When you visit Apollonia, you will find ancient ruins surrounded by quiet hills and expansive open views. As you drive, you will pass small villages and peaceful countryside. The easiest way to enjoy this freedom is to rent a car in Albania. With your vehicle, you are not tied to bus schedules or crowded group tours, and you can shape the trip the way you want. Our Apollonia ruins travel guide will give you details on how to plan your visit.
Founded in 588 BC by Greek settlers from Corfu and Corinth, Apollonia became one of the most important trading cities on the Adriatic coast. The city had close ties with the Illyrian Taulantii tribe, and this mix of cultures created a unique identity that you can still feel today.
Apollonia peaked during the Roman era, when it became a gateway along the famous Via Egnatia road that connected the Adriatic Sea with the eastern parts of the empire. Cicero called it a “great and important city,” and even Octavian, who later became the first emperor Augustus, studied here in the city’s academy. At its height, around 50,000 people lived within its strong walls, enjoying trade, culture, and learning.
The city fell in the 3rd century AD, when a strong earthquake shifted the river Vjosa and cut Apollonia off from the sea. Without its harbor, the city declined. By the medieval period, it was abandoned except for the monastery of Saint Mary, which was built centuries later. Today, an archaeological park remains where you can walk among temples, theatres, and churches that carry more than two thousand years of history.
A visit to Apollonia is a journey through more than two thousand years of history. You will see Greek temples, Roman theatres, Byzantine churches, and medieval monasteries all in one place. You can walk along the same paths as Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Cicero, and feel the power of a city that once shaped the Mediterranean world. Compared to larger sites like Butrint, Apollonia is less crowded.
The most convenient way to the Apollonia Ruins is by car. From Tirana International Airport (TIA), the drive to Apollonia Archaeological Park takes under 2 hours and covers about 116 km. The main route follows the SH4 highway, which connects Tirana with the south of Albania.
Leaving the airport, you first take Rruga e Aeroportit and follow the signs to SH2, which leads toward Tirana. From there, you merge onto SH4. This highway takes you through towns such as Lushnjë and eventually toward Fier. Along the way, you will see roadside cafes, gas stations, and countryside views. The roads are mostly in good condition, but be prepared for smaller local roads near Pojan, where Apollonia is located. Direction signs are not always clear, so using GPS is highly recommended.
When you reach Fier, follow SH66 and then smaller rural roads toward Pojan. The last stretch includes local turns before reaching the entrance to Apollonia Archaeological Park. Parking is available at the site. The drive is straightforward once you are on SH4, but the smaller roads near the ruins can be narrow.
If you prefer not to drive, you can reach Apollonia by public transport, though it takes longer. You can take a bus to Fier from Tirana, Vlora, or Berat. Taxis are available to Pojan from there, but you should always agree on the fare in advance. Another option is to join an organized tour, which includes transport and a guide.
The Greek and Roman heritage of Apollonia can be seen across the site. As a Greek colony, Apollonia had temples dedicated to gods such as Apollo, Artemis, and Diana, and public spaces like the Agora where citizens gathered. Later, the city grew even larger when the Romans took control in 229 BC. They built a theatre, a library, triumphal arches, and large villas decorated with mosaics.
One of the most fascinating parts of visiting Apollonia ruins in Albania is seeing how Greek and Roman stles blended. You will find Doric and Ionic columns, Roman arches, and even remains of an aqueduct and Nymphaeum, a decorated fountain dedicated to water nymphs. This mix shows the city’s importance as a center of culture in the ancient Mediterranean. Even though much of Apollonia remains unexcavated, what is visible already gives you a strong sense of its grandeur.
You should also remember that Apollonia was not only about buildings but also about ideas. The academy where Augustus studied was one of the great schools of the Roman world. Standing among the ruins today, it is easy to imagine the voices of philosophers and orators filling the air.
When you walk into the archaeological park, you step into a landscape where nature and history come together. The park spreads over 81 hectares, with monuments on hills, fields, and paths. Much of the site remains untouched, but the areas that have been uncovered are enough to keep you exploring for hours.
The Bouleuterion is one of the most photographed landmarks of Apollonia. Built in the 2nd century AD, it served as the council house where the city’s leaders met. Its facade, with Corinthian columns and a pediment, still stands, though one column was damaged during recent vandalism. Nearby, archaeologists also discovered statues of judges and remains of smaller temples.
Across from the Bouleuterion stands the Odeon, a smaller theatre-like structure that could seat about 300 people. It was used for musical events, meetings, and possibly lessons. Local schools have even used it for performances in modern times, showing how the space still connects people today.
Further from the center is the large theatre, built to seat up to 7,000 people. Although only parts survive, it shows how big Apollonia once was. You can look out over the surrounding landscape from here, with views reaching toward the Adriatic. The site is peaceful, but tortoises may wander around, as they live freely among the stones.
Another highlight is the Temenos, or sacred area. It once contained the Temple of Apollo, smaller shrines, and sanctuaries. A symbolic obelisk is dedicated to Apollo Agyieus, protector of roads and public spaces. You can also see the remains of the Temple of Diana, which dates back to the 3rd and 4th century BC. Walking through this part of the site gives you a sense of Apollonia’s spiritual life and its importance in the ancient world.
On entering the park, the first major site you will see is the monastery complex of Saint Mary. Built in the 13th century, it used stones from the ancient ruins. Its cross-in-square design shows clear Byzantine architecture. Inside, you will find frescoes with figures of saints and members of the imperial Palaiologos family.
The church is simple but beautiful, with sculpted capitals on the outside and wall paintings inside. Visitors are often impressed by its Byzantine art, which mixes eastern and western stles. Some frescoes, like the Deposition and the Archangel Gabriel, show Romanesque influence, connecting Apollonia to wider European traditions.
The frescoes inside the church are among the most admired features of Apollonia. They include biblical scenes, prophets, and miracles of Christ. The monastery also contains a refectory, with frescoes of the Wedding at Cana and the Washing of the Feet. These paintings show skill and detail, linking Apollonia with the art of the late Byzantine world.
Next to the church is the Archaeological Museum. It was opened in 1958 and later closed after thefts in the 1990s, but reopened in 2011. Today, it has six rooms filled with artifacts from the site. You will find marble statues, mosaics, pottery, coins, and glass objects, all discovered during excavations. Many visitors say the collection is even more impressive than what is displayed in the National Museum in Tirana. Walking through the museum to understand the daily life of ancient Apollonia. You see the tools, decorations, and art that shaped the lives of its citizens.
The archaeological park stretches across a wide hilly plateau, with open views of the fertile Myzeqe plain and the Adriatic Sea. The surrounding landscape was one of the main reasons the ancient Greeks chose this spot to build a colony. Walking around the park, you will find quiet paths lined with trees and grasses, with birds and cicadas in the background. The site is large and uncrowded, so you can often explore peacefully.
One of the most unique aspects of Apollonia’s natural life is the Hermann’s tortoise, a species threatened in Europe due to habitat loss. These small tortoises can be seen walking among the ruins, especially near the theatre and open grassy areas. Alongside the tortoises, the fields support a variety of wildflowers in spring and summer, giving color to the ancient stones.
British tourists in Apollonia should know a few details when they visit for the first time. The site lies about 8 km west of Fier, near the village of Pojan. It is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in winter and until 8:00 pm in summer. Entrance costs 600 Lek for adults, with discounts for children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Tickets are purchased in cash at the gate.
The last entry to the museum is one hour before closing. There are two restaurants on-site at Apollonia. One is Restaurant Apollonia, located near the museum. The other is Bar Restaurant Leon Ray, set in a stone house on the hill. Both places serve local dishes in a quiet setting. Facilities such as restrooms are also available inside the monastery complex.
You can visit Apollonia anytime, but the best months are spring, summer, and autumn. The weather is warm in these seasons, and the landscape around the ruins is green and beautiful. Winter is mild compared to northern Europe, though there may be more rain. Many travelers enjoy visiting in late October, when the sun is still intense but the site is less crowded. Apollonia is not crowded, so you will often feel like you have the ruins to yourself. Locals also use the site as a picnic spot.
Visiting Apollonia is like walking through the pages of history. In one peaceful park, you see Greek temples, Roman theatres, and Byzantine churches. The ruins are surrounded by fields, birdsong, and quiet hills, giving you time to relax and imagine life in the ancient world. Rent a car at Tirana Airport with Final Rentals to explore conveniently. With flexible pick-up at Tirana Airport, simple booking, and reliable vehicles, you can explore Albania without stress.
