In Albania, you can now do quite well with a credit card for groceries and clothes. You can also pay in euros in many places. You’ll need leks in restaurants and bars.

You will also need leks for petrol stations to pay for fuel. On a trip in summer 2020, I found one petrol station in Vlore where you could pay for fuel with a card.

I have already exchanged a small amount at the airport and then more at currency exchange offices in the destinations.

When withdrawing from ATMs, it is advisable to withdraw a decent amount at once, as the commission is often the same for small and large withdrawals.