Historic sites, Albania

Most major sites charge €5–10 (Butrint €10, Apollonia €5, Berat castle €4, Gjirokastër castle €5). Bunk'Art 1 and 2 in Tirana are €5 each. Many smaller archaeological sites are free or token €1. Cash is preferred at the gate; cards work at the bigger ones.

Is hiring a guide worth it for archaeological sites?

Yes for Butrint — 3,000 years of layered history is hard to read alone. Yes for Bunk'Art 1 (Cold War context not obvious to outsiders). Less critical for Berat or Gjirokastër castles where signage and audio guides exist. Local guides at site entries cost €15–30 for a 1.5h tour.

Which UNESCO sites does Albania have?

Three: Butrint Archaeological Park, the historic centre of Berat, and the historic centre of Gjirokastër (the latter two combined as one UNESCO listing). Albania also has UNESCO Intangible Heritage entries for iso-polyphony singing and the xhubleta wool dress.