Overview

The city of Durres was once Albania’s capital, today an extension of Tirana blessed with a gorgeous stretch of a 6-mile beach that spans the seafront. A charming Mediterranean seaside city with some fascinating historical attractions and excellent museums. The town has a long and impressive history and visitors flock to Durres to see its Roman amphitheater ruins, Durres Castle, and the Venetian tower along with a superb archeological museum. Durres has a great mixture of modern and ancient appeal with many visiting for its popular beach and beautiful warm weather, and others come to see the historical sites that date back over 1500 years. Located on the Adriatic coast, Durres is an important port town and the second-largest destination in the country, it is also one of the most ancient cities in the country founded in the 7th Century BCE. The city offers visitors excellent dining opportunities and a bustling nightlife scene.

Things to see and do

Many visit Durres for its long stretch of sand and favorable summer temperatures, the six-mile long Durres Beach is the city’s main attraction and very popular for locals and tourists. The beach of Durres is the largest in Albania and features a charming seafront promenade dotted with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs where delicious food and a fun atmosphere can be enjoyed in the evening times.

The Durres Roman Amphitheatre was discovered in 1966 by archeologist Vangjel Toci, it dates back to the 2nd century when under the rule of emperor Trajan. It is the largest and most notable amphitheater in the Balkans and had the capacity for 20,000 spectators in its heyday when it was used to showcase gladiator and slave tournaments.

The Durres Archaeological Museum is one of the best and largest museums in the country featuring archaeological artifacts discovered in and around the area. The important museum was established in 1951 and is filled with objects that have been discovered during the excavations in the city, a cool and quiet place to see some great items on display. There is information in English and Albanian with highlights including artifacts showing the worship of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, amphoras, gold jewelry, and markers from the Roman Via Egnatia.

King Zog’s Villa is located on top of Durre's hill overlooking the city. The Royal Villa was once the most luxurious place in all of Albania, it was looted in the 1997 uprising. The walk up to the villa is a steep climb, but the views from the top are rewarding. The villa was once a guest house for Enver Hoxha, it is now derelict but has a fascinating history dating back to the Albanian monarchy which lasted from 1928-1939. Built-in 1937 for King Zog I as a summer residence, he only used it for a single year, the villa can be toured and features a luxurious interior and Prince Leka has plans to renovate it.

The Venetian Castle or Venetian Tower is a circular tower located in the heart of Durres dating back to the 16th century. The tower and castle are an extension of the Byzantine Fortress of Durres, once considered one of the most powerful fortresses along the western coast of the Adriatic Sea. There are a restaurant and bar called Torre Vientiane on top of the tower featuring an outdoor rooftop terrace with spectacular views.

Dining and Nightlife

Durres offers a diverse and delicious food scene with some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in the country. There are a wide number of excellent restaurants that line the beachfront promenade, which is busy during the summer months with diners soaking up the warm outdoor atmosphere and enjoy sea views. Make sure to try Kasat, a traditional Albanian ice cream, which consists of layers of ice cream, and jam almost like a cake that can be found in Durres at Kasate Bllaca, which has been in business since 1930. Sufllaqe or souvlaki are tasty snacks that can be found on the streets of Durres. Restaurants also line the main streets in the city offering traditional Albanian cuisine, and plenty of Italian options such as pasta, and pizza.

Durres is known for a lively nightlife offering great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs throughout the city. There are many hip beach clubs situated on the coast with beach parties and live DJ’s jamming out through the summer months. Cinco Cavalli Summer Club is a popular place during the summer months, one of the largest clubs in Albania with good music, and great cocktails. The city streets are bustling with activity at night and things don’t get started in the city until it turns midnight and continues into the wee hours of the morning!

Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Winery is the largest and oldest winery in the country, set on an expansive piece of property where wine from native and international grapes are grown. An award-winning winery that offers tours and tastings, they also produce raki, a special fruit brandy popular throughout the Balkans.

Pema e Jetes Farm is a beautiful location situated in inland Durres, a great place for a day out on the farm. The farm features an on-site restaurant that serves delicious authentic Albanian dishes using the fresh ingredients grown on the farm. Visitors can wander around the farm and get up close with the animals including goats, cows, deer, and rabbits and then enjoy a top-notch dining experience.

History, Culture, and Festivals

The International Film Summerfest of Durres is held annually in the city in late August or early September at the Durres Amphitheatre.

Open Port Festival is held in Duress annually with various exhibits featuring historical ships, modern inventions, food, and entertainment.

The beautiful and ancient port city of Durres has a captivating history dating back to the 7th century BC boasting some of the most stunning archeological sites in the country, most nestled right in the heart of the city.

The city is steeped in history, it is historically known as Epidamnus, Durazzo, and Dyrrachium, the second-largest city in Albania and the largest port city in the country. There are numerous sights and attractions to explore in the city including mosques, archeological ruins, old city walls, a castle, a tower, and an ancient Royal Villa. The ruins in Durres date back to the 5th century, it is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities in Albania, featuring the most prominent Roman remains spread throughout the city.