Albania is a small Balkan country that lines the Adriatic and Ionian coastlines. A country once isolated, Albania is one of the few hidden gems left in Europe.
Albania is bordered by Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
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Important Information About Albania
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Albania is during the summer months if you plan on visiting the beautiful beaches that Albania has to offer. If you want to visit the beaches but avoid some of the summer crowds, I recommend traveling to Albania in May.
If you can’t visit during the summer months, you will still have some cultural activities to do in cities like Tirana, Berat, Korca, Shkoder, and Gjirokaster.
Language
The official language in Albania is Albanian.
I was surprised by the high level of English spoken by locals in Albania, especially younger people. The only people that I had difficulty communicating with were taxi drivers.
Currency
The currency in Albania is called Albanian lek (ALL).
Check this website for a current currency exchange rate. You will probably have a difficult time exchanging your currency to Albanian lek in any country except for Albania, so make sure you exchange your cash at the airport before leaving Albania.
Credit Cards & ATMs
You will easily be able to find many ATMs throughout Albania. Credit cards are not widely used throughout Albania. Grocery stores were one of the few places where I was always able to use a credit card. Most stores and restaurants only accept cash. Even a few hotels I stayed at only accepted cash.
Safety
It is safe to travel around Albania, and most locals are very welcoming to foreigners. From my experience, the biggest danger is with driving. The roads could use some improvement, and many Albanian drivers don’t follow normal driving laws.
Plugs
The plugs in Albania are types C and F. The standard voltage is 230V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter.
