Located on the Adriatic Coast, Durres is a seaside city that has plenty of things to offer visitors, including beautiful beaches and unique archaeological sites, like the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. The magnificent Durres Beach is the largest and most visited beach in Albania, lining the beachfront in Durres proper.

It makes sense Durres beach, which is located within the city limits, is the busiest beach in the country, as well as being one of the best things to do in Durres. The largest and most vibrant beach in Albania, Durres Beach extends over ten kilometres down its shoreline. Last but certainly not least, Durres is most famous for its beaches, which are long, sandy, and near Tirana, making it one of Albania’s most famous beaches. With Albania’s biggest and most famous beach on one side, and long expanses of beautiful Albanian countryside and farmland on the other, the Durres region is an ideal triangle of town, beach, and countryside.

The amphitheatre was dug up in 1966, and has since become an iconic part of Durres, one of the most popular things to do in Durres, both for Albanians and international tourists. This magnificent, yet overcast, location is the impressive Amphitheatre of Durres, perhaps one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the Balkans. Certainly, one of Albania’s, if not the Balkans, greatest works of ancient architecture, the largest amphitheatre in Albania was built by Hadrian in 100AD, only to be rediscovered in the 1960s. The Albanian monarchy, which lasted 1928-1939, has been in decline for over seven decades, but this structure on the top of the Durres Hill stands as an intriguing reminder of that time.

As you descend the steps from the amphitheatre towards the beachfront, make sure you take in the ancient town walls that comprise the Durres Castle. Outside of the amphitheatre, you cannot skip visiting Durres Castle, otherwise known as the Durres Wall, or Byzantine Wall, that encircles the town, and you will likely need to walk underneath it as you head towards the amphitheatre The Durres Wall. As you explore its ancient walls The Fortress of the Durres walls, you will encounter an archway leading to the location next to the port in town. If you turn you are presented with another scenic view of Durres and the city’s port.

In Durres Castle, you will find ancient fortification ruins. The walls were built at the end of the fifth century, and after undergoing a few repairs over history, they remain standing to this day, making them Durres best-known Roman remains. Part of Durres walls are the remains of a large Venetian tower, standing 9m high and wide in a corner by the beach. The main section of the Durres castle is the structure called Venetian Tower, which is now the location of a hip cafe, which has seats on its rooftop, offering great views over Durres and the sea.