In 1939 the castle was also the base of Albanian patriots who were delaying the advance of the Italian army.
Durrës Historic Walking Tour
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jed Horne
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Durrës, Albania’s second-largest city and one of its oldest, offers a blend of coastal charm and fascinating history. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Durrës is known for its beaches, palm-lined promenades, and impressive Roman ruins. It’s a city where antiquity meets modern life, making it ideal for a short walking tour.
From its ancient amphitheatre to its Byzantine walls and Ottoman influences, Durrës offers visitors a layered narrative of the country’s past. A guided tour helps bring these stories to life, making sense of the city’s shifting identities and strategic importance over millennia.
How to Get to Durrës
By Bus: Durrës is well-connected to Tirana by frequent buses and minibuses, which depart from the Regional Bus Terminal near Tirana. The journey takes about 40–60 minutes.
By Car: The drive from Tirana to Durrës is straightforward via the SH2 highway. Once in the city, paid parking is available near the beachfront and historic center. If you are looking to rent a car in Albania I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.
Where to Stay in Durrës
Stay near the city centre or seafront to get the most out of your walking tour. For a luxury experience, Hotel Villa Pascucci offers a peaceful retreat with spa facilities. A mid-range option is Hotel Arvi, located just steps from the Roman amphitheatre. For budget travellers, My Home Guest House is a welcoming, affordable option near the old town and beach.
A Brief History of Durrës
Founded in the 7th century BCE by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu, Durrës—then called Epidamnos—was a thriving port and later an important Roman city known as Dyrrachium. The city played a vital role in the Via Egnatia, the Roman road that linked the Adriatic with Byzantium.
Over the centuries, Durrës fell under Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman control, all of which left their mark on its architecture and urban layout. It was also the provisional capital of Albania in the early 20th century. Today, Durrës is a lively coastal city where visitors can walk among ruins that tell the story of Albania’s complex and layered past.
Guided or Self-Guided Tour of Durrës?
To experience the city’s most important landmarks and hidden treasures, consider joining the Durrës: 2-Hour Walking Tour. This guided experience takes you through the city’s heart, revealing key monuments like the Roman Amphitheatre, the Byzantine Forum, and the Venetian Tower. Along the way, a knowledgeable guide will share stories that connect these sites to Durrës’s ancient and modern identity. It’s an ideal introduction for anyone curious about Albania’s Adriatic jewel.
Your Walking Tour of Durrës
This blog covers the major highlights of Durrës, but depending on your pace and interests, you may want to spend more time in museums or relaxing by the sea.
1. Venetian Tower
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Musli Berisha
Start the day with a coffee at the top of the Venetian Tower.
In the 15th century Durrës was one of the possessions of the Republic of Venice. At the time the city was under threat, from the Ottoman Empire, they extended the defenses by building this tower, and since then its been called the Venetian Tower.
There’s a cafe located inside it now and you can climb the very steep steps carefully to see the view from up top and enjoy a drink while you’re up there.
Read more about Durrës Castle
2. Aleksandër Moisiu Museum
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Andis Rado
Walk along the outside of the city walls, until you find the first break in the walls. Turn left through the walls and left again to enter Rruga Kolonel Tomson. On your left you should see the Aleksandër Moisiu Museum.
In 1914 Kolonel Tomson was the Dutch military commander of the newly created International Gendarmerie peacekeeping force in the Principality of Albania. He was killed during fighting in Durrës on 15 June 1914.
Aleksandër Moisiu was a actor of international acclaim and was born in this house. The Museum is partly an the Ethnographic Museum of Durrës and partly a exhibition about the life of Aleksandër Moisiu. It is worth visiting the museum to also see the building itself which is a Ottoman structure of beautiful architecture.
Location: Rruga Kolonel Tomson Durrës Albania
Read more about Aleksandër Moisiu’s House-Museum
3. Amphitheater of Durrës
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jed Horne
After leaving the Aleksandër Moisiu Museum you continue along the inside of the wall to get to the Amphitheaterof Durrës.
The Amphitheater of Durrës is the remains of a 20,000-seat 2nd-century Roman amphitheater. It was built by Emperor Trajan and is the largest Roman Amphitheater in the Balkans
There is also a Byzantine chapel in the amphitheater has several beautiful mosaics to see.
Location: Rr e Kalasë | Hours: 9am-7pm Apr–mid-Oct, to 6pm mid-Oct–Mar | Price: 200 lekë
Read more about Durrës Amphitheatre
4. Xhamia E Madhe
CC BY-SA 4.0 / GentiBehramaj
From the Amphitheater walk to the north east to the large square, Qendra e Durrësit (Literally Center of Durrës), it is also called Sheshi Liria(Freedom Square).
The mosque overlooks the central square of Durrës where locals often sit and congregate.
The mosque is a new one, built in 1931 on the place of the older ottoman mosque. It was the largest mosque in the Balkans and was built by Italian architects.
Closed during the communist reign and turned into a youth center it was opened again as a mosque in 1993.
Location: Rruga Aleksander Goga Durrës Albania
Read more about Durrës Great Mosque
5. King Zog Royal Villa
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Andis Rado
This is an optional detour to see the summer residence of King Zog. It is about 1.5 km uphill walk! To the north of the Mosque you will find Rruga Karl Topia, head up the road which turns into Rruga Gjergj Komnino and Rruga Kont Urani. Basically when you come to a junction choose the road that goes uphill!
The building was built in 1926 and was used as the summer palace by King Zog I and the Albanian Royal family.
Although the villa is secluded and is surrounded by thick walls almost making it impossible to penetrate, you can still enjoy the external beauty from outside and also enjoy the view of the city from there.
Slightly further up the road is the Faro de Durrës, which serves as a good viewing platform of the bay and of the Palace.
Location: Vila e Zogut Albania Rruga Kont Urani 34 2000, Albania
Read more about Royal Villa of Durrës
6. Forum & Roman Baths
CC BY-SA 4.0 / GentiBehramaj
Just to the north of Qendra e Durrësit along Rruga Aleksander Goga lies the Roman baths and Forum of Durres.
This used to be the Roman Byzantine center of the ancient city of Dyrrhachium. There are a number of Corinthian columns in a semi circle. Although not in a great state, they are free to see!
Location: Rruga Aleksander Goga, Durrës, Albania
Read more about Durrës Byzantine Forum
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