Walking Tour of Durres with Roman Amphitheater

What your day looks like

Located by the sea, Durrës is surrounded by the vineyards of the sunny Ishmi Hills, where it has been producing excellent wine since the Greek era. Known as Durrazo in Italian, Durrës has one of the oldest city centers in Albania and is also the second most populated city in the country. In the first seven centuries BC, it was known as Epidamnos by the Greek colonies of Corinth and Corfu. During the Roman era, the city grew in importance and became a battleground between the armies of Caesar and Pompey during the civil war. After the Byzantine Empire, Durrës faced invasions from the Bulgarians and Ottomans. Today, Durrës Port is one of the largest tourist and commercial ports on the Adriatic Sea. We will visit the Venetian Tower, a military fortified tower built between 1400 and 1500 to protect the port. The tower is located next to the ancient walls of the Durrës Castle, which once surrounded the city center. Next, we will move toward the Roman Amphitheater, built by Emperor Trajan at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. The amphitheater could accommodate up to 20,000 people, making it the largest in the Balkan region. Afterward, we will enjoy a walk along the main boulevard of the city, finishing the tour at Municipality Square, where we can admire the city’s main mosque, built in 1931.