Your stay — Hotel Blendi
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The Property — Hotel Blendi
Hotel Blendi is a straightforward, budget-friendly three-star hotel three blocks from Durrës’ main beach. The lobby feels clean but unpretentious, with tiled floors and a small reception desk staffed by helpful but not effusive English speakers. It suits independent travellers and families who want a decent room near the water without paying for sea views or frills.
Chronicles of Durres
Durrës was founded by Greek colonists in 627 BC as Epidamnos and later became the Roman port of Dyrrachium, a key stop on the Via Egnatia. Under Byzantine and Venetian rule, its amphitheatre (the largest in the Balkans) was built; today it sits half-excavated in the city’s centre. The Ottoman era left a legacy of bazaars and mosques, while communist-era concrete blocks dominate the seafront. Modern Durrës feels livelier than Tirana, with a working port and a growing café culture along its long sandy beach.
Best Time to Visit
Full Durres guide →Best months
May, June and September offer warm days (24–28°C), calm sea and far smaller crowds than July and August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by European school holidays and Albanian diaspora visits. Hotel prices nearly double, and beach umbrellas pack every metre of sand. Events include the Durrës Summer Festival (late July) and boat trips from the port.
Budget shoulder season
Late May or early September give you discounts of 30–40% on accommodation, sea temperatures still pleasant (22–24°C) and a much more relaxed atmosphere.
Weather & packing
Durrës has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and the occasional overnight thunderstorm. Pack a light jacket or cardigan for evening breezes, plus a sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen as the beach offers little natural shade.
Live City Briefing — Durres
- The Durrës seafront promenade (Lungomare) is being extended southwards, with new cafes and cycle lanes opening in phases through mid-2026.
- A new express bus service from Tirana International Airport to Durrës central bus station started in May 2026, costing about €4 and running hourly.
- The city’s Byzantine Forum excavation near the amphitheatre is now open for limited public viewing, but the area around it can be dusty and closed on Mondays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Blendi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on floors 2 to 4. These are above street level but low enough to avoid any roof-top plant noise, and the rear aspect is away from the main road that runs through Durres’s central area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the front (street side). Ground floor is close to the lobby, breakfast area, and potential street noise. Front-facing rooms suffer from traffic on Rruga e Durrësit (the main coastal road) and any late-night bars or cafes below.
Best views
Street-side rooms on upper floors (3–4) offer partial sea views over the rooftops towards the port, but this comes with traffic noise. Rear rooms have views of surrounding apartment blocks – less interesting but quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 4. These sit above the lobby/restaurant hubbub but below any roof-top equipment. The building is likely a 4–5 storey structure typical of 3-star hotels in central Durres.
🔊 Noise notes
Hotel Blendi is on a main road running parallel to the Adriatic coast in Durres. Expect traffic from 7am to around midnight, particularly from scooters and delivery vans. There may also be noise from the hotel’s own car park at the front during morning and late afternoon. Rear-facing rooms are significantly quieter.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask at check-in about parking – 3-star hotels in Durres often have limited off-street spaces, so arriving early secures a spot. 2. Request a room with a balcony (if available) – many rooms at this price point have them, and they’re good for drying swimwear, but avoid street-facing balconies for sleeping.
- 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 — Hotel Blendi
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; login via room number and surname, one device per room
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers or digital newsstand; no notable building heritage quirks
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop accepted from 09:00 only in reception area; late check-out until 12:00 included, after 12:00 charged €15 until 18:00, after 18:00 full night extra
Free for day-of arrival/departure; no cost, stored behind reception desk
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or grab rails in rooms
On-site free street parking limited to 12 spaces, first-come first-served; nearest public car park 200m at Sheshi Liria, €5 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment via bank transfer or card; incidental hold of €50 in cash or card at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 652 m · ~8 min walk
Farmaci NADA — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Market Keli — 638 m · ~8 min walk
Golem — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots—they give poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and most restaurants in central Durrës, but cash is essential for markets, minibuses, and smaller shops.
Not expected but appreciated: round up bills at restaurants, leave 50–100 Lek for taxis, and a small tip for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local bar, around 50–80 Lek.
Byrek (savoury pie) from a bakery, about 100–150 Lek.
Grilled meat or fish with salad and bread at a local restaurant, main around 400–600 Lek.
The seaside promenade and the area near the amphitheatre have kiosks selling byrek, corn on the cob, and grilled corn.
Supermarkets like SPAR, Conad, and local chains are common.
The main pedestrian street (Rruga e Durrësit) has affordable high-street shops; the local bazaar offers cheaper markets.
Minibuses (furgons) cost about 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus for 250 Lek to Tirana, then a furgon to Durrës for 200 Lek.
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 Hotel Blendi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 652 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Farmaci NADA — 1.0 km · ~13 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 Hotel Blendi?
Request a rear-facing room on floors 2 to 4. These are above street level but low enough to avoid any roof-top plant noise, and the rear aspect is away from the main road that runs through Durres’s central area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Blendi?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the front (street side). Ground floor is close to the lobby, breakfast area, and potential street noise. Front-facing rooms suffer from traffic on Rruga e Durrësit (the main coastal road) and any late-night bars or cafes below.
Is Hotel Blendi noisy?
Hotel Blendi is on a main road running parallel to the Adriatic coast in Durres. Expect traffic from 7am to around midnight, particularly from scooters and delivery vans. There may also be noise from the hotel’s own car park at the front during morning and late afternoon. Rear-facing rooms are significantly quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Blendi?
Street-side rooms on upper floors (3–4) offer partial sea views over the rooftops towards the port, but this comes with traffic noise. Rear rooms have views of surrounding apartment blocks – less interesting but quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Blendi?
1. If you drive, ask at check-in about parking – 3-star hotels in Durres often have limited off-street spaces, so arriving early secures a spot. 2. Request a room with a balcony (if available) – many rooms at this price point have them, and they’re good for drying swimwear, but avoid street-facing balconies for sleeping.
What time is check-in at Hotel Blendi?
Check-in at Hotel Blendi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Blendi have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; login via room number and surname, one device per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Blendi?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Blendi?
Byrek (savoury pie) from a bakery, about 100–150 Lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Blendi?
Minibuses (furgons) cost about 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus for 250 Lek to Tirana, then a furgon to Durrës for 200 Lek.
When is the best time to visit Durres?
May, June and September offer warm days (24–28°C), calm sea and far smaller crowds than July and August.
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.