Albania’s Riviera of Contrasts: €2000/m² Seaview Apartments Next to €50 Family Taverns

When I walk along Saranda’s promenade in the evening, the contrasts of the Albanian Riviera are impossible to miss. On one side, you see brand new seaview apartments selling at around €2000 per square meter—modern glass balconies catching the sunset, the kind of places foreign buyers can only dream of affording in Italy or Greece. And then, just a few steps away, there’s a small family-owned taverna where a dinner with grilled sea bass, fresh salad, and a carafe of wine rarely costs more than €50 for four people. That’s Albania’s magic. And it’s the reason I keep telling clients: the ROI here is not just about real estate prices—it’s about lifestyle.

Lifestyle ROI: More Than Just Numbers

Investors usually arrive with spreadsheets. They want to know rental yields, seasonal prices, and square meters. And yes, I provide those. A two-bedroom seaview apartment in Saranda, for example, rented out on Airbnb during the summer, can bring €120–€180 per night. That alone makes Saranda apartments for sale look like a smart bet.

But the part that often surprises them is how affordable daily life is here. Coffee for €1, a full beachfront lunch for €15. Compare that to Spain or Italy, and suddenly the “hidden ROI” appears: you’re not just buying property, you’re buying into a lifestyle where your everyday costs remain low, and your quality of life stays high.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

Hidden Bays and Cheap Escapes

Let’s talk about weekends. Because what’s the point of buying seaview apartments if you can’t escape once in a while? Just north of Saranda, you’ll find Kakome Bay. It’s a turquoise dream, almost too beautiful to be real. And a bit further, Krorez Bay—reachable only by boat. For €25 you can rent a spot on one of the small local boats, spend the entire day swimming, sunbathing, eating freshly grilled sardines, and return just in time to watch the Saranda lights sparkle across the bay.

Sometimes I bring clients there before a property viewing. Not because it’s part of the deal, but because I know that after a day in Krorez, the idea of owning a beachfront property here starts to feel irresistible.

And if you’re curious about Tongo Island—it’s even closer. For about the same €25, you can enjoy an all-day trip. Clear waters, cliffs perfect for a jump, and usually only a handful of people around. For me, that’s worth more than any brochure.

The Market Side: From Ksamil to Borsh

Of course, lifestyle matters. But let’s return to the numbers for a moment. The Albanian Riviera isn’t one uniform market—it’s a mosaic.

• Saranda: Apartments on Panorama Street are in high demand. There’s a luxury villa project under construction right now with full seaviews—exactly the type of property that attracts serious investors.

• Ksamil: Famous for its Caribbean-style beaches. Here, you can still find exclusive seaview apartments—only six left, fully furnished, with a shared swimming pool. The building will be ready within months. High ROI is almost guaranteed during summer because Ksamil rents out faster than anywhere else.

• Borsh: My personal favorite for long-term appreciation. It’s less developed but changing fast. On the main coastal road connecting to Saranda, there are just four White Villas. Each comes with its own pool, veranda, and parking. Nestled in nature, yet on the main artery of the south. When I show these villas, I often take buyers to a small roadside taverna nearby where the owner still serves homemade raki alongside grilled lamb. It’s details like these that convince people this is more than a transaction—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.

A Tangent About Culture

One thing I’ve noticed: buyers often underestimate how much culture shapes real estate decisions here. Albanians value hospitality deeply. When you visit a village, you’ll often be invited in for coffee, even rakia, by complete strangers. That warmth rubs off on investors too. They come for the property but stay for the people.

Just last month, while showing a young couple an apartment near Mango Beach, a neighbor came out with a basket of figs, insisting we try some. We laughed, ate figs on the sidewalk, and then went up to see the apartment. Later, the couple told me, “That’s when we decided Saranda was the right place.”

Funny how figs can close a deal better than numbers.

The Seaview Obsession

There’s something about waking up to the Ionian Sea that makes every conversation about ROI secondary. I’ve lived in Saranda long enough to know that locals still gather every evening to watch the sunset from the promenade. It’s almost a ritual. Foreigners notice this too. They say, “You mean you do this every day? For free?” And I just nod.

That’s why seaview apartments remain the heart of the market. Whether it’s a small one-bedroom or a sprawling penthouse, the value is tied to the view. And with prices around €2000/m², we’re still far below European averages. Affordable properties like these won’t stay affordable forever.

The Everyday Math of Happiness

Let me share a simple example. A client from Germany once compared his monthly expenses: in Munich, €3000 barely covers rent, utilities, and food. Here in Saranda, with the same budget, he not only owns his seaview apartment but eats out three nights a week, takes boat trips to Tongo Island, and still saves. That’s lifestyle ROI in action.

And it’s what makes the Albanian Riviera so attractive to buyers looking not only for an investment but for a new chapter in life.

Final Thoughts

So, when people ask me, “Why Albania?” I don’t just list statistics or show floor plans. I tell them about the €50 dinners for four at a taverna by the sea. I tell them about the €25 boats to untouched bays. I tell them about figs on the sidewalk, sunsets every evening, and the smile on a client’s face when they realize they can afford what once felt impossible.

Real estate here isn’t just about property. It’s about contrast, lifestyle, and opportunity. From Saranda’s apartments to Ksamil’s high-yield rentals, and Borsh’s luxury villas in nature, the Albanian Riviera truly offers a balance you won’t find anywhere else.

And if you want to see for yourself—well, I’ll be here. Probably with a coffee in hand, waiting to show you the view that might just change your life.