# What should you buy at an Albanian market or supermarket, and what is worth taking home from Albania?

> Albanian markets beat the supermarkets for cheese and produce. What to buy, what byrek and kackavall are, and why small shops still dominate.

- Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/what-to-buy-at-a-grocery-store-in-albania
- Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries)
- Published: 2026-04-11

Albania shops small. **Conad**, **SPAR** and **Big Market** are the modern chains in the cities, but much of the country still buys from **fruta** (fruit and vegetable shops) and neighbourhood **pazari** markets. Prices are low, produce is good, and the local cheese and raki are the things worth carrying home.

## Cheese, and how it is sold

**Kaçkavall** is the yellow semi-hard cheese, similar to a mild cheddar or kashkaval, sold in blocks by weight. It is the everyday cheese and it keeps reasonably well.

**Gjizë** is a fresh curd cheese, eaten with bread or in *byrek*. It does not travel.

**Djathë i bardhë** is the brined white cheese, similar to feta, sold in tubs of brine at the market.

Cheese from a market stall is cut to order and is usually better and cheaper than the supermarket packs.

## The bakery and the everyday diet

**Byrek** is the layered pastry, filled with cheese, spinach or meat, sold by the slice from bakeries (*furrë*) all day. It is the cheapest meal in the country.

**Petulla** are fried dough, eaten with honey or cheese, and **tavë kosi** is the baked lamb and yoghurt dish.

**Bread** is bought fresh daily from a bakery rather than kept for days.

**Olive oil** from the south around Vlora and Berat is good and inexpensive; buy from a producer or a market stall rather than the supermarket.

## What to take home

**Raki** is the grape or plum spirit, often homemade, and bottles from small producers are the real thing.

**Skënderbeu** is the local brandy, sold in distinctive bottles, and it is a legitimate souvenir.

**Korça beer** is the national lager, and it is worth drinking there rather than carrying.

**Honey**, **walnuts** and **dried figs** are the light, sealed things that travel well.

## Practical notes

**Cash dominates** outside the cities. Card acceptance is improving but patchy, and markets are cash-only.

**Euros are often accepted** for larger purchases and are widely held, but change is usually given in lek. Our [Albania money guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/albania-cash-culture-atms-and-tipping-rules) covers the ATM fees, which are high.

**Markets** run in the morning. Smaller shops close for lunch in the middle of the day.

Tipping is appreciated rather than expected — see [tipping in Albania](https://clevertourists.com/resources/tipping-in-albania-cash-lek-restaurant-etiquette-guide).

## Frequently asked questions

### What food should you bring back from Albania?

Raki, olive oil, honey, walnuts and dried figs. Cheese and byrek do not travel.

### Is Albania cash-only?

Outside the cities, largely yes. Cards work in supermarkets and hotels but markets and small shops are cash.

### What is byrek?

A layered filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach or meat, sold by the slice from bakeries and the cheapest meal in the country.

### Are ATMs expensive in Albania?

Yes. Foreign card withdrawals commonly carry steep fixed operator fees, so withdraw larger amounts less often.