"Durres 2008" Top 5 Page for this destination Durres by maykal

Durres Travel Guide: 63 reviews and 161 photos

Albanian WWII Resistance Monument, Durres

Underwhelmed by Tirana? How about a daytrip to the coast? Durres? Take the Tirana-Durres Express...it's quicker than walking, but only just!

I thought Tirana was quirky. Well, so too is Durres. An ancient city, not much survives from the Roman era, but it does mean that you stumble across relics from the past all over the place...amphitheatres and forums surrounded by dilapidated yet colourful century old houses inside mediaeval city walls, within spitting distance of a few Communist monuments, a backdrop of modern glass-fronted high-rise blocks.

Rruga Tregtore, Durres

Continuing the trend that Tirana had set, all the attractions were shut. The Roman Amphitheatre looked quite impressive from outside, although I'm told that exploring the tunnels underneath are well worth entering for...unfortunately the caretakers had decided to ignore their opening hours and go for a siesta somewhere. The Archaeological Museum was under lock and key too. Frustrating really. But I did spend a full day wandering the streets, marvelling at the sheer number of trampolines in the streets (is it a national trampolining training centre?), sunning myself on a deserted beach (well, it was very much out of season and not that warm), and generally enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

City walls, Durres

Lots more photos to come, but let me unpack first!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Relaxed, attractive centre, historical bits and pieces dotted about town, beaches
Cons:Again...opening hours mean nothing at all!

Last visit to Durres: Apr 2008
Intro Written Apr 10, 2008
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Reviews (11)

Sukthi Station, between Durres and Tirana - Durres

From Tirana Transportation (1)

Transport in Durres is concentrated in one place. You've got a cavernous train station next to a collection of buses,... more travel advice

Plazhi i Currilave (Currila Beach) Things to Do (10)

Past "Baywatch", close to the university, a long sandy beach stretches off into the distance. Not the cleanest of sands,... more travel advice

Seafront Things to Do (10)

Head north from the port, and you'll find yourself on a seafront promenade. The first part is backed by gardens and a... more travel advice

Albanian Resistance Monument, Durres - Durres

Albanian Resistance Monument Things to Do (10)

When the Italian army invaded Durres in the Second World War, British secret agents teamed up with local Albanian... more travel advice

Comments (5)

budapest8 Sep 9, 2010 at 7:42 PM Report Abuse

Interesting read, Albania was a bit like Borat meets Monty Python for me..In a good way though. I think Albania will develop it's tourist sites over the next 5 years and overtake Montenegro in the future as a backpacker destination.
antistar Sep 4, 2010 at 3:17 PM Report Abuse

I had the same problem with the amphitheatre. Open - but not open! I don't think the beaches ever get cleaned - the LP guide claimed that many people had caught horrible skin diseases bathing in the sea.
Arkeolog Aug 27, 2010 at 2:08 PM Report Abuse

Durres... I hadnt time to visit this city when I was in Albania in 2008. Now i know i've missed a nice place. best wishes.Bora
fabrice Aug 22, 2009 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

interesting trip to albania !
craic Jun 26, 2009 at 7:23 AM Report Abuse

i want to go to durres and see baywatch!