Apollonia Ruins, Ardenica Monastery & Slow Food
Meet your professional guide and depart Durrës, traveling through Albania’s fertile Myzeqe countryside. Along the way, your guide introduces the history of the region and the day’s itinerary.
About this activity
Free cancellation
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Duration 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Pick-Up & Timing Policy:
1. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed via WhatsApp by your tour guide.
2. Guests should be ready at their hotel's nearest main street, as vans cannot enter small streets.
3. Optional pick-up location: Hotel Continental parking area, Plepa.
4. Please be ready a few minutes early. If you are late, the bus cannot wait, and the tour may proceed without you.
5. Occasionally, the bus may arrive a few minutes late due to traffic or unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for your patience.
6. Any changes to pick-up time or location must be communicated in advance via WhatsApp.
Experience
Highlights
- Explore the ancient city of Apollonia and its archaeological park
- Visit the Monastery of Saint Mary and see its Byzantine architecture
- Discover the Ardenica Monastery, known for its 18th-century frescoes
- Enjoy a wine tasting at a family-run winery near Ardenica
Full description
Meet your professional guide and depart Durrës, traveling through Albania’s fertile Myzeqe countryside. Along the way, your guide introduces the history of the region and the day’s itinerary.
Explore Apollonia, one of Albania’s most important ancient cities, founded in the 6th century BC. See the Bouleuterion (Council House), Odeon, Prytaneion, ancient city walls and porticoes, and take in panoramic views of the Vjosa River valley.
Learn about Apollonia’s role as a major cultural and educational center of the ancient world, once visited by Octavian, later Emperor Augustus. Visit the museum housed in the former monastery complex, featuring statues, mosaics, inscriptions, and artifacts discovered on site. Explore the Church of Saint Mary, known for its Byzantine architecture and frescoes.
Continue to Ardenica Monastery, beautifully located on a hilltop with panoramic views. See the Church of Saint Mary, 18th-century frescoes, courtyard, and bell tower. Learn about its historical importance as the wedding site of Skanderbeg.
Arrive at a family-run Slow Food winery near Ardenica, where tradition and sustainability meet. Take a vineyard walk and winery introduction, taste local wines, and enjoy a traditional Slow Food lunch prepared with seasonal, local ingredients, including homemade bread, olive oil, cheeses, and regional dishes.
