Albania
Last checked:
- Capital
- Tirana
- Currency
- ALL · Albanian lek
- Languages
- Albanian
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Berat · Berat
UNESCO 'town of a thousand windows' with Ottoman houses and a lived-in castle quarter.
- Gjirokaster · Gjirokaster
UNESCO stone-roofed Ottoman town below a huge hilltop castle.
- Butrint National Park · Near Saranda
Greek, Roman and Venetian ruins in a lagoon setting, near the Ksamil beaches.
- Albanian Riviera · Himara / Dhermi / Ksamil
Clear water and pebble beaches along the Ionian coast; very busy in July and August.
- Theth and Valbona · Albanian Alps
Remote mountain villages linked by a popular day hike over the Valbona Pass.
Getting around
Buses
Furgons and intercity buses
Minibuses and buses are the main way to travel between towns. Cheap, paid in cash to the driver or conductor. Many routes are now on Google Maps, but timetables change and departures can be cancelled; book southern summer routes early.
Public transport
Tirana city buses
About 40 lek per ride, paid in cash to the conductor on board. Routes are on Google Maps.
Taxi
Licensed taxis (e.g. Merr Taxi)
Metered taxis in Tirana; a ride across town is roughly 400-800 lek. Agree the fare first with unmetered taxis and never pay in advance.
Ride-hailing app
Speed Taxi / Patoko
Local taxi apps in Tirana. Uber and Bolt do not operate in Albania (varies; check before relying on them).
Car rental
Car rental
Useful for the Riviera and mountains, but driving is aggressive and road deaths are among the highest in Europe. Some contracts fine you 300-500 EUR for driving on unpaved roads; confirm allowed routes.
Ferries
Ferries
Saranda to Corfu (Greece) ferries run daily in season; the Komani Lake ferry is a scenic way to reach Valbona.
Money and cash
Currency: ALL · Albanian lek
Cash is still important: many small shops, cafes, beach bars and minibus drivers take lek only. Cards work in supermarkets, hotels and many city restaurants. Euros are widely accepted, but the rate used may be poor, so paying in lek is usually better. All ATMs charge fees (often 500-800 lek); decline the ATM's own currency conversion.
Tipping
Sources disagree. Wikivoyage says tipping is not a strong custom and rounding up is enough, while other guides say about 10% is expected in restaurants. In practice, in tourist areas and city restaurants, rounding up or leaving up to 10% is common and appreciated (varies).
| Restaurants | Round up or leave up to 10% for good service in restaurants used to tourists. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Leave small change or round up. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up the fare. |
| Hotels | A small tip for porters is appreciated but optional. |
| Tours and guides | Guides and drivers usually expect a tip of around 10% (varies). |
| Food delivery | Round up or tip a little in cash. |
Service charge: what’s true
Service charges are not commonly added in Albania (varies). If one appears, it should be listed on the bill; ask what it is for. Always ask for a receipt.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No well documented service-charge tricks. The bigger issue is restaurants without menus or prices that charge tourists inflated totals. Ask for a menu with prices before ordering and an itemised receipt at the end.
Useful phrases
- Llogarinë, ju lutem. The bill, please.
- Faleminderit. Thank you.
- Mbajeni kusurin. Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Hospitality is a big part of Albanian culture; accept coffee or raki when offered if you can, and treat hosts with respect.
- Traditionally many Albanians shake the head for yes and nod for no; younger people often use Western gestures, so confirm with words (varies).
- Dress modestly when visiting mosques and churches; remove shoes in mosques.
- Greet people with a handshake; close friends kiss on both cheeks.
- Do not light fires outdoors in summer; causing wildfires is a criminal offence.
- Bargaining is normal at markets, not in shops.
Scams and how to handle them
Restaurants without menus or prices
Where: Tourist towns and beach areas
How it works: Places that do not show prices charge tourists inflated totals.
How to avoid it: Only eat where you have seen prices, and ask for an itemised receipt.
Taxi overcharging
Where: Tirana airport, bus stations, Riviera towns
How it works: Unmetered taxis quote high fares to visitors.
How to avoid it: Use metered or app taxis, agree the price before getting in and never pay in advance.
Counterfeit or wrong change
Where: Taxis, small shops
How it works: Visitors receive fake notes or short change, sometimes in mixed euros and lek.
How to avoid it: Count change carefully and pay with smaller notes.
Dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and terminals
Where: ATMs and card machines
How it works: The ATM or terminal offers to charge in your home currency at a rate often 7% or more worse than the bank rate.
How to avoid it: Always choose to be charged in lek.
Car rental damage and road-type fines
Where: Rental agencies
How it works: Contracts include large penalties for unpaved roads or claim old damage.
How to avoid it: Read the contract, photograph the car before leaving and ask which roads are allowed.
Poor euro exchange rates
Where: Shops, beach bars, taxis
How it works: Prices are quoted in lek but paid in euros at a rate that favours the seller (varies).
How to avoid it: Ask for the lek price and pay in lek.
Safety
- Crime targeting foreigners is rare; watch for pickpockets in tourist areas, on public transport and at airports, especially at night in cities.
- Road safety is the main risk: driving is aggressive and rural roads are poorly lit. Avoid driving at night outside cities.
- Rented water-sports gear may not meet safety standards; use licensed centres.
- Stray dogs are common; seek medical help after any bite because rabies is a risk.
- Drug offences carry heavy prison sentences.
- Avoid political demonstrations, which have taken place near government buildings in Tirana.
How widely English is spoken
Understood in Tirana and busy tourist towns, especially by younger people. Italian is the most widely spoken foreign language, Greek is common in the south, and some older people speak Russian.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Albania, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Albania
- Wikivoyage: Tirana
- Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.