Durrës is the second most populous city of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It is located on a flat plain along the Adriatic Sea Coast.
A seasonal Mediterranean climate profoundly influences Durrës’ climate. Durrës was founded by Ancient Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra under the name of Epidamnos around the 7th century BC in cooperation with the local Illyrian Tribe Taulanti. Also known as Dyrrachium, Durrës essentially developed as it became an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor, the Byzantine Empire. Via Egnatia, the continuation of Via Appia started in Durres and continued up to Constantinople in the east. In the Middle Ages, Durrës was contested between Bulgarian, Venetian, and Ottoman dominions. The Ottomans ultimately prevailed, ruling the city for more than 400 years, from 1501 until 1912. Following the Albanian Declaration of Independence, Durres served as the capital of the Principality of Albania for a short period. Durrës experienced a substantial expansion in its demography and economic activity during Communism in Albania.
The transport connections, the concentration of economic institutions, and industrial tradition underlie Durrës’ leading financial position in Albania. It is served by the Port of Durrës, one of the largest on the Adriatic Sea, which connects the city to other neighboring countries. Its most considerable attraction is the Amphitheatre of Durrës, included on the tentative Albanian list for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once having 20,000 people, it is the largest amphitheater in the Balkan Peninsula.
Activitites that can be done in Durres:
Visit the archeological museum of the city and the amphitheatre, water sports,agroturism visitis, etc.
