I get this question almost every week.
“Can I legally rent my apartment on Airbnb in Albania?”
Usually it comes right after we’ve finished a property viewing. The sea is in the background, the client is imagining summer evenings on the balcony, and then the practical side kicks in.
So let’s answer it properly — not in a generic way, but the way I would explain it to you if we were sitting at a café on Saranda’s promenade.
Yes, Airbnb Is Allowed in Albania
The short answer is simple: yes.
Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb are allowed in Albania, and especially in coastal cities like Saranda and Ksamil, they are part of the normal tourism ecosystem.
There isn’t some hidden restriction waiting to surprise foreign buyers. Tourism is one of the strongest sectors in the country. The Albanian Riviera depends on it. The restaurants, boat tours, beach bars, taxi drivers — the entire local economy moves with it.
But here’s the important part.
Just because Airbnb is allowed doesn’t mean every property will automatically generate strong returns. That depends on location, quality, management… and timing.
Why Saranda and Ksamil Perform So Well
I’ve lived in Saranda for years. I’ve seen it before social media discovered it, and I’m watching what’s happening now.
Instagram and TikTok changed everything. Suddenly people in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands are seeing crystal-clear water in Ksamil and asking themselves: “Wait… where is this?”
They come for a holiday. And then they come back to buy.
A few weeks ago, I showed a foreign client a duplex in Ksamil. When we walked through the living room and opened the terrace doors, the light hit the private pool just right. He stood there quietly for a second and said, “This feels like something I’d see in southern Italy — but the price isn’t southern Italy.”
That moment reminded me why I love this job.
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. Especially when you compare beachfront property here with Greece or Spain.
And because tourism keeps growing, demand for Saranda apartments for sale and modern seaview apartments keeps rising too.
The Type of Property That Works for Airbnb
Not all properties perform equally.
Location matters. Layout matters. Even the feeling of the building matters.
Take something like this brand-new 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-ksamil-65m2
It’s finished in summer 2025. Quiet new neighborhood. Private swimming pool for residents. Seven minutes walking distance from the beach.
This is the kind of property that does very well in peak season. It attracts couples, small families, digital nomads. Clean, modern, easy access to everything — but not in the noisy center.
Then you have something more premium, like this luxury duplex in Ksamil:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2
Two private swimming pools — one exclusively for the duplex and another shared within the residence. Underground parking included. Total security and privacy. Just 300 meters from the beach and the center.
That kind of property can reach ROI up to 16% per year when managed correctly.
And yes — managed correctly is the key phrase.
Viva View Management: The Part Most Investors Overlook
This is where many buyers feel uncertain.
“How do I manage Airbnb if I don’t live in Albania?”
That’s why we created Viva View Management, a specialized part of Viva View.
When you leave your property with our highly trained local team during peak season, we handle everything:
Dynamic pricing strategy
Guest communication
Check-ins and check-outs
Cleaning coordination
Maintenance
Professional photography
Optimization on booking platforms
Our goal is simple:
Maximum profit. Zero stress.
You don’t need to worry about guests, late arrivals, broken air conditioners in August, or adjusting prices during high-demand weekends.
We monitor tourism flow closely. We know when Italian Ferragosto increases demand. We know when Balkan holidays bring a surge. We know when cruise ships dock and city occupancy spikes.
If your apartment is empty in July, it’s usually not a market problem. It’s a management problem.
And that’s exactly what Viva View Management solves.
Different Areas, Different Strategies
Saranda works slightly differently from Ksamil.
A renovated apartment near the city center, like this one close to Rruga e Flamurit:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-property-near-city-center-on-rruga-e-flamurit
That type of property is perfect not only for summer Airbnb, but also for longer stays during winter. It attracts remote workers and retirees who want affordable properties near the sea.
Then you have villas in more private areas like this one in Surrë, Saranda:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/private-villa-for-sale-in-saranda-albania-with-swimming-pool-surra
Quiet neighborhood. Private swimming pool. Spacious layout. Rare opportunity.
Villas like that perform differently. They attract families and high-end guests who want privacy. Longer bookings. Higher nightly rates.
And sometimes, I’ll take clients to a small seaside taverna just outside Borsh after a viewing. Not the famous one on the main beach — the quieter one slightly hidden behind the olive trees. That’s when conversations become real. That’s when people imagine bringing their own family there.
That emotional connection? It translates into strong rental demand later.
Land and Commercial Properties Also Benefit from Tourism
Airbnb doesn’t only impact apartments.
When tourism grows, land values grow too.
For example, seaview land in Borsh:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-land-property-for-sale-in-borsh-albania
As the Albanian Riviera continues to gain attention, areas like Borsh are still relatively affordable compared to saturated Mediterranean markets.
Commercial spaces also benefit. A first-line commercial shop in Saranda, just 50 meters from the beach:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/perfect-commercial-shop-for-rent-in-saranda-234m2-terrace-parking-50m-from-beach-first-line-location
Tourism drives everything. Restaurants. Boutiques. Services. And that feeds back into property values.
A Small Reality Check
Now let me be honest with you.
Albania is not Dubai. It’s not perfectly polished. Sometimes paperwork takes patience. Sometimes infrastructure develops gradually.
But that’s also why we’re early.
And being early in a market like this is where the biggest returns are made.
I’ve watched Saranda change year by year. New residences replacing old buildings. Higher construction standards. More refined buyers. Better architecture.
It’s still growing.
So… Is Airbnb Allowed?
Yes.
But more importantly — it works.
When you buy the right property in the right location, and you let a professional local team like Viva View Management handle peak season operations, Airbnb in Albania becomes more than allowed.
It becomes a serious investment strategy.
And if you ever find yourself standing on a balcony in Saranda at sunset, watching the Ionian Sea turn silver while boats head back to port, you’ll understand why guests keep coming back.
And why property values keep rising.
If you’re considering investing in seaview apartments, beachfront property, or even villas along the Albanian Riviera, just know this:
The opportunity is real.
The demand is growing.
And you don’t have to manage it alone.
Will Albania Property Prices Rise?