The drive or bus ride north from Vlore to the ancient city of Fier is worthwhile as it cuts through the scenic Vjose-Narte wetlands where the River Aoos enters the Adriatic Sea after meandering though Greece and southern Albania.
The undoubted highlight of Fier is the Apollonia archaeological park, which is a Greek colony dating back 2,500 years. Apollonia was loyal to the Roman Empire after the local Illyrians were defeated, and Emperor Augustus studied here in the 1st century BC.
Among the architectural fragments are the portico of a temple, an Odeon theatre and a byzantine monastery.
