Durrës

Cruise to Durrës (Albania)

Information about the port of Durrës, cruise ship arrivals and departures in Durrës, and examples of possible shore excursions. Cruises to Durres are usually Mediterranean cruises.

The port of Durres has no large passenger terminals. The very largest cruise ships will skip this fascinating cruise destination in Albania. It is visited by true globetrotters and cruise ships with individual flair, such as the MS Deutschland or the Azamara Quest. The current list of cruise ship arrivals in Durres can be found at the bottom of this page. Cruises to Durres are usually Mediterranean cruises or cruises in the Adriatic.

Sights in Durres

With just over 200,000 residents, Durrës is Albania’s second-largest city after Tirana and the country’s most important port. The city of Durres is ancient, having been founded as early as 627 BC. An ancient amphitheater still bears witness to the time when the Adriatic city was under Roman rule. A major battle between Julius Caesar and Pompey took place a little south of Durres. In the Middle Ages, the city was under Byzantine rule—typical mosaics from that period can still be seen today.

The main attraction in Durrës is the amphitheater, which was rediscovered by chance in the 20th century during the construction of a wine cellar. Durrës Plazh, located a little south of the city, is one of Albania’s most popular seaside resorts.

Shore excursions on cruises to Durres: day trips to Tirana

From Durres, cruise operators usually offer day trips to Tirana, just 30 kilometers away. More than 600,000 people live in the capital of the formerly communist Albania. Tirana is not especially rich in sights—there are a few museums, a botanical garden, the Et’hem Bey Mosque in the city center, and a large park with several monuments, including one honoring fallen German soldiers. What sounds dull can nevertheless be fascinating: Tirana is a melting pot of religions, a city where both poverty and wealth are visible, and a city unlike any other in Europe. And if you don’t feel like going to Tirana, you can enjoy a lovely day at the beach in Durres. The sandy beaches of the Albanian port city of Durres are well maintained and beautiful.

Durres is visited by smaller cruise ships on exclusive itineraries through the Adriatic and Mediterranean. There are no cruises departing from Durres.