Albania’s Last Frontier: Why Early Investors in the Riviera Will See the Biggest Multipliers

I sometimes joke with clients that investing in the Albanian Riviera today feels a little like being in southern Spain in the 1980s—when apartments in Marbella were still within reach of an ordinary buyer, before the glossy magazines and global headlines drove prices through the roof. The truth is, we’re living in that moment right now in Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, and the whole southern coastline.

And I’ll tell you this straight: the ones who step in early will see the biggest multipliers.

The Gold Rush Feeling

When people say “last frontier of the Mediterranean,” it might sound dramatic. But honestly, that’s exactly what it feels like on the ground here. Prices are still affordable compared to Greece or Italy. You can still walk into a seaview apartment and buy it at a fraction of what you’d pay across the border.

I’ve seen it firsthand. Just a few months ago, I helped a couple from the Netherlands buy a two-bedroom seaview apartment here in Saranda. They paid less than half of what they were quoted for a smaller place in Corfu. The view was even better—straight out to the Ionian, where the water is so clear you can see the rocks from the balcony.

This is what I mean when I say it feels like gold. There’s a window of time where the market is still under the radar, but that window doesn’t stay open forever.

Why Now Is Different

Albania has been “the next thing” for a while, but something has shifted in the last three years. Infrastructure is better. Roads are smoother. The port in Saranda is expanding, and there’s talk of direct ferry lines that could transform accessibility. Ksamil, once a quiet fishing village, now makes the “Top Beaches in Europe” lists every summer.

What does that mean for you as an investor? Simple: prices are going up. They already are. And they’ll go faster once Albania becomes mass-known, when it’s no longer a secret but a headline in the Financial Times.

Today you can still find affordable properties. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. But “best value” doesn’t last forever.

The Insider Perspective

Because I live here year-round, I see the little details tourists miss. Like the mornings in Borsh, when the baker opens at 6am and the smell of fresh bread mixes with the sea breeze. Most visitors are still sleeping then, but that’s the hour I love taking clients to see villas—when the village feels authentic, not staged.

There’s a small café on the road between Qeparo and Borsh that doesn’t even have a name on Google Maps. The owner brings you Turkish coffee and insists you stay for a slice of fig cake. It’s these places, tucked between olive groves and sea cliffs, that remind me: this coast isn’t just about square meters and return on investment. It’s about culture, warmth, and a way of life that hasn’t been diluted.

And yet, that very authenticity is what makes it so attractive for investment. Because once the mass market arrives, the charm gets packaged. Right now, you can still buy into the original story.

Real Examples of Opportunity

Let me give you a few concrete snapshots from what we’re working on at the moment:

• Borsh – White Villas: Imagine four luxury villas, each with its own swimming pool, private parking, verandas, and panoramic sea views. They sit directly on the main street that connects Borsh with Saranda and every other southern coastal town. Nature all around, yet you’re plugged into the lifeline of the Riviera. Projects like White Residence Villas in Borsh don’t come often, and the demand is already intense.

• Saranda – Panorama Road Villa: On the most iconic street in town, where the hillside drops into endless blue, we’re building a villa that’s pure seaview from every corner. It’s still under construction, which means early investors can step in before the finishings drive the price higher. You can see more here: Luxury Villa on Panorama Street.

• Ksamil – White Residence Apartments: Only six apartments left, all fully furnished and designed for luxury. The complex includes a swimming pool shared by residents, just minutes from Ksamil’s famous beaches. And here’s the detail: it’s being finished in just one month. Exclusive, high ROI, and the kind of beachfront property that will triple in attention once the 2025 season kicks off. Have a look here: White Residence Ksamil.

These aren’t abstract dreams. They’re projects on the ground, ready to be visited, touched, and signed for.

The Numbers Investors Care About

I know not everyone cares about the “smell of fresh bread” stories. Numbers matter. ROI matters. Let’s talk about that.

Airbnb rates in Saranda average €120 per night in peak season for a one-bedroom seaview apartment. In Ksamil, those numbers push even higher—€150 and up, sometimes fully booked months ahead. In Borsh, the market is younger, but that’s exactly why the yields will be strong for early players. Supply is low, demand is climbing, and the nightly rates are catching up fast.

Compare that to the cost of buying:

• Saranda apartments for sale still hover between €1,800–€2,200 per m² depending on location.

• Ksamil beachfront apartments push a bit higher, but still affordable by Mediterranean standards.

• Villas in Borsh, even with pools and sea views, come at a fraction of what you’d find in the Amalfi Coast or even northern Greece.

The math is simple. You get your investment back faster here than almost anywhere else on the Med.

A Tangent (Because That’s How I Think Sometimes)

The other day I was driving back from Himara to Saranda, and I stopped at a roadside stall to buy honey. The man selling it told me his family has been keeping bees in those hills for three generations. He doesn’t advertise, doesn’t ship, doesn’t even put labels on the jars. And yet, he sells out every summer.

It made me think: Albania’s real estate is a bit like that honey. Local, pure, underpriced for now, but once the wider world finds out—it’s gone.

Culture, Customs, and the Way Forward

One thing foreign investors sometimes underestimate is how welcoming Albanians are to outsiders. Buying property here doesn’t feel transactional—it feels like joining a community. When you buy an apartment, your neighbors will invite you for rakia before the paint is dry. When you build a villa, the local mason will tell you stories of his father building with the same stone.

That sense of belonging is priceless. And it makes the process smoother, too.

The Clock Is Ticking

I don’t want to sound alarmist, but I do want to be clear: Albania won’t stay this undiscovered forever. The word is spreading. More airlines are adding direct flights. More investors are calling me, not just from Europe but from the US, the Middle East, even Asia.

It’s like standing on a beach just before the crowds arrive. You can hear the footsteps behind you.

If you’ve been thinking about it—if the idea of owning a seaview apartment, a beachfront property, or even a villa in the Albanian Riviera has crossed your mind—this is the time to act. Affordable properties don’t stay affordable forever.

Final Thought

Last week, I showed a young family from Germany around a hillside property overlooking Ksamil. When they stepped onto the balcony and saw the sea stretching toward Corfu, they went quiet. Then the father turned to me and said, “This will change everything for us.”

That’s when I’m reminded why I love this job. Because it’s not just about transactions—it’s about futures, lifestyles, and stories yet to be written.

And right now, the Albanian Riviera is still the last frontier of the Mediterranean. Those who step in early will not only see the best returns—they’ll own a piece of something rare.

 Curious? You can explore some of our current projects here:

• White Residence Villas in Borsh

• Luxury Villa on Panorama Street in Saranda

• White Residence Ksamil

But better than clicking links is coming here, walking the roads, tasting the local figs, and seeing the sea with your own eyes. That’s when you’ll understand why this moment is golden.