What are the prices in Albania for goods and services for tourists in 2025? This is one of the first and most important questions of any traveller. Since it is on the basis of this data that the budget of a trip is calculated. In this article, I will talk about prices for everything that can be useful to the average tourist.
Prices in Albania: general points
I want to dispel one stereotype:The cinema and the regular inclusion of Albania in the list of the poorest countries in Europe have formed a stereotype that Albania is a very cheap country, where for 5 euros you can holiday like a king. In fact, it is impossible to say that today holidays in Albania are cheap. Yes, it is inexpensive, but certainly everything here is not for a penny.
If you evaluate the price level, here are the conclusions I can give you:
- food costs the same as in the EU
- eating out in restaurants is a little cheaper than in our country, but not by much.
- car hire prices are quite low, but petrol prices are just as exorbitant as in the EU
- accommodation, especially on the first line, especially in high season, also not for 5 euros a day, but much more expensive.
- fresh fish, even though it is a maritime country, costs the same as in Italy or Spain
You get the picture, yes, this is not expensive Barcelona or cosmically priced Switzerland, but it’s not Southeast Asia either, where $5 is a lot of money. Many prices are commensurate with ours, something more expensive, something cheaper.
Prices in Albania for:
Now let’s move on to the prices themselves. It is important to understand that the prices I will be quoting are for tourists who come here on holiday. If you come here for permanent residence, many items of expenditure will be much cheaper. But this article is for travellers.
Also, for your convenience, I will indicate all prices not only in Albanian lek, but also in euros.
Cost of food in Albania
| Lek | Euro | |
| Milk, 1.5l | 150 | 1.5 |
| Ayran, 0.5, l | 50 | 0.5 |
| Eggs, 10 pieces | 250 | 2.5 |
| Pack of tea biscuits, 280g | 150 | 1.5 |
| Chicken sausages, 600g | 350 | 3.5 |
| Brine cheeses (feta, feta), 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 | 80 | 0.8 |
| Olives, canned olives, 300g | 150 | 1.5 |
| Canned peas, 300g | 140 | 1.4 |
| Canned beans, 300g | 100 | 1 |
| Greek Yogurt with Cucumber Tzatziki, kg | 350 | 3.5 |
| Lays chips, small pack | 100 | 1 |
| Snickers big, pcs | 110 | 1,1 |
| Toast bread | 100 | 1 |
| Frozen chicken, 1 kg | 600 | 6 |
| Pork, kg | 800 | 8 |
| Beef, kg | 1000 | 10 |
| Fresh fish, kg (price depends on size and type) | 700-1500 | 7-15 |
Prices for fruit and vegetables in Albania
The price depends greatly on the season. The prices in this article are for August-October, when the harvest is. In spring, most vegetables will be more expensive.
| Lek | Euro | |
| Tomatoes | 100 | 1 |
| Cucumbers | 100 | 1 |
| Potato | 50 | 0.5 |
| Peppers | 150 | 1.5 |
| Eggplants | 150 | 1.5 |
| Cabbage | 60 | 0.6 |
| Chestnuts | 400 | 4 |
| Apples | 100 | 1 |
| Grenades | 120 | 1,2 |
| Persimmon | 80 | 0.8 |
| Pear | 200 | 2 |
| Lemons | 100 | 1 |
Alcohol and cigarette prices in Albania
Useful to know: Albania is a heavy smoker. Many people smoke here, and there are almost no bans on smoking in public places.
| Lek | Euro | |
| Cigarettes, average per pack | 300 | 3 |
| Albanian beer, 0.5 | 100 | 1 |
| Imported beer, 0.5 | 150 | 1.5 |
| Rakia, 0.5 | 500 | 5 |
| Cognac Skanderberg, 0.5 | 500 | 5 |
| Greek Malamatina, 0.5 (wine) | 450 | 4.5 |
| Albanian wine, bottle | 700 | 7 |
| Wine Vranac, bottle | 800 | 8 |
| Fernet tincture, bottle | 1000 | 10 |
Prices in cafes, restaurants, taverns in Albania
The table below shows the most average prices you will find in most places in the country. It is possible to find cheaper or much more expensive.
Seafood in Albania is much more expensive than meat and meat dishes.
| Lek | Euro | |
| Salad, you can take one for two. The portion is large | 300 | 3 |
| Hot traditional cuisine | 500 | 5 |
| Beer, 0.5 | 200 | 2 |
| Paste | 600 | 6 |
| Soup of the day | 250 | 2.5 |
| The pizza is big | 700 | 7 |
| Seafood (octopus, shrimp, grilled squid) | about 1000 | 10 |
Good 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 is about 1000-1200 lek, or 10-12 euros. My wife and I have a normal dinner for two: one salad, two main courses, bread and tzatziki for bread, two beers – 2000-2500 lek. About 20-25 euros.
Prices for hotels, apartments, housing in general
The table below shows prices for tourists who rent accommodation for a short period. Prices for expats and those looking for accommodation for a month or more will be completely different.
Interesting to know:Those who still think that Albania is a very cheap country will be very surprised. Yes, it is inexpensive, but everything here is not for free.
| Name | Euro |
| Hotels and apartments on the first line with a sea view for two, per day | from 30-50 |
| Hotels 4* | from 50 |
| Hostels per bed | from 15 |
| Mountain guesthouses with breakfast, for two | from 30 |
| Apartments in resorts with kitchen, not on the first line | from 20 |
Prices for car rental, petrol and parking in Albania
In a nutshell, Albania is an ideal country to rent a car: safe, no fools and teachers on the roads like in our country, low traffic intensity (except in Tirana). And you won’t get far here by public transport, the bus network in Albania is almost non-existent.
| Euro | |
| Economy class car rental in low season, per day | 20-30 |
| Economy class car rental in high season, per day | 25-35 |
| The roads in the country are all free and of normal quality. | |
| Gasoline 95, liter | 1.8 |
| Parking is paid only in the center of large cities. 50-100 lek per hour depending on the zone. | 0.5-1 |
Car rental is affordable, and all energy sources in Albania are very expensive. But the mileage here is low. So unless you rent a huge jeep with crazy consumption, you will not spend much on gasoline. The roads are normal everywhere, and parking is free in 90% of cases. But in any case, it is preferable to look for accommodation with a parking space.
Good to know:Renting an economy class car for 14 days in Albania will cost about 300 euros + about 70-100 euros for petrol. This is a normal price to travel around the entire country. And two to three times cheaper than renting a car in Croatia, for example.
Taxi and public transport prices in Albania
Below is a far from complete list of prices for public transport. But you should get an idea.
| Lek | Euro | |
| Travel by city bus in Tirana | 40 | 0.4 |
| Taxi in Tirana, per km | 100 | 1 |
| Taxi Tirana – Airport | 3000 | 30 |
| Bus Tirana – Shkoder | 500 | 5 |
| Bus Tirana – Saranda | 800 | 8 |
| Shuttle airport – Vlora | 1000 | 10 |
| Transfer Shkoder – Ses | 1200 | 12 |
| Transfer Shkoder – Lake Koman | 800 | 8 |
Prices for excursions in Albania
The choice of excursions in Albania is not small. Here everyone will find an interesting excursion. Most excursions are in English, and you can also often find them in Italian.
| Name | Duration | Euro |
| To Berat from Tirana | All day long | 200 |
| From Tirana to Lake Koman + ferry | All day long | 150 |
| Circular tour Vlora, Saranda, Butrint, Blue Eye, Gjirokastra | All day long | 250 |
| Excursion from Berat to Osumi Canyon and Bogove Waterfall | All day long | 100 |
| Wine Tour from Berat to a Private Winery | 4 h | 70 |
Prices for entrance tickets to attractions in Albania
Most of the country’s attractions are free. Some others cost around 4 euros per person. And only a few cost 8-10 euros.
The table is more to help you understand the price level for the cultural program on your trip to Albania.
| Lek | Euro | |
| Tirana Cable Car | 1400 | 14 |
| Bunker of Enver Hoxha BUNKART | 700 | 7 |
| Rozafa Fortress (Shkoder) | 400 | 4 |
| Himara Fortress | 300 | 3 |
| Berat Castle | for free | |
| Ancient city of Butrint | 1000 | 10 |
In fact, the lion’s share of attractions in the country are free. For example, all the waterfalls, canyons and hot springs. As a rule, architectural attractions are paid.
Prices for souvenirs from Albania
Souvenirs with the Albanian eagle on a red background are very popular here
| Lek | Euro | |
| Magnets | 100-200 | 1-2 |
| Mugs | 360 | 3.6 |
| Gift cognac Skanderberg | 700 | 7 |
| Fernet tincture | 1000 | 10 |
| Mountain Albanian tea Mali | 300 | 3 |
| Knitted woolen goods: socks, hats, sweaters | from 500 | from 5 |