What are the prices in Albania for goods and services for tourists in 2023? This is one of the first and most important questions for any traveler. It forms the basis for planning a travel budget. In this article, I will tell you about the prices for everything that can be useful to an average tourist.
Prices in Albania: general information
First, I recommend reading an article about the currency of Albania. There you will learn not only that the country’s currency is the Albanian lek but also what can be paid for in euros, where it is better to exchange currency, and where cards are accepted for payment in Albania.
I want to dispel one stereotype:
The film industry and Albania’s ranking as one of the poorest countries in Europe have created the stereotype that Albania is a very cheap country where you can vacation like a king for $5. In reality, it cannot be said that a vacation in Albania is cheap. Yes, it is affordable, but it’s not all for a few pennies.
If we evaluate the overall price level, here are the conclusions I can draw:
- Food prices are about the same as in stores in Germany or Spain, perhaps slightly cheaper.
- Eating in restaurants is slightly cheaper, but not significantly.
- Car rental prices are quite budget-friendly, but gasoline prices are sky-high, like in other European countries.
- Accommodation, especially on the waterfront, especially during the high season, is also not €5 per day, but much more expensive.
- Fresh fish, despite being a coastal country, costs the same as in Italy or Spain.
Well, you understand that it’s not an expensive Barcelona or astronomically priced Switzerland, but it’s also not Southeast Asia where $5 is a lot of money. Many prices are comparable to ours, some things are more expensive, some things are cheaper.
Prices in Albania for:
And now let’s move on to the prices themselves. It is also important to understand that the prices I will be mentioning are for tourists who come here on vacation. If you come here to live for a couple of months, many expenses will be much cheaper. But this article is specifically for travelers.
For your convenience, I will provide all prices not only in Albanian lek but also in euros. You can always check the current exchange rate in the header of this guide.
Cost of groceries
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Milk, 1.5l | 150 | 1,25 |
| Ayran, 0,5l | 40 | 0,35 |
| Eggs, 10 pcs | 190 | 1,6 |
| Package of biscuits for tea, 280gr | 150 | 1,25 |
| Chicken sausages, 600gr | 280 | 2,35 |
| Brine cheeses (feta, branza), kg | 1000 | 8 |
| Philadelphia cheese, 150gr | 180 | 1,5 |
| Mountain tea, pack | 230 | 1,9 |
| Turkish coffee, pack | 130 | 1,1 |
| Pasta, spaghetti, pack | 120 | 1 |
| Rice, bulgur, chickpeas, pack | 100 | 0,8 |
| Water, 5l | 80 | 0,7 |
| Canned olives, 300gr | 100 | 0,8 |
| Canned peas, 300gr | 140 | 1,2 |
| Canned beans, 300gr | 100 | 0,8 |
| Greek yogurt with cucumber tzatziki, kg | 250 | 2,1 |
| Lays, small pack | 100 | 0,8 |
| Snickers bar, each | 110 | 0,9 |
| Toast bread | 100 | 0,8 |
| Frozen chicken, 1kg | 400 | 3,4 |
| Pork, 1kg | 500 | 4,2 |
| Beef, 1kg | 600 | 5 |
| Fresh fish, kg (price depends on size and type) | 700-100 | 6-8 |
Read all about Albanian stores in this article.
Prices for fruits and vegetables
The price heavily depends on the season. The prices in this article are for August-October when the harvest is gathered. In spring, most vegetables will be more expensive.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Tomatoes | 100 | 0,8 |
| Cucumbers | 100 | 0,8 |
| Potato | 50 | 0,4 |
| Bell peppers | 150 | 1,25 |
| Eggplant | 150 | 1,25 |
| Cabbage | 60 | 0,5 |
| Chestnuts | 400 | 3,4 |
| Apples | 100 | 0,8 |
| Pomegranate | 120 | 1 |
| Persimmons | 80 | 0,65 |
| Pears | 200 | 1,7 |
| Lemons | 100 | 0,8 |
Alcohol beverages and Cigarette Prices
Useful to know:
Albania is a heavily smoking country. Many people smoke here, and there are almost no restrictions on smoking in public places.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Cigarettes, average price per pack | 250 | 2,1 |
| Local beer, 0,5 | 80 | 0,65 |
| Imported beer, 0,5 | 140 | 1,2 |
| Rakia, 0,5 | 400 | 3,4 |
| Skanderbeg brandy, 0,5 | 500 | 4,2 |
| Greek Malamatina wine, 0,5 | 450 | 3,75 |
| Local wine, bottle | 700 | 6 |
| Vranac wine, bottle | 800 | 6,7 |
| Fernet liqueur, bottle | 1000 | 8 |
Read all about spirits and wines in Albania here.
Prices in Albania in Cafes, Restaurants, and Taverns
The table below represents the average prices you will find in most eateries in the country. As you understand, you can find both cheaper and much more expensive options.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Salad, can be shared by two people. Large portion | 300 | 2,5 |
| Traditional hot dishes | 400-600 | 3,4-5 |
| Beer, 0,5 | 200 | 1,7 |
| Pasta | 600 | 5 |
| Soup of the day | 250 | 2,1 |
| Large pizza | 600 | 5 |
| Seafood (grilled octopus, shrimp, calamari) | around 1000 | 8 |
Useful to know:
The average bill for one person in a restaurant in any city in Albania: main course, salad + glass of wine or beer + tip amounts to around 1000-1200 lek or 8-10 euros. Our usual dinner for two: one salad, two main courses, bread and tzatziki for bread, two beers – 2000 lek. Approximately 16 euro
- Read all about dining in Albania here. There is a lot of useful information about tips, portion sizes, waiting time for orders, and more.
Prices for Accommodation (Hotels, Apartments)
The prices in the table below are specifically for tourists who rent accommodation for a short period. For expats and other travelers looking for accommodation for a month or longer, the prices are quite different.
Interesting to know:
Those who still believe that Albania is a very cheap country will be surprised. Yes, it is affordable, but not everything is free here.
| Item | Euro |
| Hotels and apartments on the waterfront with sea view, for two, per day | from 30-50 |
| 4-star hotels | from 50 |
| Hostels per bed | from 10 |
| Guesthouses in the mountains with breakfast, for two | from 30 |
| Apartments in resorts with a kitchen, not on the waterfront | from 20 |
Prices for Rental Cars, Gasoline, and Parking
A very detailed article about car rental in Albania can be found at the link. In short, Albania is an ideal country for car rental: it is safe, there are no idiots like ours, and the traffic intensity is low (except in Tirana). Public transportation will not take you far in Albania; the bus network is almost non-existent.
| Item | Euro |
| Economy class in low season, per day | 15-20 |
| Economy class in high season, per day | 30-45 |
| The country’s roads are all toll-free and of good quality | |
| Gasoline 95, per liter | 1,76 |
| Parking is only paid in the center of major cities. It costs 50-100 lek per hour, depending on the zone | 0,4-0,8 |
In general, car rental is affordable, and all energy sources in Albania are very expensive. However, the distances traveled are not long here. So, if you don’t rent a huge SUV with high fuel consumption, you won’t spend much on gasoline. The roads are good everywhere, and parking is free in 90% of cases. But in any case, it is preferable to find accommodation with parking space.
Useful to know:
Renting an economy-class car for 14 days in Albania will cost around 250 euros + about 70 euros for gasoline. This is a reasonable price to fully explore the entire country. It is two to three times cheaper than renting a car in Croatia, for example.
Taxi and Public Transportation Prices
Below is not a comprehensive list of public transportation prices, but it should give you an idea.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| City bus fare in Tirana | 40 | 0,35 |
| Taxi fare in Tirana, per kilometer | 100 | 0,8 |
| Tirana – Airport taxi fare | 2000 | 16 |
| Tirana – Shkodra bus fare | 400 | 3,4 |
| Tirana – Saranda bus fare | 800 | 7 |
| Airport shuttle – Vlora or Durres | 1000 | 8 |
| Shkodra – Theth transfer | 1200 | 10 |
| Shkodra – Koman Lake transfer | 800 | 7 |
- Read detailed articles about taxis, transfers, and public transportation in Albania through the provided links.
Excursion and Tour Prices in Albania
There is a wide selection of excursions in Albania, and everyone can find an interesting tour. Most excursions are conducted in English, and Italian is also often available.
| Item | Duration | Евро |
| From Tirana to Berat | Full day | 80 |
| From Tirana to Komani Lake + Ferry | Full day | 150 |
| Walking sightseeing tour of Tirana | 3 hours | 40 |
| Vlora, Saranda, Butrint, Blue Eye, Gjirokaster round trip | Full day | 160 |
| Excursion from Berat to Osumi Canyon and Bogove Waterfal | Full day | 65 |
| Wine tour from Berat to a private winery | 4 hours | 45 |
For a full list of excursions in Albania, including prices and where to find them, read the overview article: All about excursions. You will also find information about extreme activities in the country.
Prices for Entrance Tickets to Attractions
Below is an incomplete list; you can find the full list in the article about all attractions in Albania.
Table provides a better understanding of the price range for cultural activities during your trip to Albania.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Tirana Cable Car | 1000 | 8 |
| Enver Hoxha Bunker | 500 | 4,2 |
| Shkodra Castle | 400 | 3,4 |
| Himara Fortress | 350 | 3 |
| Berat Castle | 300 | 2,5 |
| Ancient City of Butrint | 1000 | 8 |
In reality, the majority of attractions in the country are free. For example, all waterfalls, canyons, and hot springs. The paid attractions are usually man-made.
Prices for Souvenirs from Albania
For a full list of gifts that tourists bring from Albania, refer to the article through the provided link.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Magnets | 100-200 | 0,8-1,6 |
| Cups | 360 | 3 |
| Gift bottle of Skanderbeg | 500 | 4 |
| Fernet liqueur | 1000 | 8 |
| Mountain Albanian Mali Tea | 230 | 1,9 |
| Hand-knitted woolen items: socks, hats, sweaters | from 500 | from 4 |
Airfare Prices to Albania
- In short, it is possible to purchase round-trip tickets from major European airports to Tirana for approximately 100-300 euros per person.
Important to know:
For information on how and where to purchase tickets to Tirana with short layovers and convenient arrival times, refer to the article through the provided link.
In conclusion, you now have a good understanding of the main aspects of prices in Albania for various goods and services for tourists. You can now estimate your travel budget. While it may not be as cheap as the stereotype suggests, your vacation will still be relatively inexpensive. If you exclude accommodation and excursions, many prices are comparable to or even cheaper than what we have at home.
Wishing you reasonable purchases at reasonable prices!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania
- Flights at the best prices with juicy discounts
- Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
- DiscoverCars – a major international resource
- LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.
- Hotels and apartments throughout the country: Booking
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- eSIM virtual sim card in Albania
- Taxi and transfers: Intui.Travel