Durres, Albania - a complete travel guide

DURRES - PLACES TO VISIT, BEACHES, ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

When we planned our vacation in Albania, we were unsure about Durres. We weren’t convinced whether we should include this city in our itinerary or not. In the end, we decided it was worth giving it a chance—and we were right. It is one of the places that pleasantly surprised me. Both the city center and the beach area exceeded our expectations, so I can only recommend this destination to others.

The city has a long and rich history, being one of the oldest and most important cities in Albania. Founded in 627 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, Durrës became a major port and commercial center during the Roman Empire, known as Dyrrachium. In the Middle Ages, Durrës was contested by the Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans, reflecting its strategic importance. Its historical heritage is evident through numerous archaeological sites, including a Roman amphitheater, Roman baths, and medieval walls.

It is the second-largest city in Albania, which has developed significantly since the fall of the communist regime. Tourists usually visit Durrës for its beaches, which, in my opinion, do not disappoint. They are long, with fine sand and a gentle entrance into the water, while the promenade along the beach adds the perfect touch to create a true vacation atmosphere.

HOW TO GET TO DURRËS?

The nearest airport is the one serving the country's capital, Tirana, located about 36 km away. There are lots of international flights, from most European Cities.

Public transportation in Albania is not very well developed, but there are direct buses to Durrës. The bus station is located to the left of the airport exit.

Another option for getting around Albania is renting a car. At the airport, you’ll find companies such as Sicily by Car, Enterprise, and Europcar. If you’ve never rented a car before, I’ve prepared a guide on the most important aspects to consider.

You can also opt to book a transfer with a public transport company, details here.

WHERE DO YOU ACCOMMODATE IN DURRES?

The accommodation options in Durrës offer a wide range of choices for tourists, from luxury hotels to guesthouses and rental apartments. The seaside hotels stand out with modern amenities, private beaches, and swimming pools, attracting both international and local tourists. Additionally, guesthouses and rental apartments provide more intimate and often more affordable alternatives, located both near the beach and in the historic city center, allowing visitors to easily explore the cultural and historical attractions of Durrës.

Among the options available on Booking, the ones that caught my attention and have good reviews are:

- Luxurious Studio-apartment - one-bedroom apartment accommodation unit, located near the beach. Internet and parking are included in the booking price;

- Hygge Apartment - one-bedroom apartment with balcony, located near the beach. On request, transfer from and to the airport can be booked.

- Hotel Gega - accommodation unit with double, twin or triple rooms. It has a 24-hour reception, and internet and parking are included in the booking price;

- Cozy Beachfront Room - apartment-type accommodation unit, with one bedroom and a sofa bed, which can accommodate up to 3 guests. It is located near the beach and has parking.

PLACES TO VISIT IN DURRES:

Durrës Beach is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the city, making it a must-visit. Even if you’re not a fan of sunbathing, taking a walk along the promenade, admiring the sunset, or simply enjoying a drink at one of the seaside terraces are just a few activities that I’m sure will delight you.

It is a beach with fine sand and a gentle entrance into the water. Unlike the beaches in southern Albania, this one faces the Adriatic Sea rather than the Ionian Sea. It stretches for 10 km and offers both areas with sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as open spaces where you can lay down a towel.

Moving on to the places to visit in Durres, I couldn't help but include the Roman Amphitheater. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania. Its construction began in the 2nd century and was destroyed by earthquakes twice, a few centuries later. It is the largest amphitheater of its kind in the Balkan Peninsula, with the capacity to accommodate 20,000 spectators. Inside the amphitheater, a chapel dedicated to the first bishop of Durres has been very well preserved. Nowadays, the location can be visited, and the ticket price is €3/person.

The Great Mosque of Durres - is a modern place of worship, located above the main square. The construction is simple, with a minaret and can be one of the places you can add to your list of places to visit, if you are interested in learning more about Albanian culture. Albanians are mostly Islamic, so you will find many such mosques, both in Durres and in the rest of the country.

The Venetian Tower (Durres Castle) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city. Although the building is not very large, a visit to this place is quite complex and you have the opportunity to learn interesting things. The tower was originally built in the 5th century, as part of the city's defense wall. It was later rebuilt, both in the medieval period and recently.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR DURRES:

Hiking on the Via Egnatia route

Via Egnatia is one of the oldest trails in Europe, having been built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It starts right on the Adriatic coast, near Durres, and continues through North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. You can find it on Google Maps under the name “Start Via Egnatia trail”. Obviously, being a very long trail, you can choose to walk only small portions of it, or even choose different points to start it.

Spille Beach is a long beach with fine sand and a gentle entrance into the water. It is much less crowded than the one in Durres, and there are bars and restaurants nearby.

Kruje is a village at the foot of the mountains, north of Tirana and a place full of history, where time seems to have stood still. Here you can visit the historic center, and a day trip from Durres, or Tirana is enough to explore the whole town.

Berrat is a city whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture, with traditional whitewashed houses lining the hillsides, earning it the nickname "the city of a thousand windows". The historic center also includes the medieval citadel, Kala, which houses Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, reflecting the city's cultural and religious diversity.

Nearby, you can also visit the Osum Canyon, with its impressive gorge.

Golem Beach is a beach famous for its fine sand and crystal clear water. Located near the city of Durrës, the beach attracts tourists with its modern facilities, restaurants and various accommodation options, offering a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere for summer holidays.

Cape of Rodon is famous for its spectacular scenery and historical ruins. Cape Rodon is home to the ruins of the Rodoni Castle built by Skanderbeg and an old Franciscan monastery, attracting both nature lovers and history buffs.

OTHER EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN DURRES, OR NEARBY:

• Vineyard tour with wine tasting, details here;

• ATV ride, details here;

• Day trip to Bovilla, Kruje and Gamti, details here;

• Day trip to Berrat and Belshi Lake, details here;

• Excursion to Shengjergj Waterfall, details here;

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DURRES:

- the best time to visit is between June and September, when the weather is perfect for beach time;

- finding a parking space can be problematic, so I recommend making sure that you have private parking at the hotel/accommodation you are booking. Make sure it is mentioned that it is private parking! Many hosts state in the description that they have parking, but this is limited to the available space, on the street;

- cash payments are preferred, there are very few places where you can pay by card. The positive side is that euros are accepted almost everywhere, so you don't necessarily need to have a lot of cash in local currency;

- although Albania doesn't have the best reputation for safety, from our experience it seemed like a pretty safe country. We didn't have any unpleasant incidents with anyone;

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT DURRES:

Durres is the kind of city that can be visited in a single day. Obviously, people who love to stay at the beach can even make a week-long vacation here, especially since the beach in Durres is one of the longest, with fine sand and perfect for families with small children, and not only. Albania can also be a destination to consider, if you want to have a somewhat cheaper vacation in Europe.

To give you an idea of ​​prices (for 2024), a meal for two, with a single course, salad and a drink, costs around €20-25. The price of a sunbed can vary between €5 and €15, depending on the location and the period.

Also, if you are planning a vacation in Europe, in which you want to have variety in terms of places to visit, it is good to know that Durres is directly connected to Bari in the Puglia region, Italy, by ferry. In Puglia, you can visit places like Polignano a Mare, Matera, or Alberobello.

On our vacation in Albania, we visited Saranda, Butrint, Gjirokastra, Blue Eye, Ksamil, Vlora and Durres. If you have any questions about any of these destinations, you can leave them in the comments.

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