Durres is a quality low-cost vacation on the Adriatic Sea. And it's also Italy in miniature! Find out how tourists say about the Albanian resort and whether it is worth going there in 2021.
Resort experience
Durres is the second largest city in the country and the largest Albanian resort on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It is located in the west of the country. Tourists love beautiful nature, warm sea, pleasant climate, fresh fish, seafood and hospitable locals. The resort is located near the airport, so there are plenty of vacationers in the summer.
The Italian Bari is only 300 km across the strait, so there is a lot from Italy in Durres. The restaurants prepare excellent Italian dishes, and the shops sell clothes and shoes from well-known Italian manufacturers.
Find out what tourists think of Albania.
Tanya Kravchuk: "A relatively young port city, a beautiful embankment, many restaurants, mostly stylish young people on the street. We wandered through different streets that remind Italy with multi-colored mini-balconies, accidentally hit the top with a stunning panoramic view of the port and the entire city of Durres. ".
Best hotels
Accommodation in Durres is one of the cheapest in Albania. To accommodate tourists, the resort has 2-5 * hotels, apartments and apartments rented by local residents. According to reviews, the hotel staff speaks Italian, Greek and English well. Almost everywhere tourists are offered breakfast and half board, but three meals a day and all inclusive are almost impossible to find. Look for tours to Albania on Travelata.
The best hotels in Durres, according to tourists' reviews:
Pishat e Buta 3 * - an inexpensive hotel for families with children in Golem.
Klebrido 3 * is a cozy budget hotel near the beach.
Nais Beach Hotel 3 * - a pleasant hotel 600 meters from the Roman amphitheater.
Aragosta 4 * - comfortable accommodation on the first line with excellent sea views.
Monaco 4 * - a resort hotel with a private sandy beach, 16 km from Durres.
Brilliant Hotel & Spa 5 * is a modern spa hotel in the resort area of Golem.
Kacha: "A trip to Albania is an opportunity to see a new country, saving the budget. 10 days in the most luxurious apartments cost us 20,000 rubles. I did not find such a rental price even in the village of Golubitskaya on the Sea of Azov in the off-season. What is the difference in the quality of housing !! ! It's hard to believe that for that kind of money we got a room fully equipped with new appliances and utensils. But the main thing is a stunning view from the balcony and from the window. "
Durres beaches
The coastline of the Albanian resort stretches for 15 km. The beaches of Durres are covered with light sand and pebbles. The entrance to the water is shallow, the depth begins 50 m from the shore, and the sea water is very clean. Ideal conditions for families with young children! All beaches in Albania are municipal, so you will only pay for sun loungers and parasols.
Find out where to relax by the sea in Albania.
mnogogdebil: "The beaches are not near the city center. If you live in the beach area, it will be boring, you will get tired of the hotel-beach program. The beaches are not bad, sand, sun loungers are paid. Nearby there are cafes, but I would give the beaches a rating of 4 with a minus. Everything clean, but something is missing. Sun beds for a C grade. The sea is definitely 5 points. "
Food prices
The cost of food pleasantly surprises tourists from Russia. Together, you can have a tasty and hearty lunch for $ 7-10. In restaurants, baked fish costs $ 6-7, spaghetti with freshly caught seafood - $ 4.5, a mug of beer - $ 1.5, and 1 liter of homemade wine - $ 5. Many Durres hotels offer a buffet lunch for $ 10. Please note that portions in Albania are large! The resort's supermarkets sell many quality and inexpensive products from Greece and Italy.
Alisa May: "Delicious food, dishes are prepared from good products, many harmful additives are prohibited, incredibly tasty ice cream and great coffee. It's better to take the money in euros. You can change it in any supermarket at a good rate."
Things to do
Durres has an ancient history, it was founded in the 7th century BC. In the city itself, we advise you to see the Roman amphitheater and baths, the ancient aqueduct and the 500-year-old Fatiha Mosque. There is no nightlife at the resort. In addition to a beach holiday, tourists walk along the promenade, enjoy the southern nature and a relaxed atmosphere.
The city is only 38 km from the capital of Albania, so vacationers willingly travel to Tirana. According to reviews, excursions to Berat, Shkoder, Vlora, Lake Coman, Niklä canyon, Pelumbas cave and the ancient city of Apollonia are popular from Durres.
Aleksey: "There is a huge ancient amphitheater in Durres! We have not been inside, but we have examined it from the outside. It gives an impression of its size and antiquity. To excavate it, about 30 buildings were demolished. The visit is open from 9:00 to 21:00, the ticket costs 200 lek".
Sergio Bankiri: "The amphitheater in Durres could be a great attraction for tourists to Albania from all over the world. But the work is being done slowly and reluctantly, so everything looks depressing so far."
When is the best time to go
The tourist season in Durres runs from late April to October. It is pleasant to sunbathe in spring, but swimming in the sea is comfortable from the beginning of June. During the summer holidays - in July and August - the city is flooded with visitors from different countries and the Albanians themselves. Families with small children and aged tourists do not tolerate extreme heat, so they usually rest at the resort in June and September.
Victor: "I was in Durres in June. The sun was hot, the air temperature rose above + 27 ° C, the humidity was not high, the cloudiness was minimal. There was practically no wind, and the sea was calm and warm - almost perfect calm."
Conclusions: is it worth going
Durres is good for beach holidays and sightseeing tourism in Albania. Transfer from Tirana Airport takes 30-40 minutes. Vacationers noted the beautiful architecture, well-groomed promenade and excellent restaurants. When choosing accommodation, keep in mind that the beaches are quite far from the city center. The main disadvantage of Durres is that in the summer on the coast, tourists are pestered by gypsy beggars.
