Saranda or Durres, Albania: Which is Better?

If you’re wondering which coastal town is better, Saranda or Durres, you’re not alone. When I was planning my own first trip to Albania I had no idea which one would be better to visit.

After spending time in both places, I think most travellers would prefer Saranda over Durres. Both are charming in their own ways, but Saranda has a vibrant, Mediterranean vibe that Durres is lacking.

This is my honest feedback about both beach towns, so you can decide for yourself if Saranda or Durres is better for you.

Which Coastal Town is Better, Durres or Saranda?

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Saranda and Durres. I like them both a lot. They’re very different in some ways, and both have pros and cons.

Honestly, I’d be happy spending time in either one. But if I had to choose, I’d pick Saranda. I love the seaside atmosphere and compact size of Saranda.

How is the Vibe Different in Saranda and Durres?

Durres is a lot larger than Saranda. After Tirana it’s the second biggest city in Albania. It’s a busy port city and very much has a local, laid back atmosphere.

Although Durres gets a lot of visitors in summer, most of this is domestic tourism or Italians coming over on the ferries from Italy.

Saranda is a small city on a circular bay of the Ionian Sea. Because it is built on the sides of hills, you can view the sea and the Greek island of Corfu from almost everywhere.

It has a Mediterranean feel, and is very much a holiday destination. During the summer tourists outnumber locals, and prices triple. In the off season many restaurants and hotels shut down.

Saranda in the off season is a favourite of expats, digital nomads and slow travellers.

Durres is Easier to Get to

It’s easy to get to Durres from Tirana. Durres is only 35 km from Tirana, and 31 km from the international airport.

You can take a bus or taxi from Tirana’s airport or Tirana city centre to Durres. I recently paid 2200 lek ($26 USD) for a taxi from Tirana centre to Durres. The bus costs 200 lek ($2.40 USD).

On the other hand, Saranda is 265 km from Tirana. The drive is almost 4 hours in a taxi (or rental), and 5 hours or more by bus. In 2025 I paid 1700 lek ($20 USD) for the Tirana-Saranda bus.

A taxi from the airport to Saranda was 20,000 lek ($236 USD).

Many people prefer to fly to Greece and take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda.

There are multiple ferries each day between Saranda and Corfu. The crossing takes 30 minutes by hydrofoil. If you have a car you’ll have to take the slow ferry, which takes 1.5 hours.

Check the ferry schedule here on the Direct Ferries website.

Saranda is More Compact & Convenient

In Saranda, everything is near the sea. As long as you are not staying on one of the outer roads halfway up the hills, you can easily walk to beaches, restaurants, shops, bars and hotels.

In Durres, there are two distinct areas: Durres Beach and the centre. You have to choose where you want to base yourself.

Most amenities, including the historic sites, are located in the centre. Durres Beach is 3 km from the centre and has its own promenade with restaurants and cafes.

The walk from Durres centre to the start of Durres Beach is about 45 minutes. You can also take a local bus.

Are the Beaches Better in Durres or Saranda?

If you’re looking for a beach holiday, Saranda is a better choice. The beaches of Saranda are part of Albania’s Riviera, the most beautiful beaches in the country.

One thing I really like about Saranda is that the main public beach is right in town. You can walk to it in minutes (and it’s free). In Durres the main beach is almost 3 km away from the centre.

Most of Saranda’s beaches are within walking distance from the centre. Saranda has beaches all the way down the coast to Ksamil, considered the Maldives of Europe.

Durres Beach is also nice, and it extends all the way down to Golem, a resort town 15 km further south. But if you’re not staying by Durres Beach, you’ll probably have to take a bus to get to it.

Is There More to Do in Durres or Saranda?

Durres has more things to do than Saranda, but neither place has a lot of attractions outside of the beaches.

Durres has Roman and Venetian ruins, but the main draw is the beaches and the laidback vibe of the city.

Saranda has fewer attractions than Durres, but there are some fabulous sites not far from Saranda that make great day trips. Gjirokaster, Butrint National Park (UNESCO) and Syri i Kalter (the Blue Eye) are easy to reach from Saranda.

Which is More Expensive, Durres or Saranda?

If budget is a major consideration, Durres is a better choice than Saranda.

Tourism is growing rapidly in Saranda, and prices have increased drastically. I’ve seen prices nearly quadruple over the last 3 years, particularly in accommodation.

Durres on the other hand, is very budget friendly. Airbnbs, cafes, groceries and restaurant meals in Durres are all reasonable. Even beach lounge rentals are cheaper!

I know there’s a lot of talk about how cheap Albania is, but Saranda is not a bargain destination any more. Even off season, it’s more expensive than Durres.

Here’s a summary of the major differences between Saranda and Durres:

• Saranda has a Mediterranean vibe with sea views and a touristy feel, while Durres is a larger port city with a local, laid back atmosphere
• Durres is easier to reach from Tirana by bus or taxi, while Saranda takes longer and is often accessed via ferry from Corfu
• Saranda has beaches in and near the center, while Durres’ beaches are further from the centre
• Durres has several ruins and historic sites, while Saranda is better for day trips to places like Butrint and Gjirokaster
• Durres is more budget-friendly, while Saranda is pricier – especially in peak season

Is Durres Worth Visiting?

Even though if forced to choose I would pick Saranda, I still think Durres is absolutely worth visiting. Durres has a very authentic, local feel that I crave when travelling long term.

People are friendly and laid back, and Durres is charming and walkable. And of course I like that it’s so budget friendly.

Where to Stay in Saranda and Durres

In Saranda it’s best to stay near the promenade or in the Kodra area so you can walk everywhere without steep inclines. My top hotel recommendations in Saranda are:

Luxury hotel: Hotel Vale
Mid-priced hotel: Titania Hotel
Budget hotel: Vila Konomi
Beachfront: Vila Era Beach

In Durres it’s best to stay close to Durres Beach, or in the centre. I walked and took the local bus between the two. My top hotel recommendations in Durres are:

Durres centre, mid-priced: Art Gallery Boutique Hotel

Durres Beach, mid-priced: Cosmo Beach Hotel

Durres centre, budget: Old Town Villa

Last Words on Saranda vs Durres, Albania: Which is Better?

If your dream holiday is long walks by the beach, swimming in the sea and eating seafood by the water, than Saranda is better. But if you want more than the beach and somewhere less touristy feeling, Durres is better.

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