Durrës
Get in
By boat
- To Bari in Italy on Agemar, on Azzurra Line or on Dimaio Line
- To Ancona in Italy on Adria Ferries
- To Trieste in Italy on Agemar
... and there are more ferry operators such as Anek, GNV, European Ferries and Ventouris.
By bus
Buses and furgons usually arrive and depart at the bus terminal with the "DURRES" logo on the outside near the railway station.- From Skopje, Macedonia, buses run through Durrës on their way to Tirana. A typical Skopje-Tirana ticket costs around €25 return.
- From Kumanovo, Macedonia, there is an everyday direct bus line to Durrës. The cost of tickets is around €20.
- From Pristina, Kosovo, in the summer season there are several buses a day. You should check the timetables at the Pristina bus station, but in 2013 the timetable was as follows; 04:00, 05:00, 06:00 and 06:30 and then at 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 23:00. There are at least a couple of buses going back at 16:00 and 17:00. Return ticket costs about €12. The trip takes around 4 to 5½ hours, depending on whether it goes via Prizren. Buses depart and arrive at the northern end of Rruga Pavaresia street running parallel, and very close, to the beach.
By train
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Railway Station
address: Rruga AdriaThere is no link to Tirana (which has been without a train station for some time), nor international links. Daily trains to Kashdar (a suburb of Tirana, several services), Elbasan (twice), Librazhd, Shkoder and Vlora (all once) through the adventurous Albanian railway system. There is a timetable posted outside of the train station.
By car
There is a road between here and Tirana, the SH2, which takes just over half an hour for the journey. You could fly into Tirana, then drive or get a taxi to Durrës, with the airport connecting to the SH2 by the SH60.Get around
The city centre where the archaeological sites are located can be toured by foot. Many taxis are available in Durrës. You can find them parked everywhere on the streets with a taxi symbol on the top of their car. There are also public buses in orange that can drive you around the city although much slower
See
Churches
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Shen Lucia Catholic Church
address: Rruga Don Nikoll Kacorribuilt in 1907 Shen Gjergji Orthodox ChurchBuilt in the 19th century.
Saint Asti and Saint Paul Orthodox ChurchBuilt in 2001.
Mosques
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Fatih Mosque
address: Rruga XhamiaBuilt in 1503. Great Mosque of Durres
New MosqueBuilt in 1937.
Little Mosque
Museums
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address: Rruga Taulantia 32
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Popular Culture Museum
address: Kavaje village, Rruga Skuraj Alexander Moissi Museum House
World War II Relics Hall
Koloseo Art GalleryShowcases some of the best work of local painters.
Roman monuments
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Durres Amphitheater
address: Rruga KalaseThe biggest in the Balkans it also features restored iconography works. -
Durres Ancient City Wall
address: Rruga Sotir NokaMedieval Hammam and the Tophane Well inside and around the wall. Venetian TowerA circular tower at the city center built in the 16th century.
Shen Mehilli HillOn 18 October 1801, Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos confronted Norman adventurer Robert Guiscard here. A basilica built in the 6th century AD with a beautiful mosaic is found here.
Byzantine ForumBuilt in the 5th century AD and public baths around and beneath Alexander Moissi Palace of Culture.
Others
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address: Sheshi Liria, 15
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King Zog's Villa
address: Rruga Kont UraniThis used to be the most luxurious crib in all of Albania, but it was looted in the 1997 uprising and isn't open to visitors now. Reportedly prince Leka has plans to renovate the villa "in the near future", but this has been reported for quite some time. Endure the steep climb up the hill for one of the most spectacular views over the city. Kavaja RockA historic landmark in Golem where once caravans used to pass along the ancient Via Egnatia. This is where a battle between Pompey and Julius Caesar is said to have taken place.
Further afield
Lalzit Bay AreaVisit Ishem Castle and Rrushkull Nature Reserve (Rezervati Rrushkull)
Rodoni Castle
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Scanderbeg Castle
address: Rruga e Sebastes, Laç village -
Shen Ndout Church
address: Rruga Kisha e Shna Ndout, Laç
Do
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Culture Palace
address: Bulevardi DyrrahEvents Evening walkGo for an evening walk along the sea front promenade or along the beach where you can see families walking around or even men with bears on a leash or with snakes entwined around their necks!
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Villa Hill
address: Rruga CurrilaPanoramic view of Durres seaside at Currilat from top of a newly reclaimed hill. -
Seaside Large Steps
address: Intersection between Rruga Currila and Rruga TaulantiaSit and admire the sea from up close on these large steps descending into the water
Beaches
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Lalzit Bay Beach
address: near Hamallaj villagePopular weekend retreat and exclusive wealthy beach area. A small resort can be found here. -
Portez Beach
address: Bishti PallesNice beach, bar, and wooden bungalows north of Currilat -
Golem beach
address: Golem, Mali Robit, Kavaja Rock (Shkembi i Kavajes)This is the main seaside resort south of Durres with long sandy beaches popular among Albanians and foreigners alike. Tirana inhabitants have their beach houses and villas in the area for weekend and summer retreats.
Diving
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phone: +355 69 378 8696address: Xixa Resort, Rruga KompleksitTake a dip in the Adriatic Sea water in the biggest sea side resort of Golem.
Events
- Take a look at interesting films from around the world at the annual Durres International Film Summer Festival in early September.
- Visit the yearly Open Port Festival where the Port of Durres opens to the public featuring various exhibits of historic ships and modern inventions coupled with local entertainment.
Buy
- Kokomani Wine
- Souvenirs
Eat
Bar Restorant Kajserit offers a panoramic view of Durres from above.
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phone: +355 52 237601address: Rruga Taulantia 1
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Splendid Restaurant
phone: +355 692824222address: Street EgnatiaEspecially known locally for fish. Everything is fresh, tasty and served in the most professional way. Prices are slightly more than average for Albania, but for the whole experience of eating you get there it's worth every cent. -
phone: +355694609111Restaurant in industrial style near the sea.
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phone: +355672033224
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Pelikan bakery
phone: +355683095270address: Street PavaresiaYou can eat different sweets. -
phone: +355684058103address: Street ErazmiThis restaurant has a breathtaking view from the 15th/top floor.
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Mema House
phone: +355697541068address: Taulantia Street
Drink
Venetian Tower (Rotonda) barIt offers a nice view of Durrës and its coastline.
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phone: +355692121788Nice music, great cocktails and that seaside summer breeze. During winter instead, live music, different events and local activities.
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phone: +355674999111A nice selection of drinks and a very welcoming environment.
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phone: +355686080666
Sleep
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phone: +355 52 227941address: Lagja.2; Rruga Aleksander Goga
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address: Lagia 1, Rruga Naim Frasheri nr.46An easy to find three-star hotel, just off the main street. Close to the action but quiet. Breakfast is included.
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phone: +355 52 230403address: Rruga Taulantia 16
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phone: +355 52 226477, +355 52 232669, +355 68 2058070 (mobile)address: Rruga Taulantia, 71
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phone: +355 52 260850address: Lagjia 13, Rruga Pavaresia, Plazh Durrës
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phone: +355 52 224190address: Mbreti MONUM Nr.3, Rruga Ramazan Jella
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phone: +355683337050address: Neighborhood 1, street Taulantia, Currila
Go next
TiranaThe capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mt. Dajt is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city.
Lezhe— a small city home to Skanderbeg's Tomb, panoramic Lezhe Castle and several renovated churches
- Fier — Lively seaside city, and only about away from the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia. Much of this ancient city still remains buried under the hills.
- Kruje
VelipojeCoastal town near Ada Bojana south of Shkoder known for its curative beach sand. The beach is long and wide, and a lot of hotels offer nice rooms. However, the beaches are crowded in August. If you prefer quieter beaches, you should go to Southern Albania