Plan · logistics
Money, cards and what things cost
The lek is the currency, some of the best sites are cash only, and a day costs what you decide it costs on the coast and very little inland.
- Carry cash for the sitesBerat castle is 300 lek and cash only. That is the pattern rather than the exception at smaller sites, and an ATM in the nearest town is a better plan than a card at the gate.
- Expect euro prices on the coast and lek prices inlandRiviera sunbeds and boats are commonly quoted in euros, while castles, museums and ferries are quoted in lek. Both are accepted in tourist areas; only lek is accepted everywhere.
- Use Himarë as the yardstickThe one published all-in figure on this coast is 50 to 80 euros a person a day at Himarë, including a bed, meals and beach access. Ksamil has no published equivalent, and its sunbed line is the reason to assume it is higher.
- Budget the entries, which are smallButrint is 1,000 lek, Apollonia 600, Gjirokastër castle 400 plus 200 for the Weapons Museum, Berat castle 300, Porto Palermo 300, the Blue Eye near Sarandë 50 with parking at 200. Nothing on this site costs what a European museum does.
The figures
| What | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| A day in Himarë | 50-80 euros per person including a bed, meals and beach access | 2026-08-25 · Himara.net, Albania overtourism 2026 |
| Berat castle | 300 lek (about EUR 3), cash only | 2026-08-25 · The Endless Travellers, visiting Berat castle |
| Beer in a bar | 250-400 lek in 2026, against 150-250 lek in 2023 | 2026-08-25 · Himara.net, Albania overtourism 2026 |
Asked about this
Can I pay by card?
In hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, generally yes. At castle gates, small guesthouses and beach bars, often not. Berat castle is cash only at 300 lek and it is not unusual.
Should I bring euros or lek?
Withdraw lek. Euros are widely accepted on the coast at a rate that is not in your favour, and the inland half of the country runs on lek.
How much does a day cost?
On the Riviera at Himarë, 50 to 80 euros a person all in. Inland, materially less: entries are 300 to 1,000 lek and there is no sunbed market to price.