church of the Dormition of St Mary, dating from 1797, built on a 10th-century chapel’s foundations. The museum displays Onufri’s 16th-century religious paintings and the church’s 19th-century iconostasis.

The museum houses 200 artworks, icons, and liturgical items from the 14th to 20th centuries, collected from regional churches and monasteries. Visitors can see works by renowned Albanian icon painters like Onufri and his son Nikolla.

• Kisha Shen Triadha (Holy Trinity Church) - One of Berat’s most visited churches, it is among the best-preserved Byzantine churches. Built in the late 13th century, an inscription on a gate names Andronicus Paleologus, Berat’s Governor.

• Ruins of the Red Mosque - Ottoman explorer Evliya Çelebi (1611–1682) noted the mosque was built during Bayazid II’s reign, likely in the 15th century, making it one of Albania’s oldest mosques. It was probably constructed after Berat’s 1417 Ottoman conquest. The earliest record is from 1431/32, originally named Mosque of the Ruler and Mosque of Conquest.

• Mangalem - Berat’s Mangalemi quarter is one of its oldest and most iconic districts, north of the Osumi River and south of Kalaja. Historically an Islamic area due to Ottoman influence, its heritage is evident.

Walking through Mangalem, visitors see centuries-old white stone houses with terracotta roofs, wooden doors, and floral window displays. Its unique architecture earned it the nickname ‘City of 1000 Windows’ for its many large, symmetrical windows on rocky hillsides.

• The King Mosque - Also known as the Sultan’s Mosque or Sultan Bayezid Mosque, it is one of Albania’s oldest mosques. Built in the 15th century by Sultan Bayezid II, it served Berat’s Albanian community. Rebuilt in the 19th century to prevent collapse, it remains active. Inside, a women’s gallery features intricate painted designs on the wooden ceiling.

• Halveti Tekke, Berat - Helveti Tekke is a worship site for Helveti, Muslim dervishes or mystics. Built in the 15th century, it was rebuilt by Ahmet Kurt Pasha in 1782. An inscription above the doorway commemorates this event. Inside is a small prayer hall with an external portico featuring columns from ancient Apolonia. A balcony enhances sound quality for rituals.

• Gorica Bridge - With a rich history, complex architecture, and simple aesthetic, Gorica Bridge has long captivated admirers.

Located in central Berat, the grand Gorica Bridge is one of the Balkans’ most beautiful Ottoman bridges, connecting the city to its namesake neighborhood. Its beauty lies in its gentle arch, 10m high, spanning 130m across the Osumi riverbed. It features seven arches, wooden railings, and small “windows,” giving the arches whimsical facial features, making it a rare sight.

• Bottled water
• Licensed Tour guide
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history
• PRIVATE TOUR option

• Meals and drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activity costs

Discover the highlights of two significant Albanian cities in a full-day tour that will immerse you in over two thousand years of history.

Marvel at the ancient coastal city of Durres and its Roman amphitheater, where the echoes of gladiators can still be felt, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Berat, featuring its inhabited castle, two museums, and the famous Ottoman neighborhoods.

Start your journey from your hotel and travel comfortably to the port city of Durres. Here, you can wander through the remnants of the old Dyrrachium, visit the Byzantine Forum, the Venetian Tower, and cap off your day by enjoying a coffee while taking in the beautiful views along the Adriatic Sea.

Be captivated by the stunning vistas from the top of Berat Castle, an ideal spot for photography, and admire the frescoes by the medieval iconographic master, Onufri.

Enjoy hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your hotel with our professional guides, who have a profound knowledge and passion for history and possess excellent language skills.

• Travel time is already included in the tour duration.
• Please contact us after your booking if you are travelling with infants

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.