Durrës

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. The next earthquake will cause the ground to undergo liquefaction again, and much of the new development will have to be pruned back once more, before regrowing. Still, the city is alive. There are abundant shops, retail stalls and street traders. They appear to trade from early morning until late and provide an attractive "always on" vibe to the city.

It has ferries to Bari and Ancona in (Italy) and bus connections to other Albanian and international destinations, often via Tirana.

Alternative spellings of the city's name are Durazzo (Italian), Drač (Драч, Serbo-Croatian) or Dyrrhachion (Δυρράχιον, Greek).

See

Durrës has layers of Illyrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, royal Albanian, communist-era and modern history. The main sights are concentrated around the old city centre, with several important coastal and religious sites further afield.

Do

thumb|right|Stadium Niko Dovana Football: KF Teuta play football in Kategoria Superiore, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Niko Dovana Stadium, capacity 12,000, one km north of the ferry port.

Buy

Kokomani Wine— Albanian wine produced by Kokomani Winery, known for red and white wines made from local and international grape varieties. Bottles of wine and homemade raki are commonly sold in wine shops, supermarkets and souvenir stores in Durrës, and are popular gifts for visitors. Souvenirs— Tourist souvenirs sold throughout Durrës include magnets, postcards, Albanian flag items, handmade jewellery, miniature amphora decorations and locally crafted gifts inspired by the city’s Roman and coastal heritage. Sea Souvenirs— Shops near the beach sell seashell decorations, handmade marine crafts, beach-themed ornaments and Adriatic-inspired gifts commonly bought by summer tourists. Household goods — Local markets and small stores offer practical household products, kitchenware, textiles and handmade wooden items used in traditional Albanian homes. Traditional Albanian products— Traditional Albanian products available in Durrës include olive oil, mountain tea, local honey, dried herbs, filigree crafts, handmade carpets and bottles of raki produced in different regions of Albania. Many are sold in souvenir shops and artisan markets around the city.

Connect

5G available now (2026). As of Sep 2021, Vodafone has the best coverage, with 4G in Durrës, the other main towns, and highways between. One and ALB have 4G in Durrës but less coverage elsewhere. 5G has not been rolled out in Albania.

Go next

Tirana the capital is ringed by trees and mountains. Mount Dajt has great views of the city. Kruje in the hills above Tirana has museums and an old castle. Lezhe has Skanderbeg's Tomb, panoramic Lezhe Castle and several renovated churches Fier is a lively seaside city, near the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia. Fushë-Krujë its near with Durrës