Agritourism in Durres: Farm to Table Restaurants & Wineries
There’s some terrific agritourism spots near Durres – field to table restaurants, wineries and farm stay guest houses. On my last stay in Durres I rented a car and explored as many agritourism places as I could.
I’d never even heard of agritourism until recently, and I had no idea Albania produced so much fantastic wine. But this country has deep agricultural roots, and agritourism restaurants and wineries (or kantinas as they’re called locally) are everywhere, including around Durres.
Here’s a map to help you figure out which ones you want to visit, and how you can group them together to do a mini wine and food tour, which is what I did.
Agritourism in Durres: Restaurants & Wineries
These are the agritourism restaurants and wineries I visited near Durres. You will need a car to reach them, they are all outside of the city. Some were more remote than others, with gravel roads (I’ll warn you about those).
I rented a car through Discover Cars, and apart from hitting a giant pot hole leaving the Durres Port and shredding the tire, it was a good experience.
1. Agroturizem Gjepali
This countryside restaurant and farm stay is very popular, so make sure you make a reservation. I ate here in March and it was still chilly, so the outdoor dining wasn’t open, but the property looks beautiful. It would be gorgeous in summer.
Food was very good. If there’s a set menu I always take it – it’s the best way to taste all different kinds of traditional dishes. At Agroturizem Gjepali that included a big selection of hot and cold appetizers, and a choice of main course (all meat options).
My meal, including a glass of wine and bottle of water came to 2750 lek ($33 USD). And it was lots of food.
Agroturizem Gjepali is only 14 km from Durres and easy to reach. The property is way down a private (but paved) road, so very peaceful. Besides the restaurant there is a guest house that would be worth staying at for the breakfast alone.
2. Abaia Winery
Abaia Winery is an excellent choice if you’re staying in Durres – it’s only 8.5 km from the centre, so you could even take a taxi there.
This was my favourite wine tasting experience near Durres. The property, the food, the wine and tour of the cellars were all excellent. I would come back here anytime!
There are several tasting packages to choose from (I chose the 3 wines, 2 rakis) and each wine was paired with food to compliment the wine, served in the very nice restaurant. It cost 2800 lek ($33 USD) and was well worth it.
I was there on a March evening and it was cool, so my wine tasting was inside, but there’s a nice outdoor terrace surrounded by olive trees that would be lovely in warmer weather.
The cellar is in 2 converted communist era bunkers which are excellent for maintaining a steady temperature. These bunkers are all over Albania, about 700,000 of them – some in the most unlikely places.
The restaurant is not agritourism designated, but most of the ingredients are local. And judging from the quality and quantity of appetizers that came with the tasting, I’m sure a meal here is exceptional.
3. Kokomani Winery
I really wanted to visit this winery and restaurant, but they don’t open until April 1st (I was in Durres in March this time). It is very popular with locals and known for quality wine and food.
They have a beautiful location in the countryside, surrounded by hills. And it’s only 18 km from Durres, so convenient if you have a car.
Kokomani produces 4 wines, and you can do a full tasting that includes traditional appetizers for 2500 lek ($30 USD), or have a complete lunch for 3500 lek ($42 USD). All ingredients are either produced on the farm or sourced locally.
4. Kantina Belba
Unlike the other wineries this one is located in a small town called Kavaje, 20 km south of Durres. The cellars are on site and you can see them, but the vineyards are further away.
Wine tastings are in the restaurant, so it’s easy to pair the wine with food. I really liked that I was able to choose which wines I wanted to taste. They produce 3 whites and 5 reds, all from their own grapes.
The aged wines were excellent, especially the Shesh i zi Kavaljon. I tried a young white I didn’t like, but the other wines were great. Prices are very reasonable – I paid 1000 lek ($12 USD) for 4 wines.
You could easily put together a mini wine tour by visiting Abaia Winery, Kokomani Winery and Kantina Belba. They’re all south of Durres and would make a good wine route.
5. Duka Winery & Vineyard
This is another winery I was really sorry I couldn’t visit, because I tried their wine at the Berat Wine Festival and really liked it. I just ran out of time in Durres.
The winery and adjacent restaurant are well regarded and in a beautiful setting near a lake. They offer vineyard tours, wine tastings and lunch or dinner with a tasting.
It’s 32 km north of Durres, so you need a car to visit.
6. Kantina Enol
Kantina Enol is a winery and agritourism restaurant 28 km from Durres. The location is a bit remote in the hills, but the views are beautiful. You can see Preze Castle from the restaurant.
I came here primarily to eat, but my server gave me a tour of the cellar while I was waiting for lunch. They do offer wine tastings and it would be terrific paired with lunch or appetizers.
Kantina Enol has the most varied menu I’ve seen in an agritourism restaurant. Lots of pasta, grilled meats, salads, soups, appetizers and traditional dishes. Everything is from the farm (except the meat, – but it’s local), even the honey and cheese.
The restaurant has large indoor and outdoor dining, both with views of the vineyards and hills. There’s even a kid’s play area in the outdoor dining section, great for parents.
There was a pretty steep gravel road to navigate to reach the kantina, but I managed in a compact car. The only issue I had was losing cell service because of the remote location.
7. Loka Agritourism
Loka Agritourism is a popular restaurant with locals, famous for their grilled meat. They dry age it onsite and have their own chickens and goats.
The location is beautiful with stunning views of the hills, but very off the beaten path.
I made my way here from Kantina Enol and had to cross over the hills on dirt and gravel roads, which was a bit a nerve wrecking in my compact rental car. If you come from Durres most of the route will be paved, except for the last bit.
The food and wine were very good and inexpensive. My lunch which was an entire lakror (savoury pie), salad, cheeses and wine came to 1300 lek ($15 USD). Everything was delicious and sourced from the farm, including the wine.
There’s no set menu. Specials change daily based on seasonal availability.
This was another place I had no cell reception, so I couldn’t access Google maps for a few km after leaving the restaurant.
What to Keep in Mind When Visiting Agritourism Places in Durres
The nature of an agritourism restaurant or winery means rural. Apart from Kantina Belba, all of these agritourism spots are located in the countryside. You should be prepared for:
- gravel or dirt roads
- poor cell phone reception
- limited English
- may not accept credit cards – have cash
You won’t run into these issues everywhere, but depending on where you go you may. I certainly did!
Last Words on Agritourism in Durres: Farm to Table Restaurants & Wineries
Exploring the agritourism spots around Durres ended up being my favourite thing to do in the area. It’s a wonderful way to explore Albania and get off the beaten path. Plus the wine and food are really good!
If you have a car, visiting one or two makes a great day trip from Durres. And if you don’t have a car, considering visiting one that is close Durres, like Abaia Winery or Agroturizem Gjepali so you can take a taxi.
