Top Things To Do & See in Durrës, Albania

Durres › Top Things To Do & See in Durrës, Albania

Discover the top attractions, best sights, and things to do in Durrës from Amphitheater of Durrës to Ventus Harbour and Cape Rodon & visiting local farms.

Durres in Albania is a seaport on the Adriatic coast, 30 km west of the capital Tirana. It is the capital of the district of the same name and the second most populous city in Albania.

With the largest and most popular beach in Albania (Golem) on one side and the beautiful Albanian countryside and farmland on the other, the area offers the ultimate combination of city, beach and countryside. For those who want to experience all three in one trip, I have put together my recommendations for the best places to visit and things to do in Durres.

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Top Things To Do in Durrës, Albania

Durres, Albania – One of the most popular holiday resorts on the Adriatic Sea

Durrës is the second largest port city in the country of Albania with a population of about 292,000 people. Here you can discover relics from 2,000 years of history. Visiting the ancient Roman amphitheatre, you can picture brave gladiators in front of you. The forum and the remains of the thermal baths also date from ancient times. The holiday resort offers a fascinating mix of different cultures: around the Faith Mosque, you can almost experience an oriental flair. Also worth visiting is the Venetian Tower, which offers a magnificent view of the centre. Dreamy sandy beaches complete the holiday offer.

In this guide, I’ll share the top 10 things to do and see in Durres, including historical attractions and some lesser-known spots.

Durres city centre – the remains of the historic Old Town

Explore the main streets in the city centre of Durres, which offer a mix of old buildings and modern shopping streets. Be sure to take a detour to Bulevardi Dyrra, where you can see the old Byzantine market, the forum and the Roman baths, the town hall and the impressive Xhamia E Madhe Mosque (Great Mosque of Durres).

The promenade to Ventus Harbour

Venture out a little into the Adriatic by walking down the pier-like structure of the seafront promenade that leads to the uniquely located Hotel Ventus Harbour and its public restaurant and bar. From there, you have a great view of the city from a completely different angle than anywhere else.

Where to stay in Durres – Hotel Recommendations

When I arrived in Durres, based on photos I had seen, I expected to be right on the beach. However, I was in the city centre and more than 10 minutes by car (or an hour’s walk) from Durres beach.

I’ve split this section into the best hotels in Durres city centre and the best beach resorts so you can choose based on your preference.

Hotels in the old town

Hotel Boutique Vila 8 | The rooms are beautiful and luxurious at an affordable price. Plus, the hotel is right on one of the main streets in the city centre. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Giulia Albérgo Hotel | Lovely little hotel in a great location right in the historic centre. Whether you’re looking for the beach or the old town, you’re right in the middle of it all, yet still in a quiet location. The house has been beautifully renovated and tastefully decorated. If you close the windows, it is wonderfully quiet. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Hotels on the beach

• Meliá Durrës Albania | Spacious complex with very spacious rooms and all the necessary amenities.
• Volmar Hotel | Simple hotel with good service, just a few metres from the beach.

Durres – Historical Attractions & Things To Do

Amphitheatre

The amphitheatre is located near Boulevard Epidamn, one of the main streets. It was built in the 2nd century under the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Balkans. According to historians, the tiers of seats could accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, who cheered on the brave gladiators as they fought against humans and animals. The ancient arena was forgotten for centuries and only came to light by chance during excavation work in 1966.

• My Opinion: The amphitheatre is the highlight of Durrës. It’s pretty cool to see an ancient theatre in the middle of the city, though it’s not as well preserved as some you can see in Italy.
• Practical information: The amphitheatre is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00. Admission costs only 300 Lek (€3) per adult. There are discounts for students and children.

• Location: Amphitheatre of Durres

Castle & Venetian Tower

On your way down from the Durres Amphitheatre to the seafront promenade, be sure to admire the ancient city walls that form the Durres Castle. Built in the late 5th century and standing today after several repairs throughout history, the walls are the city’s most significant Roman remains.

• Location: Venetian Tower

The Venetian Castle is an extension of the Byzantine fortress of Durrës. It was built in the sixth century and was considered one of the most powerful fortresses on the west coast of the Adriatic.

The most important part of the Durres Castle is the so-called Venetian Tower (Kulla Veneciane) with a magnificent view of the city and the water from its roof.

Inside the tower, there is only one hall lit by five artillery pillboxes. It is covered by a spherical dome made of bricks.

My personal opinion: Don’t expect too much, because only the tower and part of the wall remain. A look and a climb to the top (if open) are worthwhile, but you don’t need much time.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Durres is the largest archaeological museum in Albania and houses a collection of artefacts from Greek, Hellenistic and Roman antiquity. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of miniature busts of Venus, the most venerated goddess of Durres in ancient times.

A tour of the museum and getting to know the city is certainly one of the most interesting activities for those interested in history and culture.

• Location: Archeological Museum

I recommend planning about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the museum. When I visited end of 2024, the museum was under renovation

The Albanian College

The Albanian College Durres is one of those places that makes you want to go back to school! The impressive building looks more like a museum or a theatre than an educational institution. When the doors are open, you should also take a quick look inside to see the equally impressive interior.

Great Mosque

The Great Mosque or New Mosque was commissioned by King Zog I in 1931 and built on the site of an older Ottoman building. When it opened, it was the largest mosque in Albania. During the regime of Enver Hoxha, the mosque was destroyed in 1967 and its minaret demolished. Most of the other historic mosques from the Ottoman period were also destroyed at that time. The building was then converted into a base for local youth groups until it was reopened as a mosque in 1993.

• Location: Great Mosque of Durres

In 1979, the mosque was damaged in an earthquake. It finally reopened as a religious centre in 1993 and is now an active place of worship. It is located on Illyria Square, the main square of Durres, and cannot be missed.

The Royal Villa of King Zog

If you want to get an overview of the city, there is no better place than the Durrës hill, which is easily accessible from the city centre. The hill is home to one of the city’s most unique landmarks, built during a brief period when Albania was ruled by a king.

• Location: Royal Villa

The 20th century was a tumultuous time for Albania. After the country gained its independence from the Ottomans in 1912, it was partitioned by other European powers after the First World War. However, the United States was a big supporter of Albanian independence and tried to protect the country from the Italians and Serbs.

After further political instability, a man named Ahmed Bey Zogu took control, though numerous uprisings tried to overthrow him. After seizing power again as president, he ruled for a few more years in the 1920s. But in 1928, he dissolved parliament and declared himself king.

As King Zog I., he continued to rule the country until 1939. And during that time, this building on the hill of Durrës served as his summer residence.

The building itself is not open to the public, but you can admire it from the outside. Since the villa is located on a hill, you have a breathtaking view of the city and the Adriatic Sea from here.

Excursions & Things to Do around Durres

The central location of Durrës makes the city an ideal starting point for day trips. Below I present some recommended day trips.

Trip to Kruje

Kruje is located 44 km (50 minutes by car) northeast of Durrës and is one of our favourite places in northern Albania. The city is famous for its antique shopping bazaar, its iconic castle and its Skanderbeg Museum.

Half a day is enough to see everything in the city. We recommend spending time shopping for local goods, such as hand-woven carpets, olive wood tools and much more. In my opinion, this is the best place in Albania to buy local arts and crafts and souvenirs.

Tip: If you want to learn more about Kruje – Read my article here

Excursion to Cape Rodon, Albania (Kepi Rodonit)

50 km north of Durrës (1 hour and 10 minutes by car) lies the beautiful Cape Rodon. Here you will find incredible landscapes, a 15th-century castle and beautiful sandy beaches in the area – a perfect day trip for nature lovers.

If you are looking for peace and quiet and want to enjoy some privacy on the beach, then visit Gjiri i Lalëzit, a few kilometres north of Durrës. The beach is wide, very long, has a relaxed atmosphere and is particularly popular with families. In Lalzi Bay, you will also find apartments for beach holidaymakers in addition to hotel complexes.

Excursion to the Bovilla Reservoir – a real insider tip

The Bovilla Reservoir is a large reservoir not far from Tirana and is still an insider tip. From Durrës, you can reach Bovilla in a total of 1.5 hours by car, at the end on gravel roads and switchbacks. The almost adventurous drive is worth the effort. When you arrive at the Bovilla restaurant at the end of the road and take a short, 15-minute hike up the mountain from there, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.

Eating at an Albanian Agriturizem (farm to table)

Complete the ultimate trio of city, beach and countryside by heading inland to the Pema e Jetes farm (agroturizem).

Pema e Jetes is a farm and restaurant on the outskirts of Durres that serves delicious Albanian dishes made with fresh local ingredients. You can take a walk around the farm and see the animals, including cows, deer, goats and rabbits, before tucking into some of the best food in Albania!

The restaurant serves a whole range of local delicacies, including a platter of homemade cheeses, traditional pickled vegetables, pasta specialities of the day and delicious meat dishes. The portions are large, the prices reasonable and the service is always good.

Wine Tasting (and an Overnight Stay) on a local farm

The area surrounding Durrës is characterised by beautiful vineyards and wineries. I spent a night at Agroturizem Gjepali, a beautiful local family-owned estate where you can enjoy an amazing multi-course, wine-paired menu of Albanian wines.

The food here was one of the best I had in the whole of Albania. Be sure to book in advance to make sure you get a place! -> Check prices and availability here

Getting there

The journey to Durres by car takes 30-40 minutes. Whether it is best to take the bus, a private car, a taxi or to book a rental car depends on your arrival time, the number of people and the departure point. A taxi or private transfer costs between €25 and €30 one way.

The strategic location of Durrës makes travelling by ferry from Italy to Albania a breeze! From the ports of Bari and Ancona, you can take the ferry to Durrës all year round.

The nearest airport to Durrës is in Tirana, which is about 35 km away. Once you have landed, there are various shuttle services that will take you to the centre of Durrës.

Timetables and tickets for the Ancona – Durrës ferry:

You can reach Durrës from Italy by taking the ferry from Bari or Ancona. The Albanian city is connected to the two Italian ports all year round thanks to the ferry services provided by Adria Ferries, Ventouris Ferries and Grandi Navi Veloci. The duration of the crossing varies between 9 and 11 hours depending on the provider.

Where is the Durres Ferry Terminal located?

The ferry terminal and cruise terminal are located in the heart of the city centre on the waterfront and are just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s lively streets, hotels, local markets and beautiful sandy beach.

How to get from Tirana to Durres by bus

The cheapest way to get from Tirana Airport is by bus. The journey takes about 40 minutes, costs 600 LEK (€6.00) and runs 7 times a day. Departure times are as follows:

• Bus Tirana Airport – Durres: 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 15.30, 17.00, 19.00, 21.00

The Port of Durrës is the principle port in Albania, handling 90 percent of the country’s international maritime trade tonnage and 85 percent of all export and import trade of the country.

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