Fier: Apollonia & Ardenica Monastery Guided Tour
Duration
6 hour(s)
Languages
English
Skip the line
Included
€ 320
€ 294.40
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Nestled just 12 kilometers from the city of Fier and the Adriatic coast, Apollonia stands as one of Albania’s most captivating archaeological treasures. Founded in 588 BC by Greek settlers from Corfu and Corinth, Apollonia flourished along the banks of the Vjosa River in harmony with the local Illyrian Taulantii tribe. Dedicated to Apollo, the god of the sun, poetry, and music, this once-vibrant port city was among the thirty built in his honor across the ancient world. At its peak, Apollonia was a bustling center of trade, capable of hosting over a hundred ships, and famed for its cultural and economic prosperity. However, a devastating earthquake eventually led to the city's decline, leaving behind timeless ruins that today serve as a vital link to Albania’s rich historical past. Now a key destination for cultural tourism, Apollonia attracts visitors from around the world and offers immense potential to boost the local economy through heritage-driven travel.
Transportation
Professional Guide
Entry tickets for The Archeological Park of Apollonia and The Monastery of Ardenica
Anything not mentioned in ''included''
Wear comfortable light clothes and footwear
Wheelchair not accessible
Bring a cap with you
Reach the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time
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Activity Provider: My Tour in Italy
Customer Reviews
Martin
Beautiful historic ruins. Two onsite food locations. Requires 1-3 hours depending on how much time you like to spend in the museum.
Dave
The roads getting to the parking lot were very poor dirt path and single lane pavement. It looks like they are building another (single lane) road, but it will be a while. Large, free parking lot. Adult admission is 600 LEK (cash only. Single male and female toilet inside compound, in the corner by the office. Small 12th century Byzantine Monastery, nice museum with artifacts to 4th century BC. The grounds contain the foundations of a multitude of ancient buildings. Good markers with photos of what they would have looked like. Descriptions in Albanian and English. Ate lunch at hilltop restaurant (good food/beers). Cash only.
Manuel
A little overcrowded but nice to visit. No handicaped accessable. The museum in the monastery is nice, the archäological area, well, it is difficult to orientate yourself. The reconstructions are nice. But anyway, not so much to see. But if you are interested in Archäology, a must of course.
Patrick
Easy parking access for 200LEK and easy access to the site aa well. Nice to walk around and see this place starting to show itself. Needs a lot more digging but already enough to explore. Friendly people and restaurants included at the location
Shachar
Apollonia Archaeological Park – A Wonderful Family Visit We visited as a family with young children aged 3 and 5. It took us 2–3 hours to explore at a pleasant pace without feeling rushed. The park is spacious, but there are shaded spots under trees and two restaurants—one at the top of the hill and another on “Lion’s Hill”—which make for pleasant breaks. At the start of the route, there’s a 5–10 minute uphill section. It’s not too difficult, but it can be challenging with a stroller. In general, the site isn’t very stroller‑friendly. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, bringing a hat, and having water with you.