Best of Durrës

Durrës Essentials

Durrës showcases historical layers spanning from antiquity to the modern era. The city features the largest Roman amphitheatre in the Balkans, built in the 2nd century AD, alongside medieval fortifications like the 15th-century Venetian Tower. Cultural highlights include the Archaeological Museum, which houses extensive Illyrian and Roman artifacts, and the 1930s Royal Villa of King Zog. The urban landscape is further defined by the Great Mosque and the 6th-century mosaics of the Basilica of Saint Michael.

Pudelek / CC BY-SA 4.0

Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre of Durrës is a Roman amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Durrës, Albania.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Durrës Castle

Durrës Castle is the fortified old city of Durrës, Albania. It is enclosed by city walls built in the late 5th century, and repaired and…

Durrës Archeological Museum

Established in 1951, this is the largest archaeological museum in Albania. It houses a vast collection of artifacts from the ancient city of Dyrrhachium, ranging from the Archaic period to the Middle Ages, with a focus on Hellenistic and Roman pottery and statues.

Venetian Tower

A 15th-century circular tower built upon the ruins of a Byzantine fortification. It served as a key defensive structure for the Durrës Castle and currently features a rooftop terrace overlooking the harbor.

Bruno Ribeiro / CC-BY-SA

Xhamia e Madhe e Durrësit

Built in 1937 on the site of an older Ottoman mosque, this landmark overlooks the city's main square. It was closed during the communist era and reopened in the 1990s after extensive restoration.

Royal Villa of Durrës

A former summer residence of King Zog I, built in 1937 on a hill overlooking the harbor. The villa's architecture follows a nautical theme and serves as a prominent symbol of the 20th-century Albanian monarchy.

Katedralja ortodokse e Shën Palit dhe Shën Asti

A modern Eastern Orthodox cathedral completed in the early 21st century. It features traditional Byzantine-inspired architecture with a large central dome and serves as the seat of the local bishopric.

Basilica of Saint Michael

A 6th-century Paleo-Christian basilica located in Arapaj. It is renowned for its large and well-preserved floor mosaics, which are considered among the finest examples of early Christian art in the region.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Hamami i Durrësit

An 18th-century Ottoman Turkish bathhouse located near the city walls. It features a traditional domed structure with small circular windows for natural light and was used for communal bathing until the mid-20th century.

Andis Rado / CC BY-SA 4.0

Shtepia e Aleksander Moisiut

An ethnographic museum located in the 19th-century childhood home of world-renowned actor Alexander Moissi. The museum displays traditional local costumes, crafts, and memorabilia related to the actor's career.

Aragosta Beach

A sandy beach located along the northern stretch of the Durrës coastline. It features shallow waters and is bordered by a promenade with various amenities and seaside dining.