Durrës Travel Guide | Albania Traveller

Durrës

My guide to beaches, restaurants, sightseeing, nightlife, outdoor activities and taking the ferry from Albania to Italy.

Discover Durrës

Durrës is a coastal city not far from Tirana and one of Albania's main port cities. While it wasn't my favorite destination in Albania, I was actually surprised by the waterfront, promenade and beautiful sunsets. There are beaches, restaurants, beach bars, nightlife and outdoor activities to explore.

For backpackers travelling around Albania, Durrës is worth considering as part of the bigger trip. It's close to Tirana, affordable, and makes a convenient stop before continuing further down the Albanian coast.

🛏️ Find a Place to Stay in Durrës →

⛴️ FERRY TO ITALY

Taking the Ferry from Durrës to Italy

One of the biggest reasons you may find yourself in Durrës is because this is where you can catch the ferry from Albania to Italy. If you're travelling around Europe or backpacking through Albania, it's a very convenient connection.

01 — FERRY PORT

Durrës Ferry Port

This is where you will catch the ferry when travelling from Albania to Italy.

I'll add the exact port location here so you can easily find the correct place before your departure.

📍 Open Ferry Port in Google Maps →

02 — MY EXPERIENCE

Ferry from Albania(Durres) to Italy(Bari)

I took the ferry myself and found the experience surprisingly easy. The crossing took roughly 8–9 hours, if I remember correctly.

If you're taking an overnight ferry, I recommend arriving a little early. There are regular chairs, but there are also larger sofa-style seats where you can stretch out and potentially sleep during the journey.

You can also buy food and drinks on the ferry, so you don't necessarily need to bring everything with you.

One of my favorite parts was being out on the Adriatic and watching the sunrise. It made the journey feel like part of the travel experience rather than simply a way of getting from Albania to Italy.

⏰ My tip: Arrive a little early if you're taking an overnight ferry and want a better chance of finding one of the more comfortable sofa-style seats.

⛴️ Buy Ferry Tickets →

FERRY INFORMATION

Ferries connect Durrës with Italy and are a convenient option if you're continuing your travels through Europe.

💡 Good to know: If you're travelling overnight, think about whether you want to sleep during the crossing. Arriving earlier can give you a better chance of finding a comfortable place to stretch out.

🏖️ BEACHES

Beaches Around Durrës

Durrës has a long stretch of coastline, with beaches extending beyond the city itself. The waterfront is easy to reach and there are also beach areas further south toward Golem.

Durrës Beach

Durrës Beach is the main beach area near the city and is an easy option if you want to combine a beach day with the promenade, restaurants and cafés.

Easy access from the city
Long sandy coastline
Restaurants, cafés and beach bars nearby
Convenient if you're staying in central Durrës

📍 Open Durrës Beach in Google Maps →

Golem Beach

If you want to explore further down the coast, the Golem area offers a longer stretch of beach with hotels, restaurants and beach resorts.

Further south from central Durrës
Lots of hotels and beach resorts
Restaurants and beach bars
Good option if you want more of a traditional beach-resort atmosphere

📍 Open Golem Beach in Google Maps →

🌅 My tip: Don't leave the waterfront before sunset. I was honestly surprised by how beautiful the sunsets were in Durrës.

🌅 WATERFRONT

Durrës Promenade

One of the parts of Durrës that surprised me the most was the waterfront. The promenade is lined with cafés, restaurants, beach bars and places to enjoy the view over the Adriatic Sea.

Sfinksi Seaside Viewing Platform

The Sfinksi viewing platform is a nice place to stop along the waterfront. It offers views over the Adriatic and is particularly beautiful around sunset.

📍 Open Sfinksi in Google Maps →

Waterfront Promenade

The promenade is a great place to walk in the evening. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, beach bars and nightlife options directly along the waterfront.

📍 Open Durrës Promenade in Google Maps →

My experience: I honestly didn't expect to like the waterfront as much as I did. The promenade and sunsets were one of the things that surprised me most about Durrës.

🍽️ FOOD

Eating in Durrës

There are lots of restaurants along the waterfront and beach areas, making Durrës an easy place to enjoy a meal with a view. You'll find everything from casual beach restaurants to nicer seaside lounges.

OMA Dyrrhachium Restaurant & Beach Lounge

A beachfront restaurant and lounge right beside the water. It's a good option if you want to combine food with the seaside atmosphere and sunset views.

Aqua Lounge Bar & Restaurant

Another beachfront option where you can sit outside, relax and enjoy the view over the water. The beachfront patio is a nice place to watch the sunset.

🍴 My tip: The waterfront is the easiest area to explore if you want to combine dinner, drinks and a sunset walk without having to travel around the city.

📍 THINGS TO SEE

Sightseeing in Durrës

Durrës is mainly known as a coastal and port city, but there are still a few historical places worth seeing while you're here.

01 — HISTORY

Venetian Tower

The Venetian Tower is one of the historical landmarks you can visit in Durrës.

You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. It's a relatively easy addition to your sightseeing itinerary if you're already exploring the city center.

📍 Open Venetian Tower in Google Maps →

🚤 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Outdoor Activities

If you're looking for something more active, Durrës can also be a gateway to different outdoor activities along the coast.

Jet Skiing

During the warmer months, you can find opportunities for jet skiing along the coast.

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is another option if you want to get out on the water and enjoy the coastline from a different perspective.

Snorkeling

There are also opportunities for snorkeling and exploring the water around the coast.

Hiking & Panoramic Views

There are areas around Durrës where you can walk or hike and find panoramic views over the Adriatic Sea.

🚤 BOAT TOURS

Boat Tours Around Durrës

If you'd rather explore the coastline from the water, there are also boat tours available. This can be a nice way to see more of the coastline without spending the whole day on the beach.

Coastal Boat Trips

Boat trips are an option if you want to get out on the Adriatic and explore the coastline from the water.

Explore the Coast

Depending on the tour, you may be able to visit different parts of the coast, enjoy the water and take in panoramic views from the sea.

💡 My tip: If you are interested in a boat tour, check the options available locally rather than assuming there is only one type of experience.

🎉 NIGHTLIFE

Bars & Nightlife in Durrës

Durrës has more nightlife than I expected. Along the waterfront you'll find beach bars, restaurants and several nightclubs directly beside the ocean.

Seaside Nightlife

Several nightlife spots are located directly along the waterfront, which makes the atmosphere especially nice in the evening.

Beach Bars

There are also plenty of beach bars where you can have a drink, listen to music and enjoy the sea before heading out later in the evening.

🌊 My experience: We went to one of the seaside clubs and I actually really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was good and being right beside the ocean made it feel different from a typical nightclub.

🎒 BACKPACKER GUIDE

Is Durrës Worth Visiting?

Durrës isn't my favorite place in Albania, but I still think it's worth including if your goal is to experience as much of the country as possible.

Close to Tirana

Durrës is relatively close to Tirana and can be easily incorporated into a larger Albania itinerary.

Affordable

Durrës can be an affordable destination, with hostels, hotels and more luxurious accommodation available.

Easy Coast Connection

If you're backpacking south along the Albanian coast, Durrës can be a convenient stop before continuing toward other coastal destinations.

Easy Ferry Connection

If you're travelling onward to Italy, Durrës is especially convenient because of its ferry connection.

🎒 My honest opinion: When I backpacked through Albania, I wanted to see the whole country and experience as much as possible. For that reason, I think Durrës is worth stopping in.

But if you're short on time and looking for my favorite Albanian destinations, there are other places I'd personally choose first.