I backpacked the city of Durrës. Founded by the Greeks and known as Epidamnos, it is believed to be the oldest city in Albania.
If you were searching for my blog post on the Durres to Tirana (Kashar) train and have been redirected here:
The Tirana (Kashar) – Durres – Tirana (Kashar) Train Service has been suspended.
According to the project for the Tirana-Durres railway, the train will be electric with a speed of up to 100 km/h. This will make the travel time to Durrës 22 minutes and to Rinas 12 minutes. The line will have 11 stations. Starting from Durrës, the following stations are: Shkozet, Sukth, Vorë, Kashar, Laknas, Rinas and Tirana Terminal.
It was scheduled to be up and running in 2024, but halfway through 2025 it is said 2026 will be a more realistic date.
Though I hadn’t gone to Durres specifically for the Roman ruins, the Venetian Tower, pictured above, is pretty neat.
Life has changed due to COVID-19. I have to be somewhere, and it was nice to have things to do, such as planning Albania tour packages, and I found Durres an agreeable place to base myself.
Things Worth Seeing in Durres
Roman Amphitheatre:
Remains of the 20,000-seat 2nd-century Roman Amphitheatre built by Emperor Trajan:
The Durres Mosque:
The Bank of Albania:
Bank of Albania, built in 1925, designed by Italian architects and the Baroque style was used for the first time in Albania. The sculpture represents the struggles, the victories and the prosperity of Albania:
The Byzantine Market:
Roman Baths:
These Roman baths were ‘found’ under this modern building. Makes you wonder how and why they just built on top of them:
Venetian Tower – Kulla Veneciane:
Lookout point:
Above the town is a lookout point: Kulla e Rojes Kalaja for great late afternoon views:
Newly weds like to come up here to have pictures taken. Kinda weird idea with the port as a backdrop.
Vila e Ahmet Zogut:
This villa was King Zog’s summer house. He was the founder of the modern Albanian state and the first King of Albania. Sadly, the villa is off limits. Like many historical buildings in Albania, they are deciding what to do with it.
Durres Lighthouse:
From the Venetian Tower you can stroll with the locals along the Vollga Promenda and up the Rruga Currila. Lots of little beaches, packed with locals and numerous cafes and bars.
The best beaches in Durres are East and South of town in the direction of the Southern bus station. But of course I didn’t get to them.
On August 14, there was ‘Retro Albania’. An ‘Old Timers’ vehicle event with around 20 classic cars, on the main square in front of Hostel Durres.
