Durrës Real Estate: Beachfront Apartments an Hour from Tirana

The long beach, Plazhi i Durrësit, runs along the bay and is lined with high-rise apartment blocks and hotels; the promenade is lively in summer. The old centre holds the Roman amphitheatre, Byzantine walls and the port, which handles ferries to Italian cities such as Bari and Ancona. South of the centre, the Currila and Shkëmbi i Kavajës areas offer quieter beaches and villa neighbourhoods, and Golem, a few kilometres south, is a rapidly growing resort strip. Spitallë and Porto Romano are more industrial areas.

Durrës is about 35 km from Tirana and around 40 minutes by road, and a commuter market is developing, with some workers living by the sea and travelling to the capital. The 2019 earthquake, the strongest in decades, caused damage and casualties in Durrës, so structural quality and compliance with seismic codes deserve careful checking. Summers are hot and busy, and the beach season stretches from May to October.

1. Check the building permit and the occupancy certificate, especially for blocks built in the rapid construction years. Ask for the structural engineer's documents.
2. Study the cadastre extract for ownership and encumbrances, and the share of the common areas attributed to your flat.
3. Contract and notary. The sale is signed before a notary and registered in the cadastre. Foreigners may buy apartments, houses and commercial property but not agricultural land.
4. Payment structure. For off-plan, pay in stages tied to progress, and check what happens if the developer is late.
5. Management fees. Seaside buildings often have monthly maintenance charges for lifts, security and cleaning. Ask for the amount.
6. Taxes and costs. Transfer tax, notary fees, registration and annual property tax apply. Verify current rates with a local lawyer.

Our Albania buying guide and Albania financing guide set out these steps.

The capital Tirana is next door. Along the coast, Vlorë and Sarandë are the southern resorts, while Kavajë, Shkodër and Pogradec cover inland and lake options. See property for sale in Albania for the full country.