Fier & Apollonia

Fier is a city and the seat of Fier County in southwestern Albania, located about 16 km east of the Adriatic Sea and 100 km south of Tirana (around a two-hour drive via the A1 highway). The city is known as a center of Albania’s oil, bitumen, and chemical industries.

For most visitors, Fier’s real draw lies just outside the city: about 12 km to the west is Apollonia, one of Albania’s most important ancient Greek archaeological sites. It was founded by Greeks from Corinth and Corfu in 588 BC, and quickly grew into a significant city-state that minted its own currency and thrived on active trade. Under Roman rule (from 229 BC), Apollonia became a major cultural center home to a famous school of philosophy, making it a well-known center of learning in the ancient world.

Today, Apollonia Archaeological Park preserves the ruins of the ancient city alongside a museum displaying artifacts found at the site, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting southern Albania.

This information was verified on August 7, 2026.