W Strone Slonca – Towards the sun

Albania is a wild, beautiful, and often surprising country. It’s a place where you can hike in the mountains in the morning and swim in turquoise waters by afternoon. But let’s be real — if you don’t do your homework, you might find yourself stranded without cash, eating byrek three times a day because you can’t read the menu, or accidentally offending a local by nodding the wrong way. So, before you book that flight ticket, here are the biggest travel mistakes you absolutely need to avoid in Albania.

Thinking You Can Pay by Card Everywhere and Using the Wrong ATMs

You arrive in Albania, step off the bus in Tirana, and confidently walk into a café, ready to pay for your coffee with a card. Surprise! The cashier looks at you like you’ve just landed from another planet, and you quickly realize — cash is king here. Many restaurants, bars, and even shops still prefer cash payments, especially outside the big cities.

And speaking of cash — watch out for ATMs! In Albania, you’ll find two types: those belonging to banks and so-called “standard” ATMs, which charge ridiculous fees. If you don’t want your cash withdrawal to cost more than your entire meal, use only ATMs with the logo of Albanian banks (e.g., Credins Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, BKT).

Tip: Always carry enough Lek (Albania’s currency) with you, and never withdraw money from random ATMs that look like a shortcut to losing half your budget to fees.

Ignoring the Local Driving Style

If you thought driving in Rome was chaotic, welcome to Albania! Here, traffic rules are more of a suggestion than a law, and honking is basically a second language. Expect the unexpected — random u-turns, people parking in the middle of the road, and plenty of near misses.

Tip: If you’re renting a car, get insurance — seriously. And if you’re a nervous driver, consider using buses or hiring a local driver instead. Also, watch out for bunkers randomly appearing on the side of the road (or sometimes in the middle of nowhere).

Not Double-Checking Bus Schedules

Albania’s public transport system is… let’s call it charming. Buses don’t always run on a strict schedule, and in some places, they only leave when full. You might wait 20 minutes or 2 hours — who knows? Even Google Maps gets confused.

Tip: Always ask locals (or your hotel) for the latest bus times. If you’re traveling between cities, consider minibuses (furgons), which are faster but slightly more unpredictable. If you’re in a hurry, taxis are a more reliable (but pricier) option.

Expecting Tourist Infrastructure Everywhere

Albania isn’t like Greece or Italy — tourism is still growing, which means fewer signs in English, fewer guided tours, and fewer people catering to tourists outside of big cities. This is part of its charm, but also a challenge.

Tip: Learn a few Albanian words (like “Faleminderit” for “Thank you”), use Google Translate for menus, and don’t expect customer service to be as fast as in Western Europe. Relax — things work on “Albanian time” here.

Underestimating the Food Portions

Albanian hospitality is legendary. You order a small meal, and suddenly your table is filled with plates of cheese, bread, olives, and enough grilled meat to feed a small army. Refusing food might offend your host, so pace yourself!

Tip: If you’re in a traditional restaurant or staying with locals, expect huge portions. Order less than you think you need, and you can always add more later. Also, try raki (brandy) — but sip it, don’t shot it unless you want to wake up questioning your life choices.

Assuming the Beaches Are Just Like Greece’s

Yes, Albania has stunning beaches — some even better than those in Greece! But if you expect every beach to have loungers, showers, and cocktails served to your chair, you might be in for a surprise. Some of the best beaches (like Gjipe) require a bit of hiking or an off-road adventure.

Tip: Do your research — some beaches are organized, while others are wild and remote. If you’re heading to a more secluded spot, bring your own food, drinks, and LOTS of sunscreen.

Forgetting That Albanians Say “Yes” and “No” Backwards

This is probably the funniest mistake every traveler makes at least once. In Albania, shaking your head side to side means “yes,” and nodding up and down means “no.” Confused yet? Imagine ordering something, seeing the waiter shake his head, and walking away — did he say yes or no?

Tip: Pay attention to tone and context. Or just get used to looking totally confused for the first few days.

Final Thoughts

Albania is one of the most exciting and underrated destinations in Europe. But to really enjoy it, you need to embrace its quirks, laugh at the surprises, and maybe get lost once or twice.

Have you been to Albania? What was your biggest travel mistake? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear your stories!