Durrës
Albania's second-largest city, known for its Roman amphitheater, old Byzantine walls, Adriatic beaches and ferries to Italy.
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Durrës is a port city on the Adriatic coast of Albania, about 37 km west of the capital, Tirana. It is Albania's second-largest city and its main port and rail hub. Greek colonists founded the settlement as Epidamnos, traditionally in 627 BC, and under Rome it became the western start of the Via Egnatia, the road to Constantinople. The clearest traces of that past are the amphitheater near the harbor, the largest in the Balkans with room for about 20,000 people, and the Byzantine walls, which still rise up to 12 meters in places.
The Archaeological Museum, near the beach, is the largest in Albania, with Illyrian, Greek and Roman finds. Lalzi Bay to the north is mostly unspoiled, while Golem to the south is known for mass beach tourism. Spring and autumn suit sightseeing best, since July and August are the hottest months, with highs around 28 °C. Allow a half day from Tirana for the amphitheater, museum and walls, or an overnight if you want time at the beach.
Durrës in five
- Pair the amphitheater with the museumThe tourism agency calls the 2nd-century amphitheater the largest in the Balkans, and the nearby Archaeological Museum the largest in the country. Do both in one visit and check the hours of each before you go.
- Arrive by sea from ItalyAdria Ferries lists sailings to Durrës from Ancona, Bari and Trieste. Check dates, cabin options and vehicle rules on its site, and book early for summer weekends.Bari travel guide
- Walk the old wallsThe castle's 5th-century defensive walls, with later Venetian additions, wrap the oldest part of the city. The agency also lists the Venetian Tower among the stops, so make it a short walk, not a long day.
- Treat Durrës as a half day from TiranaThe city sits between the capital and the coast, so most visitors come for the amphitheater and a seafront lunch. A night makes sense only if you want the promenade and a beach morning.Tirana travel guide
- Check beach conditions before you swimThe city beach is long, accessible and busy in the tourist season, according to the tourism agency. Read the flags and ask your hotel about lifeguard cover, which varies by stretch.
Need to know
- Airport
- Tirana (TIA) is the nearest; the airport site lists a Durrës shuttle
- Getting there
- Road from Tirana; ferries from Ancona, Bari and Trieste
- Getting around
- Old town on foot; taxis or buses to the beach strip
- Best base
- Near the old walls or the seafront promenade
- Time needed
- Half a day; one night with the beach
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cool, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool, wetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, windyMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Spring, quietAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, swim startMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, swim start
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot, beach busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, beach busy
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low21°Hottest, busiestAugustClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busiest
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh17°Low10°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 189 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet, short days
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Cool, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Durrës, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Durrës
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 65%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Durrës
10:16 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°10°100%Monday: Rain. High 22°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue17°12°90%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Wed19°11°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu19°9°0%Thursday: Clear. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri18°7°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat18°5°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun16°12°22%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 07:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 81.47 ALL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tiranashort ride east by bus or carBunk'Art, Skanderbeg Square and the New Bazaar make an easy city day.Read the guide
- Berathalf a day each way by roadA UNESCO hill town that repays a night more than a rush.Read the guide
- Shkodranorth by road, a full dayRozafa Castle, the lake and the start of the Albanian Alps.Read the guide
Before you go to Durrës
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Rules for Durrës, checked
Plan around Durrës
The capital, close by road
Read the guideAirport to city centerBuses and shuttles from Rinas, including Durrës
Read the guideBerat travel guideA UNESCO hill town to the south
Read the guideShkodraCastle, lake and the road north
Read the guideTours and ticketsCheck what a day-tour price covers
Read the guideAll of AlbaniaEntry rules, coast and mountains
Read the guideDurrës FAQ
Is Durrës worth visiting?
Yes for a half day: the Roman amphitheater, the Archaeological Museum and the old walls are the draw. The long city beach is functional and busy rather than secluded.
Can you visit Durrës as a day trip from Tirana?
Yes. The city sits between the capital and the coast, and the airport site lists a Durrës shuttle. A morning at the amphitheater and a seafront lunch is the usual plan.
Are there ferries from Italy to Durrës?
Yes. Adria Ferries' site lists sailings to Durrës from Ancona, Bari and Trieste. Check dates, cabins and vehicle rules on the operator's site before you plan the rest of the trip.
Should you stay overnight in Durrës?
Only if you want a beach morning or you are catching an early ferry. Most travelers see the sights in half a day and sleep in Tirana, which has far more choice.
What is the history of Durrës?
The tourism agency dates its founding to 627 BC and notes that it was the start of the Via Egnatia road to Thessaloniki and Constantinople. Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers survive in the walls and monuments.