What to do in Durres, Albania

Durres is one of the largest cities on the Adriatic Sea and is just a half-hour drive from Tirana. It’s one of Albania’s oldest cities with almost 3000 years of history and was founded by the Greeks in 627 B.C.

It’s a typical Eastern European coastal city perfect for every budget. Here you can enjoy great food, relax on the beach and explore ancient ruins. It’s not a sought out destination, but if you are in Tirana, don’t skip it. Since it’s not that popular with tourists, it makes the perfect destination for a more authentic experience.

How to get there

The city is about 34km (21 mi) from Tirana and you can get here by bus, taxi or car. The bus ticket costs around €0.40 and takes about 35 minutes. Buses leave from Tirana every 10-15 minutes every day between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi which will cost around €25, but since the distance is short, I would opt for the bus.

TOP THINGS TO DO

1. Relax on the beach

Granted, the most beautiful beaches in Albania are down south, but I’ve discovered a few really beautiful spots in the north of Durres:

- Kallmi i Bucur – this is probably my favourite spot and I would highly recommend it. It’s a restaurant that has a really beautiful and colourful setting. It’s located right on the beach and they have sunbeds and umbrellas. The food was really good as well so you can easily spend the entire day here.
- Beach Bar Soleil – located just next to Kallmi i Bucur, they have a very relaxed vibe and they even have a volleyball net. The sunbeds are limited so make sure you arrive early.
- FisherMan – this restaurant has some really amazing seafood, so even if you don’t opt for their beach, make sure to save it for the food. I’d highly recommend coming here around sunset and enjoying the beautiful view over the Adriatic Sea.

All of the above places are in more remote areas which means they are far from the crowds, but you will have to take a taxi to get here if you don’t have a car.

But if you just want to stay in the city there are plenty of beaches to choose from although they will be more crowded.

2. Durres Amphitheatre

The Durres Amphitheatre was built in the 2nd century AD by emperor Trajan and is the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. The amphitheatre was buried underground and houses were built on top of it when the Ottomans took over. Today, there are still a lot of houses extremely close to it and it is listed as an endangered cultural site.

You can find the amphitheatre in the centre of Durres, just a 5-minute walk from the Venetian Tower.

The entrance is €3 and you can visit between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

3. The Venetian Tower

The Venetian Tower was built during the Venetian Republic in the 15th century. It served as a defensive structure, offering commanding views of the coastline. Today you can explore this beautiful landmark and immerse yourself in its past. From the top of the tower you can see the old town and a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.

4. Enjoy Durres Promenade

A long walk along the promenade is the perfect way to end your day. My absolute favourite sunset spot is from the Sfinksi where you can sit on the stairs and marvel at the amazing sunset colours. You can find a lot of bars and restaurants on the promenade, which also makes it a good place to go out at night. Be sure to check out Posh Lounge and order the Negroni.

5. Archaeological Museum:

For history enthusiasts, the Durres Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts that date back to ancient Illyrian, Greek, and Roman periods. Discover the region’s cultural heritage through its impressive collection.

The entrance is around €2.50 and it takes 1-2 hours to visit.

Where to stay

Budget – Top View Hostel – located just 200m from the beach, this hostel has a garden, a terrace and a bar

Medium – Colombia Apartments & Rooms – these apartments are fully equipped with everything you need for a long or short stay. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, full-day security and currency exchange for guests.

High – Hotel Epidamn Boutique & Spa – this hotel has some really beautiful, classic decorated rooms. They also have a hammam and a spa centre.

Author

Miruna

Full-time software engineer, part-time traveller. I am the annoying person who slows you down because she saw a stray cat that “needed” attention.