Albania is where Illyrian roots, Ottoman legacies, and Mediterranean light meet. From Tirana’s lively markets and thoughtful museums to UNESCO-listed ruins and castles, the country rewards families who like a mix of culture and coastline. It’s compact enough to cover highlights in a week, yet packed with new discoveries each day.

Fun fact: Albania has some of Europe’s clearest water—especially around Ksamil near Saranda. Inland, you’ll find storybook mountain scenery, and in Kruja, the stronghold of national hero Skanderbeg. For foodies, slow-cooked tavë kosi, charcoal-grilled lamb, and flaky byrek are musts—washed down with mountain tea or a tangy glass of dhallë (yogurt drink).

Practical notes: The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL); cards are accepted in cities but carry cash for markets. Roads are improving, but allow buffer time for intercity travel. Spring through early fall is beach-perfect; July–August are warmest. This plan keeps costs mid-range, adds kid-friendly pacing, and prioritizes top photography spots.

Tirana

Tirana is Albania’s colorful, creative capital—murals splashed across buildings, leafy boulevards, and a central square anchored by the Et’hem Bej Mosque and National History Museum. The New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri) is a family favorite for fruit, olives, honey, and a relaxed lunch. Museums like BUNK’ART 2 and the House of Leaves add context to 20th‑century history in an accessible way.

Top sights include Skanderbeg Square, the Clock Tower, BUNK’ART 2, the House of Leaves, and a cable-car ride up Mount Dajti for sweeping city views. Cafés are a way of life here; you’ll never be far from good espresso and gelato.

• Where to stay (mid-range to family-friendly): The Plaza Tirana (modern rooms, central, spa) — Check availability; Rogner Hotel Tirana (pool, garden, kid-friendly) — Check availability; Hotel Vila e Arte City Center (solid value, walkable) — Check availability.
• Browse more stays: VRBO in Tirana | Hotels.com in Tirana
• How to get here: Fly into Tirana International Airport (TIA). Compare flights on Omio (Europe flights), Trip.com (global flights), or Kiwi.com. Taxi or rideshare into the center takes ~30–40 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive in Tirana, Markets and Music

Morning: In transit to Albania.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel and stretch your legs with a gentle loop around Skanderbeg Square. Pop into the Et’hem Bej Mosque to admire its nature-inspired frescoes (modest attire appreciated). Wander over to Pazari i Ri for fresh pomegranate juice and a shared meze plate at a casual grill; kids love choosing fruit and honey at the market stalls.

Evening: Kick off the trip with the Albanian Night Show: Traditional Music, Dance & Dinner in Tirana.

Expect colorful costumes, lively dances, and—if you opt for it—a family-friendly tasting menu of local classics. If you prefer a quieter dinner, try Oda (home-style Albanian stews, rustic setting) or Era Vila (beloved for byrek and oven bakes); grab gelato afterward on pedestrian Myslym Shyri.

Day 2: Museums, Street Food, and Mount Dajti Views

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Mulliri i Vjetër or Mon Cheri. Visit BUNK’ART 2 (WWII and communist-era bunker turned museum; exhibits are digestible with teens) or the House of Leaves (former surveillance HQ—thoughtful, well-curated). Break time at the Grand Park’s artificial lake—there’s room to run and play.

Afternoon: Join the Local food experience & walking tour of Tirana to taste byrek, qofte, seasonal cheeses, and sweets while hearing the stories behind them.

It’s a great way for kids to try new flavors in small bites. Alternatively, families who love hands-on cooking can book the Cooking Classes and Traditional food tasting in Tirana for an apron-on afternoon.

Evening: Ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car for sunset over the city; dine at a mountainside restaurant (try grilled trout or fërgesë). Back in town, stop at Komiteti—Kafe Muzeum for a museum-like display of vintage Albanian objects and a cozy tea or mocktail.

Day 3: Day Trip to Kruja—Castles, Crafts, and Mountain Vistas

Head north to Albania’s most storied hill town. The Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik tour is a family-friendly classic, pairing the medieval fortress and Skanderbeg Museum with the cobbled bazaar—great for copperware, woodcarvings, and qeleshe (felt caps).

Lunch on fresh-baked bread, mountain cheese, and grilled lamb at a local tavern, then enjoy the panoramic viewpoint at Sari Salltik if time allows.

Evening back in Tirana: Try Artigiano for wood-fired pizzas and salads, or Mullixhiu for a modern, ingredient-driven Albanian tasting menu that still feels casual. Stroll Blloku’s pedestrian lanes for dessert crêpes before an early night—tomorrow, the Ionian coast awaits.

Saranda (for Ksamil & Butrint)

Saranda is the sunny gateway to Albania’s southern Riviera, set on a crescent bay facing Corfu. It’s a perfect base for families: calm promenades, boat trips, and a short hop to the white-sand coves of Ksamil. Photographers love the golden-hour view from Lëkurësi Castle—sea, islands, and olive groves stretched below.

Nearby highlights include UNESCO-listed Butrint National Park (Greek, Roman, Byzantine layers wrapped in wetlands and forest), the Blue Eye spring (an otherworldly turquoise pool), and the beaches of Ksamil and Mirror Beach. Seafood is abundant—think grilled octopus, mussels, and daily catch served simply with lemon and olive oil.

• Where to stay: Family-friendly hotels and apartments line the waterfront. Search options on VRBO in Saranda or Hotels.com in Saranda. Look for family rooms, kitchenettes, and parking if you self-drive.
• Getting there from Tirana (Day 4 morning): Buses/minibuses take ~5.5–6 hours (about €15–20 per person). Compare and book on Omio (Europe buses). Driving the SH4/SH8 via the coast takes ~4.5–5 hours with scenic stops.

Day 4: Transfer to the Coast, Saranda Promenade and Castle Sunset

Morning: Depart Tirana for Saranda. Pack snacks, a refillable water bottle, and motion-sickness tablets if needed—the coastal stretch is curvy but gorgeous.

Afternoon: Check in and take a gentle swim at the town beach or along the promenade. Easy lunch picks: fast, flaky byrek; seafood risotto at a waterfront taverna; or a gyros wrap for the kids. For coffee and sweets, try a seafront pasticeri with pistachio baklava and gelato.

Evening: Drive or taxi to Lëkurësi Castle for a golden-hour lookout and casual dinner (grilled sea bream, Greek salad, fries for the little ones). It’s one of the best photography spots on the Riviera—bring a light jacket if there’s a breeze.

Day 5: Butrint, Ksamil Beaches, and the Blue Eye (Full-Day)

Make today your all-in-one southern Albania classic: the Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

Wander ancient ruins ringed by water, splash on sandy Ksamil coves with shallow entry (ideal for kids), then cool off at the Blue Eye spring—so vivid it looks unreal. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes; many coves have pebbly patches. Dinner back in Saranda at Haxhi (seafood, family-owned) or Mare Nostrum (Mediterranean plates, sea view).

Day 6: Easy Beach Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: One more swim—try Mirror Beach for clear, photogenic water, or return to Ksamil for a favorite cove. Brunch on spinach-byrek, yogurt with local honey, and fresh figs when in season.

Afternoon (Departure options): If you’re flying home from Tirana, buses/minibuses back take ~5.5–6 hours—search on Omio (buses). A quicker alternative is the ferry to Corfu (Greece) from Saranda: ~30–70 minutes depending on the vessel; bookable via Omio (ferries), then connect to flights via Omio or Trip.com. Leave buffer time for border formalities.

Family-Friendly Eats You’ll Love (Tirana & Saranda)

• Tirana breakfasts: Mulliri i Vjetër (espresso, pastries), E Jona (omelets, fresh juice), Mon Cheri (smoothies, croissants).
• Tirana lunches: Pazari i Ri grills (grilled veggies, qofte), Era Vila (byrek, fërgesë), Artigiano (pasta, pizza, salads).
• Tirana dinners: Oda (traditional stews), Mullixhiu (seasonal tasting menu with local grains), Salt (modern Mediterranean—good for teens who like variety).
• Saranda lunches: Simple seafront tavernas for grilled sardines and Greek salad; gyros/soouvlaki stands for a fast bite between swims.
• Saranda dinners: Haxhi (seafood risotto, octopus), Taverna Labëria (meat grills, village salad), Mare Nostrum (Mediterranean classics, sea view). Dessert: baklava, kadaif, or gelato on the promenade.

Getting Around & Budget Notes

• Transport: Within cities, walk or taxi. For intercity travel, use Omio to compare buses; driving offers flexibility on the Riviera (watch for curves and occasional goats!).
• Costs (mid-range, family of 4): Meals €30–60/day (self-serve breakfasts + tavern lunches + sit-down dinners), museum entries €2–6 pp, day tour €35–80 pp depending on inclusions, Tirana↔Saranda bus €60–80 total. Beach days are pleasantly low-cost.
• What to pack: Sun hats, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, light scarf for mosque visits, and a small first-aid kit. A compact dry bag is handy on boat or beach days.

Optional Add-Ons (time permitting): Hike to Bovilla Lake viewpoints near Tirana on the Bovilla/Gamti Mountain hike for emerald-lake photos, or swap a Saranda beach hour for Gjirokastër’s stone-roofed old town on a guided excursion.

In six days you’ll taste Tirana’s creative energy, trace heroes and empires in Kruja and Butrint, and unwind on Ksamil’s family-friendly beaches. Albania is easygoing, affordable, and photogenic—exactly the blend that turns a good vacation into a favorite family memory.