10 Reasons Why Saranda Is the Perfect Place for a Second Home

There’s something about Saranda that catches people off guard—in the best way possible. Maybe it’s the light, how it reflects off the Ionian Sea in the early evening. Or the rhythm of the town—slow, but never sleepy. As someone who’s lived here most of my life and helped many people settle into their second homes, I can tell you this: Saranda doesn’t just look good in photos. It feels right.  

If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a place by the sea—somewhere calm, beautiful, and affordable—let me give you 10 real reasons why Saranda is one of the smartest places to do it.  

1. You Wake Up to the Ionian Sea (Almost) Every Morning  

You don’t need a million-euro villa to have a sea view here. Thanks to Saranda’s hillside layout, even apartments a few blocks from the beach offer wide, stunning views of the water and the island of Corfu in the distance.  

I’ve walked clients through modest one-bedroom flats where the view alone sells the property. One of our newest projects, White Residence Villas , was designed to make the most of those panoramic vistas—every terrace points toward the blue horizon.  

2. It’s Still Affordable—For Now  

Compared to Greece or Croatia, Saranda is still a hidden gem on the Mediterranean. Prices per square meter remain incredibly competitive—even for beachfront property . You can get a modern, well-located apartment for a fraction of what you’d pay across the water.  

But I’ll be honest: this won’t last forever. Every year, more foreign buyers discover the Albanian Riviera. Prices have already started climbing, especially in hot spots like Ksamil and along Butrint Street.  

3. You Actually Live Among Locals  

This isn’t one of those places where expats live in isolated resorts. Here, you buy a home next to real Albanian families , hear the language, taste the traditional food, and maybe even get invited to a neighborhood wedding if you’re lucky.  

There’s an honesty to daily life in Saranda—mornings start with coffee, not commutes. The local market buzzes with fresh fruit and friendly bargaining. There’s a small bakery near the old port where they still make bread the same way they did 40 years ago.  

4. You Don’t Need a Car to Live Well  

That’s a huge one. Most second-home buyers are looking for ease—and Saranda delivers. You can walk to the beach, the pharmacy, a dozen cafés, your favorite fish restaurant … all within 10 minutes. And that includes the best tavernas hidden in the backstreets.  

I always tell clients: the best way to know a town is on foot. And in Saranda, that’s how locals live.   

 

5. You’re 30 Minutes from Greece—Without the Greek Prices 

The Corfu-Saranda ferry takes about half an hour. That means you can fly into a major European airport (Corfu International), and arrive at your apartment in Saranda before lunch. You get all the beauty of the Ionian coast, with none of the inflated costs that come with EU membership or tourism over-saturation. 

6. It’s Not Just Summer. It’s Year-Round Livability 

Of course, summer is beautiful—June to September is peak season, with warm nights, beachside cocktails, and boats cruising the bay. But what surprises many people is how nice it is in spring and fall , too. Even in October, you can swim. In April, the sun already feels Mediterranean. 

For digital nomads, early retirees, or anyone escaping cold winters, a second home in Saranda works beautifully beyond the high season. 

7. The Real Estate Market Still Has Space to Grow 

Let’s talk investment. Besides buying for lifestyle, many of our clients are now thinking about short-term rentals —Airbnb, Booking, etc. With Albania’s tourist numbers climbing each year and limited hotel capacity in Saranda, seasonal rental income is often higher than you’d expect . 

Some buyers even opt for small villas like this one that can be both a private getaway and a high-performing rental when they’re not using it. 

8. The Lifestyle is Simple, But Rich 

You don’t come to Saranda to show off. You come to enjoy. Mornings start with a walk along the promenade. Afternoons are for beach lounging or café hopping. Dinner? Maybe a grilled sea bass, fresh from the day’s catch, and a glass of raki offered by the owner himself. 

That slow, human rhythm—you feel it in the way people greet each other. In how time stretches just a little longer. 

9. You’re Part of Something Special 

There’s a certain energy in Saranda right now—like a quiet boom. More roads are being improved, new developments are popping up (carefully, not chaotically), and yet it’s all still manageable. You can be part of that momentum. 

One moment that stuck with me recently? A family from Germany, who’d been coming here for years, finally decided to buy. The father said, “It’s not just a house. We’re buying into a lifestyle we’ve loved from the outside for too long.” 

 

10. It’s a Place That Stays With You

I know it sounds sentimental—but trust me, people don’t forget Saranda. Even those who come “just to look” often find themselves dreaming of returning. It’s the kind of town where your favorite beach, your favorite waiter, and your favorite sunset spot all become part of your story.

That’s why so many second-home owners here eventually spend more time than they planned. And some? They never leave.

Curious to See What’s Available?

If any of this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, start exploring. No need to commit—just browse a little. Here are some of our featured properties you can look at casually. Some are move-in ready. Others are off-plan investments where you can grow your value over time.

And if you ever feel like visiting in person? Just drop by our office in Saranda. We’ll show you around, grab a coffee, and talk real estate—no pressure, just real conversation.

Because that’s how things are done here.