Albania with kids

A 2-hour flight for that Asian feel

Our family nurtures a deep love for Asia. Last summer, when we were looking for a “budget-friendly” vacation destination where airfare per person would not exceed 300 euros (as we are saving for our world trip), we discovered Albania! It’s no wonder it’s referred to as ‘The Maldives of Europe.’ We scored plane tickets for only 250 euros per person, and thus began our planning for a tour of Albania with kids.

This blog was written by Imara.

Booking your own trip

When planning your trip to Albania, there are several ways to book your accommodation and activities. If you like to arrange everything yourself, you can go through Booking.com easily find accommodations that fit your needs. For unique excursions and tours, GetYourGuide is an excellent choice. Would you rather have everything arranged at once? Then TUI offers complete packages for a worry-free vacation. Also be sure to read our blog with the most child-friendly hotels in Albania.

Also fun: the relatively unknown and unspoiled Bosnia with children.

Albania with children - Europe's hidden treasure

♥ A look back in history
♥ Highlights of the Ottoman Empire
♥ But why do many people experience an Asian feeling in Albania?
♥ In search of secluded beaches
♥ Suspension bridges, rope ladders and rugged mountain peaks

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The history of Albania

Albania is steeped in history, and one of the most influential periods in the country’s history was its rule by the Ottoman Empire. In earlier times, Albania was inhabited by various tribes and peoples, including the Greeks and Romans. The Ottoman rule of Albania began in the late 14th century and continued until the early 20th century. The Ottoman Empire was then one of the world’s largest and most powerful empires. The Albanian people fiercely resisted Ottoman rule, led by a national hero of the time, Skanderbeg. Today in Albania, remnants of the Ottoman Empire can still be found in Albania, such as old bazaars, mosques, and historic buildings in this style.

Also visit the Alhambra with children in Spain.

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Highlights of the Ottoman Empire - Albania with children

Berat

Berat, often referred to as the “City of a Thousand Windows” or the “White City,” is one of the most picturesque and historic destinations in Albania. There are plenty of interesting sites to explore in Berat, and two days is typically enough to discover the city.

Berat Castle

We visited Berat Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress that towers majestically over the city, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy refreshments, and some restaurants are accessible by car, though parking is limited, so it’s best to arrive early. From the castle, you can overlook the Gorica Bridge, a famous landmark in Berat.

The two districts of Berat

Berat is divided into two districts, Gorica and Mangalem, both with whitewashed buildings and winding narrow streets. You can wander here for hours and enjoy this special environment.

The Osumi River

If you’re looking to relax, the Osumi River flows through Berat, offering beautiful spots to unwind and, weather permitting, swim.

Restaurant & hotel

For a tasty meal we visited Tradita e Beratit – Hotel & Restaurant. We stayed in a cozy B&B that we highly recommend: Amalia Boutique Hotel.

Gjirokaster

From Berat, it is only a three-hour drive to another town with strong Ottoman influences, Gjirokaster. Stroll through the charming streets, visit boutiques and admire the unique houses of Gjirokaster. Here you will find beautiful mosques and a market where the legendary “Wie is de Mol?” rug assignment once took place. At this market you can buy beautiful ceramics and textile products. But what makes this place really special is the breathtaking landscape, because Gjirokaster is surrounded by imposing mountain ranges with majestic peaks and an impressive castle with a bell tower high atop the hills.

Kruje

Welcome to medieval Kruje! This charming place immediately captivates visitors. Upon arrival at our hotel, we were struck by the atmospheric streets filled with Albanian souvenirs and carpets. During the Middle Ages, Kruje was the first capital of the Albanian state and is best known as the birthplace of the Albanian hero Skanderbeg. The Bazaar of Kruje is the main street, where vendors invite you to explore their traditional products, including slippers, carpets, jewelry, hand-woven fabrics, wooden spoons, and serving boards. If you’re on the lookout for wonderful souvenirs during your tour of Albania with children, this is the place to be!

In our opinion, these three places are the most fascinating to visit if you are interested in Ottoman history and like to discover cities with unique architecture and handmade souvenirs.
Although not immediately reminiscent of Asia, these cities are truly unique, and we have never admired such architectural styles before.

But why do many people experience an Asian feeling in Albania? - Albania with children

You may have already seen it on social media: the beaches in Albania are often compared to the “Maldives of Europe.
Especially the beaches around Ksamil are beautiful, but it takes some effort to find these hidden gems, as reality often differs from what is shown on social media.
Ksamil, located on the coast, is a busy seaside resort in Albania, especially during the summer months it can be very crowded.
When we arrived, we were surprised at how busy and chaotic Ksamil is.
However, it can be quieter off-season.

The most beautiful beaches in Albania with children

If you really want to enjoy Albania’s beautiful beaches with children, we recommend renting a boat and sailing to the uninhabited islets.
These islands are a stone’s throw from the coast and offer that “bounty feeling” you’re looking for.
The water is crystal clear and the pebble beaches have a light color.

Many hotels, restaurants and bars/beach bars in Ksamil mimicked the Maldivian atmosphere.
However, the crowds and chaotic nature of the place created a different experience for us.
We almost forgot about the beautiful beaches and mostly saw chaos and partying.

So where do you find those gorgeous beaches?

Pema e Thatë

Pema e Thatë is a beach club with a beautiful beach.
You can spend all day here, as there are excellent restaurants, comfortable loungers (some even above the water), and you can even take a boat to a floating restaurant.
It’s a great place to relax, especially with children, and the crowds here are more manageable than in downtown Ksamil.

Himare

From Himare you can take several boat trips to explore beautiful beaches.
Gjipe Beach is highly regarded on the Internet, but we found it somewhat disappointing.
However, there is a much nicer beach called Pigeon Beach, near the Pigeon Cave.
The beaches here are beautifully white and the sea water is crystal clear.
It is also safe for young children because the seabed slopes gradually.

Suspension bridges, rope ladders and rugged mountain peaks - Albania with children

If you really want to experience that Asian feel, the beaches may not be worth it.
We have been to the Maldives before and found Albania not comparable to that.
However, what does resemble Asia, especially Southeast Asia, is the area around Lake Koman.
This is a unique landscape and a wonderful region for an affordable vacation, where you feel like an explorer in pristine nature, with suspension bridges, rope ladders and majestic mountain ranges.
Welcome to that “Asian” feeling, but in the Balkans!

This place should definitely not be missed during your tour of Albania with children.
It is somewhat reminiscent of the beautiful Cheow Lan Lake in Thailand.

Lumi I Shales

A paradise accessible only by boat, Lumi I Shales has not yet been discovered by mass tourism and is therefore an absolute must for families with (young) children.
First some more information about Lumi I Shales, also known as the Shala River.
Most tourists take a boat trip from Koman to Fierze and get in the car there to drive to Valbone.
This boat ride takes you from Lake Koman to Fierze in 2.5 hours.
However, we opted only for Lumi I Shales and did not get on the big ferry but on a longtail boat.

The longtail boat will take you in 1.5 hours through the beautiful nature to the Shala River, where you can enjoy this beautiful environment for several days.
Here children can throw pebbles in the river, cool off and take several walks.

Theth

Theth is a mountain village where tourists go mainly for hiking and camping.
It is a popular destination because of the hiking trail between Valbona and Theth.
Traditional life continues, however, so you will encounter sheep, horses and pigs along the way and in the village, while locals continue to work the land.
A tough hike to the Blue Eye of Theth is worthwhile, but keep in mind that young children must be carried on some stretches.
However, the hike is beautiful and offers varied scenery, with challenging climbs, bridges and waterfalls.

Even more Albania with children

Located in southeastern Europe, Albania is an enchanting country that shines with its natural splendor and historical heritage.
With an area of about 28,700 square kilometers, Albania may be compact, but it offers a wealth of beauty to explore.
It is surrounded by Montenegro, Kosovo, northern Macedonia and Greece, and has a breathtaking coastline on the Ionian and Adriatic seas.

Here you can find and book the most child-friendly hotels in Albania.

About Imara

Hi Globedrivers here,

An adventurous family that enjoys other cultures and environments.
We are Thijs and Imara and together with our ‘GlobeDaughters’ Nora Lynn and Juliëtte, we want to inspire others to keep discovering the world even after having children.
We are a family that, because of the children, stand beside the bed at the first morning sun and then immediately set off with energy for ten, because we want to go on an adventure!

We are currently looking at opportunities to live abroad as a family for an extended period of time.
Spending time as a family is very precious to us and this experience seems unforgettable, also for our daughters.

Follow Globedochters on Instagram: @globedochters and read all their adventures at www.globedochters.nl