44 Albania Travel Tips: Useful Things to Know (2025)

Albania is an amazing country. The landscape is diverse and beautiful, locals are welcoming, and it’s very safe. But Albania is not as developed as other European countries. These Albania travel tips will help prepare you so you have an incredible trip.

Albania Travel Tips: Useful Things to Know

I’ve travelled through Albania extensively, and for months at a time – solo with my dog. While I absolutely love travelling in Albania, it’s helpful to keep in mind Albania is still developing its tourist infrastructure.

Will things run like Swiss clockwork? No! But what you will find is a genuine culture, welcoming people and spectacular untouched landscapes.

Money & Payments

1. Carry cash: Albania is a cash first economy. Some places do accept credit cards, but not everywhere and not smaller vendors. Always have cash on hand.
2. Euros are not widely accepted: The Albanian currency is the lek. I noticed small vendors accepting euros on the Albanian Riviera (and a taxi driver gave me change in euros), but that is not the norm.
3. Albanian lek is a closed currency: You cannot get Albanian lek outside of the country. When you arrive there are ATMs at the Tirana Airport (by the baggage carrousel) and just outside the Saranda Port if you are coming via ferry from Greece.
4. Withdraw lek from ATMs: For the best exchange rates select the ‘without conversion’ option.
5. ATMs are expensive: Transactions can cost up to 800 lek ($9.50 USD) regardless of the amount of withdrawal. Take out as much as possible at once. ABI has the best rates of 500 lek ($6 USD). There are several in Tirana, Vlore and one in Saranda.
6. Albania is not super cheap: Compared to western Europe, Greece and Italy, Albania is cheap – but it is not the super budget destination some make it out to be. Especially in peak season in popular spots like Saranda and Ksamil.

Travel Tips for Getting Around Albania

There are 3 ways to get around Albania: car, taxi (private transfer) and bus. These travel tips will help you choose the best option for getting around Albania.

7. There is very limited rail service in Albania: There are only 2 operational routes (Durres-Elbasan and Shkoder-Lac), tickets cannot be purchased online and there is only one class of ticket. It’s better to take the bus.
8. Albania has an extensive bus network: It’s just not super organized. From Tirana you can go pretty much anywhere. From smaller centres you can go all over Albania too, but you may have to connect somewhere. Check this website for bus schedules and routes, though timings are not exact. Buses generally leave when full.
9. Buses are often furgons: Mini buses or large passenger vans. Most have AC, but it may not be great.
10. Buy your bus tickets from the driver or at the station: Don’t buy bus tickets online.
11. Most cities and towns don’t have a ‘bus station’: Ask locals where and when the bus leaves from. Tirana has 2 main bus stations: South North and Tirana East Gate (TEG).
12. By law taxis must post rates: It may be a price sheet inside the cab, or painted onto the passenger door. In Tirana ask the driver to use the meter. Albania does not have Uber.
13. Inter-city private transfers: A very convenient way to move around, but the most expensive. I’ve used Taxi Landi several times. Ask the hotel or guest house for a recommendation or a local taxi company. I’ve also used Taxi Lux in Tirana for transfers.

Language & Culture

18. Not everyone speaks English: Young people speak some English, but older generations often don’t. The national language is Albanian, called ‘Shqip’.
19. ‘Shqiperia’ is Albanian for Albania: You’ll see this on government buildings and banks.
20. The national symbol of Albania is the two-headed eagle: You’ll see it everywhere, not just on government offices.
21. Albanians are very hospitable: Hospitality and loyalty/honour are ingrained in Albanian culture. When I tour hotels and guesthouses I am always asked if I want coffee, food or cake. It’s hard to get away without having something (and I usually don’t)! My Airbnb hosts in Albania have been the most helpful and generous of any I’ve had anywhere.
22. Learn basic Albanian phrases: A little Albanian goes a long, long way. Albanians are so pleased when I respond in their language and are always trying to teach me a new word.

23. Albanian women dress conservatively: You can wear what you want, but away from the beach women dress somewhat modestly. I don’t see a lot of knees or cleavage amongst local women. Men always have their shirts on.
24. Albania is predominantly Muslim: 51% of the population identify as Muslim, although the country is secular. There is a large Christian and Orthodox population. Many Albanians are non-practicing, probably a lasting effect of religion being banned during communism.
25. More Albanians live outside of Albania then in Albania: In fact, remittances from abroad are a significant part of Albania’s GDP.
26. Evening walks are traditional: There’s even a special name for it ‘xhiro.’ Once the sun starts to go down, everyone heads out for a leisurely stroll with friends and family.

27. There are over 175,000 bunkers in Albania: Enver Hoxha, the former communist dictator, was paranoid about a nuclear war or invasion. He had bunkers built everywhere. Some have been repurposed into museums, restaurants and shops, but most are empty.

Staying Connected

28. Get a local SIM card: Vodafone and One Albania are the two major carriers. I always use Vodafone and locals agree Vodafone has the best coverage. There’s a kiosk at Tirana Airport and just about every town has a Vodafone shop. It’s cheap in Albania.
29. Mountainous and coastal areas may not have great reception: I generally have had excellent reception in cities like Tirana, Durres, Vlore, Shkoder and even Saranda, but not as good in the mountains or on the coast in smaller spots like Ksamil and Himare, especially inside.

Albanian Food & Eating Out

30. Tipping in not mandatory: But it is very appreciated. I usually add 10% in restaurants.
31. Albanian cuisine is very meat oriented: Lots of grilled meats and meat in casseroles on traditional menus. Vegetarian options are limited, but there are usually a few. Food in Tirana is more varied, and on the coast there is a lot of seafood.
32. You can’t drink the tap water: It’s fine for brushing teeth, washing fruit, or boiling pasta but not advisable for drinking. I always buy 6 or 7 litre bottles to have at my Airbnb.
33. Albanian food is delicious: Traditional cuisine specializes in local meats and produce, spicing is very light.
34. Zgara is a grilled meat restaurant.
35. Restorant peshku is a fish restaurant.
36. Taverna is a casual restaurant specializing in local cuisine.

Safety & Health

37. Albania is very safe for tourists: Petty crime is rare and female travellers overwhelmingly report feeling safe (this has been my experience also).
38. Pharmacies are everywhere: You don’t need a prescription for many medications in Albania. I have found pharmacists to be helpful and knowledgeable. Medicine is also very inexpensive compared to Canada.
39. Every city and major town has a hospital: Should you require medical help, go to the nearest hospital. Tirana has a couple of private ones. Personally I have not experienced a hospital in Albania, but I know expats who have and said they received good care. If any doubt, call your local embassy and ask for a recommendation.

General Advise

40. You can’t flush toilet paper: There’s always a bin beside the toilet. That’s what it’s for!
41. There’s stray dogs and cats: They are everywhere. Usually they are friendly and placid. Dogs can get more territorial at night. They have never been aggressive with my small dog.
42. Don’t let your dog eat anything outside: Some locals put down poison for the strays. I hate to say this because it’s such a horrible thing, but it is true. As a dog owner, I want you to be aware this happens.
43. Albanians hang teddy bears outside of houses to ward off evil spirits: These are called ‘dordolecs.’

Last Travel Tip for Albania

44. Go now! Albania is changing fast and tourism is starting to take off in a big way. Kind of like Croatia 20 years ago. Go now while it’s still budget friendly, and locals are happy to see visitors.

Why Albania is Less Developed than the Rest of Europe

Remember at the beginning of this article when I said Albania wasn’t as developed as the rest of Europe? There’s a reason for that.

Albania was under a strict communist dictatorship for almost 50 years until 1992. It was closed off from the rest of the world, like North Korea is now. Locals lived under repression, state surveillance, and there was no personal freedom.

After communism fell, the economy collapsed. Albania has only recently seen economic growth, and tourism is just starting to take off. That means that while Albania has so much to offer, not all the infrastructure is in place.

Don’t let this put you off. It’s easy to travel around Albania, and the basics are all there – it’s just like going back in time a little!

Last Words on Albania Travel Tips: Useful Things to Know

Albania is such a great country to visit, but you can’t expect everything to run like clockwork. These Albania travel tips are based on my time there and will help you go in prepared.

Albania is a burgeoning economy and just starting to embrace tourism. There may be a few hiccups.

It’s an incredibly beautiful country, and Albanians are very hospitable. I think the genuine welcome and culture you will experience is worth drinking bottled water and not being able to flush toilet paper!

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