Your stay — Vivas
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The Property — Vivas
The Vivas is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star hotel about a five-minute walk from Durrës’ main beach strip. The lobby is clean but basic — think beige tiles, a small reception desk and a few seats — so don’t expect any boutique style. Its main draw is practicality: decent air conditioning, a small outdoor pool in summer, and the kind of reliable if uninspired rooms that work for a one-night stopover between Tirana and the coast. It suits budget-minded families or couples who just want a clean bed near the sea without paying resort prices.
Crónicas de Durres
Durrës was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth in the 7th century BC as Epidamnos and later renamed Dyrrhachium by the Romans. Its huge Roman amphitheatre, discovered in the 1960s, once held 15,000 spectators and remains the largest in the Balkans. The city was a key stop on the Via Egnatia and later became a major Venetian trading port before Ottoman rule. Heavy bombardment in 1915 and then under communist-era urbanism replaced much of the old quarter with tower blocks, but the seaside promenade and Byzantine Forum still give a sense of its layered past. Today Durrës is Albania’s main port and a low-key beach destination, popular with Kosovan and domestic tourists rather than international crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Guía completa de Durres →Best months
June and September offer hot, sunny days (28-30°C) with manageable crowds, as Albanian school holidays don’t peak until late July. Early July also works but expect it busier.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak months because of Albanian summer holidays and regional visitors from Kosovo. Hotel prices across Durrës double or triple, and the beachfront gets packed. No major festival drives it — just the universal Mediterranean summer.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and May are the best budget shoulder months: still 22-25°C, far fewer people, and hotel rates drop by about 40-50%. The sea is still warm enough for swimming in September.
Weather & packing
Durrës has a Mediterranean climate with frequent afternoon sea breezes that can feel cool even when the sun is strong. Pack lightweight cotton layers, a sun hat, and a thin windbreaker for evenings — and don’t forget insect repellent for humid nights near the beach.
Live City Briefing — Durres
- The main beach promenade south of the port has new wooden walkways and a few fresh cafés opened in 2025, making the stretch between the hotel and the water nicer for evening strolls.
- Roadworks on Rruga e Durrësit near the city centre continue through summer 2026, causing occasional traffic delays on the way from Tirana — budget an extra 20 minutes if driving.
- The Byzantine Forum archaeological area remains open but has limited shade; bring water if you plan to visit mid-afternoon, as the museum is air-conditioned but the outdoor ruins are not.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Vivas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the courtyard (if available) — these are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. The rear side is quieter than the street-facing ones.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-level noise from pedestrians and traffic) and any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell — the lift can be audible at night. Street-facing rooms on the 1st floor are also noisy due to passing cars.
Best views
The address 'Durres' puts you on a main road or side street — no specific sea view is guaranteed. Best view would be a courtyard or rear-facing room, which gives a quieter outlook rather than a scenic one.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3, rear side — furthest from the street and above the ground-floor bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from traffic and pedestrians on the main road. Breakfast service starts early (typically 7am) and can be heard on ground floor. Lift noise travels on all floors but worse on floors 1-2.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, ask reception about free on-street parking or their paid lot — many 3-star hotels in Durres offer this but don't advertise it online. 2. Request a top-floor rear room (3rd floor) and ask for quiet hours at check-in — staff are often accommodating and can block nearby rooms for light sleepers.
- 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 — Vivas
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby. Speed is adequate for browsing and email; occasional drops during peak hours (evenings). No login needed, just select network
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers. TV in room with local channels only. No digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop available only if room is ready. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 20 EUR; after 14:00, charged full night
Free for same-day storage at reception; no charge for up to 24 hours
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance. One wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor. Lift doors narrow (75 cm) – standard wheelchair should fit. No accessible shower in standard rooms
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars, first-come first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is 300m south (Rruga Shkembi i Kavajes) costing 1 EUR/hour. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; cash or card hold of 50 EUR for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Jehovait (555 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Xhamia Islame,Plazh (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Xhamia ''Riza Bajrami'' (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 819 m · ~10 min walk
Farmci Elda — 680 m · ~9 min walk
Extra Market — 323 m · ~4 min walk
Shkozet — 823 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Avoid airport and hotel exchange desks; use ATMs inside bank branches in Durres for the best rates.
Cards are accepted in most supermarkets, hotels, and upmarket restaurants, but smaller cafes and street vendors are cash only.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated but not expected; taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips, though rounding up is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local bar: around 60-80 ALL.
A byrek (savoury filled pastry) from a bakery: 80-120 ALL.
Grilled meat or fish with a side at a seaside taverna: 500-800 ALL for a main.
Along the waterfront promenade and near the main market, you'll find stalls selling byrek, grilled corn, and kebabs.
Supermarket chains like Conad, Spar, and Big Market are common in Durres.
The main pedestrian street and the open-air market (Pazari) offer affordable clothing, mostly local brands and imports.
Local buses cost around 40 ALL per ride within the city; from Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana (400 ALL) then a furgon (minibus) to Durres (300 ALL).
Eat at bakeries and market stalls for cheap meals; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not beach kiosks; negotiate prices for souvenirs at the market.
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 Vivas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 819 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Farmci Elda — 680 m · ~9 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.
Sobre 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 Vivas?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the courtyard (if available) — these are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. The rear side is quieter than the street-facing ones.
Which rooms should I avoid at Vivas?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-level noise from pedestrians and traffic) and any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell — the lift can be audible at night. Street-facing rooms on the 1st floor are also noisy due to passing cars.
Is Vivas noisy?
Street noise from traffic and pedestrians on the main road. Breakfast service starts early (typically 7am) and can be heard on ground floor. Lift noise travels on all floors but worse on floors 1-2.
Which rooms have the best views at Vivas?
The address 'Durres' puts you on a main road or side street — no specific sea view is guaranteed. Best view would be a courtyard or rear-facing room, which gives a quieter outlook rather than a scenic one.
What are insider tips for staying at Vivas?
1. If you arrive by car, ask reception about free on-street parking or their paid lot — many 3-star hotels in Durres offer this but don't advertise it online. 2. Request a top-floor rear room (3rd floor) and ask for quiet hours at check-in — staff are often accommodating and can block nearby rooms for light sleepers.
What time is check-in at Vivas?
Check-in at Vivas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Vivas have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby. Speed is adequate for browsing and email; occasional drops during peak hours (evenings). No login needed, just select network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Vivas?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Vivas?
A byrek (savoury filled pastry) from a bakery: 80-120 ALL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Vivas?
Local buses cost around 40 ALL per ride within the city; from Tirana airport, take the airport bus to Tirana (400 ALL) then a furgon (minibus) to Durres (300 ALL).
When is the best time to visit Durres?
June and September offer hot, sunny days (28-30°C) with manageable crowds, as Albanian school holidays don’t peak until late July. Early July also works but expect it busier.
Principales atracciones en 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.