Airbnb Data in Albania: What Occupancy Rates Reveal About Property Investments

I’ve spent years walking these hills and beaches, from the busy waterfront in Saranda to the quiet olive groves above Borsh. One thing I’ve noticed, especially in the past five years, is how dramatically the Airbnb market has reshaped the way people think about property in Albania. It’s no longer just about having a summer home. It’s about turning that apartment or villa into an income stream.

And here’s the thing: the numbers back it up.

The Strong Season Everyone Waits For

In Albania, occupancy rates tell the story better than any glossy brochure. The season here is short but intense. From mid-June through late August, Airbnb listings in Saranda and Ksamil often report occupancy rates well above 80–90%. I’ve even seen certain beachfront apartments booked solid for three months straight, with prices climbing every week in July.

But it’s not just July and August. May and September have grown stronger, too. Travelers—especially from Scandinavia, Poland, and Germany—prefer the shoulder months for calmer beaches and lower flight prices. I had a family from Sweden last year who stayed in Ksamil until mid-September, and they couldn’t believe how warm the water still was.

If you’re thinking about investing, those four to five months of strong occupancy can cover a big part of your annual costs. And when you add in the right location, the rest of the year can still bring bookings, though at a lower rate.

What the Numbers Really Mean

Let me break it down simply.

• July–August: 85–95% occupancy in Saranda and Ksamil, higher for seaview apartments.

• May, June, September: 55–70% occupancy, depending on location and apartment quality.

• Rest of the year: 15–25%, mostly long-term stays or weekend getaways from Tirana.

That means a well-managed property can achieve an average annual occupancy of around 50–55%. For comparison, in some parts of Spain or Italy, annual occupancy hovers at 40–45%.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now. Prices are still affordable compared to Greece, yet demand is growing faster than supply.

Location Isn’t Just About the Sea

Of course, numbers don’t tell the whole story. As someone who lives here year-round, I know the difference between two apartments just a few streets apart. Take Rruga Butrinti in Saranda. A seaview apartment here rents instantly because guests can walk to Mango Beach in 7 minutes, yet still enjoy peace in the evenings. Compare that to an apartment tucked deep into the hills without a good access road—occupancy drops no matter how nice the furniture is.

Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference. There’s a small café near the Panorama Road in Saranda where I often meet clients before viewings. It’s not fancy, but it gives me the chance to show them how quiet and family-friendly the area feels. That’s the kind of detail that convinces people this isn’t just a holiday rental, but also a long-term home.

For example, we recently listed this 1-bedroom seaview apartment on Panorama Street. The entire apartment looks straight over the Ionian, and the new building even has two levels of underground parking. I showed it to a young couple from Prague, and they told me the parking alone was a selling point—they’d rented enough holiday places where parking was a nightmare.

Tangent: What Guests Actually Look For

I sometimes get caught up talking about ROI, but let me step aside for a second. If you ask guests what really matters, they don’t say “yield.” They say:

• Can I walk to the beach?

• Is it quiet at night?

• Do I have a view worth photographing at sunset?

I once had a client insist on buying in Ksamil even though the unit was smaller than what they’d first asked for. Why? Because it had a private pool for the residence and was in a brand-new neighborhood that felt safe for their children. That’s what mattered to them. If you’re curious, you can see those exact White Residence apartments in Ksamil here. They’re fresh, finished just this year, and seven minutes’ walk from the beach. Quiet luxury, nothing loud, just the kind of home that fills fast on Airbnb.

Beyond Saranda and Ksamil

Now, let’s talk about Borsh. If you’ve never been, picture the longest beach on the Albanian Riviera—over 7 km of coastline, but far less crowded than Ksamil. Occupancy data here is different. Rates peak just like in Saranda, but there’s more room for growth because there aren’t enough high-quality rentals yet.

This is why I’m personally excited about the White Residence Villas in Borsh. They’re a step above the usual. Four villas only, each with three floors, private pool, big veranda, and parking. Surrounded by nothing but nature. It’s the type of property where you can live in summer and rent the rest of the year for premium rates. And since we build them ourselves—with over 15 years of construction experience and a team of 150 people—I know exactly what quality goes into them.

If you ever visit Borsh, take a drive just past the main square. There’s a roadside bakery that sells byrek still warm from the oven. It’s the kind of place no travel guide ever lists, but it’s where I like to stop with clients after a villa viewing. They always remember that experience. Those are the small cultural moments that make people fall in love with investing here.

What Investors Should Take Away

So, what does all this Airbnb data really reveal?

• Albania’s strong season is incredibly profitable if you own the right type of property.

• Location and lifestyle details matter more than statistics on paper.

• Demand is shifting from simple apartments to well-designed residences and villas that offer privacy, pools, and views.

Investing here isn’t about copying what worked in Spain 20 years ago. It’s about seeing Albania for what it is right now: a place where demand is climbing faster than supply, especially along the coast.

Whether it’s a seaview apartment on Panorama Street, a quiet-luxury residence in Ksamil, or a villa in Borsh, each property tells a slightly different story. But all of them share one thing: the potential to turn Albania’s tourism boom into a stable, long-term investment.

And as someone who has walked these roads, met these families, and shared coffee with neighbors who know every guest by name—I can tell you, that kind of authenticity is what keeps occupancy rates high year after year.