Durrës (also known under Italian name Durazzo), historically known as Epidamnos and Dyrrachium, is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania. Located on the Adriatic Sea, it is the country's most ancient and economic and historic center.
Durrës (Durres), Albania Monterrasol private car tours to
Durrës (Durres), Albania Monterrasol private car tours to
Durrës (Durres), Albania Monterrasol private car tours to
Durrës (Durres), Albania Monterrasol private car tours to
Apollonia - Known for ancient theatre, archaeological site, museum, orthodox monastery; archaeological site is a UNESCO Tentative List Site
Berat - Known for architecture, bridge, byzantine empire, castle, historical center, medieval old town, museum, river, venetian empire; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gjirokastër (Gjirokaster) - Known for fortress, historical center, medieval old town, museum, viewpoint; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Krujë (Kruje) - Known for castle, historical center, museum
Founded in the ancient region of Illyria in 627 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu under the name of Epidamnos around the 7th century BC, the city essentially developed to become significant as it became an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor the Byzantine Empire.
Durrës is served by the Port of Durrës, one of the largest on the Adriatic Sea, which connects the city to Italy and other neighboring countries. Its most considerable attraction is the Amphitheater of Durrës that is included on the tentative list of Albania for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once having a capacity for 20,000 people, it is the largest amphitheater in the Balkan Peninsula.
After the Illyrian Wars with the Roman Republic in 229 BC ended in a decisive defeat for the Illyrians, the city passed to Roman rule, under which it was developed as a major military and naval base.
The Romans renamed it Dyrrachium. They considered the name Epidamnos to be inauspicious because of its wholly coincidental similarities with the Latin word damnum, meaning "loss" or "harm". The meaning of Dyrrachium ("bad spine" or "difficult ridge" in Greek) is unclear, but it has been suggested that it refers to the imposing cliffs near the city.
One of the city's main sights is the Byzantine city wall, also called Durrës Castle, while the largest amphitheater in the Balkans is found close to the city's harbor.
Durrës is home to the largest archaeological museum in the country, the Durrës Archaeological Museum, located near the beach. North of the museum are the sixth-century Byzantine walls constructed after the Visigoth invasion of 481. The bulk of the museum consists of artifacts found in the nearby ancient site of Dyrrhachium and includes an extensive collection from the Illyrian, Ancient Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Items of major note include Roman funeral steles and stone sarcophagi, an elliptical colorful mosaic measuring 17 by 10 feet, referred to as The Beauty of Durrës, and a collection of miniature busts of Venus, testament to the time when Durrës was a centre of worship of the goddess.
Durrës (Durres) related tours
We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Durrës (Durres) during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Durrës (Durres).
We have developed several tours that visiting this beautiful place. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.
Let's come together to 15 days all seasons tour to explore 3 countries: Montenegro, Albania, Greece.
In Montenegro, we will visit town Kotor (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. In coastal town Budva we will walk its narrow streets of historical center and surrounding walls. We also will visit Old Bar, the settlement known from Byzantine Empire ages. On the way to Albania we will visit cave monastery Dajbabe with unique frescoes.
In Albania, we need to see historical center of town Krije and its museum, admire ancient theater in Durres, wonder on beautiful sea on Divjaka beach, and come to sleep in town Berat (UNESCO World Heritage Site), called as town of thousand windows. After Berat, we will visit archaeological site Apollonia (UNESCO Tentative List site), and come to see historical center of town Gjirokaster (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here in Gjirokaster we will walk in Ottoman fortress and see local museum.
In Greece, we will stay in mainland, and see fortress of Ioannina, together with historical town and Silversmithing museum. We will admire huge amphitheater at Dodoni archaeological site (UNESCO Tentative List site), and cute small coastal town Parga with small fortress and gorgeous beach. Next day we will visit Nekromanteio Acheron, a Greek temple of necromancy, walk over famous bridge in Arta and see local museum.
We will visit archaeological site Oeniadae (UNESCO Tentative List site), known for its shipyard and small amphitheater. On the way to Nafpaktos we need to see a Messolonghi lagoon, unique biodiversity area. In Nafpaktos, we will walk inside a fortress, and will see why in the port there is the statue of Cervantes.
Next place we will see if famous Delphi (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the place of Delphian Oracle, now it's large archaeological site and museum with extended collection. Next, on the way to Athens, we will see hidden in mountains monastery Hosios Loukas (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and walk along of river in historical center of Livadeia. The sane day evening we will arrive to Athens.
Balkans discovery 15 days tour will open for you 4 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. Together with mentioned countries, you will also briefly meet famous Dubrovnik in Croatia and enjoy great time in beautiful coastal city Thessaloniki in Greece. With this tour we will pass over wonderful hilly Bosnia-Herzegovina, coastal venetian towns of Montenegro, fortresses and castles of Albania, and old roman sites of Macedonia.
In each country we going to discover we will visit most of must-see places. We will walk venetian coastal towns in Montenegro; medieval towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; will see famous Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia; ancient roman settlements in Macedonia and Greece; fortified towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania; archaeological places in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia; medieval fortresses and castles in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania; UNESCO sites in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.
This 18 days tour will allow you to meet amazing south Balkans countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and of course beautiful Greece. We will pass through medieval fortified towns, old venetian coastal towns, old castles and fortresses, Orthodox monasteries, archaeological sites, and amazing Balkans coastal line. Each country we going to visit will show must-see attraction; many sites we going to will visit are UNESCO Heritage sites. At season time we will stop on beaches to take a rest, to refresh and enjoy the crystal clear water.
This Balkans discovery tour will open for you 6 famous countries: Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and Greece. Each country have a rich history and many attractions. With this tour we will pass over Adriatic coast and Dalmatian Riviera of Croatia, wonderful hilly nature of Bosnia-Herzegovina, coastal venetian towns of Montenegro, unexpected panoramas of Albania, visit roman sites of Macedonia, and finally come to gem of this tour, beautiful Greece.
We will walk in medieval and venetian towns in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania; will see famous Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; ancient roman settlement in Albania, Macedonia, and Greece; fortified towns in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; archaeological places in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Greece; medieval fortresses in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; UNESCO sites in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece.
This extended 24 days cultural and panoramic tour from Dubrovnik to Athens will allow you to explore amazing South Balkans countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and of course beautiful Greece. We will pass through medieval fortified towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece, old venetian coastal towns in Montenegro, Albania and Greece, old castles and fortresses om each country, Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece, famous archaeological sites in Greece, and amazing Balkans coastal line with beaches and crystal clear sea.
Each country we going to visit will show must-see attraction; many sites we going to will visit are UNESCO Heritage sites. At season time we will stop on beaches to take a rest, to refresh and enjoy the unbelievable clear water.
With this extended 26 days Balkans cultural tour you will explore 6 countries: Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Greece. We will pass by Adriatic coast and Dalmatian Riviera of Croatia, wonderful hilly nature of Bosnia-Herzegovina, coastal medieval towns of Montenegro, unexpected panoramas and castles of Albania, meet truly roman sites of Macedonia and rich historic places of Greece.
We will visit medieval and venetian towns in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; will see famous Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece; ancient roman theaters in Macedonia and Greece; fortified towns in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; archaeological places in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Greece; medieval fortresses of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Montenegro; UNESCO sites in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Greece.
Explore 5 Balkans countries Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece in 32 days cultural tour from Zagreb to Athens. Discover Adriatic coast of Croatia; venetian towns of Dalmatian riviera; medieval towns of Montenegro; famous Orthodox monasteries in Bosnia, Montenegro and Greece; archaeological places in Albania and Greece; medieval fortresses of Croatia, Albania and Greece; UNESCO sites of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece.
June 27, 2021 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tuzla is the third-largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the administrative center of Tuzla Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tuzla is a modern multicultural city with rich history goes back to the 9th century, in touristic meaning the most known for salt lake.
June 2, 2021 Červená Lhota (Cervena Lhota), Czech Republic. Červená Lhota is a picturesque Renaissance castle in south Bohemia, Czech Republic. The castle stands at the middle of a lake on a rocky island. The name Červená Lhota meaning "red lhota" can be explained by the colour of the castle's bright-red roof tiles. There is also a park, where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity is located.
May 17, 2021 Gjirokastër (Gjirokaster), Albania. Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania, in a valley between mountains, at 300 metres above sea level. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate". The city is overlooked by Gjirokastër Fortress.
March 28, 2021 Stobi, Macedonia. Stobi, the biggest city from the antique period in this part of Macedonia, only 80km south from the the capital Skopje, is a place that links the Mediterranean to the continental Balkan hinterlands, shrouded by the mythical rivers of Axios and Erigon, along which countless Roman legions, Crusading cavalries, Ottoman conquerors and World War armies had marched. Today, this region represents the midpoint where the Old and the New World of wine meet.
February 13, 2021 Kraljeva Sutjeska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kraljeva Sutjeska is a village in the municipality of Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, almost at the middle of Bosnia and Herzegovina territory.
The village hosts a number of important historical sites: 14th century Catholic Franciscan monastery, ruins of the medieval Bosnian Court, an old Bosnian house with the original architecture from the 18th century, and mosque from 15th century, claimed to be the oldest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, very close to the village is located Bobovac, a fortified city of medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina.
