Durres: Albanian “Little Italy”

If I could name one city that has charmed the Adria fun team on the tour, then it would definitely be Durres (alb. Durrës). The moment we reached the Hotel Giulia Albergo, we decided to head out to check what this city has to offer, and, in two words, I would describe this city as the Albanian version of “Little Italy“.

The city of Durres is a port city and the second most populated city in Albania, with a long history dating back to ancient Greece. Located just 38 kilometers from the capital city Tirana, it is the most important commercial center for Albania, and one of the oldest as well.

The city is filled with palm trees, cafes, and historical monuments which will make you fall in love with it. In order to show you why this city needs to be on your must-visit in Albania list, I decided to show you a couple of things you have to check out!

1. Durres Amphitheatre

The Durres Amphitheater was built in the 2nd century and it is located in the very center of the city.  It was used for performances until the 4th century when it was significantly damaged and abandoned. It had a capacity of 15,000 to 18,000 spectators. If you wish to learn more about Durres Amphitheater, you can read our article fully dedicated to it here.

Durres Amphitheater, Photo: Adria.fun

2. Durres castle and city wall

Durres Castle (alb. Kalaja e Durrësit) is an old city castle that is surrounded by 4.6 meters tall city walls. It was built in the late 5th century by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I. The circular tower, one of the most recognized structures of the city, was built much later on Byzantine ruins.

3. Great Mosque of Durres

The Great Mosque of Durres was built in 1931. under the rulership of King Ahmed Zogu, and at that time, it was considered the largest mosque in Albania. Later in 1967, under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, when he declared Albania an atheist country, the mosque was closed and finally opened again in 1993.

Great Mosque of Durres, Photo: Adria.fun

5. City Walk

Right next to the Great Mosque of Durres,  you will find yourself on the main square of the city walk. Here you can find only the finest shops, cafes and restaurants. The area is very vibrant at night and I enjoyed exploring around. In case you aren’t sure which cafe/restaurant to check out first, the Adria fun team paid a visit to Soam Fast Food and Sophie Cafe, so you might want to check them out as well.

6. Durres Port Beach

At the port of the city, on the left and right of the Ventus Harbor Hotel, you can enjoy the beach and the promenade filled with cafes and places to relax. It is a great beach close to the city walk, amphitheater, castle, and mosque, which makes it more accessible especially if you are staying in hotels nearby. At the very end of the beach, you can also visit a popular tourist attraction Sfinksi.

Durres port beach, Photo: Adria.fun

7. Durres Beach

Durres Beach is the longest beach in Albania, extending for 10.5 kilometers along Durres Bay. It is famous for hotels, bars, and restaurants located on every corner. At the time of our visit, we chose Don Pepe by Martines bar in case you aren’t sure which one to pick.

There are many more things you can check out in Durres, so I would additionally recommend paying a visit to the Royal Villa of Durres, Durres Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Forum, and Spille Beach.  Overall, I hope that this city will charm you as well.

Feel free to let us know your experience in the comments below.