What budget to travel Albania? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Albania?

If we take the example of Korça's marvellous museum of medieval art, its entrance ticket costs only 700 lek, or just €5. Yet it is the country's finest and most modern museum, almost without equal in the Balkans. Created during the communist period (1987), it houses one of the world's largest collections of religious art (8,000 pieces, of which less than a thousand are on display)! The most expensive site in this guide has to be the magnificent archaeological site of Butrint, described by Unesco as "a microcosm of Mediterranean history". Admission costs just 1,000 leks (site + museum).

The most expensive option (and even then) is to hire a guide. You'll pay €20 for a couple for a two-hour visit. Generally speaking, it's worth it.

Among the "good deals", we have also noticed the appearance of attractive brochures published in French (and financed by the French Embassy) on the country's main sites (Tirana and Korça museums, the archaeological sites of Butrint and Apollonia...). Some are free. The most expensive, that of Tirana's National Museum, cost 2,000 leks (€15) for a handsome 60-page brochure.

When one thinks of Albania, one does not spontaneously think of sports images. And yet, naturally, this country between sea and mountains also offers interesting activities, with local prices to match. For example, for a dive on the riviera, off the coast of Saranda, count between 35 and 50 € per trip. Snow sports - hiking and skiing - are also popular. In the heart of the Albanian Alps, the Theth National Park covers 2,400 hectares in the Shala Valley and is a real paradise for any self-respecting hiker. On the southern side, the ski resort of Bigëll-Dardhë, near Korça, welcomes every year its regulars to descend its slopes.

On the country roadsides, many small farmers sell their produce, mostly organic, without the (expensive) label. Good quality, varied and inexpensive local honeys are still fairly easy to find. Stalls selling honey are indicated by signs bearing the word mjaltë ("honey").

Everywhere, small factories hum to the rhythm of the sewing machines operated by Milanese designers. The most stylish clothes are exported, but it's possible to get a suit tailored here for a bargain price. Elegant, comfortable leather moccasins are also easy to find at city entrances, in unassuming stalls such as those south of Fier.

Incidentally, since your final destination, Albania, is outside the European Union, you can take advantage of duty-free shopping.

What budget to eat Albania?

Here again, restaurant bills are particularly light for the pockets of French tourists. A dish, salad and drink often cost around €5. In the most expensive restaurants, the bill rarely exceeds €15. Tipping is not compulsory, but always welcome. Count on 10% of the total bill. As for the burek, a kind of national hamburger, it will cost you around 40 lek, or €0.25.

An espresso, often very good thanks to the Italian influence, will cost you between 70 and 90 lek, or less than €1. A pint of local Birra Tirana fluctuates between €2 and €3, and a bottle of local wine remains in the same price range.

Another tip we often repeat: there are coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 and bills in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lek, but it's important to keep small denominations for everyday payments. You need to keep a few "large" bills for paying at restaurants or hotels, and don't forget that many establishments don't (or don't prefer to) take credit cards.

What is the budget for accommodation Albania?

Against all expectations, it's also possible to pay good money in Albania. Business travellers will be happy to flock to addresses such as the Tirana International or the Rogner in the capital. Some tourists will also find a few luxury addresses in this guide, particularly in Tirana. However, when it comes to accommodation, Albania's big advantage remains its hotel rates for the average tourist: on average, you should expect to pay between €20 and €80 per night for two people, including breakfast, depending on the location and type of establishment. In some establishments, you'll just have to be a little tolerant about the quality of the infrastructure. Expect to encounter (and get used to) anomalies such as broken shower doors and bare wires, and not just in the cheapest hotels.

A final word of warning: although payment by card has become much more widespread since the health crisis, make sure you always carry cash with you. Some establishments, particularly in more rural areas, do not have bank terminals.

Travel budget Albania and cost of living

The cost of living remains low throughout the country, compared with Western Europe. Although some hotels, particularly in the major coastal cities and Tirana, are beginning to bring their prices into line with those of their western neighbors, you should expect to pay between €20 and €80 for accommodation. A good meal usually costs less than €10. As for transport, the longest bus journeys, such as Tirana-Saranda, cost no more than 1,500 lek (around €10). Car rentals are cheap. However, petrol and car rentals are the same as in France.

Whether you're on foot or by car, there will come a time when you'll be a little lost and no Wifi will be available. Rather than reactivating the mobile data on your phone (and paying a high price), download the Maps.me application before you set off. This offline GPS is free and includes maps of almost every country in the world. To use it, simply download the map of the country you're interested in before you leave. Unlike Google Maps, which offers extremely heavy maps, Maps.me keeps things light, with around 50 MB per map.

On arrival atTirana airport, you can also pick up a local chip for €15, or even a 21-day "tourist pack". All you need is a telephone to avoid losing your own SIM card and number.