Durres has everything you could want (and more) for a beach city location! The locals are lovely. The beaches are pristine. The food is delicious. There really isn’t much that you can fault here.
The thing about Durres is, that despite being one of the most popular tourist locations in Albania, it’s nowhere near as busy as other beach destinations in Europe.
Plus, if you visit now, you’ll get to experience the beauty of this destination before it gets swarmed with tourists every year. Seriously, Durres (and Albania in general) is one of my best-kept secrets. It’s one of my favourite places I’ve travelled and you’ll soon see why.
I have put together this guide on the best hostels and budget stays in Durres. Pick your favourite, book your flights and have the time of your life!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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Best Hostels in Durres
Ready to plan your trip backpacking in the Balkans? Here are the best hostels in Durres for the perfect beach holiday in Albania.
Top View
- Dorm (mixed): From $13
- Address: Rruga Mbreteresha Teuta, Lagjia 1 Rruga Taulantia, Durres, Albania
The best hostel in Durres is a fun little hostel called Top View. This hostel has over 30 years of experience in tourism and offers a peaceful escape to stay in whilst travelling Albania. The great thing about this hostel is that it’s right by the beach and some of the best restaurants in the city are right on your doorstep. So, you’ll never be bored and you’ll never go hungry.
I’m not going to lie, there aren’t many hostel options and this hostel reviews are mixed. Some are great but it’s downfalls seem to be that it is located up a hill – so I’d be prepped to walk into town, the lockers aren’t great and the place isn’t always kept in tip-top shape. But it’s a hostel so it’ll most likely be the cheapest bed in town.
Other features that I can always appreciate in a hostel in Albania include laundry services, a stocked kitchen and water dispensers. If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, you might think these aspects don’t matter but they really make all of a difference.
Why you’ll love this hostel
- Activities nearby
- Evening entertainment
- Friendly staff
Inside the hostel, there are plenty of shared areas and a large garden area where you can meet other travellers. I always say this to new travellers but it really is worth spending some time with the people within your hostel, especially if you’re travelling solo.
Anyway, the hostel doesn’t offer loads in terms of entertainment but there is an occasional DJ night or movie night that you can partake in.
Most importantly, though, the staff are praised for being kind and welcoming. As I said before, the locals in Albania tend to be very friendly. The hosts will be more than happy to help you locate the best hidden gems and places to visit in Albania, so make sure to ask.
Hostel Durres
- Dorm (mixed): From $20
- Private Room: From $18
- Address: Sheshi Liria, Durres, Albania
This is one of the best hostels in Durres if you’re travelling on a budget! Not only does this hostel have affordable rooms but it has a variety of private rooms too.
For me, I usually opt for a private room in a hostel so I can recharge my social battery and they offer you far more privacy too. However, if you are on a really strict budget, there are cheaper group dorms available.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- On-site bar
- 24/7 reception
- Garden
- Close to Durres attractions
The thing about this hostel is that it just has a really welcoming vibe where you can choose how involved you are with the other travellers here.
I would honestly say that it has more of a hotel vibe than a social hostel one, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There’s a 24-hour front desk so the staff are always there to help, a bar to share a few drinks with your fellow travellers and a spacious garden to top up your tan (weather permitting, obviously).
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Budget Stays in Durres
So, of course, there were only a couple of hostels here, a bit awks innit. But that’s not the end of the world cus’ I’ve got a whole load more for ya!
Guest House
- Private Room: From $20
- Address: Rruga e Zanave, 2001 Durrës, Albania
Look, hostels aren’t for everyone, especially if you’ve been travelling for a while. Your social battery can easily burn out. Trust me, I have been there (far more times than I care to admit). If that’s you right now, this guest house is the perfect solution.
This guest house is spacious, clean and has everything you could want in times of facilities. It features free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a fully equipped kitchen.
You’ll also be right by popular attractions such as Durres Beach and Skanderbeg Square where all of Durres’s best activities can be found. There are also so many locally run businesses here where you can pick up a unique souvenir for somebody back home.
The price of this guest house per night is also very affordable and probably one of the cheapest you’ll find in such a popular area.
Vila Beqja
- Private Room: From $50 (2-night stay)
- Address: Rruga Mbreti Gjin Nr 29, 1001 Durrës, Albania
This accommodation option just gives off beach holiday vibes and I LOVE it.
It has spacious white interiors and just an overall ‘home-away-from-home feeling.’ Plus, it’s located in a quiet, tourist-filled location, so you’ll feel safe here. It’s decked out with all the best facilities including free private parking, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
But best of all this is a beachfront property! Yep, wake up to the sounds of the ocean, spend all day at the beach, and watch the sunset. I’ve always found that the beach is a great place to meet new people. Try joining in on the water sports or attending beach yoga classes.
The owner is also mentioned repeatedly in the reviews and praised for being extremely kind and friendly. They are always available to help with any issues or answer any questions, so really, what more could you want on a beach escape?
Nettuno
- Private Room: From $53
- Address: Hotel Nettuno Plepa Durres, 2003 Durrës, Albania
Nettuno Hostel is one of the best hostels in Durres due to its convenience. The hostel has cosy rooms that feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms and even flat-screen TVs (which is kind of unheard of for most hostels). There’s also a stunning garden area where you can plan your day, meet new friends, and eat meals together.
In terms of location, you’ll be right by the shore so you can spend your day marvelling at the drop-dead gorgeous beaches that Albania has to offer and joining in on the fun watersports.
Surfing was a popular sport whilst I was in Albania with some of the beaches offering surfboards to hire. However, if you just want to lounge on the beach, I wouldn’t judge you! Then, in the evenings head into the main square to indulge in cocktails, listen to live music and dance the night away!
Relax Inn Hotel Durres
- Private Room: From $64
- Address: 2008 Rruga Pavaresia, 2008 Durrës, Albania
Okay, so this isn’t exactly a hostel but there are limited options available in Durres so stick with me! Despite being a hotel, it’s still pretty affordable, especially if you book your rooms in advance. This hotel is located on a quiet street and it’s just a two-minute walk away from Durres Beach.
Additionally, staying in a hotel does come with a lot of extra perks. By staying here, you’ll have access to private rooms, a breakfast filled with authentic Albanian food and fruit in the morning and an outdoor area.
Because it’s a hotel, you’ll also be able to book day trips and excursions at the front desk far more easily than you would if you stayed in a hostel. So staying here can take a lot of the planning out of your day!
This option is really great if you’re travelling in a large group or simply want a little more luxury on your trip.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Durres
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Durres.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
FAQs About Hostels In Durres
Here are the most commonly asked questions on the hostel scene in Durres:
What To Pack For Your Durres Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing List for even more top hostel packing tips!
Final Thoughts on Durres Hostels
And, that’s a wrap. Admittedly, there isn’t a huge selection of hostels in this location BUT don’t let that deter you from planning your trip!
From its white sandy beaches to its vibrant square, Durres has so much to offer for an epic European holiday. And if you visit now, you’ll get to experience Authentic Albania before everybody finds out about how great this location is!
Whilst each of these hostels caters to different preferences, Top View reigns superior. It just has such a friendly vibe, great options for entertainment and I’m sure you’ll make some pretty epic memories here!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
- Check out our extensive guide to Backpacking in Albania for a wealth of info!
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Europe to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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