Picture this: you just landed in Albania on a Friday; the sun is shining, and you are excited to see all those beautiful landscapes and eat some delicious food, as you have seen on social media. But first, you need to go to that hotel or that BnB apartment you booked before arriving, but don’t know how to navigate.
All of this is just because you didn’t bother to learn Albanian, and now you are in this small country where everybody speaks a language that you have never heard before. Touché!
Well, it happens to most of us, but don’t worry! Because I will teach you all you need to know about navigating Albanian addresses and regions like a local. Keep scrolling, because these insider tips and tricks will help you enjoy your vacation without struggling to find your way around!
Table Of Contents
Albanian Addresses Format
In Albania, all addresses follow a formal format that is regulated by law, as decided by the central government. The elements of the address are in this order:
- The name of the boulevard/avenue/street/park
- The number of the building (with the letter H as a shortening)
- The number of the apartment (with the Ap. as a shortening) or the number of the house (with the letter H as a shortening)
- The name of the district or municipality with the zip code
- The name of the city/town
Here is an example of an Albanian address:
Rr. Ismail Qemali
Nd. 12, H. 5, Ap. 7
Njësia Administrative Nr. 2
Tiranë
Ismail Qemali Street
Building 12, Entrance 5, Apartment 7
Administrative Unit Nr. 2
Tirana
How To Write Albanian Addresses
So now you know the order, but how do you actually write Albanian addresses? The format is pretty much the same, but with the new regulations there are small but important differences, especially when it comes to the repetitions of the name.
Example #1
There is a specific address you are looking for in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. In Albanian, this address is written with shortenings, and the order should be like the following:
Pjeter Budi Street
Building 5, Entrance 2, Apartment 12
Student City, No. 15, 1003
Tirana, Albania
Rr. Pjeter Budi
Nd. 5, H. 2, Ap. 12
Student City, No. 15, 1003
Tirana, Albania
In Albanian, this address is written with shortenings:
| English | Short Version | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Street | Rr. | Rruga |
| Entrance (Floor) | H. | Hyrja |
| Apartment | Ap. | Apartamenti |
Example #2
In cases where the city and the administrative unit have the same name as the municipality, you don’t have to write it down twice; once is enough. The order is the same, but the name of the district is removed, and only the zip code remains.
Rr. Jani Vruho
Nd. 5, H.2, Ap.12
5003
Berat
Jani Vruho Street
5, Floor 2, Apartment 12
5003
Berat
Example #3
In cases where the city and the administrative unit have the same name, but the municipality has a different name, you should write the name of the municipality and administrative name only once, followed by the zip code, and then the city name.
Rr. Agim Ramadani
Nd. 10, H.3, Ap. 17
Bajram Curri, 8702
Tropoje
Agim Ramadani Street
Building 10, Entrance 3, Apartment 17
Bajram Curri, 8702
Tropoje
Example #4
In cases where the administrative unit has a different name from the municipality, the administrative unit name is in the third order, followed by the zip code. In the last row, you should write the name of the city.
Rr. Kosova
Nd.23, H.1, Ap.3
Laç, 4701
Kurbin
Kosova Street
Building 23, Entrance 1, Apartment. 3
Laç, 4701
Kurbin
Example #5
In cases where a village has a name different from that of the municipality and the administrative unit, the village name should be written in the third row, before the administrative unit.
Rr. Avni Bajrami
Nd.24, H. 3, Ap. 1
Sheqeras, VRESHTAS, 7028
Maliq
Street: “AVNI BAJRAMI”
Building 24, Apartment 3, House 1
Sheqeras, VRESHTAS, 7028
Maliq
Example #6
In cases where villages share the same name as their administrative unit, you only need to write the name once.
Rr. Lisit
Nd.12, H.1, Ap.5
Vreshtas, 7028
Maliq
Lisit Street
Building 12, House 1, Apartment 5
Vreshtas, 7028
Maliq
Zip Postal Addresses In Albanian
All Albanian zip codes have four digits; the first two represent the district-level branch, while the last two identify the specific post office serving an administrative unit within a municipality or commune. These branches are situated in the district centers.
Here are the zip codes of all Albanian regions. To find the zip code of specific addresses, you can check out the webpage of the Albanian Postal Service.
| Region | Zip Code |
|---|---|
| Tirana | 1000 |
| Kruja | 1500 |
| Durrës | 2000 |
| Kavaja | 2500 |
| Elbasan | 3000 |
| Gramsh | 3300 |
| Librazhd | 3400 |
| Peqin | 3500 |
| Shkodër | 4000 |
| Malësi e Madhe | 4300 |
| Puka | 4400 |
| Lezha | 4500 |
| Mirëdita | 4600 |
| Kurbin | 4700 |
| Berati | 5000 |
| Kucova | 5300 |
| Skrapari | 5400 |
| Gjirokastër | 6000 |
| Tepelena | 6300 |
| Përmeti | 6400 |
| Korca | 7000 |
| Pogradeci | 7300 |
| Kolonjë | 7400 |
| Mat | 8000 |
| Dibër | 8300 |
| Bulqiza | 8400 |
| Kukës | 8500 |
| Has | 8600 |
| Tropojë | 8700 |
| Lushnjë | 9000 |
| Fier | 9300 |
| Vlorë | 9400 |
| Sarandë | 9700 |
Practical Advice
Albania has transformed immensely after the fall of the communist regime in the ‘90s. Big cities like Tirana, Durrës, Shkodra, or Vlora have completely transformed due to the excessive new buildings and immigration. These major changes are still ongoing. For this reason, finding an address, or explaining it properly, can be a bit tricky, because it seems like a new location is popping up every day. Also, the old names of the streets or buildings have changed.
So if you are in Albania, don’t be shy to ask. The local citizens ask each other all the time, even though they are in their own country. However, you should know at least the area or the district you want to go to in order to receive proper guidance.
Most Albanians use landmarks to navigate, so it’s likely you’ll hear oversimplifications of the addresses like “by the market” or “at the train station.” Make sure to ask for directions in Albanian to go to the landmark first, and then when you arrive, ask more specifically.
Taxi drivers are always a good choice when in a hurry because they are very well-versed in navigating urban and rural areas.
Asking For Directions In Albania
In the cities, most Albanians can speak English or other foreign languages like Italian or Spanish. In rural areas, this is not as common, so it will be good if you learn some phrases in Albanian to ask for directions. To practice Albanian travel dialogues and more, you can always download the Ling app, so you can be prepared to have conversations with the locals.
Here are some phrases you’ll need when asking for directions in Albanian:
| English | Albanian |
|---|---|
| Where is…? | Ku është? |
| Where is the location of..? | Ku ndodhet? |
| How can I get to …? | Si mund të shkoj te…? |
| How far is it from here? | Sa larg është prej këtu? |
| Is it close? | A është afër? |
| Is it close or far? | A është afër apo larg? |
| Can you repeat that please? | A mund ta përsërisni, ju lutem? |
| Near | Afër |
| Far | Larg |
| Straight | Drejt |
| Ahead | Përpara |
| Backward | Mbrapa |
| At the right | Djathtas |
| At the left | Majtas |
How Do You Say “Address” In Albanian?
In Albanian, “address” is translated as adresë (pronounced ah-DREH-suh).
Related Albanian Vocabulary
When learning Albanian, it is always good to keep up with new words to upgrade your speaking and reading skills. Here’s a short vocabulary for Albanian addresses and everything related to it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Albanian Addresses
1. How Are Albanian Addresses Formatted?
Albanian addresses follow a standard format that includes the name of the street or avenue, the building and apartment numbers, the administrative unit, and the city or town. A typical address is written as:
- Street Name
- Building Number (Nd.)
- Apartment/House Number (Ap./H.)
- Administrative Unit
- City/Town Name with Postal Code
For example:
- Rr. Ismail Qemali
- Nd. 12, H. 5, Ap. 7
- Njësia Administrative Nr. 2
- Tiranë
2. What Do Abbreviations Like “Nd.” And “Ap.” Mean?
In Albanian addresses, “Nd.” stands for building number, and “Ap.” for apartment number. If you’re staying in a house, the “Ap.” abbreviation will not be used.
For example, a typical address in a building might look like:
- Building 12, Entrance 5, Apartment 7.
3. Are There Any Specific Postal Codes I Need To Know For Major Albanian Cities?
Yes! Major cities like Tirana, Shkodër, and Durrës have their own postal codes. These codes are essential for accurate mail delivery and sometimes for navigation purposes. For example, the postal code for Tirana can be 1001 or 1003, depending on the area. You can usually find these postal codes written at the end of the address.
Wrapping Up
Understanding Albanian addresses doesn’t have to be complicated if you follow these simple instructions. Whether you’re traveling in Albania and exploring the bustling streets of Tirana, wandering through serene mountain villages, or relaxing on Albania’s beautiful beaches, this guide will equip you with the tools to navigate addresses effectively. And if you ever feel unsure about which direction to take, don’t hesitate to ask the locals; they’re known for their hospitality and always willing to help.
