What Are the Prices in Albania for Goods and Services for Tourists in 2025?
This is one of the first and most important questions every traveler asks — because it’s based on these numbers that the entire travel budget is calculated. In this article, I will give you a detailed breakdown of prices for everything that might be useful for an average tourist.
Prices in Albania: General Overview
First, I recommend reading the article about Albanian currency. There, you’ll learn not only that the national currency is the Albanian lek, but also what you can pay for in euros, where it’s better to exchange currency, and where cards are accepted in Albania.
Let me dispel one myth:
Movies and Albania’s frequent inclusion in lists of Europe’s poorest countries have created a stereotype that Albania is an extremely cheap destination where one can live like a king for just €5 a day. However, this is far from the truth. While Albania is indeed affordable, it is not dirt cheap.
To give you a clearer picture of the price levels, here are my key takeaways:
- Grocery prices are similar to those in Warsaw.
- Eating out in restaurants is slightly cheaper than in many other countries, but not by much.
- Car rental prices are quite low, but fuel prices are sky-high—comparable to the rest of Europe.
- Accommodation, especially on the beachfront during peak season, is far from the €5-a-night range—it is significantly more expensive.
- Fresh fish, despite Albania being a coastal country, costs as much as in Italy or Spain.
So, while it’s not as expensive as Barcelona or Switzerland, it’s also not Southeast Asia, where $5 is a significant amount of money. Many prices are comparable to those in other European countries—some things are cheaper, while others are more expensive.
Prices in Albania
Now, let’s dive into the actual prices. Keep in mind that I will list prices relevant to tourists visiting for a vacation. If you move to Albania permanently, many expenses will be significantly lower. However, this guide is specifically for travelers.
For convenience, I will list all prices in both Albanian lek and euros. You can always check the latest exchange rate at the top of this guide.
Grocery Prices
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Milk (1.5L) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Ayran (0.5L) | 50 | 0,5 |
| Eggs (10 pcs) | 250 | 2,5 |
| Tea biscuits (280g) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Chicken sausages (600g) | 400 | 4 |
| Brined cheeses (Feta, Bryndza) per kg | 1000 | 10 |
| Philadelphia cheese (150g) | 250 | 2,5 |
| Mountain tea (pack) | 250 | 2,5 |
| Turkish coffee (pack) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Pasta, spaghetti (pack) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Rice, bulgur, chickpeas (pack) | 100 | 1 |
| Water (5L) | 100 | 1 |
| Canned olives (300g) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Canned peas (300g) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Canned beans (300g) | 100 | 1 |
| Greek yogurt with cucumber (Tzatziki, 1kg) | 350 | 3,5 |
| Lays chips (small pack) | 100 | 1 |
| Large Snickers bar | 110 | 1,1 |
| Toast bread | 100 | 1 |
| Frozen chicken (1kg) | 600 | 6 |
| Pork (1kg) | 800 | 8 |
| Beef (1kg) | 1000 | 10 |
| Fresh fish (per kg, varies by type and size) | 700-1500 | 7-15 |
Read all about Albanian stores in this article.
Fruit and Vegetable Prices
Prices depend heavily on the season. The following prices are for August-October, the peak harvest period. Prices in spring may be higher.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Tomatoes | 100 | 1 |
| Cucumbers | 100 | 1 |
| Potatoes | 50 | 0,5 |
| Bell peppers | 150 | 1,5 |
| Eggplants | 150 | 1,5 |
| Cabbage | 60 | 0,6 |
| Chestnuts | 400 | 4 |
| Apples | 100 | 1 |
| Pomegranates | 120 | 1,2 |
| Persimmons | 80 | 0,8 |
| Pears | 200 | 2 |
| Lemons | 100 | 1 |
Alcohol and Cigarette Prices
Useful to know:
Albania is a country where smoking is very common, and there are very few restrictions on smoking in public places.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Cigarettes (average per pack) | 300 | 3 |
| Albanian beer (0.5L) | 100 | 1 |
| Imported beer (0.5L) | 150 | 1,5 |
| Rakia (0.5L) | 400 | 4 |
| Skanderbeg brandy (0.5L) | 500 | 5 |
| Greek Malamatina wine (0.5L) | 450 | 4,5 |
| Albanian wine (bottle) | 700 | 7 |
| Vranac wine (bottle) | 800 | 8 |
| Fernet liqueur (bottle) | 1000 | 10 |
For more details about Albanian wines and spirits, check out this article.
Prices in Cafes, Restaurants, and Taverns in Albania
Below is a table with average prices you’ll typically find in most restaurants and cafes around the country. Of course, you can find both cheaper and more expensive options depending on the place.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Salad (large portion, enough for two people) | 300 | 3 |
| Traditional main course | 500 | 5 |
| Beer (0.5L) | 200 | 2 |
| Pasta | 600 | 6 |
| Soup of the day | 250 | 2,5 |
| Large pizza | 600 | 6 |
| Seafood (grilled octopus, shrimp, calamari) | around 1000 | 10 |
Useful to know:
The average bill per person in an Albanian restaurant — including a main course, salad, a glass of wine or beer, and a tip — is around 1,000–1,200 lek (approximately 10–12 euros).
For example, dinner for two (a salad, two main dishes, bread, tzatziki dip, and two beers) usually costs 2,000–2,500 lek (or 20–25 euros).
- You can read more about dining in Albania here, including tips about portion sizes, waiting times, and tipping.
Prices for Hotels, Apartments, and Accommodation
The prices below are for short-term stays for tourists. If you plan to live in Albania long-term, the rates will be different.
Interesting to know:
If you think Albania is an extremely cheap country, you might be surprised — yes, it’s affordable, but not “for free.”
| Item | Euro |
| Hotels and apartments with sea view (double room, per night) | from 30-50 |
| 4-star hotels | from 50 |
| Hostels (per bed) | from 10 |
| Guesthouses in the mountains with breakfast (double room) | from 30 |
| Resort apartments with kitchen (no sea view) | from 20 |
Car Rental, Gasoline, and Parking Prices
A very detailed article about car rental in Albania can be found at the link. In short, Albania is an ideal country for renting a car: it’s safe, traffic is moderate (except for Tirana), and roads are generally good. Public transport is poorly developed, so a rental car makes traveling much easier.
| Item | Euro |
| Economy class car rental (low season, per day) | 15-30 |
| Economy class car rental (high season, per day) | 30-45 |
| Toll roads | Free and of good quality |
| Gasoline 95 (per liter) | 1,8 |
| Paid parking (center of big cities, per hour) | 0,5-1 |
✅ Rental prices are reasonable, but fuel prices are among the highest in Europe. However, distances are short, so you won’t spend much unless you rent a gas-guzzling SUV.
Useful to know:
Renting an economy car for 14 days will cost about 300 euros, plus 70–100 euros for fuel — a fair price to explore the entire country, and 2–3 times cheaper than in Croatia, for example.
Prices for Taxis and Public Transport
Here are average prices to give you an idea of transportation costs:
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| City bus in Tirana (one ride) | 40 | 0,4 |
| Taxi in Tirana (per km) | 100 | 4 |
| Taxi from Tirana to airport | 3000 | 30 |
| Bus Tirana – Shkoder | 500 | 5 |
| Bus Tirana – Saranda | 800 | 8 |
| Airport shuttle to Vlora | 1000 | 10 |
| Transfer Shkoder – Theth | 1200 | 12 |
| Transfer Shkoder – Komani Lake | 800 | 8 |
- More about taxis, transfers, and public transport in Albania here.
Prices for Tours and Excursions in Albania
Albania offers a wide variety of tours. Most tours are in English or Italian.
| Item | Duration | Euro |
| Tirana to Berat | Full day | 200 |
| Tirana to Komani Lake + Ferry | Full day | 150 |
| Walking sightseeing tour of Tirana | 3 hours | 50 |
| Vlora, Saranda, Butrint, Blue Eye, Gjirokaster round trip | Full day | 250 |
| Berat to Osumi Canyon and Bogove Waterfall | Full day | 100 |
| Wine tour from Berat (private winery) | 4 hours | 70 |
Full list of tours in Albania with prices and booking tips
Entrance Fees for Attractions
Below is an incomplete list; you can find the full list in the article about all attractions in Albania.
| Item | Lek | Euro |
| Dajti Cable Car, Tirana | 1400 | 14 |
| Enver Hoxha’s BUNK’ART | 700 | 7 |
| Rozafa Castle, Shkoder | 400 | 4 |
| Himara Castle | 300 | 3 |
| Berat Castle | free | free |
| Butrint Ancient City | 1000 | 10 |
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 | 1-2 |
| Mugs | 360 | 3,6 |
| Gift bottle of Skanderbeg | 500 | 5 |
| Fernet liqueur | 1000 | 10 |
| Albanian Mountain Tea (Mali) | 230 | 2,3 |
| Woolen crafts (socks, hats, sweaters) | from 500 | from 5 |
Prices for Flights 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.
Final Thoughts
Now you know everything about prices in Albania for tourists in 2025. You can start planning your travel budget.
Sure, Albania is not as cheap as the old stereotypes suggest, but your vacation here will still be relatively affordable compared to many European destinations.
If you don’t go overboard on accommodation and excursions, day-to-day expenses (like food, transport, and small souvenirs) are quite reasonable.
💡 Wishing you smart purchases and fair prices on your Albanian adventure!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania
- Flights at the best prices with best 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:
- TripAdvisor – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.
- Trip.com – large online booking platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages: CheapOair.
- Tours, excursions and activities:
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1050+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5
- DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
- Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel