The Double Season Advantage: Why Albania’s Long Summer Boosts Rental ROI

I’ve been saying this for years, and every new season just proves me right: Albania’s summer is not like anywhere else in the Mediterranean. It stretches. It lingers. While other countries are already packing up the umbrellas in late August, here in the south—Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh—the season keeps going well into October. And this little detail, which most outsiders don’t realize until they see it with their own eyes, makes all the difference for anyone investing in rental properties.

Because more sun and more tourists mean one thing: a higher return on investment.

More Than Just a “Peak Season”

Most investors I meet arrive with a mindset shaped by Spain, Italy, or even Greece. They expect a “high season” that runs for 6–8 weeks and then fades. But Albania is different.

Take Saranda, for example. Even in late September, the promenade still buzzes. Families are strolling, ferries from Corfu are full, and the restaurants along Rruga Butrinti are serving grilled fish late into the evening. I’ve walked clients through seaview apartments in early October, and they were stunned that the cafés near Mango Beach still had more tourists than locals.

This extended flow of visitors creates a longer rental window. If you own a beachfront property or one of the many Saranda apartments for sale in the new luxury residences, you’re not limited to 45 days of income—you could easily have 90 to 120 profitable rental days. That doubles your math.

A Personal Note

Not long ago, I had a family from Poland visiting Ksamil. We toured a property just seven minutes from the beach. It was early October, and honestly, I expected them to ask if the season was “already finished.” Instead, they couldn’t believe how alive the area still was—the restaurants, the small shops, the quiet energy in the evenings. Their reaction reminded me why I love this work: sometimes, you need an outsider’s eyes to appreciate what we locals take for granted.

(If you’re curious, the residence we saw was the White Residence in Ksamil—brand-new 2025 construction, with its own private pool and a calm neighborhood just far enough from the crowds. Apartments there are, in my view, the definition of “quiet luxury” for buyers who want both investment potential and personal escape.)

Cultural Rhythm, Local Advantage

Part of this extended season is cultural. Albanians take their holidays later than most Europeans. Families from Tirana and Kosovo still fill the Riviera in September, when schools abroad are already open. You’ll notice it especially in Borsh, where locals rent villas to repeat guests who’ve been coming every September for years.

And then there’s the Orthodox calendar. Easter here often falls later than in Western Europe, which means you get spring visitors warming up the rental market even earlier than expected.

These rhythms give our market something rare: two peaks instead of one. Early summer (May–June) attracts international travelers looking for affordable properties compared to Greece. Late summer (September–October) brings in regional visitors and long-stay renters who want to avoid the chaos of July and August.

A Quick Tangent…

You know what I find funny? People often ask me, “But what about the winters? Isn’t it dead?” And yes, winters are quieter. But quiet doesn’t mean empty. A surprising number of Scandinavians and Germans actually book long-term rentals in Saranda for the mild weather. I’ve had a client from Sweden tell me that sitting on a balcony in December here, with a light jacket, feels like summer back home.

So even when the “season” technically ends, the market doesn’t sleep. It just shifts.

Seaview Apartments: The Sweet Spot

When I run the numbers with clients, the math is straightforward. A seaview apartment in Saranda or Ksamil may cost less per square meter than in Corfu or Crete, but the rental yields often outperform because of our double-season advantage.

Take this 2-bedroom apartment on Rruga Butrinti. It’s in one of the city’s best neighborhoods, brand-new construction, with full sea views. You can live there with your family year-round or use it as a rental. Either way, you benefit from the long summer. Imagine renting it from May through mid-October—five and a half solid months. Even if your occupancy isn’t 100%, the extended window means your ROI is stronger than in many “safer” Mediterranean markets.

Insider Details Tourists Don’t See

When you’ve lived here long enough, you notice the small things that make properties stand out. Like the little café behind the Synagogue ruins in Saranda—it doesn’t even have a sign, but tourists stumble upon it and fall in love with the view. Or the tucked-away corner of Borsh beach where locals fish at sunrise—showing clients that spot has sealed more than one deal for me.

These hidden details matter. Because a rental property isn’t just four walls and a pool. It’s about what surrounds it. And in southern Albania, those surroundings stretch your rental calendar almost naturally.

White Villas in Borsh: Quiet Luxury Defined

If apartments are the bread and butter of the rental market, villas are the champagne. And nowhere captures the potential better than Borsh.

Our own development there, the White Villas by VivaView, sits directly on the main street yet feels worlds away, surrounded only by olive trees and mountain slopes. Each villa is three floors, with a private swimming pool, wide verandas, and private parking. The plots are 300 m², carefully designed so that every unit enjoys uninterrupted sea views.

To me, this is “quiet luxury.” You’re seven minutes by car from Borsh beach, but when you’re at the villa, it feels like your own Mediterranean estate. Investors like these properties not just because they’re beautiful, but because the double-season advantage makes them a rental paradise. You could easily market them for summer families in July, then reposition for wellness retreats or long-stay digital nomads in September and October. And with our construction company’s 15+ years of experience and 150 skilled professionals behind the project, buyers have peace of mind that everything is done to the highest standard.

And yes—these are all for sale, with 0% commission.

Why This Matters for ROI

Let’s talk straight numbers for a moment. Suppose you own a beachfront property in Saranda that rents for €150 per night. In a typical Mediterranean market, maybe you expect 50 nights of occupancy. That’s €7,500 gross income.

Now stretch that to 100 nights, which is realistic here thanks to the long season. That’s €15,000. Double the return without doubling your expenses.

This is why investors who first arrive skeptical often leave with signed contracts. The math is simple, but the cultural and seasonal rhythm behind it is what makes Albania different.

Closing Thoughts

I truly believe Saranda and the wider Albanian Riviera offer the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now. And it’s not just about “cheap prices” or “fast growth.” It’s about the lived reality here: long summers, a culture that loves the sea, and a landscape that still feels authentic.

When you buy here, you’re not only purchasing an apartment or villa—you’re buying into a lifestyle where your investment works harder for you, simply because the sun shines a little longer.

And if you ever want to see it for yourself, come in late September. Walk the Saranda promenade when most of Europe has gone back to work. Have a coffee near the marina. Listen to the buzz of three different languages at the next table. You’ll understand exactly what I mean by the double season advantage.

 Want to explore properties that capture this advantage? Take a look at:

• White Residence in Ksamil – new 2025 build with private pool.

• Seaview 2-Bedroom in Saranda – perfect family or rental unit.

• White Villas in Borsh – quiet luxury estates with private pools and panoramic sea views.

Each of these, in its own way, shows why Albania’s long summer isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for your ROI.