Bread, Salt, and Heart” – How Albanian Hospitality Creates a Unique Experience for Property Buyers

By someone who’s lived and breathed the Saranda coast for years.  

You can call it tradition. You can call it character. But here in Albania, we just call it buke, kripe dhe zemer – “bread, salt, and heart.” It’s one of those phrases that’s hard to translate in feeling, not in words. Because it means more than sharing a meal. It means you’re welcome here . And if you’ve ever stepped foot in someone’s home in the south of Albania — say in Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, or even in the quieter hillside villages like Piqeras or Lukova — you’ve probably felt it for yourself.  

It’s not written in guidebooks. It’s not something we advertise on billboards. But for many of the international clients I’ve worked with, this simple cultural truth has been the thing they remember most. That feeling of being welcomed, of being looked after, of not just buying a home but becoming part of a rhythm of life that’s slower, warmer, and more human.  

And I think it’s one of the biggest reasons why investing in real estate in the Albanian Riviera feels different.  

It’s Not Just About the Sea – It’s About the People  

Don’t get me wrong. The Ionian coast is stunning. The views in Saranda? Unreal. On some days, the sea looks like a still mirror, stretching endlessly to Corfu. Other days it’s all movement — deep blue waves hitting the rocks below Lekursi Castle. You’ve seen the photos, I’m sure. But the sea is just the beginning.  

What surprises many first-time buyers here isn’t the nature (although it does blow them away). It’s how quickly they feel at home .  

I’ve had Italian couples who came for a viewing and were later invited by a local neighbor for rakia and figs — before they’d even decided on a property. One German investor told me it felt like “Tuscany, 40 years ago — before everything got too polished.” And he meant that as the highest compliment.  

Just last month, I was showing an apartment in Saranda to a couple from Belgium. We stopped by a bakery near the Panorama neighborhood (there’s a little spot run by an older woman who still makes byrek by hand — you wouldn’t know it unless someone told you). They couldn’t believe how friendly everyone was. “People talk to you here,” they said. “Not just serve you.”  

That’s zemer . That’s heart.  

The Buying Process is Personal — and That’s a Good Thing  

If you’ve ever bought property in a big city — London, Rome, New York — you probably know how cold the process can feel. Agents talk fast, listings disappear overnight, paperwork is complicated and impersonal.  

But here? It’s a conversation. It’s a coffee. It’s a slow walk through the neighborhood. I’ve sold seaview apartments where the seller invited the buyer to dinner after the deal was done, just to say thank you.  

That doesn’t mean things aren’t professional — they are. At VivaView, we work with certified properties, clear ownership documents, and a legal team to make sure everything is secure. But there’s a layer of trust that exists here. A warmth that makes the whole process feel… human.  

And when we say “direct from the owner” — we actually mean it. Take for example our White Residence Villas in Borsh . These aren’t just beachfront properties with private pools and epic views (though they are that, too). They’re homes built by a local team who grew up swimming in those same beaches. Every stone, every tile, every olive tree planted — there’s intention and history behind it.   

Real Estate with Soul – Yes, That Still Exists 

There’s a myth in real estate that everything has to be transactional. But in Albania — especially in the south — property still feels soulful. Maybe it’s because so much of this land is generational. Maybe it’s because the mountains are close and the villages still keep their traditions. Maybe it’s just the air here — that blend of salt, sun, and thyme that stays with you long after summer ends. 

But I’ve noticed that buyers aren’t just looking for square meters. They’re looking for a feeling. A connection. A lifestyle. And that’s exactly what places like Saranda and Ksamil offer. 

We’ve seen a rise in people searching for affordable properties that don’t compromise on location. Not everyone is ready for a luxury villa, and that’s okay. In fact, some of my favorite listings are simple, elegant apartments like this 1-bedroom with a sea view on Rruga Panorama . It’s quiet, close to everything, and has that morning light that makes you want to drink your coffee outside , even in February. 

A Small Tangent: My Grandmother and the Olive Oil 

Let me go off track for a second. My grandmother — who still lives in a small village above Saranda — has this habit. Every time I visit her, even if I’m just dropping by for 10 minutes, she insists on giving me a bottle of her homemade olive oil. “For your clients,” she says. “Let them taste something real.” 

It’s things like that — the tiny gestures — that stick. I once brought a bottle to a viewing with a Swedish client. He ended up buying the apartment, but what he kept talking about was the oil. Said it tasted “like summer in a bottle.” 

The Takeaway? Heart Matters. 

When you choose to invest in Saranda or anywhere along the Albanian Riviera, you’re not just buying property. You’re buying into a way of life. One where sunsets over the Ionian are part of your daily routine , where neighbors wave when they pass by, and where hospitality isn’t a trend — it’s just how we are. 

And I truly believe that’s what sets us apart. Yes, the views are incredible. Yes, there are amazing Saranda apartments for sale , and yes, you’ll find plenty of beachfront properties that offer serious investment potential. But in the end? 

It’s the bread, salt, and heart that people remember. 

If you’re curious about life here — or just want to talk about what kind of apartment might suit your lifestyle — feel free to reach out. We don’t just do deals. We build relationships. And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll leave your first visit with a bottle of olive oil, too.

Because some things you just can’t put in a brochure.

Want to explore more?

Check out a few of our favorite properties:

• White Residence Villas – Private pools, stone paths, and a front-row seat to the Ionian

• 1-Bedroom Seaview Apartment on Rruga Panorama – A hidden gem in Saranda