Durres, Albania's ancient coastal city, offers a fascinating blend of rich Roman and Greek history with golden beaches on the Adriatic Sea. Come discover impressive archaeological remains, stroll along the vibrant promenade, and enjoy an authentic Mediterranean holiday atmosphere.
Top things to do in Durres
Things to do in Durres include Durrës Ancient City Wall, Durrës Archeological Museum, Durres Beach. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.
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Durrës Ancient City Wall
The Durrës Ancient City Wall tells the story of one of Albania's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roughly 2,500 years of recorded history. Durrës, the second most populous city in Albania, is located on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast and enjoys a Mediterranean climate.
Durres Beach is a lively, expansive stretch of shoreline welcoming travelers to enjoy sun, sand, and refreshing waters. A bustling seaside promenade runs alongside the coast, dotted with vibrant cafes, casual stalls, and spots to sit and watch the waves.
Fatih Mosque is an Ottoman mosque near the Roman amphitheatre in central Durrës, built in the early 16th century on the ruins of an early Christian basilica. It is named after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and is also known as the Small Mosque, with a tiled roof instead of the usual dome.
Kruja Castle is a hilltop fortress above the city of Krujë in Albania, and it was the centre of Skanderbeg's 15th-century rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. It withstood three major Ottoman sieges and fell only in 1478, a decade after his death.
Arapaj is a village located in the former municipality of Rrashbull, Durrës County, Albania. The etymological origin of the name Arapaj is hypothesized to come from the word 'Arap' which means Arab in Albanian, and it comes from the Turkish word which is the same.
Cape of Rodon is a rocky headland on the Adriatic Sea north of Durrës, also called the Cape of Skanderbeg. On the cape stand Rodoni Castle, built in the 15th century on Skanderbeg's orders as a defence against the Ottomans, and Saint Anthony Church.
The Royal Villa of Durres is a former royal summer residence overlooking the scenic Bay of Durres in Albania. Commissioned by King Zog I, the grand villa was completed in 1937 as the most prestigious architectural project of the short-lived Albanian monarchy.
Here is what 3 days in Durres look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.
The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Durres?
Durrës Ancient City Wall, Durrës Archeological Museum, Durres Beach, Venetian Tower, Byzantine Forum, Fatih Mosque and 9 more. The Durrës Ancient City Wall tells the story of one of Albania's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roughly 2,500 years of recorded history. Durrës, the second most populous city in Albania, is located on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast and enjoys a Mediterranean climate.
What can you do in 3 days in Durres?
Day 1: Byzantine Forum, Durrës Ancient City Wall, Durrës Archeological Museum, Vollga Promenade. Day 2: Port of Durres, Aleksandër Moisiu House-Museum, Royal Villa of Durrës, Durres Beach. Day 3: Venetian Tower, Fatih Mosque, Great Mosque of Durrës.