From Wikitravel

Durrës is an Albanian Adriatic port city. It serves ferries to Bari (Italy) [1]. Alternative spellings of the cities name are Durrazzo (Italian), Drač (Драч, Serbo-Croatian) or Dyrrhachion (Δυρράχιον, Greek).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By boat

• A bi-weekly connection to Bar in Montenegro [2].
• To Kotor, Montenegro
• To Bari in Italy [3], [4] and [5]
• To Ancona in Italy on Adria Ferries [6]
• To Otranto in Italy on Veronica Line [7]
• To Trieste in Italy on Agemar [8]

[edit] By bus

• From Skopje, Macedonia, buses run through Durres on their way to Tirana. A typical Skopje-Tirana ticket costs around 25 Euro return.

[edit] By train

Durres cannot be reached by train from abroad as no international train links exist. Instead, it can be reached from Tirana and other major Albanian cities through the adventurous Albanian railway system.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Durres Amphitheater, the biggest in the Balkans it also features renovated iconography works.
• Durres Ancient City Wall, Medieval Hammam and the Tophane Well located inside and around the wall.
• Venetian Tower (Rotonda) is a circular tower at the city center built in the 16th century.
• Visit the many museums such as the Archaeological Museum, Popular Culture Museum, Alexander Moissi Museum House and the World War II Relics Hall.
• Churches and mosques have been renovated and are located at the city center. These include: Fatih Mosque built in 1503, Shen Lucia Catholic Church built in 1907, Shen Gjergji Orthodox Church built in the 19th century, New Mosque built in 1937, and the 2001 built Shen Asti and Pali Orthodox Church.
• Take a look at King Zog's Villa located on top of a hill overlooking the city. Even though it was looted in the 1997 uprising, it can still be appreciated for its luxurious interior and historical past. Prince Leka has plans to renovate the villa in the near future.
• Shkembi or Petra Hill where a battle between Pompey and Julius Caesar is said to have taken place.
• Shen Mehilli Hill (Kodra e Shen Mehillit) where on 18 October 1801, Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos confronted Norman adventurer Robert Guiscard. A basilica built in the 6th century AD with a beautiful mosaic is found here.
• Byzantine Forum (Macellum) built in the 5th century AD and Public Baths around and beneath Alexander Moissi Palace of Culture
• Prince Karl Topia's Residence (known as Tower).
• Koloseo Art Gallery, showcasing the best of Durres natives paintings.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit the yearly Open Port Festival where the Port of Durres opens to the public featuring various exhibits of historic ships and modern inventions coupled with local entertainment.[9]
• Take a look at interesting films from around the world at the annual Durres International Film Summer Festival in early September.[10]
• Go for an evening walk along the sea front promenade or along the beach where you can see men with bears on a leash or with snakes entwined around their necks!
• Lalzit Bay Beach (Gjiri i Lalzit) in Shen Pjeter village north of Durres is a popular weekend retreat. A small resort can be found here. Other nearby beaches are Bishti i Palles and Kallmit Beach.
• Visit Scanderbeg Castle, Ishem Castle and Shen Ndout Church near Lalzit Bay.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Bar Restorant Kajser. Located near Kig Zog Villa, it offers a panoramic view of Durres from above. Serves delicious ice cream combinations including baked ice cream (400 leks), spaghetti, fish, and baked lamb.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Lido Durres

Address: Lagja.2; Rruga: Aleksander Goga Durres Albania

E-mail: info@hotellido-durres.com Telephone: +355 52 227941 Fax: +355 52 227941 [11]

• Hotel Nais, Lagia 1, Rruga Naim Frasheri nr.46 (From the Port: 100 Meters toward the town center. Left on Naim Frasheri street, behind the tower.), [12]. checkout: 11:00am. An easy to find three star hotel, just off the main street. Close to the action but quiet. Breakfast is included. 40 Euros (double).  edit

[edit] Get out

• Bari
• Ancona
• Trieste

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