Your stay — al mar
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The Property — al mar
You walk into a bright, tiled lobby that smells faintly of salt and sunscreen – Al Mar is a straightforward three-star beach hotel, not a boutique. Its main draw is being fifty metres from the Durrës promenade and a short walk to the main beach strip. Best for travellers who want an affordable base with sea views, no fuss, and don't mind worn-in furniture. The rooftop breakfast terrace catches the morning breeze off the Adriatic.
Chronicles of Durres
Durrës was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu around 627 BCE as Epidamnos, later renamed Dyrrhachium by the Romans. It became the western terminus of the Via Egnatia, the Roman road linking the Adriatic to Constantinople. The massive Byzantine fortress walls and the 5th-century Byzantine amphitheatre (second largest in the Balkans) still shape the old town's layout. After Ottoman rule and a devastating 1915 earthquake, the city was rebuilt in a utilitarian socialist style under Hoxha's regime. Today it's Albania's main port and a pragmatic beach getaway for Tirana residents and package tourists, with a growing cafe culture along the renovated waterfront.
Best Time to Visit
Full Durres guide →Best months
June and September – sea warm enough for swimming, daytime highs around 28-30°C, and the main tourist crush hasn't started (June) or has eased (September). Also good for day trips up to Krujë.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. Durrës fills with Albanian families from Tirana and regional visitors. Hotel prices roughly double from low-season rates. The main events are the summer festival series on the promenade and a beach football tournament in early August.
Budget shoulder season
May and October. May: air 22°C, sea still cool (~18°C) but few crowds, hotel rates 40-50% lower than August. October: still sunny, sea swimmable until mid-month, and restaurants are half-empty. Best for quiet
Weather & packing
Albania's coast can get sudden afternoon thunderstorms in early July, even when mornings are clear. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a sarong that doubles as a towel — the hotel's beach towels may be thin.
Live City Briefing — Durres
- The Durrës promenade renovation project has finished, adding a dedicated cycle lane and new cafe terraces between the port and the amphitheatre – makes walking to the old town much smoother.
- The Vlora–Durrës coastal road upgrade (part of the Blue Corridor) wrapped up in late 2025, cutting driving time from Tirana airport to Durrës to about 25 minutes, but expect weekend beach traffic jams on the approach road.
- Albania's new digital visa waiver for UK and US citizens (up to 90 days) is now live – no more queuing for a stamp at the border, but you still need valid passport and proof of accommodation.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to al mar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the courtyard or side streets, away from the main road. These floors minimise street-level noise and offer a decent sense of privacy.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the ground floor or near the lift/stairwell, as foot traffic and street noise (especially from Durres’s busy coastal road) will be most noticeable. Also avoid rooms directly above any bar or reception area.
Best views
If the hotel faces the sea (common for Durres), top-floor rooms with a western orientation will catch the sunset over the Adriatic. Otherwise, upper floors offer the best glimpse of the coastline.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest, assuming a standard 4-5 storey mid-range hotel.
🔊 Noise notes
Durres's main road is a key arterial route with constant traffic, including buses and scooters. Bars and restaurants nearby can generate evening noise, especially in summer. Look for rooms facing the internal courtyard or a quieter side street.
Insider tips
1. If driving, ask if they have off-street parking – street parking in Durres can be tight. 2. Request a room on a higher floor during booking, and confirm at check-in to avoid being placed near the lift.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — al mar
Free Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices per room, speeds around 15 Mbps download. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers; building is a modern 2018 construction with no notable heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag-drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out fee: 20 EUR until 14:00, subject to availability.
Complimentary at the front desk during your stay or after check-out.
One step at main entrance; no ramp. Lift fits a standard wheelchair. No adapted bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park: Parking Qendër, 200 m away, 5 EUR per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 30 EUR incidental card hold at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Farmaci — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Market Keli — 481 m · ~6 min walk
Stacioni i autobusave Plepat — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Exchange money at bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid the airport exchange desks and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards are accepted in most hotels, supermarkets, and chain restaurants, but cash is preferred at small bars, markets, and beach kiosks.
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory: round up the bill in restaurants (10% is generous), leave small change for taxis, and nothing for hotel staff unless they carry bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local bar or kafe – about 50-80 ALL.
A byrek (savoury pastry) from a bakery or a simple pita wrap – around 200-300 ALL.
Grilled meat or fish with salad and bread at a family-run restaurant – roughly 500-800 ALL for a main.
Head to the seaside promenade around Plazh i Durrësit for vendors selling byrek, corn on the cob, or grilled corn; also the old bazaar area has kiosks with quick eats.
Supermarket chains like Spar, Conad, and Big Market are common in Durrës.
The main pedestrian street (Rruga e Durrësit) has affordable high-street clothing shops; for bargains, try the outdoor market near the port on weekends.
Bus (furgon) within town – about 30-40 ALL per ride. From Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana then a furgon to Durrës (total ~300-400 ALL) rather than a direct taxi.
Eat lunch at bakeries and market stalls instead of sit-down restaurants. Use local furgons (minibuses) for intercity travel – they're cheap and frequent. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist shops.
Emergency Contacts
DurresDurrës emergency numbers are the same as the national Albanian ones. For police dial 129, ambulance 127, fire 128. For roadside assistance call 126. English may not be widely spoken, so have a local or your hotel staff ready to assist if needed. Save these for your trip.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Durres, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at al mar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Farmaci — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Durres Bus Station (terminali i autobusave) → Kadris Hotel (via Sheshi Pranvera stop)
💡 Bus lines 1, 3, and 6 all pass near the hotel. Ask for 'Sheshi Pranvera'—it's a small square just 2 blocks south of the hotel. Exact change is expected, so keep coins handy.
Durres City Center (any point) → Kadris Hotel
💡 Use the 'Taxi Durres' app or call +355 69 20 20 111 for reliable drivers. Avoid flagging down random cabs near the port—they often quote inflated prices for short hops. A ride from the amphitheatre to the hotel should cost no more than 500 lekë.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) → Durres City Center (near Kadris Hotel)
💡 Buy a ticket from the driver (cash only, lekë or euros accepted). Get off at the main Durres bus stop on Rruga e Durrësit, then it's a 10-minute walk downhill to Kadris Hotel—no need for a taxi unless you have heavy luggage.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) → Kadris Hotel, Durres
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; official taxi ranks at the airport charge a fixed rate—look for the yellow taxis with a meter, or pre-book a transfer via the hotel for peace of mind.
About Durres
Wikipedia ↗
Durrës ( DUURR-əs, Albanian: [ˈdurəs]; Albanian definite form: Durrësi) is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It is one of Albania's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roughly 2,500 years of recorded history. It is loca...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at al mar?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the courtyard or side streets, away from the main road. These floors minimise street-level noise and offer a decent sense of privacy.
Which rooms should I avoid at al mar?
Steer clear of rooms on the ground floor or near the lift/stairwell, as foot traffic and street noise (especially from Durres’s busy coastal road) will be most noticeable. Also avoid rooms directly above any bar or reception area.
Is al mar noisy?
Durres's main road is a key arterial route with constant traffic, including buses and scooters. Bars and restaurants nearby can generate evening noise, especially in summer. Look for rooms facing the internal courtyard or a quieter side street.
Which rooms have the best views at al mar?
If the hotel faces the sea (common for Durres), top-floor rooms with a western orientation will catch the sunset over the Adriatic. Otherwise, upper floors offer the best glimpse of the coastline.
What are insider tips for staying at al mar?
1. If driving, ask if they have off-street parking – street parking in Durres can be tight. 2. Request a room on a higher floor during booking, and confirm at check-in to avoid being placed near the lift.
What time is check-in at al mar?
Check-in at al mar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does al mar have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices per room, speeds around 15 Mbps download. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at al mar?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near al mar?
A byrek (savoury pastry) from a bakery or a simple pita wrap – around 200-300 ALL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from al mar?
Bus (furgon) within town – about 30-40 ALL per ride. From Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana then a furgon to Durrës (total ~300-400 ALL) rather than a direct taxi.
When is the best time to visit Durres?
June and September – sea warm enough for swimming, daytime highs around 28-30°C, and the main tourist crush hasn't started (June) or has eased (September). Also good for day trips up to Krujë.
Top Attractions in Durres
💡 Grab a cheap byrek from 'Byrektores' near the clock tower—about 50 ALL. The street is busiest after 18:00.
💡 Climb is steep and narrow—wear sensible shoes. Best at sunset for good light and fewer people.
💡 Walk east of the main pier for less crowded spots. No lounger required—bring a towel. Free showers at some access points.
💡 Buy tickets from the small booth outside; cash only. Early morning or late afternoon avoids crowds and heat.
💡 Entrance is around 300 ALL (roughly £2.50). Go early to beat tour groups; the small café upstairs has good coffee.