All You Need To Know About Tipping in Albania
Albania is a beautiful country nestled in the amazing Balkans, boasting an amazingly rich culture and history. Thanks to its incomparable nature and landscapes, many tourists choose Albania as their holiday destination, especially during the summer.
This authentic country is known for its
hospitality
to tourists coming from all over the world, and of course, that hospitality has to be rewarded. This is where tipping comes in!
Tipping in Albania isn’t usually mandatory, but it’s nice to let people know you value their service and dedication. This article will include
everything you need to know about tipping in Albania, so keep reading to learn more!
Economy in Albania
The economy in Albania can be classified as transitional, mainly being focused on service, agriculture, and industry. Since the early 2000s, it has experienced a boost, also being targeted by foreign investors for numerous projects.
The majority of Albania’s economy depends on
tourism and services, like hotels, restaurants, or guesthouses. The economy in Albania seems to flourish every summer, as it’s a pretty popular holiday destination.
The official
currency in Albania is the
Albanian Lek, with the monetary policy being managed by the Bank of Albania. Most shops also take payments in Euro, although they’ll most likely give you the change in
Albanian Lek.
If you’re headed to a small market or rural area in Albania, it’s best to have Lek with you.
6 Things You Should Know About Tipping in Albania
To start our tipping in Albania guide, here are 6 things you should know as a tourist in Albania to be a true Albanian “tipper”!
#1. Round Up The Bill
In case you are satisfied with your service at a restaurant, you can simply round up the bill to the nearest number, but of course, not all people do that. However, it’s a very nice gesture of appreciation to the serving staff, and it will surely make their day. Also, Albanian food served in restaurants in Tirana is one of the best things you’ll get to try, so it would only be fair to leave a tip!
Waiters and the hosting staff are usually
very friendly and welcoming in Albania and will always greet you with a smile. If you’re feeling generous, it’s advised to tip around
10% of your total bill and leave the place like a truly satisfied customer!
#2. Always Tip in Cash
Most places don’t accept tips by credit card, so it’s good to have some extra cash with you. You should tip with the local currency, Albanian Lek, and not in Euros or any other currency.
Tipping in cash simply ensures that your tip goes straight to the staff, unlike with a credit card. You can also find yourself in a small bar or cafe that has a
small tip jar on the counter, so you can just put a symbolic value in there.
#3. Awarding Hospitality
There are countless elegant and luxurious hotels in Albania, each offering exquisite service and hospitality. Tipping in hotels in Albania is not that common, but you can choose to express your appreciation to the hardworking staff with a symbolic value of around €10, or 1,000 Albanian Lek.
You can tip the
housekeepers
for their service, the
receptionist, or the
porters
for holding your bags.
#4. Extra Change for a Friendly Driver
Given Albania’s busy streets and usually chaotic cities, you’ll often have to rely on a taxi to get to your destination. The taxi prices aren’t too ridiculous, so there’s always room for a friendly tip. It’s not a very common practice, but if you feel like your driver was friendly and did his job properly, you can reward him!
Usually, people round up the value to the
nearest number or add an
extra 5-10%. Such a gesture will always be welcomed with a smile and a few words of gratitude.
#5. Tip Your Guide!
If you’re an adventurous and curious tourist, you’ll definitely embark on a few tours during your holidays in Albania, taking you to some of the most beautiful places, like the Albanian Riviera or the amazing northern villages.
During these tours, you’ll be accompanied by
passionate and eager tour guides who are willing to show you all the wonders of Albania while providing valuable information on every place you visit. The most appropriate way to show your appreciation can be a
tip worth around 10% of the total tour.
#6. Always End Your Visit With a Smile and Nice Words
While tipping is highly appreciated, everyone in Albania is friendly and inviting, always greeting you with a smile. It’s only fair that you do the same with the servers or workers around you, as you can never go wrong with a smile and a few nice words to make their day.
Just a simple
“thank you”, or as Albanians would say,
“faleminderit”, is more than enough, even if you don’t have the possibility to leave a significant tip!
Tipping in Albania FAQ
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