Via Egnatia: Roman Road Remains in Albania Travel Guide

Updated 2026-11-02 · 6 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.

How to visit the Via Egnatia segments near Elbasan

Travel to Elbasan, located about 45km south-east of Tirana.
Visit the Ad Quintum archaeological site in Bradashesh to see Roman baths and road infrastructure.
Drive east along the SH3 highway toward Mirakë and Qukës, then explore on foot to find surviving stone-paved segments.
Hike the trail segments near Qukës using a route guide and GPS tracks for the most authentic rural road experience.

What is the Via Egnatia?

The Via Egnatia was a major Roman military and commercial road begun in the 2nd century BC to connect the Adriatic coast with Macedonia and Thrace, and later extended to Byzantium.

Built by proconsul Gnaeus Egnatius, the road began at the ports of Dyrrachium (modern Durrës) and Apollonia, merging in the Shkumbin valley. It was the land-based extension of the Via Appia, facilitating the movement of Roman legions and trade across the Balkans.

Location	Type of Remains	Access
Durrës	Starting point / City walls	Public
Bradashesh	Ad Quintum station / Baths	Public/Restricted
Mirakë	Kamara Bridge / Ottoman-era	Hiking
Qukës	Paved stone segments	Hiking

Where are the best preserved sections of the road?

Some of the best-preserved stone-paved segments lie in the hills between Mirakë and Qukës, above the Shkumbin valley.

In the village of Qukës and the surrounding Shkumbin valley, hikers can still walk on the original polygonal stone blocks. While urban development has covered much of the route in Durrës and Elbasan, these rural stretches remain largely intact due to their remote location.

Can you hike the Via Egnatia in Albania today?

Yes, a dedicated cultural route and hiking trail exists following the historical path from Durrës to the North Macedonian border.

The Via Egnatia Foundation has mapped significant portions of the trail for modern hikers. The route follows the Shkumbin River and offers a mix of asphalt roads and ancient stone paths, passing through traditional villages and Ottoman-era bridges along the historic corridor.

Is there a cost to visit the Via Egnatia remains?

Most of the road remains are located in open countryside or public areas and do not require an entrance fee.

Archaeological parks like Apollonia or specific sites in Durrës may charge a small entry fee, typically between 200 and 600 Lek. However, the segments found along the hiking trails in the Shkumbin valley are free to access for anyone willing to trek to their locations.

When is the best time to visit the ancient road?

Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for exploring the Via Egnatia to avoid the summer heat and winter mud.

Between April and June, or September and October, the weather is mild enough for long-distance walking. Winter can make the stone paths slippery and difficult to navigate, while July and August temperatures in the Shkumbin valley often exceed 30 degrees Celsius.