Why Albania is the Next Croatia (But Cheaper, Less Crowded, and Just as Stunning)

Hey fellow adventure families! If you loved Croatia five or ten years ago — before the cruise ships, the Instagram hordes, and the Dubrovnik prices that make you gasp — then you need to put Albania on your radar RIGHT NOW.

We just got back from 9 unforgettable days road-tripping the Albanian Riviera and the Albanian Alps with our kids, and I’m officially declaring it: Albania is the new Croatia. Crystal-clear water the color of Gatorade Glacier Freeze? Check. Dramatic mountains plunging into the sea? Check. Fresh seafood, kind locals, and prices that feel like you traveled back in time a decade? Triple check.

The best part? You’ll still get entire beaches almost to yourselves in peak summer, and a plate of byrek costs €1, and you can stay in beautiful boutique hotels for a fraction of what you’d pay in Hvar or Split.

Ready to fall in love? Here’s the exact 9-day itinerary we did with our kids — a perfect mix of beach lounging, light hiking, ancient ruins, and zero boredom meltdowns, and a lot of gelato.

Day 1–3: Tirana & Kickoff in Durrës

Base: Plaza Tirana Hotel (central, huge family suites, rooftop pool the kids adored)

• Fly into Tirana (TIA). Direct flights are popping up from all over Europe now and still crazy cheap.

• Spend your jet-lag day wandering colorful Tirana: Bunk’Art 2, the Pyramid, New Bazaar street food (try qofte and grilled corn).

• Lunch at Mullixhiu (slow-food heaven — book ahead).

• Day 2 drive 40 min to Durrës for first beach time. Rent sunbeds at Currila Beach, eat fried calamari at Restaurant Piazza, and let the kids build sandcastles while you sip €2 cocktails.

• Dinner at Pasta e Vino in Tirana — best carbonara outside Italy, kid-approved.

Day 3–6: The Albanian Riviera — Himarë & the Llogara Pass

Drive south (~3.5 hrs scenic coastal road) Base: Himara Premium Hotel or Scala Bungalows (sea-view family rooms, pools, 20 steps to the beach)

Highlights:

• Stop at Borsh Beach on the way down — 7 km of almost-empty white pebbles. Bring a picnic and snorkel gear.

• Drive the jaw-dropping Llogara Pass at sunset (safe, wide road, pullouts everywhere).

• Beach days in Himarë, Jale, or Gjipe (Gjipe requires a 30-min easy canyon walk — our kids thought it was the coolest “secret beach” ever).

• Kayak rental in Himarë to hidden coves (€25 for a 4-person kayak — total steal).

• Best dinner: Taverna to Stefa in Himarë (fresh fish caught that morning, the grilled octopus is legendary).

• Ice cream every night at Bar Restorant Guva Mangalem — Nutella crepes the size of a steering wheel.

Day 6–7: Ksamil & Butrint National Park (the “Albanian Maldives”)

Base: Hotel Luxury Ksamil or Villa August Ksamil (both walking distance to the islands)

• Ksamil’s turquoise water and little sandy islands you can swim to are pure magic with kids. Rent a pedal boat or just swim.

• Morning visit to Butrint UNESCO site (shady, stroller-friendly paths, ancient theater the kids pretended was their castle).

• Lunch at Guvat Mediterranean (beachfront, great mussels and kid pasta).

• Sunset at Mirror Beach (Pasqyra) — 10 min drive, almost no one there.

Day 7–9: Theth National Park — Albanian Alps

Drive north (~5–6 hrs, stop in Shkodra for lunch) Base: Guesthouse Gjinaj or Villa Gjecaj (traditional wooden houses, home-cooked dinners included, cows wandering the yard — kids lose their minds)

This is the adventure part!

• Day 8: Easy hike to Theth Waterfall and the Blue Eye of Theth (Syri i Kaltër). The Blue Eye pool is cold but insanely beautiful — brave kids jump in. Total walking 2–4 hrs depending on pace.

• Day 9: Morning at Grunas Canyon or just relax in the village, feed the donkeys, drink mountain tea on the porch. Drive back to Tirana (3.5 hrs) for late flight or extra night.

Quick Budget Reality Check (family of 4, summer 2025 prices)

• 9 nights boutique hotels/guesthouses: ~€900–1,200 total

• Midsize rental car 9 days: ~€300

• Meals (eating out every meal, generously): ~€600–700

• Total under €2,500 — try doing Croatia for that these days!

Final Verdict from a Dad Who’s Done Both

Albania has Croatia’s beauty, Greece’s food, Montenegro’s mountains — but without the crowds and with prices that make you feel like you hacked travel. The roads are way better than five years ago, everyone speaks at least some English, and Albanians adore children (expect free desserts everywhere).

Book it before the secret’s out. Promise your kids (and your wallet) will thank you.

Have you been to Albania with kids yet? Drop your favorite hidden spots below — we’re already planning round two! 🌊🏔️

Safe travels from Explore With Your Kids!

PS - Don't forget, we offer customized trip itineraries built to your specifications! Trip length, destination, budget, family size, and preferences are all taken into account when designing your trip. Hotels, restaurant recommendations, things to do, what not to miss, interesting food dishes in that area and much more are included in your personalized itinerary. Click here for more information.