City in Durres County, Albania
Durrës
Albania's main port: a long city beach with Roman ruins, 45 minutes from Tirana and ferries to Italy. Cheap and handy for a few days, but overbuilt, windy and tired in places.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,350–2,090Comfortable, one person · L110,000–170,000Details
- Value for money57/100Better value than 56% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 29°CDetails
- Air quality12.6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · ModerateDetails
- Internet92 MbpsFixed broadband, Albania medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; supply is intermittent and pipes are old.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$31–61Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBus or furgon to TiranaWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants; cash for buses, beach bars, markets and taxis.Details
Where to stay in Durrës
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old center (near the port) | Amphitheatre, bus station, ferries and cheap rooms |
| Beachfront (Currila–Plazh) | Beach hotels and bars; busy in summer |
| Plazhi i Ri | Quieter apartments toward the Golem end |
Apps that work in Durrës
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wolt | Restaurants and shops delivered in Durrës |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: Taxis are plentiful at the port and beachfront; agree the fare first. No ride apps work reliably.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Albania.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants; cash for buses, beach bars, markets and taxis.
- Currency: Lek (ALL). US$1 ≈ L81.33 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most ATMs charge foreign cards a fee; use bank ATMs in towns and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not obligatory; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants, and tip guides and drivers on tours.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work where contactless is accepted, mainly in Tirana and resort hotels.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Outside Schengen; visa-free visitors normally get 90 days in 180, counted separately from Schengen.
- Travellers who need a visa apply through Albania's official e-Visa system; avoid third-party agents.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 127 · Fire 128
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Tourist SIMs at Tirana airport and operator shops with your passport; generous data for roughly €10–20. Regional SIMs roam free across the Western Balkans. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Albania
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.