City guide · Albania
Durrës
Durrës is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Durrës is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It is one of Albania's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roughly 2,500 years of recorded history.
It is located on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast between the mouths of the Erzen and Ishëm at the southeastern corner of the Adriatic Sea. Durrës's climate is profoundly influenced by a seasonal Mediterranean climate.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Durrës without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of Religious sites.
- Skip if
- Skip Durrës if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Durrës.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Durrës with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Durrës, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Durrës trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Religious sites
Walk Religious sites in Durrës. Start at Shen Lucia Catholic Church, then Shen Gjergji Orthodox Church and Saint Asti and Saint Paul Orthodox Church. Stay on foot.
Shen Lucia Catholic Church · Shen Gjergji Orthodox Church · Saint Asti and Saint Paul Orthodox Church · Fatih Mosque · …
- 2
Ancient and medieval monuments
Walk Ancient and medieval monuments in Durrës. Start at Durrës Amphitheatre, then Durrës Ancient City Wall and Venetian Tower. Stay on foot.
Durrës Amphitheatre · Durrës Ancient City Wall · Venetian Tower · Shen Mehilli Hill · …
- 3
Museums and galleries
Walk Museums and galleries in Durrës. Start at Archaeological Museum, then Popular Culture Museum and World War II Relics Hall. Stay on foot.
Archaeological Museum · Popular Culture Museum · World War II Relics Hall · Koloseo Art Gallery
- 4
Historic residences and villas
Walk Historic residences and villas in Durrës. Start at King Zog's Villa, then Aleksandër Moisiu House-Museum and Old Doors Trail. Stay on foot.
King Zog's Villa · Aleksandër Moisiu House-Museum · Old Doors Trail
- 5
Day trip toward Tirana
Leave Durrës for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Tirana · Kruje · Lezhe
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Religious sites
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Shen Lucia Catholic Church, Shen Gjergji Orthodox Church, Saint Asti and Saint Paul Orthodox Church on foot.
Museums and galleries
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Archaeological Museum, Popular Culture Museum, World War II Relics Hall on foot.
Ancient and medieval monuments
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Durrës Amphitheatre, Durrës Ancient City Wall, Venetian Tower on foot.
Historic residences and villas
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want King Zog's Villa, Aleksandër Moisiu House-Museum, Old Doors Trail on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Durrës works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (XXX)
The city centre where the archaeological sites are located can be toured on foot. Durrës is a relatively compact city, so many attractions, shops, and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, especially in the city center and along the waterfront. If you're open to a longer walk, it's easy to get all the way to South Durres from the city core, and even further south than that, until you reach a part of the beach that's owned by the Albanian military and impassable. The beach south of the city has a very nice and wide walking and cycling path, and there are a few places to rent bicycles and ebikes.
- Public transit from XXX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
In parts Durrës is attractive and well maintained. In others it is somewhat ramshackle, with both active and what appears to be abandoned development co-existing next to each other.
To some degree, this is a feature of Durres geology. The area is in a tectonically active zone, with extremely unstable geology.
Get in
thumb|Durrës panoramic view * From specific destinations: * Bari (Italy) – Adria Ferries, , GNV Ferries, Azzurra Line ferries and Ventouris Ferries * Ancona (Italy) – Adria Ferries, Azzurra Line ferries * Trieste (Italy) – Adria Ferries If arriving to Durres by bus, make sure that you get off before the bus turns onto the highway going south towards Golem. The highway is very difficult to turn around on, and if you end up significantly south of Durres proper, it will be very difficult to find a taxi that can take you back into Durres, and it'll cost a fortune. * * From specific destinations: * Tirana – The buses depart from the Northern Bus Station in Tirana near the Casa Italia shopping center.
The ride takes around 45 min and costs 180 lek (Dec 2024).
Get around
The city centre where the archaeological sites are located can be toured on foot. Durrës is a relatively compact city, so many attractions, shops, and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, especially in the city center and along the waterfront.
If you're open to a longer walk, it's easy to get all the way to South Durres from the city core, and even further south than that, until you reach a part of the beach that's owned by the Albanian military and impassable. The beach south of the city has a very nice and wide walking and cycling path, and there are a few places to rent bicycles and ebikes.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Durrës.