Tap water in Albania

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 87% of people in Albania. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

87% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally not safe to drink in Albania.

Numbeo

34.11/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “Low”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

Lonely Planet

Drinking water is generally safe, and is delicious in the mountains, but check with locals first. Many locals in bigger cities prefer to drink bottled water.

Safe nationally still means ask locally. Older buildings can carry lead or copper pipework, and a single street can differ from the network feeding it. If you are staying somewhere old, ask your host.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 350$ a year in Albania, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in Albania

Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.

Elsewhere in Europe