What to visit in Durrës?

Expansive Coastlines

Durrës attracts most visitors for its expansive coastlines. Featuring sandy stretches and crystal-clear waters, the beaches offer a serene escape. Spanning approximately 10 kilometers within the city limits, finding your ideal spot is practically guaranteed. Adjacent to the beaches are numerous bars, cafés, and restaurants, ensuring a complete seaside experience. Whether you opt for a rented sunbed and umbrella or prefer to lay out your towel on a free patch of sand, the shallow entry into the sea and tranquil waves make for ideal swimming conditions. Should you seek a more rugged beach experience, simply venture beyond the city limits to discover untouched shores.

Exploring Durrës’ Attractions

Seaside Promenade

A lengthy and spacious pathway traces the coastline, flanked by an array of dining establishments, coffee shops, and points of interest. Perfect for a leisurely stroll at any time of day, whether it’s a refreshing morning walk, a post-beach saunter, or a captivating sunset amble when the sky is ablaze with hues of red and gold.

Ancient Amphitheater

As the foremost historic landmark of Durrës, the amphitheater stands as a testament to the city’s rich and tumultuous past. Dating back to its Greek origins in the 7th century BCE, through Roman and Venetian reigns, this architectural marvel bears witness to centuries of history. Today, visitors can explore well-preserved seating areas, the arena, underground passages, as well as remnants of frescoes and mosaics, offering glimpses into its evolution, including its transformation into a Christian church during the 4th century. Admission is approximately 300 LEK.

Archaeological Museum

A treasure trove for history enthusiasts and archaeology aficionados alike, the museum showcases Durrës’ evolution from ancient Greek and Roman times to the Byzantine era. Boasting a collection of over two thousand prehistoric artifacts arranged in chronological order, it stands as one of Albania’s premier cultural institutions, offering profound insights into the city’s past.

Venetian Tower

Once part of a Byzantine citadel razed by an earthquake in 1273, the remnants of a Byzantine tower were repurposed by Venetian occupiers in the 15th century, culminating in the iconic Venetian Tower that graces the city skyline today. Serving as a poignant reminder of Durrës’ strategic importance within the Byzantine Empire and later the Venetian Republic, it now houses a charming café atop, providing panoramic views of the sea.

King Zog I Residence

Constructed in 1937 atop Durrës’ highest hill, the Zogu family’s summer residence, known as the Royal Villa, epitomizes neoclassical architecture. Designed by Albanian architect Kristo Sotiri, this historic edifice offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past, adorned with a relief of Albania’s revered historical figure, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, on its façade. From its vantage point, visitors can marvel at sweeping vistas of the city and its coastal surroundings.

Fatih Mosque

Dating back to 1502, the Fatih Mosque bears witness to Durrës’ Ottoman legacy under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Esteemed as Albania’s oldest Islamic monument, it holds significant cultural importance, having been designated as an official cultural heritage site in 1973. Despite enduring closure during the communist regime and subsequent alterations, it remains a beacon of religious and historical significance, conveniently situated near the bustling Durrës promenade.