SHOPPING

Special purchases include carpets, filigree silver and copper, woodcarvings, ceramics and any kind of needlework. Old markets are often worth exploring. Bartering is very much the order of the day for foreigners as well as for locals. Some of the tourist hotels also have shops.

Shopping hours
Generally Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900 (although regional variations are possible). Many shops are also open Sunday.

Currency Information:

Currency
Lek (Lk) = 100 qindarka. Notes are in denominations of Lk5000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Lk50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and banks. US dollars are the preferred foreign currency.

Credit & debit cards
Rarely used. Cash is preferred in nearly all cases. However, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted by some banks and hotels.

Travelers cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars or Euros. They may not always be easily changed in all places.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is permitted up to US$5000 or up to the amount declared on arrival.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Lek against Sterling and the US Dollar: