Your stay — Leonardo
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The Property — Leonardo
The Leonardo in Durrës is a straightforward, no-frills three-star beach hotel with a red-and-white facade directly across the street from the main beach promenade. It feels like a well-run seaside base: the lobby is compact, tiled, and smells of coffee and sunscreen, with a small reception desk staffed by polite, English-speaking staff. The aesthetic is functional—bright rooms with laminate floors, air conditioning, and small balconies facing either the sea or the side street. It suits budget-conscious travellers, couples on a short seaside break, or families who want to be a two-minute walk from the sand and a ten-minute walk from the city’s Byzantine market.
Chronicles of Durres
Durrës, founded in 627 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu as Epidamnos, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Albania. It became a major Roman port (Dyrrachium) and the start of the Via Egnatia; its 2nd-century, 15,000-seat Roman amphitheatre is the largest in the Balkans. Ottoman rule left a walled Old Town and a 15th-century Fatih Mosque, while the 20th-century communist era built vast concrete bunkers and the waterfront promenade. Today Durrës is a noisy, sprawling coastal city with fast-growing tourism, a harbour for ferries to Bari, and a resurgent café culture that mixes Italian-inflected architecture with Albanian raki bars.
Best Time to Visit
Full Durres guide →Best months
May and September offer the best combination: temperatures in the mid-20s °C, low rainfall, and far fewer tourists than July–August. June is also excellent for swimming and sightseeing without peak crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak months: the city swells with Albanian and Kosovan visitors, hotel prices double or triple, and beaches become very crowded with umbrellas and music. The main event driving this is the summer holiday season and the traditional August beach festivals along the coast.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the cheapest shoulder months. April can be windy and cool for swimming, but flights and hotels are very cheap; October offers warm afternoons and few crowds, though many beach bars close mid-month.
Weather & packing
Durrës has a Mediterranean climate but with a persistent coastal breeze—even in summer evenings can feel cool if you’re sitting outside. Pack a light windbreaker or pashmina for evening walks along the promenade, and always bring sunblock and sandals for the pebbly beach.
Live City Briefing — Durres
- The new Durrës bypass highway (Rruga e Dytë) opened in 2024, cutting travel time from Tirana International Airport to about 35 minutes; however, the final section through the city centre still experiences afternoon congestion.
- In 2025 the municipal council approved the pedestrianisation of the first block of Rruga Taulantia, the main shopping street, creating a car-free zone that continues from the amphitheatre down to the seafront.
- The beach water quality is regularly tested and rated 'excellent' by the Albanian National Environment Agency, though jellyfish (mauve stinger) can appear in July after northerly winds—check local signs before swimming.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Leonardo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (Rruga Pavaresia). These floors are above street-level bustle but still within the lift range (so no schlepping bags up stairs), and the higher position cuts down on early-morning traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor — closest to the reception and any lobby noise, plus the lift machinery hum can be audible. Also skip any room directly above the street-side entrance; late-night comings and goings from the hotel bar/restaurant carry up that side.
Best views
Ask for a room on the 5th floor with a balcony (if available) — you get a broad view of Durres Bay and the port activity, plus the old town rooftops. East-facing rooms look towards the city rather than the sea but have morning sun.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are quietest — away from the ground-floor lobby and bar, and above the street-level pedestrian zone noise. The top floor (5th) can have occasional roof-access footfall but is still quieter than lower floors.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a narrow stretch of Rruga Pavaresia, a main coastal road that gets busy with taxis, buses and scooters from 7am to 10pm. The ground-floor bar/restaurant spills onto the pavement, so Friday-Saturday nights can be audible up to floor 2. The lift shaft is in the central core — not too noisy on upper floors.
Insider tips
1. If driving, park in the public lot 50m north (near the beach) rather than the hotel's small basement — it's half the price and easier to navigate. 2. Ask for a 'mare' (sea-view) room upgrade at check-in, especially midweek — they're often available for a small top-up fee, and the view genuinely makes the stay.
- 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 — Leonardo
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 15 Mbps; no login required
Lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; digital newsstand not available
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 10 EUR
Free baggage storage at reception before check-in and after check-out
No step-free entrance; two steps at main door; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; lift fits a small wheelchair
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 200 m away at Parkimi Publik Sheshi 1 (approx 5 EUR/night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: All inclusive: mandatory city tax is included in the room rate; no extra charge at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full advance deposit required for this booking; at check-in a 50 EUR incidental hold on a credit card
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
Change money at exchange offices in the city centre for better rates than the airport or your hotel; avoid tourist bureau desks near the port.
Cards accepted in most supermarkets and chain hotels, but cash is king in markets, small restaurants, and taxis; contactless is common in larger shops.
Round up the bill at restaurants or leave 5-10% for good service; taxis and hotel staff appreciate a small tip but it’s not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso in a local bar: around 80-100 Lek.
Byrek (savoury pastry) or a quick plate of grilled meat with salad: 300-500 Lek.
Main course of grilled fish or meat with a side: 500-700 Lek.
Promenade along the seafront has pop-up grills selling qofte (meatballs) and corn on the cob; the central market area has bakeries with fresh byrek.
Supermarket chains like Conad, Alba, or Big Market are common for daily goods.
High-street brands are limited; the pedestrianised Rruga Taulantia has a few mid-range shops, but most locals head to Tirana for clothes shopping.
City buses cost 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the Rinas Express bus to the main bus terminal for 350 Lek.
Eat at places locals frequent, not seafront spots with English menus. Buy produce from the central market rather than supermarkets. Use public buses instead of taxis.
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 Leonardo
🕒 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 Leonardo?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (Rruga Pavaresia). These floors are above street-level bustle but still within the lift range (so no schlepping bags up stairs), and the higher position cuts down on early-morning traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Leonardo?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor — closest to the reception and any lobby noise, plus the lift machinery hum can be audible. Also skip any room directly above the street-side entrance; late-night comings and goings from the hotel bar/restaurant carry up that side.
Is Leonardo noisy?
The hotel sits on a narrow stretch of Rruga Pavaresia, a main coastal road that gets busy with taxis, buses and scooters from 7am to 10pm. The ground-floor bar/restaurant spills onto the pavement, so Friday-Saturday nights can be audible up to floor 2. The lift shaft is in the central core — not too noisy on upper floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Leonardo?
Ask for a room on the 5th floor with a balcony (if available) — you get a broad view of Durres Bay and the port activity, plus the old town rooftops. East-facing rooms look towards the city rather than the sea but have morning sun.
What are insider tips for staying at Leonardo?
1. If driving, park in the public lot 50m north (near the beach) rather than the hotel's small basement — it's half the price and easier to navigate. 2. Ask for a 'mare' (sea-view) room upgrade at check-in, especially midweek — they're often available for a small top-up fee, and the view genuinely makes the stay.
What time is check-in at Leonardo?
Check-in at Leonardo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Leonardo have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 15 Mbps; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Leonardo?
All inclusive: mandatory city tax is included in the room rate; no extra charge at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Leonardo?
Byrek (savoury pastry) or a quick plate of grilled meat with salad: 300-500 Lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Leonardo?
City buses cost 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the Rinas Express bus to the main bus terminal for 350 Lek.
When is the best time to visit Durres?
May and September offer the best combination: temperatures in the mid-20s °C, low rainfall, and far fewer tourists than July–August. June is also excellent for swimming and sightseeing without peak crowds.
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.