Upon arriving at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, your family will be whisked away to the heart of the capital to begin your Albanian adventure. Start with a gentle stroll through the vast Skanderbeg Square, where children can enjoy the open space while adults admire the intricate frescoes of the Et'hem Bey Mosque.
After lunch, delve into Albania's complex past at the National History Museum, which is easily identified by its massive mosaic facade representing the nation's strength and history. Continue your walk into the vibrant Blloku neighborhood, once an exclusive area forbidden to citizens, now transformed into a trendy district perfect for a relaxed coffee while the kids enjoy the street art and lively atmosphere.
As the sun begins to set, climb the newly renovated steps of the Pyramid of Tirana for a stunning panoramic view of the city lights that will fascinate both kids and adults. Afterward, enjoy a traditional family dinner at Oda, where you can savor local delicacies in a cozy courtyard before ending the night with a peaceful stroll through the Grand Park of Tirana near the Artificial Lake.
Your morning begins with an immersive journey into the past at Bunk'Art 1, a massive Cold War bunker where your family can explore underground corridors and historical exhibits. After discovering the secrets of this atomic shelter, travel to the nearby Dajti Ekspres station to board the longest cable car ride in the Balkans for a scenic ascent.
Spend your afternoon wandering through the pine-scented trails of Dajti Mountain National Park, where the children can burn off energy at the Dajti Adventure Park while adults enjoy the cooler mountain air. Afterward, gather the whole family for a relaxed lunch at the Panorama Restaurant, which offers spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea in the distance on clear days.
Wrap up your mountain descent by heading to the vibrant Pazari i Ri, where the family can explore the colorful market stalls and enjoy the lively evening atmosphere. Settle in for a feast of grilled delicacies at Zgara Tironës before taking a short, peaceful walk to see the historic Tanners' Bridge beautifully lit up against the night sky.
After a scenic morning drive from Tirana, your family will enter the ancient gates of the Berat Castle, a living fortress where residents still reside amidst medieval ruins. Explore the cobblestone alleys together to find the Onufri Iconographic Museum, housed inside the Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary, where children will be mesmerized by the vibrant "Onufri Red" colors of the centuries-old artworks.
Descend from the fortress to wander through the narrow, stone-paved streets of the Mangalem Quarter, stopping to admire the intricate architecture of the Lead Mosque and the King Mosque. Afterward, the whole family can walk across the iconic Gorica Bridge to the Gorica Quarter, where the kids can watch the Osum River flow beneath them while the adults take in the classic view of the town's famous tiered windows from the opposite bank.
Join the locals for a relaxing 'xhiro' along the vibrant Bulevardi Republika, a wide pedestrian promenade where the children can run safely while the adults soak in the town's lively evening atmosphere. Afterward, pause to admire the historical exterior frescoes of the Bachelor's Mosque as they are illuminated at night. Conclude your day with a traditional family feast at Restaurant Antigoni, where the terrace seating offers a breathtaking view of the glowing hillside as the city's windows begin to sparkle.
Start your morning at the imposing Gjirokastër Castle, where the family can explore ancient ramparts and see the captured US Air Force T33 plane overlooking the valley. After wandering through the vaulted galleries of the Gjirokastër Museum, walk down into the heart of the Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër), where the distinctive grey-stone roofs and steep cobblestone streets demonstrate why this is known as the 'Stone City'.
Spend your afternoon exploring the beautifully preserved Skenduli House, where the family can marvel at the original Ottoman interiors and fortified stone walls that have stood for centuries. Afterward, take a fascinating subterranean tour of the Cold War Tunnel, a massive underground bunker built beneath the castle that offers a unique and slightly mysterious experience for both the children and adults.
As dusk settles over the valley, take a short walk to see the impressive masonry of Ali Pasha's Bridge as it glows in the golden hour light. Conclude your day with a traditional family dinner at Restaurant Kujtimi to try the savory local qifqi, then enjoy a peaceful stroll through the lantern-lit Cerciz Topulli Square to soak in the evening mountain air.
Your journey south continues with a breathtaking drive over the Muzinë Pass, offering the family wide vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges and valley below. The highlight of the morning is a visit to The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), where children and adults alike will be mesmerized by the hypnotic, deep sapphire waters of this natural spring bubbling up from a depth of over fifty meters in a lush forest setting.
After leaving the crystalline springs, head towards the coast to explore the hilltop Lëkurësi Castle, where the family can wander through ancient stone ruins while enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view of the Ionian Sea and the nearby island of Corfu. Following this, descend into the heart of the city for a refreshing stroll along the Sarandë Promenade, allowing the children to enjoy the coastal breeze as you watch the colorful boats bobbing in the Sarandë Harbor.
As evening falls, discover the layers of history nestled within the modern city at the Sarandë Synagogue Complex, where the family can explore the 5th-century foundations of this unique archaeological site under the soft twilight. Afterward, enjoy a final Mediterranean feast at Mare Nostrum for locally caught seafood before taking a quiet stroll through the illuminated Friendship Park. End your night with a relaxing walk toward the Limani area, letting the children watch the lights dance on the water one last time before bed.
Start your morning with a short drive to the Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where history and nature intertwine beneath a canopy of lush trees. Wander through the atmospheric Roman Theater and let the children discover the hidden carvings at the Lion Gate before marveling at the towering remains of the Great Basilica.
After exploring the ruins, head to the crystal-clear shores of Ksamil Beach for a leisurely lunch overlooking the turquoise Ionian Sea. Take a short boat ride to the secluded Ksamil Islands to explore their hidden sandy coves or let the children swim in the shallow, pristine waters while the adults relax under the warm Mediterranean sun.
As the sun sets, head up to the hillside ruins of the Forty Saints Monastery to witness the entire bay glowing in golden hues, providing a perfect historical backdrop for family photos. Combine history with a final Sarandë feast at Haxhi, a restaurant celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere and mountain-sized seafood platters, before savoring a sweet treat from Gelateria Pasticceria Beini while sitting by the moonlit harbor.
Begin your final day with a breathtaking drive along the Albanian Riviera, stopping to explore the triangular Porto Palermo Castle as the morning sun glints off the turquoise bay. Afterward, ascend the winding mountain roads to the Llogara Pass within Llogara National Park, where the family can enjoy a local breakfast of honey and yogurt while taking in spectacular views of the coastline from over a thousand meters above sea level.
After descending the mountains, stop in the seaside city of Vlorë to stroll along the vibrant Lungomare, where children can enjoy the seaside playgrounds while adults capture final views of the Adriatic. Visit the historic Independence Square to see the monumental Independence Monument before completing the scenic drive through the rolling hills of central Albania to arrive back in the bustling capital of Tirana.
Spend your final evening wandering down the elegant Pedonale (Shëtitorja Murat Toptani), where the family can admire the glowing Reja - The Cloud installation and the historic ruins of the Tirana Castle. Conclude your cultural journey with a festive farewell feast at Era Blloku, sharing stories of your trip over traditional dishes before a final peaceful glance at the city from the Mother Teresa Square.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Skanderbeg Square | Free |
| Et'hem Bey Mosque | Free |
| National History Museum | €5 |
| Blloku neighborhood | Free |
| Pyramid of Tirana | Free |
| Dinner at Oda | €15 |
| Grand Park of Tirana | Free |
| Artificial Lake | Free |
| Bunk'Art 1 | €9 |
| Dajti Ekspres Cable Car | €15 |
| Dajti Mountain National Park | Free |
| Dajti Adventure Park | €11 |
| Lunch at Panorama Restaurant | €20 |
| Pazari i Ri | Free |
| Dinner at Zgara Tironës | €12 |
| Tanners' Bridge | Free |
| Berat Castle | €3 |
| Onufri Iconographic Museum | €4 |
| Mangalem Quarter | Free |
| Lead Mosque | Free |
| King Mosque | Free |
| Gorica Bridge | Free |
| Gorica Quarter | Free |
| Bulevardi Republika | Free |
| Bachelor's Mosque | Free |
| Dinner at Restaurant Antigoni | €18 |
| Gjirokastër Castle | €4 |
| Gjirokastër Museum | €2 |
| Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër) | Free |
| Skenduli House | €3 |
| Cold War Tunnel | €2 |
| Ali Pasha's Bridge | Free |
| Dinner at Restaurant Kujtimi | €15 |
| Cerciz Topulli Square | Free |
| Muzinë Pass | Free |
| The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) | €1 |
| Lëkurësi Castle | Free |
| Sarandë Promenade | Free |
| Sarandë Harbor | Free |
| Sarandë Synagogue Complex | Free |
| Dinner at Mare Nostrum | €25 |
| Friendship Park | Free |
| Limani Area | Free |
| Butrint National Park | €10 |
| Ksamil Beach | Free |
| Ksamil Islands Boat Trip | €10 |
| Forty Saints Monastery | Free |
| Dinner at Haxhi | €20 |
| Gelateria Pasticceria Beini | €3 |
| Porto Palermo Castle | €3 |
| Llogara Pass | Free |
| Llogara National Park | Free |
| Lungomare Vlore | Free |
| Independence Square | Free |
| Independence Monument | Free |
| Pedonale (Shëtitorja Murat Toptani) | Free |
| Reja - The Cloud | Free |
| Tirana Castle | Free |
| Dinner at Era Blloku | €18 |
| Mother Teresa Square | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €228 |