Discover Vlora and visit the Archaeological Park of Amantia

What to do in Vlore: rivers, bridges, history and the Amantia Archeological Park

The bridges over the Vlora river You will leave from Vlora at 9 am, to reach the area along the Vlora river (also called Shushicë) in about an hour's journey south. The shore of the Vlora river is an area with a unique charm. At times the river expands in its riverbed, at times it seems to concentrate in small streams, surrounded by colorful rocks.With this tour you will also explore villages in Albania. Your first stop of the tour you will be Brataj, a village of 2,000 inhabitants located in the municipality of Selenicë. In these parts, the river is the real protagonist, with its clear crystalline blue waters. The Vlora is crossed by three bridges, Peshkëpi, Drashovica and Kotë. These are ancient and rather high stone bridges, they have large arches that can withstand the flooding of the river during the rainy seasons.The battles of the Second World War and the Arch of Drashovica

These places have gone down in history also for having, in spite of themselves, hosted some bloody battles during the Second World War. In August 1920 the Albanian nationalists managed to push back the Italians in the Valona War. Another episode dates back to the war between the Italian occupation army and the Greek army. In 1940 the Italian fascists who had occupied Albania wanted to invade Greece too but were rejected. The Greek army managed to penetrate the Vlora valley, rejecting the Italian units that were forced to retreat and beaten in the Battle of Himara. The second episode dates back to 1943. At the time the Italian bases in Albania had been occupied by the Germans, who suffered heavy casualties of men in the Battle of Drashovica by Albanian troops commanded by the generals of the partisan troops Hysni Kapo and Tasim Murati. Near the bridge with the same name, you will visit the Drashovice War Memorial. The Arch of Drashovica, designed by Muntaz Dhrami, is a real monumental complex that occupies an entire square. Erected in 1980 to commemorate the fallen troops of 1920 and those of 1943, the monument celebrates the struggle for the liberation of the Albanian people. Attractions around Vlore: Brataj and Vajze villages and the of Amantia After visiting the monument you will head to the village of Brataj, which deserves a quick visit. Later in the morning, a regenerating bath awaits us. You will go near the Brataj Bridge, a Venetian-style bridge from the 1500s at the base of which the river widens.

After lunch, the last stop awaits us. You will go to the village of Ploc to visit the archaeological park of the ancient city of Amantia. Amantia was a fortified Greek polis erected between the sixth and third centuries BC. and placed in a strategic position on the Vlora valley. Today the Amantia Archaeological Park covers 15 hectares, presenting the remains of the acropolis, a Doric-style temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, the stadium (among the best preserved ruins) and a city wall.

•Due to the moderate amount of walking to reach the main attraction sites could be better to wear comfortable shoes and clothes

•We suggest this tour to customers who are able to climb and descend streets and stairs

•This tour is not suitable for customers in wheelchairs 

•In case of hot weather we suggest you bring a cap with you

•Reach the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time