Private Tours · Durrës
Durrës Private Tour: See the City With a Local Driver-Guide
5 hours · From €75 per person · Max 7 guests
About this experience
A private car tour of Durrës with a local driver. Old town, the seafront, King Zog's hill, and the coast at Currila and Kallmi.
Meeting point: Your hotel in Durrës, Golem or Shkëmbi i Kavajës
This is a private tour of Durrës by car, for small groups who'd rather go at their own pace than join a bigger group. A local driver picks you up from your hotel and takes you around the main sights, with time to stop, walk around, and ask questions along the way.
The tour starts in the old town, where you'll walk past the Venetian Tower, the Byzantine walls, and the Roman amphitheatre. The largest in the Balkans, before continuing to the main square. From there you'll drive along the Vollga promenade, the seafront where locals go for their evening walk, and up to King Zog's hill for a view over the whole bay.
Next is Currila, a quieter seaside neighborhood popular with locals, where you'll stop for a drink by the water. If you go for the summer version, the tour continues to Kallmi, a rockier stretch of coast with clear water, where you can swim and have a grilled fish lunch before heading back.
Timing is flexible: you can do it in the morning or set it up for late afternoon if you want to catch the sunset from Currila.
Your itinerary
Old town and city centre
Park by the 15th-century Venetian Tower at Sheshi Mujo Ulqinaku, then follow the 6th-century Byzantine Walls built under Emperor Anastasius I. peer down into the massive 2nd-century Roman Amphitheatre, the Balkans' largest (20,000 capacity), hidden until 1966 and still partially covered by modern homes. Continue to Sheshi Liria to view the Great Mosque (1931) and the Byzantine Forum before looping back to the car.
Vollga promenade and Sfinksi
Stop at the western tip of the Vollga, Durrës’s vibrant 1.5 km seafront promenade. Enjoy a short seaside stroll to the Sfinksi step-structure for coastal photos alongside the famous Fisherman Statue. As you walk, your driver will share the story of the waterfront, from its role as the city's favorite spot for the traditional evening xhiro (stroll) to its iconic history. The promenade takes its name from the old Hotel "Volga," originally built in 1938 as the Italian Navy command before transitioning from the luxury "Hotel dei Dogi" to its Soviet-inspired name during the communist era.
King Zog's Royal Villa viewpoint
Drive up to the 98-meter hilltop above Durrës for a panoramic view over the entire bay, busy port, and historic old town. While the gated Royal Villa itself remains closed to the public, your driver will point out its distinct Italian Rationalist architecture. Designed by Florestano Di Fausto and completed in 1937 as a summer residence for King Zog I, this estate has witnessed Albania’s modern history firsthand, serving as headquarters for WWII occupiers, a communist state guesthouse for foreign leaders like Nikita Khrushchev, and later being restored to the royal family. A private restoration initiative was launched in 2025 to bring the grand mansion back to life.
Currila: drink by the sea
Relax like a local with coffee, fresh juice, or an aperitif at one of the seaside bars lining Rruga e Currilave. This relaxed stretch along Durrës’s northern shoreline is a favorite local spot for sunset drinks, often dubbed "the Albanian Capri" by travel writers. Unlike the long, sandy main beach passed earlier, Currila features a pebble and rock coastline dropping into deep, clear waters. The name itself comes from currila, meaning "small springs" after the natural underground water sources in the area.
Kallmi coast
A peaceful green cape characterized by olive groves, crystal-clear waters, and secluded rocky coves far away from the bustling city beaches. Year-round, it offers a scenic photo stop along the wild coastline. In the summer, extend your visit to 1½–2 hours for swimming, lounging on sunbeds, and enjoying a fresh seafood lunch. Your driver will share that Kallmi is renowned for its seaside grilled fish. Spots like Kallmi i Bukur serve seafood paired with ingredients fresh from their on-site garden and olive grove, while Charlie Max Marina offers another popular option right along the water.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at any hotel in Durrës
- Local driver-guide, English-speaking
- A drink in Currila
- Sunbeds at Kallmi (summer tour only)
- Water
Not included
- Lunch
- Dinner, and additional drinks
- Hotel pickup outside Durrës, Golem, or Shkëmbi i Kavajës (available on request)
Good to know
- The tour works well for couples or families who want something more personal.
- In summer, bring swimwear and a towel if you're doing the Kallmi option.
- Lunch/dinner & extra drinks aren't included, but your driver can recommend local spots.
- Child seats are available if you ask in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll get back to you to confirm availability. No payment is taken at this stage.
How it works
- Send us your dates and group size.
- We check availability and reply by email.
- You confirm. No payment is taken at this stage.
Good to know before you go: