Durrës Archaeological Museum

The collection holds over 3,000 artifacts excavated from ancient Dyrrachium and surrounding sites. The ground floor covers Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman periods: terracotta figurines attesting to the cult of Aphrodite in ancient Durrës, Roman funerary steles with carved reliefs, stone sarcophagi, and locally minted coins found as far away as Romania. Key exhibits include an elliptical mosaic measuring 5.2 × 3 m, known as the "Beauty of Durrës," and a collection of miniature Venus busts.

The upper floor is dedicated to Byzantine and medieval finds, including Ottoman-period artifacts. After restoration, the museum will feature redesigned exhibition halls, new visitor routes, a children's educational zone, and space for temporary exhibitions. All labeling is in Albanian and English.

The building stands on the waterfront, adjacent to the beach. A visit takes 40–60 minutes. This is a compact, focused museum – not a multi-hour affair, but a concentrated dive into the history of a city that is 2,700 years old.

Collection – over 3,000 authentic artifacts found in Durrës and its surroundings

Legacy – Albania's largest archaeological museum, operating since 1951

"Beauty of Durrës" – 5.2 × 3 m elliptical mosaic, one of the star exhibits

Cult of Venus – collection of miniature busts reflecting Aphrodite worship in the ancient city

Byzantine walls – 6th-century fortification fragments directly along the museum's north side

Renovation – EU4Culture modernization with redesigned exhibition spaces

The museum was founded in 1951 to house artifacts from excavations of ancient Dyrrachium – one of Albania's oldest cities, established in the 7th century BC as Epidamnos. Over the decades, the collection grew to 3,200 items spanning Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The first major reconstruction took place in 2011–2015: the museum was closed for four years and ceremonially reopened by Prime Minister Edi Rama on March 20, 2015.

A second reconstruction began in November 2022 under the EU4Culture program, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in coordination with Albania's Ministry of Culture. The project involves a complete overhaul of exhibition spaces, climate control, lighting, and new educational zones. Originally planned for 2023, the reopening date has been pushed back repeatedly. As of 2025, restoration work continues.

From Tirana (38 km, 35–45 min):

– Bus from South & North terminal – 200 ALL (≈ €2 / $2.50), every 30 min (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM)

– Taxi via app – 2,200–2,700 ALL (≈ €20–25)

– Car rental – SH2 highway, parking at the museum

From Tirana Airport (TIA, 22 km, 30–40 min):

– Adis Travel shuttle – 600 ALL (≈ €6), drops off at Durrës bus terminal

– Taxi – 2,500–3,000 ALL (≈ €25–30)

Within Durrës:

10–15 minute walk from the bus terminal through the center. The museum is on Rruga Taulantia, near the waterfront and the Amphitheatre.

Season: April–October is peak season; pre-renovation hours were daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Reduced hours in off-season.

Time of day: Morning (before 11:00 AM) for fewer visitors. Combine with the Amphitheatre and Byzantine Forum.

Duration: 40–60 minutes for the museum. With a walk around the area (Byzantine walls, waterfront) – 1.5–2 hours.

Important: Verify that restoration is complete before planning your visit.