From Ottoman heritage Berat and Gjirokastra to Europe's Maldives Ksamil; a visa-free and economical holiday guide with your family.
Tirana, the heart of Albania, welcomes you with its modern buildings and large squares. In Skanderbeg Square, the symbol of the city, stands the Ethem Bey Mosque, the most important work surviving from the Ottoman period. This elegant mosque, saved from destruction during the communist era, arouses admiration with its pencil work decorations. You can watch the city by climbing the Clock Tower right next to it. Halal meat restaurants and pastry shops suitable for Turkish taste are available at every corner in Tirana.
Berat, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the favorite city of Turkish visitors with its architecture resembling Safranbolu houses. The whitewashed Ottoman houses lined up on both sides of the Osumi River earned it the title 'City of a Thousand Windows'. Life inside Berat Castle still continues; here you can visit old mosques (Red Mosque, White Mosque) and museums. Most restaurants in the city are family businesses and serve alcohol-free, traditional Albanian dishes.
Another UNESCO heritage, Gjirokastra (Ergiri in Ottoman), is fascinating with its houses and roofs made entirely of stone. Watching the view from the huge castle at the top of the city is breathtaking. This city, the subject of Ismail Kadare's novels, is also the birthplace of Enver Hoxha. You can find handmade souvenirs in its historical bazaar (around the Bazaar Mosque) and taste delicious pitas cooked in stone ovens.
Albania, which does not require a visa from Turkish citizens and is only 1.5 hours away by plane, is the most popular family holiday route of recent years. You will not feel like a stranger in these lands that remained under Ottoman rule for centuries. With cities echoing with adhan sounds, familiar tastes like 'Burek' and 'Elbasan Pan', and the cleanest beaches in Europe, Albania promises a satisfying trip both economically and spiritually. Get ready to explore this beautiful country with your family, where services are suitable for Islamic sensitivities, alcohol-free food options are plentiful, and the people have great love for Turks.
Known for its proximity to Tirana, Kruja is home to the castle of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg. However, what is really important for us is the 'Old Bazaar' on the road to the castle. This bazaar, lined with wooden shops, has survived intact for 500 years. Walking among shops selling silver craftsmanship, hand-woven carpets, and antiques is like traveling in time. Most of the shopkeepers in the bazaar speak Turkish and love Turks very much.
If you are going to Albania in the summer months, your route must definitely be Ksamil in the south. Known as 'Europe's Maldives', Ksamil fascinates with its snow-white beaches and crystal-clear turquoise sea. Moreover, it is much more economical than other holiday resorts in Europe. This region, where there are family-friendly apartment hotels and halal seafood restaurants, is ideal for those looking for a quiet and peaceful sea holiday. Watching the sunset with the view of Corfu Island opposite is priceless.
Albania is a perfect balance for families who want to have both a sea holiday and a cultural trip. You will find the modern face in Tirana, the historical texture in Berat, and the turquoise sea in Ksamil. Moreover, this brotherly country, where you can go immediately by taking your passport without visa trouble, will make you feel at home with its hospitality. You can review family-friendly hotels in Albania on HalalWorld.com.
