From the salt-slick air of the Ionian coast to the pine-scented heights of the Albanian Alps, shopping in Albania feels like collecting stories as much as objects.

In Tirana’s Pazari i Ri you can hear vendors call over baskets of figs and jars of mountain honey, while in Krujë’s stone-paved bazaar the metallic whisper of filigranë silver catches the light like a necklace of tiny rivers.

The textures here, coarse handwoven wool, soft felted plis caps, and burnished copper, seem to hold the landscape they came from.

Walk past Berat’s whitewashed houses and you’ll find kilim weavers plying ancient motifs; in Gjirokastër the black slate roofs frame stalls of embroidered aprons and leather opinga shoes.

Whether it’s oil pressed from Vlora olive groves, the sharp scent of raki warmed by a fireplace, or a painted icon inspired by Onufri, deciding what to bring home becomes a way to preserve a place you’ve touched. Here’s what to buy in Albania to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Filigree Silver Jewelry (Filigranë)

Why pick this up:
Albanian filigranë is delicate and intricate, with tiny silver threads twisted into floral or geometric motifs that reflect Ottoman and Illyrian influences. A piece is a wearable fragment of regional history, popular in Krujë and Gjirokastër.

What to look for:
Seek hand-soldered work (not machine-made) with fine, airy openwork and a maker’s punch or local hallmark. Traditional motifs and slightly irregular threads are signs of authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 3,000–12,000

Where to find it:
Krujë Bazaar, Gjirokastër Old Bazaar, artisan stalls in Tirana’s Pazari i Ri and museum shops.

2. Qeleshe / Plis (Felt Hat)

Why pick this up:
This small white felt cap is a proud emblem of Albanian dress, especially in the highlands; it’s soft, warm, and carries centuries of tradition. Wearing a qeleshe is a tangible way to connect with mountain villages like Theth and Valbona.

What to look for:
Choose dense, natural wool felt with hand-shaped edges and no synthetic linings; traditional makers often leave small variations in shape. Ask about regional names—plis in the north, qeleshe in other areas.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 500–1,500

Where to find it:
Local markets in Shkodër, Theth, Tirana’s bazaars and artisan stalls in Përmet.

3. Hand-embroidered Traditional Textiles (Xhubleta motifs & aprons)

Why pick this up:
Embroidery in Albania is a visual language—skirt panels, aprons, and sashes carry local symbols and colors tied to villages like Gjirokastër and Përmet. These textile pieces are brilliant for decor or as statement garments.

What to look for:
Look for tight, even hand-stitching, natural fibers (wool or linen), and motifs tied to a specific region; tags or vendors who can name the village are a good sign. Avoid perfectly identical machine-stitched patterns.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 4,000–18,000

Where to find it:
Gjirokastër and Berat craft stalls, weekend artisan markets in Tirana, and museum shops featuring local costume replicas.

4. Kilim Rugs and Flatweaves (Berat & Korçë styles)

Why pick this up:
Balkan kilims from hill towns such as Berat and Korçë are densely woven with geometric patterns that reflect pastoral life. They’re durable, colorful, and immediately give a room a regional identity.

What to look for:
Inspect the backside for consistent hand-knotting, natural dyes that show subtle tonal shifts, and wool that feels substantial rather than plasticky. Ask about the village or weaver if possible.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 6,000–40,000

Where to find it:
Berat’s old quarter, Korçë bazaars, artisan cooperatives and select shops in Tirana.

5. Cold-pressed Olive Oil (Southern Albania / Vlora)

Why pick this up:
Olive groves along the Ionian coast produce fruity, grassy oils that reflect sun-soaked microclimates—perfect for drizzling over salads or bread. Small-batch oils from Vlora or Himarë have a fresh, peppery finish.

What to look for:
Choose dark bottles labeled “vaji ulliri i vajit të ftohtë” (cold-pressed) with a harvest date and region. Avoid unlabeled bulk oil unless the vendor can guarantee provenance.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 600–2,000 (per 500 ml)

Where to find it:
Farmers’ stalls in Vlora and Sarandë, Pazari i Ri in Tirana, and agricultural cooperatives.

6. Mountain Honey (Përmet, Theth, & Albanian Alps)

Why pick this up:
Albania’s isolated beekeeping in the mountains produces single-flower and wildflower honeys with floral complexity and thicker texture. A jar is a fragrant reminder of chestnut and thyme-scented meadows.

What to look for:
Look for sealed jars with a clear producer name or village listed; raw honey may crystallize naturally. Ask if it’s monofloral (chestnut, thyme) or wildflower to match taste preferences.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 800–2,500

Where to find it:
Përmet markets, Theth guesthouses, mountain farm stalls, and Pazari i Ri.

7. Raki (Home-distilled Grape Spirit)

Why pick this up:
Raki is the spirit of Albanian hospitality—potent, aromatic, and often infused with herbs or fruit. Bottles from family distillers capture local grape varieties and age-old techniques.

What to look for:
Prefer labeled, sealed bottles from reputable producers or cooperatives; ask if it’s flavored (sour cherry, quince) or plain grape. Be mindful of alcohol allowances for travel.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 500–2,500 (per 500 ml)

Where to find it:
Local markets, village distillers around Berat and Përmet, and specialty food stalls in Tirana.

8. Hand-hammered Copperware (Coffee pots & serving pans)

Why pick this up:
Copper cookware—coffee cezves, trays, and pans—are traditional household items that age to a warm patina and make for dramatic kitchen pieces. They reflect blacksmithing traditions found across Albania.

What to look for:
Seek sturdy hand-hammering marks and solid brass or copper rivets; lightweight stamped pieces are likely mass-produced. A handcrafted piece will have slight imperfections that give it character.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 3,000–15,000

Where to find it:
Artisan stalls in Krujë and Berat, metalsmith workshops in Shkodër, and craft markets.

9. Dried Figs, Almonds, & Preserved Fruits (Southern Albania)

Why pick this up:
The warm south yields sweet dried figs, roasted almonds, and preserves that carry the sun of the Ionian orchards. These are compact, storied edible souvenirs that travel well when packaged.

What to look for:
Buy vacuum-sealed or well-labeled jars and packets with origin information; check for freshness and avoid tacky or overly sugary preserves. Ask for samples to judge flavor.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 300–1,200

Where to find it:
Sarandë and Ksamil market stalls, Pazari i Ri, and farm stands along the southern coast.

10. Onufri-style Religious Icons & Painted Woodwork

Why pick this up:
Inspired by the 16th-century master Onufri of Berat, painted icons and small panels reflect a unique Albanian approach to color and religious art. They’re beautiful for collectors and interior decor alike.

What to look for:
Look for hand-painted tempera work on wood with visible brushwork and traditional iconography; ask sellers for provenance and whether the pieces are contemporary reproductions. Museum shops sometimes sell high-quality reproductions.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 1,500–10,000

Where to find it:
Onufri Museum shop in Berat, artisan galleries in Gjirokastër, and museum stores.

11. Opinga (Traditional Leather Shoes)

Why pick this up:
Opinga are hand-stitched leather shoes once worn across the Balkans; the Albanian versions are sturdy, shaped to the foot, and evocative of rural life. They make a distinctive and wearable souvenir.

What to look for:
Choose full-grain leather with hand-sewn soles and leather laces; new opinga should soften with wear rather than peel. Regional styles may differ—ask which village pattern you’re getting.

Price bracket (2025):
Lekë 1,000–5,000

Where to find it:
Shops in Berat and Gjirokastër, craft cooperatives in the north, and artisan markets in Tirana.

Tip: Buy smaller, heavier items (like spices or jewelry) in your carry-on to avoid damage in checked luggage, and always ask for a simple receipt for customs 🧳

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Markets in Albania are lively social hubs where food, craft, and conversation mingle, Pazari i Ri in Tirana buzzes with fruit sellers and artisan stalls, while the Krujë Bazaar hangs on to Ottoman-era rhythms of metalwork and silversmithing.

Weekend markets and seasonal fairs around Berat, Gjirokastër, and Shkodër showcase regional costume fragments, woodcraft, and textiles; villages such as Theth and Përmet keep artisanal techniques alive through family workshops.

Bargaining is common but usually good-natured; a polite haggle over price is expected more in bazaars than in fixed-price museum shops.

Many crafts reflect layered cultural influences: Illyrian motifs survive in weaving, Ottoman styles persist in filigree silver, and Orthodox icon painting left a strong legacy around Berat’s Onufri school.

Artisan cooperatives and small family producers are increasingly selling directly at farmers’ markets and weekend maker bazaars, making it easier to find authentic, locally made goods.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for natural materials such as wool, linen, full-grain leather, hand-hammered copper, and sterling or silver alloy in filigree. Plus irregularities that indicate handwork like uneven stitch lengths, slight asymmetry in weaving, or tool marks on metal.

For textiles, ask about dyes; natural dyes tend to show gentle fading and tonal variation, whereas synthetic-dyed commercial goods often look perfectly uniform.

For foodstuffs, prefer sealed jars with producer names or village origins and harvest dates (olive oil and honey are easiest to verify); for spirits, buy sealed bottles with labels from known cooperatives or trusted vendors.

If a “traditional” item is unusually cheap and looks factory-perfect, it’s likely imported, ask the seller where and how it was made.

Where to Shop in Albania

• Pazari i Ri (New Bazaar), Tirana — fresh produce, honey, and small artisan stalls.
• Krujë Bazaar — traditional jewelry, filigree, and souvenirs close to the Skanderbeg Museum.
• Gjirokastër Old Bazaar and Berat’s old quarter — textiles, kilims, and Onufri-inspired art.
• Shkodër bazaars and Rozafa-area markets — leatherwork and northern handicrafts.
• Museum shops: Onufri Museum (Berat), National Historical Museum (Tirana), and Butrint’s museum shop.
• Tirana Nënë Tereza International Airport gift shops for last-minute items.
• Mountain craft villages and weekend markets in Theth, Valbona, Përmet, and coastal markets around Vlora and Sarandë.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Albania expensive?
A: Prices vary—local foodstuffs and small crafts are affordable, while handwoven textiles, filigree, and large kilims can be more costly; expect better deals at local bazaars than tourist shops.

Q: Is bargaining common in Albania?
A: Yes, bargaining is common in open-air bazaars and with independent artisans; remain polite, start lower than the asking price, and settle on a compromise both sides can accept.

Q: How do I know if food or drink is allowed through customs?
A: Check your destination’s customs rules before travel; sealed jars, commercial bottles of olive oil and raki with labels and receipts are usually safest, while homemade items may be restricted.

Explore Albania’s markets and workshops—you’ll find that what to buy in Albania tells as much about the people and places as it does about the object itself.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!