Is Albania a Good Investment?

I get this question almost every week, sometimes every day:
“Is Albania actually a good investment?”

People ask it with curiosity, sometimes with hesitation, and often with that spark in their eyes that tells me they’ve already fallen a little in love with our coastline.
And honestly? After so many years living and working in Saranda, watching this place grow season after season, I can say—without hesitation—for the right person, Albania is one of the smartest investments left in the Mediterranean.

But let me tell you the story properly, not like a sales pitch, more like a conversation you’d have over coffee by the promenade.

The Albania People Don’t See at First

Most people know us now because of social media.
The turquoise water.
The Ksamil islands.
The long white beach of Borsh.
Those things are real, of course, but they’re only the beginning.

What really makes Albania valuable is the combination of things: affordability, timing, untouched nature, and a culture that still keeps its authenticity.

Just last month, while showing an apartment in Ksamil, a client paused on the balcony and said, “How is it possible that places like this still exist in Europe?”
And I didn’t know what to tell him, except the truth: because Albania stayed quiet for too long… and now it’s finally being discovered.

Why Investors Are Looking South (And Why They’re Not Wrong)

If you’ve spent even a few days in Saranda, you’ll feel it immediately.
This city is changing.
Every year the waterfront improves, the quality of construction rises, more cafés open, and the overall energy grows.

I’ve walked these hills since childhood, and sometimes I still stop to admire a new project that didn’t exist the summer before. A few locals joke that Saranda changes faster than we can keep track of. Maybe they’re right.

But that’s exactly why investors pay attention.

Where else in the Mediterranean can you still find affordable properties, seaview apartments, and beachfront property without paying the price of Spain, Italy, or Greece?
Not many places left.

The Ksamil Effect — Small Village, Big Returns

Ksamil deserves its own chapter in this story.
If Saranda is the heart of the Albanian Riviera, then Ksamil is the pulse that gets stronger every year.

Yes, it gets busy in July and August. But people don’t come here for calm—they come because they want that postcard Mediterranean moment without spending €400 per night.

And this demand directly affects property values.

One example that often comes up in conversation is a brand-new 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil, part of a 2025 residence with a private pool for residents. Quiet neighborhood, about 7 minutes walking to the beach. I don’t talk about it as “an investment product”—it simply has that soft, quiet luxury feeling people want today. If you ever feel like seeing what I mean, you can take a look here:
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2

There’s also another residence finishing next summer, White Residence, also in Ksamil. I like it a lot because it’s in one of those new pockets of the village that still feel untouched. A clean building, private swimming pool, same easy distance to the beach. Very relaxing area.
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-ksamil-65m2

And if you want something more dramatic, something that feels like a personal retreat, the 2025 Ksamil duplexes have become an eye-catcher. Two private swimming pools (one exclusively for the duplex), underground parking, full privacy, and just 300 meters from everything—beach, cafés, the center. ROI can reach up to 16% yearly, depending on how you manage rentals.
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2

I don’t mention these to “sell.”
I mention them because they represent exactly where the market is heading: luxury, but in a quiet Mediterranean way.

Let’s Talk About Saranda — The City That Surprises Everyone

Saranda is a different rhythm.
More urban. More year-round life. More coffee shops by the water where you’ll hear conversations about property prices, football, and politics all mixed together.

Many investors prefer Saranda for stability.
The rental season is longer.
The infrastructure improves faster.
And the neighborhoods—especially those on the hills—offer some of the best seaview apartments you’ll find anywhere on the coast.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
I’ve said this to friends. To clients. Even to people who didn’t end up buying anything.

There’s a particular apartment on Skënderbeu Street that always comes to mind. A 1+1 with a private swimming pool for residents, full sea views without a single building blocking the horizon, and a very peaceful neighborhood. I remember the first time I walked into that residence; everything felt high-end but still warm.
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished

If someone asked me for a place to live year-round — that’s the kind of property I’d show them. And yes, it also performs incredibly well as an investment.

Local Insight You Don’t Read in Guides

Sometimes people ask me what makes an area “good.”
They expect a technical answer. ROI percentages. Market projections. Square meter prices.

And yes, those matter… but not as much as you think.

Value often hides in small things only locals notice.
Like the corner café above Kodrra where the owner still brings fresh mountain honey for your tea.
Or the quiet streets behind the new neighborhoods in Ksamil — the ones tourists rarely walk through, but anyone who dreams of morning peace will love.
Or that small family-run grill on the road to Borsh where you can taste actual village cooking before going to see land plots in the hills.

These aren’t market statistics.
They’re the soul of the area.
And buyers feel it.

Is Albania Safe for Investment? Let’s Be Honest

People appreciate honesty, so I always tell them the real picture.

Yes — Albania is safe to invest in.
Especially if you’re buying new construction directly from reputable developers.
No property tax transfer on new builds, straightforward procedures, and a market that’s still early in its growth cycle.

But I also tell them that Albania isn’t “finished.”
That’s actually the opportunity.
A finished market has no room left to grow.

We’re in the stage where the Riviera is modernizing, but still affordable.
Where infrastructure improves each year, but nature remains untouched.
Where high-end developments appear, but prices are still far from what they should realistically be.

For investors, that’s a rare combination.

A Short Tangent Before We Continue

You know, every time I drive the coastal road from Saranda to Borsh, I end up stopping at the viewpoint above Porto Palermo. I don’t plan it. I just pull over.
The water there has this strange blue-grey color in the late afternoon, and the wind smells like salt and pine.
I’ve shown so many properties in this region, but that moment always makes me grateful to live here.

Anyway — back to the point.

What Type of Investor Is Albania Right For?

Not for everyone.
But perfect for these types of people:

– Investors wanting seaview apartments without paying €300k+
– Families looking for a holiday home with rental potential
– Early investors who know markets rise before they are “discovered”
– People who value authenticity, nature, and Mediterranean living

If you’re obsessed with extremely developed infrastructure and very strict urban order (like Switzerland or Singapore), Albania may feel too raw for you.

But if you appreciate places that still have room to grow — you will see the opportunity immediately.

My Final Answer: Yes, Albania Is a Strong Investment. And Here’s Why.

Because timing matters.
And right now, Albania is in a rare window where:

– Prices are still low compared to the region
– Tourism is exploding
– Rental income is strong
– Development quality improves every year
– Supply is limited by geography
– And the coastline remains one of the most beautiful in Europe

In 5–7 years, I believe we will look back and say,
“This was the moment when everything changed.”

Not in a dramatic way.
Just naturally, as more people discover what we’ve always known — the warmth of the people, the untouched beaches, the surprisingly good food, the long summers, and the simple charm of everyday life.

And honestly?
I’m proud to help people become part of this story.
This small corner of the Albanian Riviera has given me so much.
The best I can do is share it with anyone who truly appreciates it.