What to see in Durres, Albania's largest seaside destination

Durres (or Durres) is the second largest city in Albania and is one of the oldest cities in the country. Founded by Greek colonists, it was also an important Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman settlement. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea , it is the largest seaside city in Albania. Its long beaches , the historic center with beautiful buildings and archaeological sites make this city a perfect summer destination. But not only

The city's beaches are very popular tourist destinations, both for Albanians and foreign visitors who are increasingly coming to this coast. Many residents of Tirana, which is only an hour's drive away, choose to spend their holidays in Durres. The beaches are well-equipped and are also perfect for a holiday with children.

The historical Durres

From the Roman period there remains an important testimony right in the historic city centre.

Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre of Durres is still clearly visible, although hidden among the houses, as it was discovered only in 1966. Over the centuries, many buildings have been built right on top of the ancient Roman walls, so much so that a good part of it is still hidden underground. The Amphitheatre was built in the 2nd century under the reign of Trajan . It could accommodate up to 25,000 people, making it the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans . Perhaps the most famous episode in which it was involved was that of 48-43 BC, when the city was the scene of fierce fighting between the forces of Julius Caesar and those of Pompey, from which the latter emerged victorious. Since 2004, it has been part of a project to enhance the historic centre of the city through the creation of the Urban Archaeological Park of Durres, in which our University of Parma and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs are involved. Of the Amphitheatre you can visit the internal corridors which are still in excellent condition and the small Byzantine chapel with well-preserved mosaics along the walls.

Roman Baths

The remains of the ancient baths were also brought to light during the reconstruction of the theater. Restored in 2015, the Roman Baths of Durazzo date back to around the 1st century AD and include a calidarium, a tepidarium and a frigidarium, in addition to the area used as a changing room.

Great Mosque

Also in the historic center is the Great Mosque or New Mosque, since it was built in 1931 on the remains of a previous Ottoman mosque. When it was inaugurated, it was the largest mosque in Albania. The work is by an Italian-Albanian team, so there is a bit of our country in this building as in many others throughout Albania. You can immediately notice it for its enormous dome and its bright yellow and orange colors.

Byzantine Castle

A stone's throw from the port of Durres stand out the ancient walls of the Byzantine Castle , which once surrounded the city, built after the Visigoth invasion of 481, and the Tower of the 15th century, a period in which Durres was occupied by the Venetians . In the Middle Ages it was considered one of the most powerful fortresses in the Adriatic. The thickness of the Tower's wall was used to build internal stairs that lead to a beautiful panoramic terrace . According to a legend, an immense treasure is still hidden somewhere between the walls.

Archaeological Museum

Precisely because Durres holds many centuries of history, in 1951 the Archaeological Museum was opened, located along the main street, Rruga Taulantia, between the beach and the Byzantine walls, completely redone in 2010 in a very modern building and reopened by Prime Minister Edi Rama only in 2015, as the 1997 rebellion in Albania had seen the museum damaged and looted. The museum's collection consists of artifacts found at the nearby ancient site of Dyrrhachium and includes a large collection from the ancient Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The most interesting finds to see in the museum are the Roman funerary steles, stone sarcophagi and a collection of miniature busts representing the goddess Venus, evidence of the period when Durres was a cult center of this deity.

What to see in Durres

The main street of the old town is also called 'boulevard' . The buildings on both sides date back to the Fascist occupation. There are beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in pastel colors that today house hotels or municipal offices. There are also buildings from the Socialist period, with the ground floors transformed into shops selling clothes, fashion, accessories or into clubs, restaurants and ice cream parlors. In the summer evenings it is the busiest street in Durres .

Taulantia Square , in front of the Venetian Tower, is the beginning of a street that was once a garden with archaeological finds and which has now been transformed into an avenue lined with palm trees on both sides, recent buildings and palaces which, as always, have shops, bars and restaurants on the ground floor.

The waterfront promenade is completely new, a 2.8 km cycle/pedestrian path that runs along the seafront, punctuated every now and then by shaded open spaces with benches and sports equipment and a beautiful pieds dans l'eau theatre. The redevelopment project for this area of ​​the city was entrusted to the architectural firm that created La Mer in Dubai , for those who have been there.

The beaches of Durres

The Durres seafront has now become an inhabited neighborhood because, in recent years, many buildings have been built and people live there even during the winter. Before the 90s, the entire beach was divided into six sectors: Agip, Teuta, Apollonia, Ferrovia, Iliria and Iplepa. Today it is impossible to see where one ends and where the other begins.

The coast of Durres extends for 10 km where there are stretches of free beach and beach resorts. Among the most recommended are Copacabana Beach, Ohana Beach, Plazhi Tauta and San Pietro Beach, inside the Lalzi bay, one of the most beautiful in the area as it is surrounded by nature and is dotted with a series of bunkers dating back to the communist period. The beach is partially equipped, and given its tranquility it is particularly suitable for families and couples. And then there is the wonderful Kallmi cove , with emerald waters.

How to get to Durres

Durres is also the main port of Albania , as well as one of the most important in the Adriatic Sea. Ferries dock there all year round. During the winter it is mainly used for the transport of goods, while in the summer the ferries that transport holidaymakers to Albania increase exponentially, especially those who prefer to travel with their own car. From Italy the ferries leave from the ports of Bari, Ancona and Trieste and the journey lasts all night. The fastest and most comfortable solution, however, is to land at Tirana Airport which is an hour from Durres and you can take the bus that costs a few euros.