Following the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of World War II, a Communist government was established, presided over by resistance leader Enver Hoxha. Albania became famous for its isolation, not just from the free market democracies of Western Europe and the United States, but also from the Soviet Union, China, and even neighboring Yugoslavia.
The Communist party relinquished power several years after Hoxha's death, and Albania established a multi-party democracy with a coalition government. The transition to democracy has proven difficult as governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism and disruptive political opponents. Today Albania is moving closer towards neo-liberalism, with EU integration as its goal; Albania signed the SAA in June 2006, thus completing the first major step towards joining the EU. In 2008, Albania received an invitation to join NATO.
With its coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas, its highlands backed upon the elevated Balkan landmass, and the entire country lying at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns during the winter and summer seasons, Albania has a high number of climatic regions for so small an area. The coastal lowlands have typically Mediterranean weather, whereas the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. In both the lowlands and the interior, the weather varies markedly from north to south.
The lowlands have mild winters averaging about 7°C (45°F); summer temperatures average 24°C (75°F). In the southern lowlands, temperatures average about 5°C (9°F) higher throughout the year; the difference is greater than 5°C (9°F) during the summer and somewhat less during the winter.
Inland temperatures are affected more by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. Low winter temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Northerly and northeasterly winds blow much of the time. Average summer temperatures are lower than in the coastal areas and much lower at higher elevations, but daily fluctuations are greater. Daytime maximum temperatures in the interior basins and river valleys are very high, but the nights are almost always cool.
Average precipitation is heavy, a result of the convergence of the prevailing airflow from the Mediterranean Sea and the continental air mass. Because they usually meet at the point where the terrain rises, the heaviest rain falls in the central uplands. Vertical currents initiated when the Mediterranean air is uplifted also cause frequent thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by high local winds and torrential downpours.
There is no longer a visa charge for any foreigners entering Albania.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [url=http://www.mfa.gov.al/index.php?option=com_multicategories&view=article&id=7206%3Acitizens-of-which-countries-enter-the-republic-of-albania-without-a-visa&Itemid=89&lang=en],]nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Albania without a visa:
Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia *, Austria *, Azerbaijan, Belgium *, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria*, Canada *, [[Chile[/url]], [wiki=560d4c6ff431c86546f3fcec72c748c7]Croatia[/wiki], Cyprus *, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Estonia *, Finland *, France*, Germany *, Greece *, Holy See, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary *, Ireland *, Iceland *, Israel, Italy *, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia *, Liechtenstein, Lithuania *, Luxembourg *, Macau SAR, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta *, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands *, New Zealand *, Norway *,[wiki=77dab2f81a6c8c9136efba7ab2c4c0f2]Philippines[/wiki], Poland *, Portugal *, Romania *, San Marino *, Serbia , [wiki=458e4cbc78201c1aec5fc53a31c59378]Singapore[/wiki], Slovakia*, Slovenia *, South Korea, Spain *, Sweden *, Switzerland *, Taiwan (Republic of China), Turkey, United Kingdom *, USA *, Ukraine,
Qatar - in the period 25 May - 25 September 2012.
United Arab Emirates - in the period 25 May - 25 September 2012.
Kingdom of Saudia Arabia - in the period 25 May - 25 September 2012.
(Visitors from those countries with an asterisk can enter with an ID card).
States which citizens may enter without visas due to their visa liberalization with Schengen area: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, Uruguay, Venezuela, Macao (China). For staying more than 90 days within the period of six months, they need to get visa type D.
There is a €1 road tax for the first 60 days of your stay. For every additional day it is €1 per day. Be sure to receive a receipt and keep it with you, as guards may request it as proof of payment upon your exiting the country. The former €10 entrance fee per person has been abolished. The Albanian guards are very nice and do their best to help out and will, on occasion, allow fees to be paid in dollars or will forget to charge you. It's worth making sure you've got euros on you, as the customs officers at Mother Teresa Airport don't give change.
Be careful not to be charged the €1 road tax again when leaving the country. If you do, the border guard will assume that you didn't pay the road tax when entering the country.
Tirana's "Mother Teresa" International Airport [http://www.tirana-airport.com/] is located just 15 minutes away from the city. It is served by numerous European flag carriers such as British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian, and the low cost carriers Germanwings and Belle Air. A new, larger and modern terminal was opened in 2007. A tourist information centre was opened in 2012.
At the airport exit, there are numerous taxis 24/7 that can take you to the city. The taxi fee to the city center is €15 (2000 lek). Taxi fees to other locations are posted on a placard just outside the exit doors.
There is a bus called Rinas Express that runs once an hour between the airport and Skanderberg Square. It costs ALL350 each way and leaves on the hour from both the airport and from Skanderberg Square. It runs from about 08:00-19:00. The trip takes around 25-30 minutes. From the airport exit doors, walk towards the parking lot past the taxi touts to find the bus stop. At Skanderberg Square, the bus stop is located around the northwest corner, near other bus stops. The bus is not only punctual but sometimes even early, so plan to be there a few minutes in advance. Do not be intimidated by the signs not mentioning "airport" or any variation of it at the Skanderberg Square stop. "Rinas" means the bus goes to the airport. If in doubt, ask the locals, who will be happy to point you to the correct bus.
Another cheap and convenient way to reach the Albanian Riviera in Southern Albania is by landing in Corfu and taking the hydrofoil to Saranda.
It is not possible to enter or leave Albania via train. There are, however, trains that operate within the country. Though the service is limited, the price is inexpensive. There is no direct service to Tirana due to closure of the capital's only railway station. However, Tirana is served by the renovated Kashar station located 10 km west of the capital.
You can reach Tirana by coach from
* [wiki=0ef8f876d62a45352e28410454e3634b]Istanbul[/wiki], [wiki=221cdfb73049678e244380b45872cbb2]Turkey[/wiki] (20h, €35 one-way)
* [wiki=e14045c6b4fe1e65d04aade91b1f8c1b]Athens[/wiki], [wiki=6b718641741f992e68ec3712718561b8]Greece[/wiki] (9h, €30-35)
* [wiki=654cd76590cebe0ba37e8d4cce8a96ee]Sofia[/wiki], [wiki=01a151debf2bfee8906f43f4342eb10b]Bulgaria[/wiki] (22h, €25)
* [wiki=2aa94159329ff526df1ce52a57ca3e96]Tetovo[/wiki], [wiki=a7bc42e75bc4b7a9b768b48c5457601a]Republic of Macedonia[/wiki] (6h, €15)
* [wiki=bac2866d86367d24dcfee90836d91d15]Prishtina[/wiki], [wiki=40e5f4acf26ffcc0490082c11aad831f]Kosovo[/wiki] (4h, €10-15 )
There is a daily bus link between Ulcinj in Montenegro and [wiki=784101bd8bf19e2d8675676761a01d4c]Shkoder[/wiki], with buses departing from the bus station at 06:00 or 07:00 (this can be confirmed by calling the Ulcinj bus station on +382 85 413 225) and 12:30 (€5). There is also a shared taxi (minibus) from the parking place next to the market in Ulcinj; it departs at 13:00 and costs €5, and the trip takes 1.5 hours. The stop is not marked, and a reservation can only be made by finding the driver in the cafe at the corner of the parking place. Ask around and be persistent, as not all the locals know about this. There are no scheduled buses from any other point in Montenegro into Albania.
Buses also run daily from [wiki=82472da019e4c6fb326b757e04a333e1]Ioannina[/wiki] across the border at Kakavia and on to Gjirokaster. In Gjirokaster, you can buy a bus ticket to Athens, Greece or anywhere in between. The buses are new, cheap and air conditioned, and they stop at some service stations along the route.
Ferries to [wiki=62bb27b5b8c3806e00471f47a0099655]Durrës[/wiki] arrive from [wiki=0a26395cc43da0729c1b4211ae8cb413]Bari[/wiki] (9h, €50) and [wiki=44dd74f1f0839b82eafff78727d59982]Ancona[/wiki] (19h, €70). A high-speed service operates from Bari (3h, €60).[url=http://www.apdurres.com.al]]
*There is also a reliable overnight ferry service operated by Skenderbeg Lines from [[Brindisi[/url]] to [wiki=bc145f7982d13dfc3e4c7038ddb62943]Vlore[/wiki] Skenderbeg Lines [http://www.skenderbeglines.com/index.htm].
*Ferries from [wiki=41e0429c69118ca297c9fb6f017e0397]Corfu[/wiki] to [wiki=057e5007c0c782fdd595365587871595]Saranda[/wiki] every day.[http://www.portisarande.com.al]
* Ferry between [wiki=e994cff39910ec075ccca88343eb171a]Brindisi[/wiki] and [wiki=0a4f2ceb437f0844d9e6cf805324d8ed]Shengjin[/wiki] re-established in June 2015 by European Seaways [http://www.europeanseaways.com] operating twice a week in the summer.
Yachts can be anchored at Albania's only marina in Orikum, south of Vlore. You can also an anchor in the ports of Sarande, Vlore, Durres, and Shengjin.
You can reach Albania from anywhere by car by crossing through one of the major cities of the neighboring countries such as:
* [wiki=bc8ead33389619cc05222e0315e41216]Podgorica[/wiki], [wiki=4e92f9d2cdf0b8eb493ae3a19709d121]Montenegro[/wiki]
* [wiki=d146e286ad4add3e007f8bd8d3c67dae]Ohrid[/wiki] , [wiki=a7bc42e75bc4b7a9b768b48c5457601a]Macedonia[/wiki]
* [wiki=366a551bfc9bf428882055f8f0785c0c]Prizren[/wiki], [wiki=40e5f4acf26ffcc0490082c11aad831f]Kosovo[/wiki]
* [wiki=6ca5bea86fe229aa3c559cd8cb5fe493]Thessaloniki[/wiki], [wiki=6b718641741f992e68ec3712718561b8]Greece[/wiki]
* [wiki=82472da019e4c6fb326b757e04a333e1]Ioannina[/wiki], [wiki=6b718641741f992e68ec3712718561b8]Greece[/wiki]
After payment of the tax to the police, the customs officer will issue a "road tax certificate" which you must keep until you leave the country. When you exit the country, you'll pay €2/day and return the certificate.
To enter the country, make sure that your International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card) is valid for Albania (AL) along with the Vehicle Registration and a Power of Attorney from the owner if the car is not yours. The border guards are very strict about allowing cars through without these documents. Insurance can be purchased at the border if you do not have a Green Card.
The road between Ioannina, Greece and Tirana (E853/SH4) is in great condition since it has recently been renewed as of 2013/2014. When you are in Gjirokaster you will be about 2 hours and 45 minutes from the capital. But still travel with caution. This is the main north-south route between Montenegro and Greece.
The road between Struga, Macedonia and Tirana (E852/SH3) is of decent quality. There are a lot of slow moving vehicles along the curvy, mountainous route, so extra caution must be exercised, especially around corners and during over-taking. A new motorway is being constructed between Elbasan and Tirana (2011).
The road between Prizren (Kosovo) and Tirana (Albania) (E851/A1) is comparable in quality to that found on roads in other parts of Europe. Much of the road is dual carriage (autobahn/motorway style), but some is single carriageway. Extra caution should be exercised along some bridges near the Kosovo border, as they have not been widened to dual carriageways. Also be aware of the fact that cows run free on the motorway: there is no fence, and before dusk they return home using the motorway itself.
The road between Shkoder (border of Montenegro) and Tirana (E762/SH1) is of sufficient quality for driving, but there are a lot of slow-moving vehicles and uncontrolled access points, so extra caution must be exercised, especially during over-taking. A portion of the road between Milot and Thumane has been widened to motorway standard as of 2012.
The road between Hani Hotti (north of Shkoder) and Vermosh (beside the border crossing with Montenegro in the mountains) (SH20) is half unpaved as of summer 2015. The first 30km from Hani Hotti is a high quality new asphalt road; however the road abruptly turns into a stone track for the remaining 30km until Vermosh. The unpaved section is suitable for 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes with good suspension and tires.
In the north of Albania there are three border control points with Montenegro. The narrow road from Ulcinj, Montenegro to Shkoder via Muriqan/Sukobin (E851/SH41) is used mainly by locals. As of 2012, the Montenegrin section is under construction. However, it is worth a try to avoid heavier traffic on the main road (E762/SH1) to Hani i Hotit which has almost finished (2012). Ask any police officer to point you in the right direction from Shkoder; they are helpful, courteous and friendly. The border crossing in the mountains (SH20) near Vermosh is accessed by a 30km section of unpaved mountain track (as of summer 2015), although there is construction work ongoing. This road is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes designed for off-road use.
There are multiple border crossings with Greece. The biggest and most famous one is the Kakavie Border, which is about 45km from Gjirokaster. Another border crossing, which is less frequently used, is Qafe Bote, which is after Butrint and about 43 km from Saranda. This road can get you to many calm beaches in Greece and the city of Igoumenitsa. The border crossing Tre Urat is best used only if you are going to Permet or want to see some wonderful scenery; this border crossing is about 35km from Permet. Another important border crossing with Greece is Bilisht. This crossing is mainly used for traveling to Kastoria, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, and/or other parts of Eastern Greece. The closest major Albanian city from this border crossing is Korca at about 35km away.
There are two major border control points with Macedonia. The most well-known and often-frequented one is Qafe Thane This border crossing is the fastest way to get to Ohrid, the Albanian parts of Macedonia and Skopje. This crossing is about 65km from Elbasan and 30km from Pogradec. The other border crossing, named Tushemisht, is the closest one to Pogradec at only 6km and is mainly used for tourists and locals who want to see the St. Naum Church and the Macedonian parts of Lake Ohrid.
Albania is a small country and as such it is possible to leave the country by taxi.
Your hotel will be able to arrange a taxi to the border, where you should be able to change to a taxi on the other side. For example, a taxi from Tirana to the Macedonian border, a distance of 70 miles, will take three hours and cost about €100. A metered Macedonian taxi from the border to Struga should cost no more than €6 (December 2009) and take 20 minutes, while a taxi to Skopje would take 3 hours on much better roads and cost about €120 (prices January 2008). Getting through passport control will take about 30 minutes.
A taxi ride from downtown Pogradec to the Macedonian border at Sveti Naum costs about 5 euros and takes less than 10 minutes. After Albanian exit procedures, walk about .5km down the road to the Macedonian border control point. The beautiful Sveti Naum Church is very close by, and from there you can get a bus north around the lake to Ohrid (110 denars) (prices April 2010).
A taxi from Ulcinj in Montenegro to Shkoder in northern Albania costs about €30 and takes 1 hour. You do not have to change at the border; the taxi will bring you all the way (price June 2010).
Some taxis can take you into Greece; however, most will not go farther than Ioannina.
Most people in Albania travel by public bus or by private minibuses (called "furgons") which depart quite frequently to destinations around Albania. Furgons have no timetable (they depart when they are full) and in addition to big cities provide access to some smaller towns where buses don't frequently run. Furgon stations aren't always in obvious locations, so you can ask around to find them, or keep an eye out for groups of white or red minivans gathered together. Destination place names are generally displayed on the dashboard; prices are never posted. Furgons are loosely regulated and provide a real "Albanian" experience.
From [wiki=46d813e50003211a88420b66bd2235ba]Tirana[/wiki], many furgons a day depart to [wiki=784101bd8bf19e2d8675676761a01d4c]Shkoder[/wiki], [wiki=344470037e66d566d79765945c7f7d18]Durres[/wiki], [wiki=3102de0f4d3a23e1e3f74974b34cbe0c]Elbasan[/wiki], [wiki=edef5dd862c11f29ed5986b7e56e97fe]Fier[/wiki] and [wiki=05e0237c8f3c61176aa87ff25975d81e]Berat[/wiki]. Furgons departing to southern destinations like [wiki=64acaf8eb8f2b0c42c37dc191ea5641c]Gjirokaster[/wiki] or [wiki=057e5007c0c782fdd595365587871595]Saranda[/wiki] tend to depart fairly early in the morning. Generally, furgons cost a little more and go a little faster than buses, but can be uncomfortable over long distances because of the close quarters with other passengers. The following approximate operating schedule for services leaving Tirana was provided by the tourist information office there on the 4th of Spetember 2013.
Buses are cheaper and more comfortable and run on a time schedule (though it is very difficult to find printed schedules), and they are generally well regulated. There are different bus stations in Tirana for different destinations. The following timetable for services leaving Tirana was provided by the tourist information office there on the 4th of September 2013. It is subject to change and should not be considered 100% reliable.
One publicly-edited list of the departure locations and times of furgons and buses in Albania may be found at: [url=http://www.matinic.us/albania/furgon.php]here[/url] -- but of course these should be viewed with caution.
A train ride is a must, as there are few such enjoyments in Europe these days. Tickets are very cheap, journeys are very long, and the views and the atmosphere are usually priceless. Among the things you will see along this unforgettable journey are people working their land with primitive tools, beautiful landscapes and wild terrains, houses under construction with various things hung on them to ward off the evil eye, and a chance to meet interesting passengers, mainly from rural areas. At most stations you'll find people selling sunflower seeds, fruits, chewing gum and many other different things.
Services operate between [wiki=62bb27b5b8c3806e00471f47a0099655]Durrës[/wiki] and [wiki=b4cb2580dd5d60277e60d3b5159d92b5]Shkodër[/wiki], [wiki=edef5dd862c11f29ed5986b7e56e97fe]Fier[/wiki], [wiki=e5219bfef0c672684ddfb0543eed0515]Ballsh[/wiki], [wiki=93a4ffa91748b7320214138a7fc1c66b]Vlorë[/wiki] and [wiki=c350047bc95cd6ba2430e993b8c66469]Librazhd[/wiki] via the Vorë junction. The train route from [wiki=6b7f522756ad9fd66b89e2565a8cc4a9]Lezhë[/wiki] to Shkodër has scenic beauty.
No direct service to Tirana has operated since September 2013, due to planned relocation of the capital's only railroad station and redevelopment of the previous site into a residential area. Kashar is thus the closest rail station, at a distance of approximately 10 kilometers. The station was completely renovated in May 2015. Rail replacement bus services are reportedly operating between the old station sites at Tirana and Kashar, departing twenty minutes prior to the advertised train departure from the Kashar station.
Train timetables are available here: [http://www.transporti.gov.al/files/userfiles/Transporti_Hekurudhor/Grafiku_i_Ri_i_Trenave_te_Udhetareve_(Maj_2015).pdf].
Albanian trains are still in relatively poor condition. Wealthier Albanians never use trains and, if not traveling in their own cars, use the many mini-buses. On the other hand, trains offer more space than the often overloaded minibuses.
Note that the train from Durrës to Librazhd in eastern Albania (via Elbasan) takes about four hours. So instead of going up to Kashar from Tiranë to catch the train, you might want to consider taking a bus to Elbasan, which is only about 30 kilometers away.
No service has operated between Librazhd and Pogradec since 2012.
Roads between important destinations have been re-paved and fixed recently and offer most of the security measures one would expect on a highway. There are no fees for using the highways.
Beware of minor roads: road surfaces can be poor, deeply pitted, or non-existent, and sometimes a decent paving can suddenly disappear, necessitating a U-turn and lengthy doubling-back. This is the case for the road between Tirana and Gjirokastër. It seems that all the expensive cars in Albania are SUVs rather than low-slung sports cars - and for good reason. Consult the locals in advance if you are planning to travel away from a highway.
Highways have frequent changes in speed limit, sometimes with little apparent reason, and there are frequent police mobile speed checks. Police will stop you if you have not turned on your car lights. Police will often stop foreign cars (often owned by Albanian and Kosovan expats returned home), which seem to be good targets for extracting fines or other money. However, it seems that once the police recognize you as a foreign driver, they wave you on with minimal fuss, sometimes without even checking your documents. Expect to be stopped by police once per hour while driving in Albania (that frequently!). Beware of temporary lane closures and temporary rules such as no left turn which serve no apparent purpose but are watched by police who are ready to stop you if you misinterpret the confusing signs. Make sure you travel with a proper driver's license and insurance documents (ask your car hire company for these) to present to the police.
Car-driving behavior on the highways is not as orderly as elsewhere in Europe. Expect cars to pull out in front of you, little use of indicators, and hair-raising overtaking. Lanes on dual or triple carriageways tend to be observed. Also expect pedestrians, horses or donkeys to cross highways or walk on them. Especially beware of cows on the motorway.
Navigation is pretty easy, although some maps of the country are out-of-date or contain errors. It is strongly recommended to have an up-to-date GPS in your vehicle, as new roads are constantly being added to the Albanian road network. In case the GPS does not work, have a paper or internet-based map available as an alternative.
In the cities, especially Tirana, many roads are being upgraded and fixed. As a result, traveling by car inside the city is slow. Be aware that Tirana in particular suffers from great traffic congestion during mornings and midday.
The Vlorë-[wiki=057e5007c0c782fdd595365587871595]Saranda[/wiki] mountain road is a very nice ride. It is a typical Mediterranean road, and offers an amazing view of the sea from the mountains.
Gypsy and beggar children may approach your car at major stop lights. Nudge slightly forward to get them off your car and, if necessary, go into the traffic intersection to get rid of them. The locals will understand.
Note that around Greek holiday seasons, including Orthodox Easter, the roads leading to and from [wiki=6b718641741f992e68ec3712718561b8]Greece[/wiki] can be crowded with cars with Greek plates of Albanian immigrants going to Albania or returning to Greece after their holidays.
Renting a car is a good option to choose, but the practice is fairly new in the country. Rental companies are available mainly at the Tirana Airport and in Tirana proper. Various travel agencies may offer such services as well.
There is a lack of respect for people riding on bikes on the highways. Also, there are few places to put your bike. These and other challenges make Albania a difficult cycling destination, but a rewarding one. Often asking around to see if you can stay in somebody's home or camp in their garden is the only option. Food and water are easily available in the many roadside cafes and bars.
It is OK to camp in all not-strictly-private places, and even if a place is private, there should be no problem with your stay; just ask someone if you are in doubt.
Be aware that it's very hard to get parts or repairs for modern bicycles.
Hitchhiking is not very common in Albania; however, many people will pick you up if they are able.
Travelers can get assistance from Albanian travel authorities like and other non-government sector, too. It's always advisable for travelers to request information from the relevant organization/s before traveling to a destination.
In Albania it's common for men to kiss the cheeks of other men their age or younger, even the very first time they meet. This is especially true in the regions of Fier, Tepelena, Vlora and Gjirokastra. In northern Albania, men touch each other's cheeks but do not kiss them. Women also kiss one another, sometimes from the very first time they meet, but men and women do not kiss each other on the cheek unless they have been friends for a long time. Kissing on the cheeks is very common among young people 15-20 years old. If there is a baby in an Albanian family, always ask to see him or her, and don't forget to add a compliment (usually "qenka i shendetshem, me jete te gjate" or "what a sweet baby" works best). If you are a man, or a woman with a group of men, don't compliment females unless they are under 10-12 years of age.
If you don't speak English, but a language where "you" in informal and "you" in formal are not the same, be aware that some Albanians do not use the formal form in their language. Sometimes even the prime minister is adressed with "ti" if a journalist is a friend of his. However, when meeting people for the first time, it's better if you address them in formal form, although they will shortly after ask you to address them in an informal way.
Policemen in Albania are often polite. Police at checkpoints will very often stop foreign cars, many of which are owned by returning Albanians or Kosovars who are good targets for extortion. When police see that you are a foreign tourist, they will usually tell you to go on (usually with a "ec, ec, rruge te mbare" which can be translated in "go on, have a nice trip"). When this happens, it's very polite if you respond with a "Faleminderit" (thank you in Albanian).
Albanians love dancing, especially at weddings. If you are attending a party, don't be afraid to dance! Maybe you don't know the traditional dances, but try to learn.
Officially 220V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, US and Canadian travellers should pack an adapter for these outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Albania.
Unexpected power outages without prior warnings are common in Albania. This is largely dependent on the amount of rainfall the country receives in any given year, as virtually all of electricity is generated from hydro plants in Albania. However this is becoming more and more rare.Only in Tirana you will not have power outages but expect so in other cities.Although all major cities and most of the towns have back-up generators, however it is best to err on the side of the caution and ask whether the place has a generator or not beforehand in order not to, say, get stuck in an elevator.