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Albania, a country unlike any other. It is the perfect budget destination for those seeking adventure and something a little different. Unlike Western Europe, it won’t drain your bank in 3 days.
Here is exactly how to experience Albania on a budget whilst having the most incredible adventures, based on my own 3-week backpacking trip.
Accommodation
Food & Drink
Transport
Activities
Total Per Day
€15 – €25
€15 – €20
€1 – €10
€0 – €15
€30 – €60
Hostels & local guesthouses
Local taverns & home cooking
Furgons & local buses
Natural beauty & historic places
One of the best ways to keep costs low is to avoid Airbnbs and hotels (I know they’re tempting) and instead, opt for hostels or guesthouses which are a fraction of the price and have great benefits.
I stayed at a mix of hostels and guesthouses during my own trip and I had a wonderful time. Hostels are perfect for meeting other travellers while guesthouses offer a local, cultural experience and both usually offer included or affordable breakfasts in the morning.
Top Recommendation (Gjirokastër): Grandpa’s House – Incredible local hospitality
Tip: Book stays through sites like booking.com to build Genius loyalty points. The discounts and free breakfasts will add up fast.
My best tip for eating on a budget in Albania is to eat local. I mean actually local not those restaurants labelled as “local Albanian restaurant” with only an English menu and extremely overpriced. Look for small taverns filled with locals. Here’s where you’ll find the real authentic food at a great price.
To keep your daily spends low whilst still enjoying the local food, here is my best suggestion, and what I did too: eat breakfast at your accommodation or buy fresh fruit and yogurts at local markets for breakfast. Enjoy a big hearty local lunch out (lunch menus can be cheaper than dinner menus). Cook something simple back at your hostel or guesthouse, if they have the facilities to do so, such as a pasta dish. Alternatively, you could buy sandwich ingredients from a shop for lunch and then have dinner at a local restaurant. By doing this you’re able to try incredible local dishes whilst keeping your costs low to enjoy for longer.
Tip: Don’t forget to head to a local bakery to try the king of Albanian pastries – the Byrek. It should cost between 50 – 100 ALL (£0.45 – £0.90 / €0.53 – €1.06).
Public transport in Albania is incredibly affordable, however it does require some pre-planning and extreme patience. To avoid wasting money, map your route logically in a line or a loop so you don’t have to backtrack.
For budget transport, furgons will be your best friend. They’re simply just like local minibuses that run without a schedule and leave when the driver decides they’re full enough.
Typical prices to expect:
Sarandë to Gjirojkastër: 400 ALL (£3.60 / €4.24)
Korçë to Tirana: 700 ALL (£6.37 / €7.38)
Tirana City Buses: 40 ALL (£0.34 / €0.42)
Tip: Avoid Taxis unless absolutely necessary – they are not budget-friendly at all and will completely blow your daily budget.
Albania is an absolute dream for nature lovers and budget travellers alike. Lucky for me, I’m both and unlike some other European countries, nature in Albania is mostly free among many other things.
Some free highlights include: the stunning beaches of Himarë, hiking the famous Valbonë to Theth peaks, soaking in the Përmet thermal baths or exploring the Ottoman old towns of Berat and Gjirokastër.
Even paid sights are low-cost: The stunning Blue Eye spring is 50 ALL (£0.45 / €0.53), a guided tour of the Cold War Tunnel in Gjirokastër is 200 ALL (£1.82 / €2.11) and exploring the wildly impressive Gjirokastër Castle is just 400 ALL (£3.60 / €4.24).
Albania is an affordable country to explore which is why it’s becoming increasingly popular with backpackers. With the right approach and mindset, it’s incredibly easy to keep your Albania trip to less than €40 a day and not miss out on anything.
That said, you could absolutely spend a lot here in Albania and experience the country on a premium if that’s more your style so don’t think budget is the only way to go. It’s just important to know that you really don’t need to spend much in Albania to see and do some incredible things and have an absolutely wonderful trip.
Welcome to The Untold Journeys, a travel blog with a focus on raw, authentic travels and finding those exciting hidden gems.
I’m here to share my experiences and stories to give you everything you need to explore the world and head on your own adventures.
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