Durrës is the largest seaside resort in Albania. It lies roughly 25 miles away from Tirana, and most of the capital comes here to spend a day at one of the local beaches. At first glance, it may seem like Durrës is just the beach, though that’s scarcely the case. We found quite a few neat places to see around the area and we’ll go over the seven best ones today with you.
Durrës
How to explore Durrës?
Durrës is the second largest city in Albania. It was founded by the Greeks as Epidamnos in the 7th century BC. Today, Durrës is a resort city with remarkable monuments from the Roman and Venetian eras. The amphitheatre here was the largest on the Balkan peninsula.
The main attractions of Durrës are located in the very centre, easily accessible with a short walk. Durrës also has some beautiful beaches to the north of the city centre, which can be reached by public transport, car, taxi or simply on foot – it’s only 1-2 miles from the centre. And, of course, there are many popular Albanian beaches near the city.
You can reach Durrës by plane from Podgorica or Tirana or by ferry from Ancona or Bari. It’s one of the most popular cities among tourists in Albania, alongside Saranda and Vlorë.
Remember to take some Albanian Leks with you, as cash payment may be sometimes required (especially in taxis).
Amphitheatre
Amfiteatri i Durrësit
The Durrës Amphitheatre is the most famous monument in the city, located right in the centre. It lies partly on flat ground and partly on a hill. It is elliptical in shape with a diameter of 136m and a height of about 20m. It was built in the early 2nd century AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (98-117). The amphitheatre could accommodate about 15,000-20,000 spectators. The site was discovered by accident by a Durrës resident (in 1966) who wanted to dig a well on his property.
You can still see the well-preserved stands, the arena itself and the underground. Interestingly, the amphitheatre is not fully excavated, as part of it lies under residential buildings.
The price for a ticket to the Durrës amphitheatre is 300 Lek.
Archaeological Museum
Museu Archeologjik
Something for the history fans out there. The Archeological Museum has been in operation since 2002. The three pavilions house about 2,000 exhibits arranged chronologically. The first hall begins with a presentation of prehistoric finds. The oldest ones date back 3,000 years. The museum presents the history of the city from Greek, Roman and Byzantine times. It is one of the best museums in Albania.
The price for a ticket to the Archaeological Museum in Durrës is LEK 400.
As of the time of writing this article, the Archeological Museum is still closed due to its renovation works which started in 2022. The original intent was for the work to finish in October of 2023, so hopefully the work will finish soon and you’ll be able to visit it again.
Venetian Tower
Kulla veneciane
The Venetian Tower was built in the 15th century, on the site of a Byzantine tower. This is evidenced by blocks from the previous period, as well as architectural fragments and ancient reliefs. The structure has a diameter of 16 m and a height of 9 m. A brick gate leads inside the tower, which has 5 turrets and 3 partitions (alcoves). To the top, one ascends an internal, narrow and sloping staircase. Nowadays, there is a small restaurant here, where you can relax, have a coffee and admire the centre of Durrës.
The residence of King Zog I
Ville e Zogut
Zog I was the king of Albania from 1928 to 1939. You may have heard rumours of him being the holder of the world record in the Guiness Book of Records for the amount of cigarettes consumed in a day, with it being said that he would smoke 200 cigarettes a day on the regular. Additionally, Zog I was said to have survived over 55 assassination attempts and about 600 blood feuds were reported against him.
As for the residence, the palace is located on the highest hill in Durrës. Architecturally, it represents the neoclassical building style used in the early 20th century. On the front façade of the Villa we can see the figure of the Albanian President, Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu, on horseback with a sword in his hand. The hill offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the bay.
Fatih Mosque
Xhamia Fatih
The Fatih Mosque dates back to the time of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror. It was built in 1502 on the ruins of a Christian basilica and is the oldest Islamic shrine in Albania. In 1973, the mosque was added to the list of Cultural Monuments of Albania. It’s located very close to the promenade and all the other attractions of Durrës, so it’s well worth a visit.
Durrës beaches
Which beaches to see in Durrës
Okay, enough with this sightseeing, time to relax. What about the beaches in Durrës? You’ll find beautiful ones north-west of the centre with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. There are both sandy and rocky beaches near the centre, and, to the north, you have more unique beaches such as Rana e Hedhun
Seaside promenade
Durrës attraction
We’ve already mentioned the promenade, and it’s a great spot to take a stroll after visiting the main tourist attractions. Especially in the evening, when the concrete has cooled down a bit. You can find various shops and restaurants along the promenade, providing some much needed shade in summer. You can find all sorts of Albanian delicacies in the restaurants, which we highly recommend. It’s also a perfect spot for watching sunsets!
On the boulevard you will also find the famous Ventus Harbour complex with a hotel and a restaurant located on an artificial island and pier.
If you’re wondering which city to choose in Albania, consider Saranda and Vlorë.
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