Last summer, when we visited Albania, we spent some time in a beach city near Tirana. We arrived there straight from the airport, taking a mini-bus from the parking lot. It cost €6 (or the equivalent in Albanian leks), but the driver accepted euros as well. The ride to Durres took about 40 minutes, though it felt longer because the mini-bus didn’t have air conditioning. On the way, we enjoyed watching the scenery through the windows. The road connecting Tirana and Durres is lined with buildings, making the two places feel quite interconnected. The driver didn’t speak English, but it’s worth noting you can take a bus directly from the airport without going into Tirana.
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Tirana Airport exit side
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| View on the road between Tirana and Durres |
View of the road between Tirana and Durres
It was a very hot day when we arrived in Durres. The beaches are a few kilometers away from the city center, so we decided to take a walk around. The buildings in Durres reminded me of those in Greece, though they have a charming, less-organized vibe. Food in the city is relatively cheap compared to the beachside restaurants. For just a few euros, you can enjoy a meal in a decent, mid-range restaurant. The locals were incredibly friendly, helping us find our way to the bus station for the beach and pointing out interesting spots along the way.
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| City of Durres |
How to get from Durres city to the beaches
If you want to visit the beach, there’s public transportation available, and it costs just 2 leks. We asked some locals where the bus station was, and they kindly guided us. The public buses are easy to use—we caught ours from the location marked on the map. You don’t need to buy a ticket in advance; someone will come around on the bus to sell them, but note that you can only pay in cash.
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| Crowded bus in Durres |
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| Location of bus stop you can catch the beach |
Durres is home to long, sandy beaches. Some are public, but others are private and belong to nearby resorts. Strangely, you can’t swim on the private beaches unless you’re a guest. If you want to move from one public beach to another, you’ll need to walk back to the main road before re-entering the beach. Durres isn’t as popular as some of Albania’s other coastal cities, so prices are lower here. However, be prepared—many places don’t accept card payments. There are plenty of food and drink options near the beaches, and the sunsets are truly stunning.
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| Empty beach |
If you’re interested in history, don’t miss the amphitheater in Durres. It’s the largest in the Balkans, and entrance is free! It’s close to the city center and easily accessible on foot.
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| Amphitheater in Durres |
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