Cultural Gems of Vlora: Apollonia, Kanina, and the Narta Lagoon

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Where we will visit the temples of Apollonia and Artemis. An archaeological site that played an important role in the religious and cultural life of the ancient city.

Next to the temples of Apollonia and Artemis, we find the Monastery of Saint Mary in a picturesque location that attracts believers and visitors from all over the world.

In the Archaeological Museum of Apollonia, we find a variety of military artifacts and relics discovered in the ancient city of Apollonia and the surrounding area.

After leaving the Archaeological Museum of Apollonia, we take a short walk to the Roman Library and Portico, two magnificent structures that showcase the cultural and architectural importance of the ancient city of Apollonia during the Roman period.

Within this complex of Apollonia, we also find the city theatre. A theatre that showcases Apollonia’s dedication to culture and the arts, as well as the adaptation of Greek and Roman architectural models.

Near the Small Theatre, we find the Mosaics of Apollonia, which offer a visual journey into the ancient world.

Around these attractions, we find ourselves surrounded by walls that, to this day, are relatively covered by erosion.

Heading further south, we take the bypass of Vlora, heading towards Kanina Castle, which is located about 6 km from the city of Vlora. A castle with several construction phases that span two periods, the ancient and the medieval, specifically Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman.

We descend from Kanina Castle and head towards Narta Lagoon, located about 13 km from the city of Vlora, showcasing a beautiful natural landscape that expresses harmony between tranquility and brilliance. Within it, Zvërneci Island houses the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, a 10th-century structure with Byzantine.

After visiting the lagoon along with Zvërneci Island, we return to the city of Vlora and stop at the promenade, with a spectacular view. In the late afternoon,we return to Tirana.