21 Interesting Superstitions in Albania

I’ve always found superstitions really interesting. Personally, I don’t believe in all of them, but I love hearing what different people trust in, especially when it comes to local traditions and beliefs that have been around for generations.

In Albania, I’ve realized that superstitions are still very present in daily life. Some are light and playful, others are taken more seriously, but they all offer a little glimpse into how Albanians view luck, energy, and everyday life.

Here are some of the most interesting ones you’ll hear about (or witness in action):

Black Cats Mean Bad Luck

If a black cat crosses your path, some Albanians believe it brings bad luck, so they’ll change direction or pause for a few seconds before moving on. It might seem dramatic, but hey, better safe than sorry.

Never Cheers With Water

If you’re out with friends and someone says “gëzuar!” (cheers), your glass should something other than water (even juice is fine). Clinking glasses with water is seen as bad luck in Albania.

Don’t Leave Your Bag on the Ground

If you put your purse or backpack directly on the floor, it’s believed your money will “fly away.” Always keep your bag on a chair, hook, or at least not on the ground.

Sit, Stand up a Little, And Sit Down Again

If someone says something negative, like a bad event, death, or anything unlucky, and you’re sitting down, people will often quickly stand up and sit back down to “break” the bad luck.

Itchy Palms

Right palm itchy? Money is coming your way. Left palm itchy? You’re about to spend some. This one always starts conversations, especially with older generations.

Don’t Sweep Right After Someone Leaves

Sweeping immediately after someone walks out the door is seen as disrespectful and bad luck. It’s like you’re “sweeping them away” from your life.

No Whistling at Night

Whistling at night, especially indoors, is a big no. It’s said to attract spirits or bring bad luck. Even if you’re just humming along to a tune, someone might ask you to stop.

Spilling Coffee = Good Luck

If you spill a bit of coffee, it’s actually seen as good luck. Some say it means you’ll receive money or good news soon. So don’t stress if your espresso slips, just smile and take it as a sign.

Don’t Cut Your Nails at night

Cutting nails after dark is believed to bring bad luck. Some say it shortens your life, others say it invites bad energy into the home. Either way, some people save it for daylight.

Broken Mirrors = Bad luck

Yes, this one is common worldwide, and Albanians believe in it too. Break a mirror and you’re looking at seven years of bad luck.

Evil Eye Protection

A big one in Albania. People wear blue beads or special pins to protect against “syri i keq” (the evil eye), especially for babies, and some people even use garlic because it’s believed to block the bad vibes.

Don’t Hand Someone a Knife Directly

If you need to give someone a knife, don’t hand it to them directly, put it down on the table for them to pick up. Handing it directly is believed to cause arguments or cut the relationship.

Sneezing Once Means Someone’s Talking About You

If you sneeze once randomly, someone might be talking about you. Two sneezes? You’re probably catching a cold.

Don’t Sit at the Corner of a Table

If you sit at the very corner of a table, especially if you’re single, it’s said that you won’t get married for the next seven years.

Don’t Open an Umbrella Indoors

This one’s common in other cultures too. In Albania, opening an umbrella inside is believed to bring bad luck and problems in the house.

Dropping Cutlery = Someone’s Coming

Drop a knife? A man is coming to visit. Drop a fork or spoon? A woman is coming. People sometimes even look at the direction the cutlery fell to see “where they’ll come from.”

Don’t Turn Back Once You’ve Left

If you walk out of the house and realize you forgot something, it’s not ideal to go back. If you absolutely have to, sit down for a few seconds before leaving again to “reset” your energy.

Never Leave Scissors Open

Leaving scissors open is said to “cut” peace in the house. Always close them before setting them down.

Don’t Call Someone While They’re Eating

It’s believed that calling someone while they’re eating brings them bad luck, especially if it’s a sudden phone call. Some will even call back after finishing their meal to “fix” the energy.

If You Bite Your Tongue, You’ll Eat Meat

This one can probably make you laugh if its the first time you hear about it. If you accidentally bite your tongue, someone might say, “You’re going to eat meat soon!” Not sure if it’s ever been true for me, but it’s definitely a fun superstition.

Honey on the Door For Newlyweds

When someone gets married, it’s common to put a bit of honey on the door of the new home. It’s a sweet tradition (literally) and it’s supposed to bring good luck and happiness to the couple’s life together./

Have You Ever Heard of Such Superstitions Before?

These little beliefs are just part of the fabric of Albanian daily life. Some people live by them, others just laugh and go along, but you’ll definitely come across them if you’re spending any real time in the country.