What Expats Say About Life in Durrës

Durrës is the second-biggest and most populated city in Albania, after Tirana, the capital of the country. According to the World Population Review, the city of Durrës has an estimated population of 122,034 people.

The city was once known as Dyrrachium, and its modern names in Albanian (Durrës) and Italian (Durazzo) come from this ancient name. Located along the Albanian Adriatic Sea coast, it enjoys a Mediterranean climate, and a peaceful lifestyle that a lot of people love.

But personal experiences are what give us a better insight into what life in a new city can be. That’s why we’d like to share with you some expats’ and travellers’ impressions on life in Durrës.

What Do Expats Say

More and more expats are choosing Durrës as their new home in Albania. With its beautiful beaches, low cost of living, and close proximity to Tirana, it’s easy to see why:

” The cost of living is great, the people are wonderful, and the places are beautiful. We even bought a house here, which gave us 5-year residency with free medical care!”

“Traveling to Tirana is easy-buses run frequently during the day, and next year a new train connection will make it just a 22-minute ride to Tirana. Living here as a solo woman isn’t a problem at all.”

“If you don’t need nightlife, there’s no reason to stay in Tirana. Durres has nice historic sites, the sea, and is generally less expensive. Plus, Tirana is close by if you need to go.”

“I like to go to Tirana for shopping and dinner, but otherwise, I prefer living by the sea. The summers are long and hot, but the sea is close for swimming, and the winters are mild and rainy. The Vollga area is great, with a decent expat community and close to the sea.”

“Durres is next to the beach, which is the bonus. It’s a great place to live, especially if you like the beach and being close to the capital. Plus, the port makes it a perfect spot for shipping.”

Trasporto

Durrës is a key transportation hub, thanks to its strategic location – access to major roads and railways, as well as proximity to the Tirana National Airport.

Port of Durrës

The Port of Durrës, in the south-west of the city, is one of the major ports of the Adriatic Sea and plays a very important role in the city’s economy. It’s a key location for transit networks and passenger ferry, giving Durrës a strategic position with respect to the Pan-European Corridor VIII. 

Trasporto pubblico

Durrës does offer public transport, but it’s still a work in progress.

“The buses are old and crowded, but for just €1, you can travel all the way to Durres City. Taxis are a better option if you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, but they can get quite pricey, especially if you’re coming from the airport.”

The city is served by one main bus terminal and some bus stops around the city. These bus stations are well-connected to local hotels and key areas of the city. Some of the popular stops include Hotel Canal Grande, Hotel Adriatik, and the Durrës Bus Terminal itself.

The bus terminal is about 1.3 km from the city center, a quick 5-minute ride, and offers amenities such as a kiosk, coffee bar, fast food, and an exchange office. Other stations like Hotel Canal Grande are a bit farther out, around a 9-minute ride from the city center, but also offer amenities such as a coffee bar and supermarkets.

“Durrës is a very walkable city, and we found that most places are easily accessible on foot. However, public transportation was a bit of a mystery for us, as the bus stops didn’t have clear signs, and we couldn’t figure out how the system worked.”

Despite the shortcomings, public buses serve various routes within the city and to nearby towns. If you’re looking to travel beyond Durrës, you’ll find buses that connect to cities like Tirana, Shkodër, and Elbasan, as well as international destinations including Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia.

Taxi

If you prefer more comfort, taxis are readily available, especially near popular spots like the bus terminal and hotels. Taxis offer a more comfortable and direct option; however, can be pricey, particularly if you’re travelling from the airport or going longer distances within the city.

A typical taxi ride from the airport to the city centre can cost anywhere from €25 to €35. It’s always a good idea to confirm the fare before getting into the taxi to avoid any surprises.

Access to Tirana National Airport

The nearest international airport to Durrës is Tirana International Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive from the city. While public transport options to the airport are limited, taxis and private shuttles are commonly used for this route.

If you’re heading to the southern parts of Albania or nearby areas like Saranda, you might consider flying into Corfu, Greece, and taking the ferry to Durrës. It’s a popular route for travellers heading to Durrës from Greece and other neighbouring countries.

Renting in Durrës

Renting in Durrës presents more affordable options compared to Tirana. For a 1-bedroom apartment near the city centre, you can expect to pay an average of €386.25/month.

For the same type of apartment outside the city centre, the average rent is usually €348.12/month.

Buying a Property

Property prices usually range from:

• For an Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre, the average price is €81,386.10.

• For the same type of apartment outside the city centre, the price is €110,434.28.

Pros of Living in Durrës

Walkable city: So, here’s the thing with Albanian cities/towns. Most of them are pretty walkable and you can easily explore around within a short amount of time.

Friendly locals: Albanians are known for their warmth and hospitality, and they’re always kind and helpful, no matter if you’re a local, a foreign visitor, or an expat considering a move there.

A relaxing city with access to the beach: If living a peaceful, calm, and slow life by the sea is your vibe, you’re going to like life in Durrës. The vibe differs from Tirana (which is a bit chaotic, and noisy), so it really depends on what you’re looking for. But Durrës is great for a more laid-back, relaxing experience, especially for those who enjoy beaches and slower-paced travel.

Affordable living: In comparison to other European destinations, Durrës is affordable, particularly in terms of accommodation, groceries, and dining out.

Easy access from Tirana: Durrës is only 40 minutes away from Tirana, so it makes an easily accessible location for travellers flying into the capital.

Cons of Living in Durrës

Limited public transportation: The public transportation system can be difficult to navigate if you’re a foreigner in the city. Plus, it’s not upgraded yet, so travelling by bus it’s not very comfortable.

Lack of tourist-oriented coffee shops: Travellers have found that many of the coffee shops in Durres are more geared towards locals, with a smoking-heavy environment that is not ideal for tourists.

Dirty environment: Some people are disappointed by the amount of trash scattered around the city, especially in areas like the Roman ruins and in public spaces, which affects the overall aesthetic of the city.

High cost of gasoline: Gas prices in Durrës are expensive, which makes renting a car for a road trip costly.

Overcrowded beaches: Some beaches in Durrës, are crowded with sunbeds, making it difficult to just relax or lay down a towel. .

“Overall, we felt that Durres is almost there, but it still lacks the level of development and polish needed to make it a great place for a longer stay.”

Tutto in tutti

Overall, I am most certainly that every city has its own pros and cons when it comes to living there, and Durrës makes no exception. I think it’s always best to have a “trial” before deciding whether Durrës could be the home you’re looking for, or maybe you can look somewhere else. However, based on all the research I’ve done and the data gathered from our team, I’d summarise my opinion into 2 main sentences:

1- If you’re all about that slow life, love beaches, a calm and peaceful (also affordable) kind of lifestyle, you should give Durrës a chance.

2. If you’re considering investing in Albania, I suggest conducting market research on Durrës, as a $ 2 billion investment is underway to transform the port into one of the largest and most modern marine ports in Europe.

If you need assistance relocating to Durrës, or really anywhere in Albania, that’s where we best excel at! Feel free to contattateci.

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