Major city · Albania
Durrës
Give Durrës one night for the Roman amphitheatre and a beach near Tirana; skip it as a beach base — Golem and the south coast are better.
Durrës is Albania's main port, 35–45 min from Tirana by bus, with a Roman amphitheatre, a Byzantine wall and a long beach strip running south. The old centre is compact and walkable in half a day; the beach is a separate, busier zone along Rruga Pavaresia. Most travellers use it as a first or last night near the airport rather than a holiday base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ALL
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–early Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded beach, peak prices)
- Airport
- TIA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Albania ↗Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport before you book.
- Albania ↗If you drive, carry your licence, rental papers and insurance proof, and expect unlit mountain roads and livestock after dark.
- Albania ↗Land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece are used by buses; allow for queues in summer and check that your rental contract allows crossing.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Durrës112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Durrës, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Albanian lek (ALL).Albania-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone and One sell tourist SIMs at the airport and in shops; passport required.Albania-wide
- Tap waterTap water is not reliably drinkable in all towns; bottled water is cheap and standard.Albania-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Albania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Albania-wide
- SafetyDurrës is generally safe by day and on the promenade at night; the real issues are taxi overcharging, unmarked beach prices and summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCafés for customers; ruins and beaches have basic facilities.Albania-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies · 129 police · 127 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBeach businesses close October–May; some museums close on Monday.Albania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Direct bus from the airport to Durrës roughly every 1–2 h, about 600 lek (2026 estimate)…
- Getting aroundThe old centre is walkable in 20–30 min end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a bar80–150 lek
- Street or quick mealByrek or a sandwich100–250 lek
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop200–400 lek100–180 lek
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centre400–800 lek
- Metro or bus rideCity or beach bus ride40 lek
- Museum or sight ticketAmphitheatre entryticket required; the perimeter is free to walk
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personALL 1,500
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomALL 8,000
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomALL 18,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ALL 4,000 · Mid ALL 7,500 · High ALL 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Direct bus from the airport to Durrës roughly every 1–2 h, about 600 lek (2026 estimate); the airport is closer to Durrës than to central Tirana.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best*
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Durrës: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old centre is walkable in 20–30 min end to end. Orange city buses and the Plepa/Durazzo beach line run along Rruga Pavaresia (about 40 lek, 2026 estimate); buy from a kiosk or the driver. Taxis are everywhere — agree the fare or insist on the meter before you get in. Bikes and e-bikes rent from about €8 a day, and a paved path runs south along the beach.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
- Tirana full guide31 km (19 mi)19 mi (31 km) east of Durrës
From Tirana: Bus or train from Tirana, about 1 h · Half or full day
- Kotor full guide140 km (87 mi)87 mi (140 km) north-west of Durrës
- Skopje full guide180 km (112 mi)112 mi (180 km) north-east of Durrës
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from the Durrës bus terminal, every 30 min 06:30–19:30Bus from the Durrës bus terminal, every 30 min 6:30 AM–7:30 PM
About 180 lek each way (2026 estimate); buses leave from the Northern Bus Station in Tirana.
Cape of Rodon and Lalzit Bay
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h to the bay
Car or taxi north on the SH2 then local roads; no useful public bus
Worth it only with your own wheels; the castle and bay are a half-day loop.
Golem and Qerret beaches
goDoor to door: 20–40 min
Beach bus along Rruga Pavaresia, or taxi
Quieter sand than central Durrës; facilities charge in season.
Berat
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus from the Plepat station at the south end of the promenade
About 450 lek (2026 estimate); too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old centre (Sheshi Liria area)
Walk to the amphitheatre, walls, mosques and the seafront promenade; best for one night with bags.
Rruga Pavaresia / beach strip
Hotels and apartments facing the sand, 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) south of the centre; bus or taxi to the old town.Hotels and apartments facing the sand, 1.9–2.5 mi (3–4 km) south of the centre; bus or taxi to the old town.
Golem and Qerret
Resort strip further south, 8–12 km (5–7.5 mi) out; quieter sand, but you need a bus or car for everything.Resort strip further south, 5–7.5 mi (8–12 km) out; quieter sand, but you need a bus or car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 3,500–5,500 lek excl. bed
- Mid
- 6,000–10,000 lek excl. bed
- High
- 12,000+ lek excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 1 night × ALL 8,000 | ALL 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ALL 7,500 | ALL 15,000 |
| Airport bus to Durrës, one way2 × ALL 600 | ALL 1,200 |
| Tirana bus, return2 × ALL 360 | ALL 720 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × ALL 800 | ALL 1,600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ALL 2,000 | ALL 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ALL 3,050 |
| Trip total≈ ALL 16,790 per person per day, bed included | ALL 33,570 |
2026 estimate in lek; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bar | 80–150 lek |
| Byrek or a sandwich | 100–250 lek |
| Lunch plate (grilled meat, salad) | 600–1,200 lek |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | 200–400 lek / 100–180 lek |
| City or beach bus ride | 40 lek |
| Taxi across the centre | 400–800 lek |
| Sunbed and umbrella on the beach, per day | 500–1,500 lek in season |
| Amphitheatre entry | ticket required; the perimeter is free to walk |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree the taxi fare or demand the meter before departure, or you will be overcharged.
- If you arrive by bus from Tirana, get off before the vehicle turns onto the southern highway — the stop south of town is hard to recover from.
- The Archaeological Museum is closed for works until sometime in 2026: check locally before planning around it.
- The beach south of the city ends at a military-owned stretch that is impassable; turn back rather than walk on.
- Summer beach prices rise sharply in July and August; book beds ahead.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
- Police
- 129
- Ambulance
- 127
- Fire
- 128
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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DurrësDurrës
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Në këtë adresë, ju lutemTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police129
- Ambulance127
- Fire128
Embassy
No embassies in Durrës; most are in Tirana, about 40 min away. US, UK and EU citizens should register with their Tirana mission for anything serious.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (TIA) → Durrës, bus: about 600 lek, roughly every 1–2 h
- Durrës → Tirana, bus: about 180 lek, 45 min, every 30 min 06:30–19:30about 180 lek, 45 min, every 30 min 6:30 AM–7:30 PM
- Beach bus along Rruga Pavaresia: about 40 lek
- Taxi across the centre: 400–800 lek; agree the fare first
Say or show
- Përshëndetje — Hello (per-shen-DET-yeh)
- Faleminderit — Thank you (fa-le-min-DEH-rit)
- Sa kushton? — How much is it? (sa koosh-TON)
- Faturën, ju lutem — The bill, please (fa-TOO-ren, yoo LOO-tem)
- Mund të paguaj me kartë? — Can I pay by card? (moond tuh pa-GOO-ai meh KAR-tuh)
- Ku është tualeti? — Where is the toilet? (koo uhsh-TUH too-a-LEH-tee)
Ferry terminal is at 41.31587, 19.45447; the bus terminal is a short walk from the old railway station.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Durrës. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded beach, peak prices) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialBashkia Durrës (municipality)
- officialPort of Durrës
- secondaryDurrës by bus (city bus lines)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Durrës, revision 5320717 (CC BY-SA 4.0)