Communist Bunkers Guaranteed excursion from Durres

The tour starts in Kavajë, Albania, a centrally located city in the lowlands of Albania. As with many other Albanian towns, its history dates back to the Illyrians in the 1st century B.C.

After meeting the guide, you will be travel approximately an hour to Tirana, the heart and capital of the Republic of Albania, with a population of just over 700.000. This important city lies at the foot of Dajti Mountain (1612 m/5288 ft.) at 110 m/361 ft. above sea level. Although the city is relatively new (first built in 1614), the region of Tirana has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. In 1925 it was officially declared the capital of Albania. Today it is Albania’s main administrative, economical, art and culture center.
Your visit starts at Skanderbeg Square, a monument dedicated to Skanderberg: George Castriot, known as Skanderbeg, an Albanian nobleman and military commander, who was declared a national hero of Albania for resisting the Ottomans in the 15th century. You will have time for sightseeing: the main boulevard, main administrative buildings, National Bank of Albania and the Et’hem Bey mosque (from the outside only).

Albania is unique among nations in the thousands of concrete bunkers that litter the countryside. When Communist dictator Enver Hoxha led the country from 1944 until 1985, he ordered these bunkers to be built. In his paranoia, he believed they would protect the country from invaders he thought would attack at any moment. The invaders never arrived, but Albanians have an ongoing reminder of that time in their history. Many bunkers have been broken up and their materials used for other purposes. Others have been repurposed, like the one you will visit: BunkArt. It’s a five-story building; some rooms are filled with historical items relating to the Communist era, others are bare. There is also a large assembly hall, now used for jazz concerts.

Free time for lunch—be sure to try the local specialties!

You will travel to Durres to visit another of the oldest cities in Albania. Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, it is Albania’s biggest seaport and its second largest city. Founded in the 7th century B.C.

it has many ancient archaeological sites, including the amphitheater of Roman Emperor Hadrian. One-third of the original city wall still exists; you can stroll along the same road as Caesar himself!

Your tour of Durres will start with a visit to its main historical area. You will begin at the Venetian tower then follow the old Byzantine walls of the castle to an upper view of the Roman Amphitheatre. You will continue on to view other Roman and Byzantine ruins.