Welcome to the city inhabited for almost 3000 years. The town which was the birthplace of emperors, and visited by apostles and other characters of the ancient world. The city was full of legends and ancient ruins, which are silent witnesses of a flourishing period and old stories that blend in harmony with the rhythms of modern life. The city with broad beaches and mild climate, with one of the most significant seaports on the Adriatic coast, the capital of famous musicians and poets, old quarters alive with luxurious bars and modern buildings. The city with hospitable people is always ready to welcome visitors and guests. These are what you will find in Durres, one of the most crucial tourist attractions across Albania.
Hotel pick-up is offered for this tour. Note: if you are booking within 24 hours of the tour/activity departure time, we cannot guarantee hotel pick-up. Once your purchase is complete, we will send you complete contact information (phone number, email address, etc.) for our local operator to organize pick-up arrangements.
The Archaeological Museum, inaugurated on April 13, 2002, based on the materials of the First Archaeological Museum, opened on March 13, 1951. In the museum, we see about 2,000 archaeological objects emerging from the city’s underground. The exhibition is organized in three pavilions according to historical periods, but only the first one is in function at the moment. On the first floor, we can trace the history of the town in the archaic, classical, and Illyrian period until the 1st century BC. to continue with the topographical, economic, political, and cultural development of Durres in the Roman period. At the entrance of the left-wing, we observe the Illyrian and ancient Greek periods in its three phases. In the frontal area, beyond the archaeological finds of considerable size that are located in the center of the museum, the Roman period begins.
Duration: 40 minutes
After being acquainted with the Archaeological Museum for about 30-40 min, we will drive and walk partially up the hill to the highest rooftop of one of the Castle towers, from where we can have a fantastic view of all the city and up view of the castle walls and amphitheater. You will learn about the ancient city of Epydamnos/Dyrrah and its influences. After this introduction, we will visit first the Amphitheater and then the other attractions within or outside the castle walls.
Duration: 40 minutes
Durres Amphitheater was built in the early 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Trajan and proclaimed a Cultural Monument in 1973. This amphitheater has elliptical Roman architecture and is located in the center of the city, 350 m from the sea. Its capacity of 15.000 spectators is the only one of its kind in Albania, but also one of the largest in the ancient world. So far, only half of the monument is represented by the staircase, galleries, and two menus. Visiting the Amphitheater, we will see the Chapel, which was built in the first half of the 5th century. Also, on the walls of the chapel, we will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the only parietal mosaic preserved in Albania. On the south panel, we are in front of the royal figure of St. Mary, surrounded by divine characters: angels and other servants. In the meantime, we observe the stairs (kavea), which go on beam paths to the arena and serve to facilitate viewer movement. Behind this is a small shrine or mortuary chapel, and two tombs (columbarium) are built, occupying the first two galleries of the gallery.
Duration: 50 minutes
Sightseeing walks around the center and in the promenade learning about ancient sites and the new developments of the city. After the walk around the castle walls, we will proceed toward the Municipality square and learn about the old baths/thermae from Roman style, the forum, and some other medieval structures. After that, we will head on toward the Venetian tower through the commercial promenade ‘Epidamn,’ where will be our last stop, and we will enjoy a relaxing coffee at its rooftop. During this walk, we will do a short stop at the Ethnographic museum/ Alexander Moisiu Museum, an Albanian origin famous actor.
Duration: 1 hour
