From Summer Fairs in Tepelenë to Olive Oil in Himarë – Experiencing Albania Through Taste

I’ve always said—if you really want to understand a place, don’t just look at the view. Taste it.  

That’s especially true in southern Albania, where the land and the sea seem to compete over who can offer more flavor. There’s something about this region that isn’t just beautiful to the eye—it’s alive in your mouth. Sweet, tangy, smoky, briny. The kind of tastes that stay with you long after the ferry leaves from Corfu or the bus winds its way back to Tirana.  

Let me tell you a little about how we live here, and why I think more and more people are looking at Saranda apartments for sale not just because of the views—but because of the way of life they offer. A life that, frankly, tastes amazing.  

Summer Fairs, Sunglasses, and a Surprisingly Good Plate of Petulla  

One of my favorite things to do in July is hop in the car and head a bit inland to Tepelenë. It’s not far—maybe an hour and a half from Saranda if the roads are clear and you don’t stop too many times for mountain view photos (I always do).  

Every summer, Tepelenë hosts a local fair that’s unlike anything you’ll find in the big resort towns. It’s messy in the best way—wooden stalls, loud folk music, grandmas in traditional dresses selling everything from dried figs to raki that’ll clear your sinuses in one sip.  

I had a plate of petulla me mjaltë (fried dough with honey) there last year that I still dream about. Golden, crispy edges. Honey so thick it practically stopped time. It was handed to me by a smiling old man who insisted the honey was from his own bees . Of course it was. That’s how it is here.  

These kinds of moments remind me why foreigners are falling in love with this place—not just for affordable properties , but for a rhythm of life that’s rooted, warm, and deeply human.  

Olive Oil in Himarë: Liquid Gold, Albanian Style  

Now let’s head south again, back toward the coast. If you’ve never tasted fresh-pressed olive oil from Himarë, you might not fully understand why locals treat it like it’s sacred.  

I know a family there that still uses the same stone press their grandfather used. The olives are handpicked. The oil is bottled in reused glass Coca-Cola bottles, labeled with a strip of masking tape. No branding. No barcode. Just green-gold richness and the smell of salt, earth, and sun.  

I once brought a client there for a property viewing, and we ended up in the family’s yard eating tomatoes with just oil and sea salt. He told me afterward that it was the best thing he’d tasted in years. He didn’t buy that day—but six months later, he emailed to say he’d found his apartment through us after all. Not far from Gjergj Arianiti Street actually— this one , with its sweeping sea view and that perfect third bedroom for visiting friends.  

A Culture Built on Taste, Time, and Togetherness  

In Saranda, food isn’t fast. No one’s grabbing a sandwich and rushing back to their laptop here. We sit. We pour wine. We argue over the best feta.  

There’s a small taverna near Borsh beach—no name, no sign. The owner grills lamb over olive wood and brings out plates of roasted peppers that taste smoky and sweet at the same time. It’s places like this that remind me why so many of my clients from Germany, Poland, or even Dubai come here looking not just for beachfront property , but for connection.  

They want the long dinners. The stories. The smells from a neighbor’s kitchen. And maybe, a view like this while they sip their morning espresso.   


Let’s Talk Tomatoes (and Real Estate) 

Here’s the thing—when people ask me what makes the Albanian Riviera special, I could go on about the low cost of living, the rising property values, or how we have listings with 180-degree sea views for under €200K. 

And all that’s true. I mean, look at this apartment on Rruga Panorama . Big balcony, fully finished, elevator access, and still a quiet spot even in the height of summer. 

But honestly? What really sells this place is the tomatoes. 

Buy a kilo from the lady in the market who refuses to weigh them and just says “merr sa do.” Slice them, add a pinch of sea salt, a splash of Himarë olive oil, and you’ll understand why life here just makes sense. 

A Few Words About the White Villas 

Oh, and before I forget—if you’re looking for something more private, more serene, and with a touch of Mediterranean charm, you should have a look at the White Residence Villas . 

They’re in Borsh, perched between the olive groves and the sea. It’s the kind of place where you can host dinners under the stars, surrounded by stone, wood, and that gentle Ionian breeze. Every time I visit the site, I think to myself: this is what “timeless” feels like. 

Wrapping Up (or Maybe Just Beginning?) 

I don’t know if a blog post can capture the full flavor of this place. Honestly, you have to be here. You have to wake up to the sound of gulls, walk to the market, grab a byrek , talk with a neighbor about the weather for 20 minutes, and then maybe—just maybe—go view a sea-facing apartment on a quiet street. 

If you’re curious about investing here, or just wondering what life could look like on the Ionian coast… start with the food. Then let’s talk about property. You’ll see—it all ties together. 

And hey, if you ever find yourself wandering between Tepelenë and Himarë, chasing olives and sunshine, send me a message. I probably know a shortcut—or a family with some homemade raki to share. 

(The photo on this blog is captured in Borsh Castle, Albania)