{"id":25555,"date":"2025-05-07T11:41:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T09:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magictowns.al\/?p=25555"},"modified":"2025-05-28T16:56:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T14:56:21","slug":"cosa-dicono-gli-espatriati-della-vita-a-durres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magictowns.al\/it\/what-expats-say-about-life-in-durres\/","title":{"rendered":"Cosa dicono gli espatriati della vita a Durazzo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Durr\u00ebs<\/a> is the second-biggest and most populated city in Albania, after Tirana, the capital of the country. According to the World Population Review<\/a>, the city of Durr\u00ebs has an estimated population of 122,034 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city was once known as Dyrrachium, and its modern names in Albanian (Durr\u00ebs) 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 seem to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But personal experiences are what give us a better insight into what life in a new city can be. That’s why today, we’d like to share with you some expats’ and travellers’ impressions on life in Durr\u00ebs, that maybe, can be helpful for you as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a><\/span> to get regular updates on life in Albania (renting, properties, relocation & more).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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What Do Expats Say About Life in Durr\u00ebs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image source: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More and more expats are choosing Durr\u00ebs 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


” 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!”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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\u2019t a problem at all.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If you don\u2019t need nightlife, there\u2019s 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.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“Durres is next to the beach, which is the bonus. It\u2019s 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.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Listen to our Podcast Ep.2: Moving to Durr\u00ebs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

All About Transportation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image source: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Durr\u00ebs 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port of Durr\u00ebs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Port of Durr\u00ebs<\/a>, 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<\/strong> for transit networks and passenger ferry, giving Durr\u00ebs a strategic position with respect to the\u00a0Pan-European Corridor VIII.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Durr\u00ebs does offer public transport, but it’s still a work in progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The buses are old and crowded, but for just \u20ac1, you can travel all the way to Durr\u00ebs City. Taxis are a better option if you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, but they can get quite pricey, especially if you\u2019re coming from the airport.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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 Durr\u00ebs Bus Terminal itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Durr\u00ebs 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\u2019t have clear signs, and we couldn\u2019t figure out how the system worked.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Despite the shortcomings, public buses serve various routes within the city and to nearby towns. If you’re looking to travel beyond Durr\u00ebs, you\u2019ll find buses that connect to cities like Tirana, Shkod\u00ebr, and Elbasan, as well as international destinations including Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Durres\/Golem: Kruja Castle & Old Bazaar Day Tour
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Taxis Are Readily Available<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical taxi ride from the airport to the city centre can cost anywhere from \u20ac25 to \u20ac35<\/strong>. It’s always a good idea to confirm the fare before getting into the taxi to avoid any surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 35-min Drive to Tirana National Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The nearest international airport to Durr\u00ebs is Tirana International Airport (TIA), 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Durr\u00ebs. It’s a popular route for travellers heading to Durr\u00ebs from Greece and other neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting in Durr\u00ebs is Cheaper than in Tirana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Renting in Durr\u00ebs presents more affordable options compared to Tirana. For a 1-bedroom apartment near the city centre, you can expect to pay an average of \u20ac386.25\/month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the same type of apartment outside the city centre, the average rent is usually \u20ac348.12\/month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Stay tuned, <\/strong>we\u2019re releasing a full breakdown of the Durr\u00ebs property market soon, backed by real data and local insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on our property market data, prices in Durr\u00ebs usually range depending on the type of property, and location:<\/p>\n\n\n\n