Weekend Getaways From Tirana

It is believed that the Trojans founded the ancient city of Butrint. The city lies 18 km from the modern town of Saranda, and is an example of a very well preserved ancient city. You can get to Sardana (from where Butrint is accessible by bus) by bus from Tirana, which is about 160 km from Saranda. Butrint retains many of its buildings still- there are quite a few fortifications, an acropolis, an amphitheatre, and public baths, all dating back to different periods of Butrint’s history. The acropolis dates back to the time of the Greeks, the public baths richly decorated with geometrical mosaics to the time of the Romans. There is also a later fortress- a huge triangular structure built in the 1800s by a local warlord.

Dürres lies on the Adriatic coast and was established by the Greeks way back in 627 BC. It is the second largest city in Albania, an important commercial and industrial centre full of interesting historical remains. Amongst its most famous ruins are those dating back to Roman and Byzantine times- there is, for instance, a very impressive amphitheatre, the ubiquitous public baths, and the former palace of King Ahmet Zog. There are two museums worth visiting - the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre and the Archaeological Museum. Behind the Archaelogical Museum lie the ancient city walls, which date back to the 6th century.