Durrës Guide 
Albania's second largest city and the country's most important port attracts visitors with its long sandy beaches, Roman amphitheater and rich cultural heritage, which are mixed here with the modern bustle of a seaside resort.
Sights and attractions - What should you visit in Durres? Beaches, Roman amphitheater, Fatih Mosque, archaeological museum.
Accommodation - Where to stay in Durres? Right by the beach, in a luxury hotel, in an apartment or in a cozy little eco guesthouse?
Practical tips - Here you will find out when is the best time to visit Split, how to get around the city, where to shop and so on.
Typical food and drink - What should you try in Durres - fresh seafood, byrek or tavë kosi.
Celebrities - Which famous personalities lived and worked in Durres?
Weather - What temperatures and precipitation should you prepare for in Durres?
Durrës, in Czech, is the second largest city in Albania and its most important port on the Adriatic coast, just 33 km west of the capital Tirana. The city's history dates back to the 7th century BC, when it was founded as Epidamnos by Greek settlers. It was later conquered by the Romans, who, under the name Dyrrachium, made it an important point on the Via Egnatia road connecting the Adriatic with Constantinople.
Durrës is famous for its long sandy beaches that line the entire bay and attract thousands of visitors every year. In addition to swimming and relaxation, the city offers a rich mix of history and culture: you will find the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans from the 2nd century, medieval Byzantine walls fortified by the Venetians, the Fatih Mosque from the Ottoman Empire, as well as the largest archaeological museum in Albania with thousands of artifacts from antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Durrës is an ideal place not only for history lovers, but also for those who want to taste traditional Albanian cuisine in one of the many restaurants and cafes, or enjoy the authentic atmosphere of a Mediterranean port. Whether you are planning a short stopover or a longer vacation, Durrës will surprise you with its diversity and unique combination of old and new.
Monuments and attractions
Roman Amphitheater - The largest amphitheater in the Balkans, it can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators! It was rediscovered only in 1966 under layers of soil and residential buildings, which still cover part of the structure.
Address: Rruga Kalase, Durrës city center.
Durrës Archaeological Museum - The largest archaeological museum in Albania. Its collections include over 3,000 artifacts from the ancient period, including the famous "Beauty of Durrës" mosaic and a bust of the goddess Venus.
Address: Taulantia 32, Durrës.
Venetian Tower - The tower was built in the 15th century by the Venetians, on the site of an older Byzantine tower, as part of the city's fortifications. It is 9 meters high and its terrace now serves as a café.
Address: Rruga Kont Urani, Durrës.
Royal Villa of King Zog I - The villa was completed in 1937 as the summer residence of King Zog I. It stands on a 70-meter-high hill and offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. The interior was destroyed during the riots in 1997. Since then, you can't go inside, but the views are worth it. :)
Address: Hill above the city, Durrës.
Fatih Mosque - The oldest mosque in Durrës was built by the Turks in 1502 after the conquest of the city and named after Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror. The communists closed the mosque and destroyed the minaret. After the fall of the regime, the minaret was rebuilt.
Address: Rruga Skënderbej, Durrës.
Byzantine Forum - The remains of a circular forum with beautifully carved columns date back to the 5th century, when Emperor Anastasius had the city walls built here, considered the strongest in the Balkans at that time.
Address: City center, near Fatih Mosque.
Durrës Beaches - The coast of Durrës offers more than 15 km of sandy beaches. Among the most famous is the city beach Plazhi i Durrësit, popular with families due to its gentle entry into the sea. Other popular beaches include Plazhi i Golemit and Plazhi i Currilave.
Accommodation
In the seaside resort of Durres, you can choose from more than 2,000 accommodation capacities. You can stay either in the center, where you will find smaller beaches and sights, or in the hotel zone along the main beach, where there are more restaurants and shops. The most common accommodation is apartments, followed by hotels, guesthouses, private houses and villas, and you can also find a few cheap hostels here. Most accommodation is located near the beach, some have their own swimming pool.
You can enjoy five-star luxury at the Adriatik Hotel, BW Premier Collection. The hotel is located right by the beach and also offers guests a large outdoor and smaller indoor pool, a children's playground and animation, a sun terrace and a garden. Of course, there is a great restaurant, café, bar. You can relax in the wellness or fitness center or in the beauty salon.
Among the 4* hotels, we can recommend the Ambasador Hotel located on the main pedestrian street Bulevardi Dyrrah near the beach. You can enjoy breakfast on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city. There is also a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes, a bar, free parking and a 24-hour reception. The entire hotel has been recently renovated.
If you prefer an apartment with its own kitchenette and refrigerator, you will definitely not go wrong when booking Vila M Vera Rooms with kitchen and Apartments. This villa is located 400 metres from the beach. Guests staying at the property can use free private parking, a beautiful garden or a sun terrace with outdoor furniture.
Kallmi View Eco Rooms offers beautiful and pleasant accommodation. This guest house is located outside the hustle and bustle of the city by a private beach. You can relax on the terrace with sea views or in the garden or at the bar. Bicycles can be rented on request, and parking is free on site. The surrounding area is ideal for hiking, fishing and snorkelling.
For a complete offer of accommodation in Durres, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com. You can also use Booking.com.
Practical travel tips
We recommend May or September as the best time to visit Durres. You will enjoy pleasant weather and you will not be bumping into tourists like in the main summer season. In summer, not only the number of tourists increases, but also the prices.
Most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, but in smaller shops, guesthouses, markets or even museums you will not be able to do without cash. Payment by card is not possible on buses and taxis either. In addition to the local currency, the Albanian lek, you can also pay in euros.
Taste local seafood and traditional Albanian cuisine in restaurants by the port or on the promenade. We recommend, for example, the Pastarella restaurant (Rruga Taulantia) with a sea view or the Epidamn Restaurant & Garden (Blv. Epidamn) on the main street.
When visiting mosques (such as the Fatih Mosque), make sure to dress appropriately - your arms and legs should be covered, women should wear a headscarf. There is no entrance fee.
In tourist areas, you will have no problem communicating in English. The locals often don't seem very friendly at first glance because of their tattoos and clothing (black tracksuits). However, they are pleasantly surprised by their openness, helpfulness and good English (especially the young ones).
Watch the sunset from the Rruga Taulantia promenade or from a place called Sfinksi.
If you are traveling with children, you can have fun in the center at several playgrounds and parks.
Most of the sights are located in the historic center, so it is best to explore everything on foot. Be aware that some sights (such as the Royal Villa) can only be viewed from the outside.
Typical food and drink
The Albanian city of Durrës is characterized by a varied cuisine that combines Mediterranean and Balkan influences and benefits from the proximity of the sea and the traditions of the interior.
Fresh fish and seafood – Thanks to its location on the Adriatic Sea, fish and seafood lovers will find their way to Durrës. You can usually find dishes made with fish, shrimp, cuttlefish or fish balls (qofte peshku).
Byrek – A savoury pie made of thin dough filled with cheese, spinach, meat or vegetables, sold on the street and in bakeries.
Tavë kosi – A national dish made of lamb baked with yoghurt and rice.
Fërgesë – A mixture of peppers, tomatoes, cheese and sometimes meat, served with bread.
Qofte – Albanian meatballs or patties, often made with lamb and herbs.
Petulla – Fried doughnuts, served for breakfast with cheese, honey or jam.
Trilece and baklava – Sweet desserts that can be found in local pastry shops.
Raki – A traditional brandy made from grapes or fruit, often served as an aperitif.
Dhallë – A refreshing drink similar to kefir, especially suitable in the summer months.
Turkish coffee – Strong coffee prepared in a cezve, common in cafes throughout the city.
Local wine and beer – in Durrës and throughout Albania, homemade wine and beer are drunk, for example Tirana or Korça brands.
Famous personalities
Anastasius I. Dicorus (c. 431 - 518) - Byzantine emperor from 491 to 518. He was born in Durrës (then Dyrrhachium). It was he who had a massive fortification built in the city, thanks to which Durrës became one of the best-protected cities on the Adriatic.
Pjetër Arbnori (1935–2006) - Politician and intellectual, born in Durrës, known as the “Balkan Mandela” for his resistance to the communist regime. He spent 28 years in prison and after the fall of the regime became the speaker of the Albanian parliament.
Bujar Nishani (1964–2022) - Albanian politician, born and raised in Durrës. In 2012, he became the youngest president in the country's history.
Mirela Maniani (1976) - Athlete born in Durrës, represented Albania and Greece in the javelin throw, is an Olympic medalist and two-time world champion.
Ibrahim Kodra (1918–2006) - A prominent Albanian painter of world stature, whose works have been exhibited throughout Europe and who was awarded the "Order of the Honorable Nation". A local high school is named after him, and exhibitions of his works are regularly held in Durrës.
Weather
Durrës has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Average summer temperatures are around 30°C. In July and August, daily highs can reach up to 34 °C, while in winter the average daily temperature is between 12 and 14 °C and nighttime lows are around 2–6 °C.
Most precipitation falls in the winter months, especially in November, December and January, while summer is mostly dry. Annual precipitation is around 1,200 mm.