Albania – not just an archaeological journey
6–16 October 2026
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TIRANA – DURRËS (with amphitheatre nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status)
Our Albanian tour guide and the bus that will be at our disposal throughout the tour will be waiting for us at Tirana Airport. Once we arrive in Durrës, we will first visit the amphitheatre, explore the city and visit the Archaeological Museum, if it is open again by then. Overnight stay in Durrës.
DAY 2: DURRËS – BERAT (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) – ARDENICA – APOLLONIA (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE CANDIDATE) – VLORË
We first drive to Berat and visit the castle and selected monuments in the old town. Our journey then takes us to Ardenica, an important medieval monastery that was dissolved during the communist era but fortunately did not suffer any major damage. Today, however, it is once again inhabited by monks. We then continue on to Apollonia – a home game for our Albanian tour guide. We visit the excavations and the museum. Overnight stay in Vlorë.
DAY 3: VLORË – KANINË – BYLLIS – VLORË
Our first destination of the day is Kaninë. There we will visit the impressive fortress, which has a long history that is still unclear in many respects. Our next destination is Byllis, a sprawling site with impressive historical remains such as the city walls and the ruins of important Christian basilicas. Then we return to Vlorë, where we end the day with a stroll through the city centre. Overnight stay in Vlorë.
DAY 4: VLORË – ORIKUM (Pasha Limani) – HIMARË – BUTRINT (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) – SARANDË
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Vlorë. Our route takes us further south. First, we visit the Orikum Archaeological Park with the city of Orikos, which has an uninterrupted history as a naval port dating back more than 2,000 years. Our journey then takes us to Himarë, a place steeped in Greek culture and Orthodox Christianity. The next destination on our journey is Butrint, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the country. We then continue on to Sarandë. Here we visit the excavated remains of a synagogue, located directly next to the remains of the ancient city fortifications. The synagogue is a rare testimony to early Judaism in Albania. Overnight stay in Sarandë.
DAY 5: SARANDË – PHOINIKE – MESOPOTAM – GJIROKASTËR (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)
Before leaving Sarandë, we visit the pilgrimage shrine of the ‘40 Saints’, which is not only of great historical significance but also offers a fantastic view of Sarandë. Afterwards, we will travel to Phoinike, one of the largest archaeological parks in the country, and to Mesopotam, a 13th-century monastery complex that has only recently been reopened to the public after extensive restoration work. Our destination for the day is Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we first visit the mighty fortress, parts of which now serve as a military museum, which has itself become a museum piece. But it also reflects the history of the country. We may take a walk through the old town. Overnight stay in Gjirokastër.
Day 6: GJIROKASTËR – ANTIGONEA – KAMENICË – KORÇA
The next morning, we leave Gjirokastër and head for Antigonea. Before continuing on to Kamenicë, we will enjoy lunch in Permët. In Kamenicë, we will find prehistoric and early historical monuments of great significance. Our destination for the day is Korça, the city of beer. Here we will have the opportunity to take a stroll through the city. Overnight stay in Korça.
Day 7: KORÇA – SELCE E POSTHTMË (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE CANDIDATE) – LIN (part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE OHRID) – SHELCAN – DURRËS
We begin the day's sightseeing programme with a visit to what is probably the world's largest icon museum. Then we continue on to Selce e Poshtmë with its impressive Illyrian rock tombs, often referred to as royal tombs. We take a leap back in time at our next stop in Lin, a small sleepy village. Here we visit the remains of an early church, which may have belonged to a summer residence of the bishops of Ohrid. A very small church awaits us in Shelcan. It is not its size that is significant, but the very well-preserved murals created by the best painters of the 16th century – Onufrie, father and son. Before we reach our destination for the day, Durrës, we will stop for lunch in the Elbesan area. Overnight stay in Durrës.
DAY 8: DURRËS – KRUJË – DURRËS
Our first destination of the day takes us in the footsteps of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. In Krujë, not far from Durrës, we visit Skanderbeg's fortress. This is followed by a stroll through the historic bazaar. We then continue at a leisurely pace to Tirana. There we visit the Archaeological Museum, which is roughly equivalent to the highest monument authority in the field of archaeology. Afterwards, we take a city tour of Tirana. At the end of the day's programme, there is a relaxed wine tasting in Durrës. Overnight stay in Durrës.
DAY 9: DURRËS – SHKODËR – LEHZË – DURRËS
The first destination of the day is Shokdër, the northernmost point of our journey, with its mighty Rozafa Fortress. We will probably see whole school classes on a field trip here, taking every opportunity to practise their foreign language skills. With no time pressure, we continue on to Lehzë. This is where Skanderbeg formed an alliance against the Ottoman Empire and where he died. We will see his probable burial place in the lower town. The lower town also contains evidence of earlier times. A visit to the fortress there is a must. After so much history, we end the day with a slow food meal. Slow food means that a farm offers only its own products (from vegetables to wine) in its own restaurant at the highest level. Overnight stay in Durrës.
DAY 10: DURRËS – TIRANA
In the morning, transfer from the hotel to the airport and return flight to Germany and Austria.
The programme is subject to change.
Registration deadline
15 August 2026 (Later registrations possible depending on availability.)
Services
• Tour guide and tour escort (partly in English with translation)
• Round trip as per programme in air-conditioned bus
• 9 nights' accommodation in good mid-range hotels
• Half board (9 breakfasts at the hotel and 9 dinners at the hotel or in traditional restaurants
• Two lunches
• One wine tasting
• All admissions to museums and archaeological sites
Not included in the price:
• Flights from Frankfurt and Vienna to Tirana and back
• Drinks in hotels and restaurants
• Tips
• Other personal expenses
Minimum number of participants: 10 persons
Tour price (per person in a double room)
Price: EUR 1,190.00
Single room supplement: EUR 200.00
If you have any questions about the programme, please contact me by email or telephone (see CONTACT AND REGISTRATION). You can register by email or post. The registration form and other documents (terms and conditions) can be downloaded.
