Where to Stay in Durres: Best Areas & Hotels 2026
Durres is Albania’s second largest city, and its largest port. For anyone that wants a beach location close to Tirana, Durres is ideal. You can be at the beach in 30 minutes from the airport. But figuring out where to stay in Durres can be tricky.
The city is divided into two main areas: the centre and the beach. They’re at least 3 km apart (depending on where you’re staying), and it’s not super convenient to go between them. There’s also Golem, a beach town further down the coast.
Where you choose to stay in Durres depends on what kind of holiday you want. Beach lovers might prefer Durres Beach (Plazhi), while tourists who want to see the sites of Durres may prefer the centre. And those who are only interested in the beach will probably like Golem.
I’m going to give you information on each with recommended hotels, so you’ll be able to decide for yourself.
I’ve stayed in both areas of Durres on separate trips and prefer the centre. Personally I’d rather be within walking distance of the sites and visit the beach as a mini-excursion. And Durres has a nice energy – I really enjoy the centre.
In a rush? Here’s a quick list of my favourite hotels in Durres:
Luxury hotel (Durres centre): Art Gallery Boutique Hotel
Mid-priced hotel (Durres centre): Old Town Villa
Mid-priced hotel (Beach/Plazhi): Hotel Saly
Budget hotel (Beach/Plazhi): Megan’s Villa
Where to Stay in Durres
As I mentioned, it’s best to decide if you want to explore the sites of Durres or have a beach holiday. You can do both, but it is a bit of a hassle to get between the two areas every day.
Durres Centre
The centre is best suited for anyone who primarily wants to see the Durres Amphitheatre and ruins. All of Durres sites are in the centre. There is beach, but it’s not nice for swimming.
Durres has a compact and very walkable centre. Palm trees, seafood restaurants, ancient ruins, and cafes galore give the city a laid back vibe. The first time I visited Durres I stayed in the centre and really enjoyed it. It’s also a little cheaper than the beach.
My top hotel picks for the centre of Durres
- Grand Duka Hotel & Spa: Brand new 5 star hotel that is attached to the biggest mall in the centre. Located on a busy commercial street, it’s within walking distance of all the sites. To me it lacked charm, but it does have all the amenities. Doubles from $110 USD, breakfast and parking included. Only 5 star hotel in the centre of Durres.
- Art Gallery Boutique Hotel: Exceptional 4 star luxury hotel. Perfect location next to the Durres Amphitheatre on a quiet street. Many rooms have views of the amphitheatre. Doubles start from $90 USD, including breakfast and parking. My top choice and favourite hotel in Durres.
- Moenia Boutique Hotel: Charming boutique property next to the Venetian Tower and historic city walls. After the Art Gallery Boutique Hotel, this is my next favourite Durres property. Rooms from $75 USD, including breakfast. Located on a quiet street close to all the sites.
- Old Town Villa: Family run boutique hotel. Rooms are comfortable and new. Doubles from $55 USD (no breakfast). Within walking distance of all the sites.
- Ermes Luxury Hotel: Brand new hotel, a little further from the sites (7 minutes walk) in the more local part of the centre. I stayed on this street my first time in Durres and liked the location a lot. Rooms from $50 USD, including breakfast. Great value in the centre.
- Hostel Durres: Very well located next to the main square, minutes from the sites. Mixed dorms and a couple of private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Dorm beds from $20 USD, including breakfast. Nice outdoor terrace and garden.
To go between the beach area and the centre of Durres you can walk (about 40 minutes), take a taxi for 500-700 lek, or the city bus (the one that starts in Plepa and goes up the coast) for 40 lek.
Durres Beach (Plazhi)
Durres Beach, or Plazhi as it’s called locally, is like a separate town. If you want to spend most of your time by the beach, but be able to get into Durres to see the sites, this is the best place to stay.
Plazhi has everything you could possibly need: holiday rentals, hotels, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, cafes, hair salons, fruit and vegetable markets – there’s no reason to go into the centre unless you want to.
The beach is one of the longest in Albania, stretching for 10 km past Golem. It’s very wide and sandy, and as you go south away from the centre it gets nicer. In summer it’s busy – a nonstop array of sunbeds and umbrellas. Cafes set up tables and chairs on the beach, and you can enjoy a coffee with your feet in the sand.
Where to stay in Durres Beach
- Adriatik Hotel, BW Premier Collection: 5 star beachfront hotel with indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, waterslide, tennis court, spa and rooftop bar. Hotel is older, but fully refurbished. Doubles from $170 USD, including breakfast, parking and beach sunbeds. Great choice for families.
- Cosmo Beach Hotel: Small hotel located at the start of Durres Beach. Rooms from $85 USD, including breakfast, parking and beach sunbeds. Nice beachfront restaurant for breakfast. Pet friendly.
- Hotel Saly: Boutique property on the beach. Rooms start at $60 USD, including breakfast, parking and beach sunbeds. Great location in the middle of the beach area and promenade. Excellent value for Durres Beach.
- Villa La Mer Durres: Small hotel on the main street, 5 minutes walk to the beach. Rooms start at $60 USD, breakfast included. Great value close to the beach.
- Megan’s Villa: Family run guest house on a quiet residential street, 5 minutes walk to the beach. Several rooms are brand new. Doubles start at $30 USD, including parking. Quiet location.
This is the Airbnb I stayed in by Durres Beach (Plazhi), a comfortable studio, 5 minutes walk to the beach.
Golem
If you want a strictly beach holiday and aren’t interested in exploring the sites of Durres, you might enjoy Golem. Golem is a small beach resort town 20 km south of Durres.
Golem is small and quiet apart from tourists and the promenade in summer. Because it’s further from the city, the beach is cleaner and nicer. There’s one main road with a few shops and cafes, and some restaurants along the promenade.
Golem has lots of beachfront hotels, but even if your hotel isn’t beachfront, Golem is very small – it won’t be far from the beach! My top picks for Golem hotels are:
Where to stay in Golem
- Hotel Mirage: Very nice boutique 4 star beachfront hotel. Rooms start at $125 US, including breakfast. Guest rooms have balconies with ocean views. Gorgeous beachfront location.
- Supreme Hotel: 5 star beachfront hotel in Golem. Very central location in town and on the promenade. It has a swimming pool, 2 restaurants and beach bar. Doubles from $120 USD, including breakfast, parking and beach sunbeds. Excellent value for a beachfront 5 star hotel.
- Hotel Erta: Brand new small hotel just 5 minutes walk from the beach. Rooms all have kitchenettes and balconies (except 2), and start at $30 USD. There’s a nice rooftop terrace for coffee. Exceptional value for Golem.
Is Durres Worth Visiting?
Yes, Durres is worth visiting. I’ve been there twice now for nearly 2 weeks each time, it’s become one of my favourite cities in Albania.
Durres has a lot more to offer than you might think: sandy beaches, ancient ruins, a lively cafe culture, fantastic seafood, and friendly locals. It’s also a very walkable city, with all the sites in the centre.
There are excellent wineries and agritourism restaurants near Durres. You need a car to reach most of them, but there’s a couple you can take a taxi to.
How Many Do You Need in Durres?
You can see the sites of Durres in one day, but to also enjoy the beaches, cafe culture, seafood and laid back vibe, give yourself 2 or 3 days.
How to Get to Durres
Durres is 38 km from Tirana. You can get to Durres from Tirana by bus, private transfer or taxi, or rental car:
- Bus: There are buses from the Tirana Airport and the North South Bus Terminal to Durres. Tirana Airport buses leave every 2 hours and cost 600 lek ($7 USD). Buses from the North South Bus Terminal depart every 30 minutes, and cost 200 lek ($2.50 USD)
- Taxi or Private Transfer: A taxi from Tirana to Durres is about 2200 lek ($26 USD), and from the airport the flat rate is 3000 lek ($35 USD). I use Taxi Landi for a lot of my private transfers. They charge a little more than the taxi rate, but are very reliable.
- Car Rental: There’s lots of car rental companies by the airport and in Tirana. I use DiscoverCars for all my car rentals in Albania.
You can also reach Durres from Ancona and Bari, Italy by ferry.
Last Words on Where to Stay in Durres: Best Areas & Hotels
There’s a lot of nice hotels and places to stay in Durres, but where you stay will really shape your trip. Do you want the beach or the more lively centre? I’ve done both, and in the end I prefer to spend most of my time in the centre and visit the beach.
