Durres and Tirana Day Trip from Tirana: Roman Ruins & Capital

Two ancient cities in one day: Durres holds Roman ruins that predate the capital by centuries.

A day trip from Tirana to Durres and back with hotel pickup, transport and an English-speaking driver-guide covers the Roman Amphitheater, forum, baths and archaeological museum in Durres, then returns to explore Tirana's city center, Skanderbeg Statue, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower and the Italian-era government buildings. The tour runs about five hours total, with the drive west taking 33 km.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Durres and Tirana highlights

• Drive to Durres city
• Tour Durres Old Town ruins and museum
• Return to Tirana
• Explore Tirana city center and landmarks
• End of service

The Experience

The drive west from Tirana to Durres takes you to Albania's second-largest city, built on the site of ancient Dyrrachium. Once a strategic port on the Adriatic, it became an important Roman settlement, and the ruins still stand in the old town. You'll walk through the remains of the forum and Roman baths, see the Byzantine walls and Venetian tower that mark later centuries of occupation, and visit the archaeological museum, which displays artifacts and urban plans showing how the city was laid out in its prime. The city center and town hall round out the Durres portion of the tour.

After Durres, you head back to Tirana for the second half of the day. The capital tour takes in Skanderbeg Statue in the main square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower, and the Italian-era buildings that house government institutions. You'll also see the ex-communist structures painted in bright colors that mark Tirana's expansion in recent decades. A driver-guide leads both parts of the tour and handles the transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the day holds together without you arranging pickups or navigation.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tirana.
• transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• guided tour of Durres old town including the Roman Amphitheater, forum, baths, Byzantine walls, Venetian tower and archaeological museum.
• guided tour of Tirana city center with Skanderbeg Statue, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower and government buildings.
• English-speaking driver-guide throughout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Travel Albania

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with at least one other person and want to see both cities without renting a car or planning the route yourself — the guide handles the drive and the stops, so you spend the day looking instead of navigating.

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Top questions

What is the Roman Amphitheater in Durres like?

The Roman Amphitheater is one of the major ruins in Durres's old town, preserved enough to walk through and understand its scale. It stands as a reminder of the city's importance as a Roman settlement on the Adriatic coast.

How far is Durres from Tirana, and how long is the drive?

Durres is 33 km west of Tirana. The drive there and back, plus time walking the ruins and touring both city centers, fills about five hours total.

Will I see anything from Tirana's communist era?

Yes. The tour includes ex-communist buildings painted with vibrant colors as part of the city's expansion and modern identity. You'll also see the Italian-era government buildings that predate that period.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

A driver-guide is included and speaks English. They lead both the Durres ruins tour and the Tirana city tour, and handle all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What does hotel pickup mean, and when does it happen?

Hotel pickup is included: the driver collects you from your Tirana hotel at the start of the tour and returns you there at the end. You don't arrange separate transport to or from the meeting point.