Port Guide | Albania | Worth a Wander

Durres

August C. W. | Editor

Published on 2025-02-21

Welcome to Durres, Albania's ancient gateway, seaside playground, and the sort of city a Roman emperor might've visited to party incognito. As you disembark your floating neighborhood into this scrappy yet charismatic port-a crossroads of old-world charm, postcard beaches, and unapologetically energetic nightlife-you might sense you've landed somewhere between Mediterranean idyll and a Balkan fiesta. Durres boasts a colossal Roman amphitheater that once staged gladiatorial contests and has since transitioned to a more acceptable blood sport: deciding where to grab the city's best seafood linguine and fresh grilled octopus. Don't let Albania's sometimes rough-around-the-edges reputation fool you; the locals here are fiercely hospitable, eager to share rakia-fueled stories about pirates, poets, and dictators over espresso strong enough to power a small yacht. Throw on something breezy, wander barefoot on golden sands at Plazhi i Currilave, then let curiosity (and perhaps a local's enthusiastic advice) lure you into a hidden tavern or late-night beach bar. After all, you're in Durres for just a few days-best to dive in boldly and ask questions later.