Durres

Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi. Durrës is home to Albania's main port, the Port of Durrës, and to the newest public university, the Aleksander Moisiu University.
Founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, it has been continuously inhabited for 27 centuries and is one of the oldest cities in Albania.

Though surviving remains are minimal, as one of the oldest cities in Europe, the city was founded as Epidamnos in the ancient region of Illyria in 627 BC by ancient Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, modern-day Corfu. The general vicinity of Epidamus was called Epidamnia. The city's geographical position was highly advantageous, as it was situated around a natural rocky harbor which was surrounded by inland swamps and high cliffs on the seaward side, making the city very difficult to attack from either land or sea.

Under Roman rule, Dyrrachium prospered; it became the western end of the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road that led to Thessalonica and on to Constantinople. Another lesser road led south to the city of Buthrotum, the modern Butrint.

Some important buildings in Durrës include the main library, the cultural center with the Aleksander Moisiu theater, the Estrada Theater, the puppet theater, and the philharmonic orchestra. There are also several museums such as the Archaeological Museum, Ahmet Zogu's Villa of Durrës and the Museum of History.

The city's beaches are also a popular destination for many foreign and local tourists.

The largest amphitheater in the Balkans is located in the city close to the harbor. This first-century construction is currently under consideration for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site.