Unusual Facts About Albania — Traditions and Features

In this article, you will learn facts about Albania that will surely catch your attention.

Albania is an amazing country with unique traditions and features that sometimes seem unusual to tourists.

Why There Are No Street Names and House Numbers in Albania

Fact #1: In Albania, many houses lack plaques with street names and house numbers.

Albanians are so accustomed to the absence of plaques that it seems natural to them.

This situation dates back to the rule of Enver Hoxha, who prohibited the indication of street names and house numbers.

His idea was to mislead a potential enemy in case of an invasion.

Without precise coordinates, the enemy would not be able to navigate the area effectively.

Apartments Without Numbers: A Unique Feature of Albanian Homes

Fact #2: In most Albanian homes, apartment doors do not have numbers.

For foreigners, this may be a real discovery, as they are used to precision and order. However, for Albanians, this is normal.

This tradition also originated under Enver Hoxha and was aimed at complicating the identification of a specific person’s or family’s location for a potential enemy.

At that time, Albania had serious reasons for such measures. The country was small, and some neighbors were powerful and aggressive.

Fixed Book Prices: A Legacy of the Soviet Past

Fact #3: Books and printed materials in Albanian stores are sold at a fixed price indicated on their back cover.

This practice resembles the times of the USSR when every book had its price written on it, for example: “Price: 3 rubles 48 kopecks.”

There were 100 kopecks in 1 ruble.

Albania, which was under Soviet influence after World War II, adopted many of its traditions.

And although today the political situation has changed, the fixed price for books remains unchanged.

Price Inflation: Why Albanians Overstate Prices When Speaking

Fact #4: Albanians often state prices in conversation by increasing them tenfold, adding a zero.

For example, if you ask a schoolchild in the city of Berat about the cost of a bus ticket, he might answer, “300 lek.” If you ask again, he will clarify that he actually meant 30 lek and smile.

The price of a bus ticket in Berat: 30 lek.

This is not an attempt to deceive but a deeply rooted tradition.

It is linked to the 1968 currency reform during Enver Hoxha’s era when one zero was removed from the currency. The older generation continued using the old designations in conversation, and the younger generation had to speak the same way to avoid misunderstandings.

The essence: after the denomination, people tried to preserve their understanding of the cost of goods and services as they were before. To do this, they continued to pronounce prices as before.

Thus, the written price changed, but the spoken price remained the same.

Prices are correctly listed everywhere (accurately written on price tags), but in spoken language, the tradition of stating a different price persists.

Cities Without Bus Stations: Features of the Transport System

Fact #5: Some cities and towns in Albania do not have a single bus station.

For example, in Vlora, bus routes depart from 7 different locations:

• The regular coastal route to Saranda starts from Bar Te Miri.
• Buses to Tirana, Durrës, and Berat depart from the market in the old town.
• Routes to Greece start from the Sazani restaurant near Independence Square.
• Buses to Germany and Italy depart from Transbalkanika.
• Minibuses to Orikum leave from the Neptun store.
• Near the Aliko furniture store, minibuses go to the village of Narte and other settlements.
• The Hermes bus to Tirana Airport departs from its office on Transbalkanika.

Such diversity can be confusing for foreigners used to a central bus station.

Conclusion

Now you know important facts about Albania that will help you better understand this country.

All you need to do is communicate more with Albanians.

Do not be afraid to ask questions.

Albanians are friendly and always ready to help visitors.

Bonus

For those who read this article to the end.

Fact #6: Albanians nod their heads in agreement, just like other people in Europe and around the world.

Let’s debunk a popular myth: “Albanians shake their heads negatively when saying ‘yes.'”

In reality, when they say “yes,” they nod their heads like most people in other countries.

These are the facts about Albania that you now know.

👉 If you want to better understand the country as a whole, check out the article Albania — Key Facts and Information about the Country. It contains key information about the language, currency, holidays, climate, and other features.