Where is Portëz?
Portëz is located on Bisht i Pallës, approximately 10 kilometres north of Durrës. Bisht i Pallës extends for roughly two kilometres into the Adriatic, creating a narrow piece of land between the sea and the mainland. At its narrowest point, the distance between the two shores is around 600 metres. Portëz is situated on the outer, Adriatic-facing side of this extension. This gives the beach a different setting from the more urban stretches of coastline closer to central Durrës.
How to get there
Portëz can be reached from several starting points. By road, the most direct route is from Durrës, heading towards Porto Romano and continuing along Rruga Shën Pali into Bisht i Pallës. From Tirana, the route connects to the same road through the Tiranë–Durrës highway and Porto Romano, while visitors arriving from Tirana International Airport can follow the route towards Durrës and then continue north towards Porto Romano and Bisht i Pallës. Portëz can also be reached from the sea, making it an option for visitors travelling by private boat or a smaller recreational boat. The destination can be entered directly into a navigation app, which will guide visitors towards the beach entrance. The road distance is approximately 10.2 km from Durrës, 47.7 km from Tirana and 37.8 km from Tirana International Airport, although actual travel time depends on traffic and road conditions.
Portez
Destination Features
Access
By road
Best time to visit
Summer
Difficulty Level
Easy
The beach and Bisht i Pallës
Portëz should be understood as one specific beach rather than as a collection of separate beaches. The shoreline itself forms a continuous sandy stretch, while the larger geographical setting is Bisht i Pallës, the narrow extension of land reaching into the Adriatic.
The wider peninsula is approximately two kilometres long and becomes particularly narrow in places, with around 600 metres separating its two shores at the narrowest point.
At Portëz, this geography is especially noticeable: the land narrows towards the sea, with the Adriatic opening out on the outer side and the hills of Bisht i Pallës forming the landscape around the peninsula. It is this relationship between the beach, the sea and the narrow shape of the land that gives Portëz its particular setting.
Through Our Lens
The hidden coast, captured as we found it
Travel tips
Access and parking
The road access to Portëz leads to a private entrance serving the beach area. Parking is available near the entrance and is charged separately. From the parking area, visitors walk a short distance uphill to the bar and restaurant before continuing down towards the shoreline. Once at the beach, visitors have a choice between the section operated with umbrellas and sunbeds and the free section of the shoreline, where no rented beach furniture is offered. The two options can also be combined: you can spend time on the free part of the beach while using the nearby bar or restaurant for food, drinks or other refreshments.
Because access to the private entrance and facilities can be seasonal, it is worth checking current access arrangements before visiting outside the summer season. Some published information indicates that the resort and beach access have operated seasonally.
Activities
Swimming and spending time on the beach are the main activities at Portëz. Depending on the season, weather and available services, the surrounding Adriatic waters can also be suitable for recreational activities such as kayaking or canoeing. Visitors arriving by private or small boat can approach the beach from the sea.
For those interested in exploring beyond the water, the landscape of Bisht i Pallës also offers opportunities for walking and exploring the surrounding hills and coastline. Activities such as diving should be considered only where conditions and appropriate local services allow.
Facilities
Portëz has a beach bar and restaurant serving visitors in the area. The privately operated section of the beach provides umbrellas and sunbeds, while another section of the same shoreline remains free to use without rented beach furniture. Parking is available near the entrance and is paid separately.
What to bring
Because there is a bar and restaurant at Portëz, visitors do not need to bring large quantities of food or water for a normal beach visit. The essentials are a towel, swimwear, sunscreen and anything else you normally use for a day at the beach. If you plan to spend time on the free section, you may also want to bring your own umbrella or other beach equipment.