Quiz: Which Albanian Coastal Town Should You Move To?

— Written by someone who’s walked every step of the Ionian coast with keys in their pocket and sand in their shoes  

Let’s be honest — deciding to move to the Albanian Riviera is the easy part.  

Crystal-clear water, fresh seafood for less than a coffee in Paris, sunsets that make you want to quit your job and stay forever… yeah, we get it. But then comes the harder question:  

Where exactly should you live?  

Saranda? Ksamil? Borsh? Somewhere even smaller?  

I’ve helped couples, families, and solo dreamers figure this out for years, and trust me — there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. So today, let’s make it fun.  

We’re doing a light quiz.  

No login. No email capture. No nonsense.  

Just some friendly guidance from a local who’s walked this coast a hundred times, shown just as many homes, and eaten way too many plates of grilled octopus along the way.  

1. What’s your ideal kind of morning?  

A) Espresso by the sea, walking distance to the market, maybe a chat with the fruit vendor.  

B) A quiet breakfast with a view — no honking cars, just waves and birds.  

C) I don’t want to hear a single sound. Maybe a goat in the distance.  

If you picked A — Saranda might be your place.  

This is a real city (by Albanian coastal standards), and yet, it’s intimate enough to feel like a neighborhood. There’s a rhythm here. In the off-season, locals still gather at the café near the port, old men play dominos under palm trees, and you’re never far from the best bakeries.  

I recently showed a couple a 2-bedroom seaview apartment in Gold Residence — they weren’t looking for anything flashy. Just space, calm, and that “balcony with a soul.” They found it. The balcony sold it more than I did.  

2. When it comes to neighbors…  

A) I like some company. People to wave to. Maybe grab a drink with.  

B) I’d prefer a few friendly faces, but mostly peace.  

C) Let me live like I’m in my own little kingdom.  

Mostly B or C? Then we’re heading toward Ksamil or Borsh.  

Ksamil has a unique off-season life. It’s just far enough from Saranda to have its own identity, but still has restaurants open in winter — like that place near the school that does the best fresh mussels. No menu. Just ask for “what’s good.”  

And Borsh? Borsh is a different tempo altogether. A wide beach, old olive trees, and families who’ve been here for generations. One of my clients — a German artist — chose Borsh for that very reason. “I want to hear myself think,” he said. He bought a plot just outside the village and now paints from a terrace that overlooks both mountains and sea.   


3. What kind of property speaks to you? 

A) Turnkey apartment — modern, easy, close to everything. 

B) Seaview apartment in a quieter street, still with nearby neighbors. 

C) A small house or villa, something more independent, even if it’s a fixer-upper. 

If you’re more of an A , have a look at the 1-bedroom apartment on Panorama Street . 

It’s close to the center of Saranda but tucked away enough that you don’t hear the buzz. Just enough altitude for a seaview and just enough quiet to read a book on the balcony. The building is new, finished, and already has residents — not a ghost tower waiting for summer to come. 

If you’re leaning C , then we should talk about village homes — even if they’re not always on the website. Some listings in Qeparo, Lukovë, or even Piqeras don’t make it online because they’re sold through word of mouth. These are places where the road narrows, and someone’s grandma still bakes bread in a stone oven out back. Not for everyone. But for the right soul? It’s paradise. 

4. How connected do you want to be? 

A) I need decent Wi-Fi, a supermarket, and maybe a coworking space. 

B) Internet and coffee, yes. The rest, I can live without. 

C) I’ll grow my own herbs and trade olive oil for honey. 

Let’s not sugarcoat it — if you chose A, stick with Saranda. 

It has fiber internet, solid infrastructure, and you can get from the port to your apartment in 5 minutes. You can even find affordable properties in good areas — places that make sense both for living and investment. 

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. It’s still underpriced for what it offers: walkability, stunning views, and a growing mix of locals and foreigners who are investing not just their money — but their lives. 

5. What kind of community are you looking for? 

A) A growing expat scene, with some events or social life. 

B) Quiet, Albanian village life — maybe with a few internationals sprinkled in. 

C) I want to disappear into the landscape. 

This is where emotion comes in. 

If you’re a mix of A and B, Ksamil is a sweet spot. Not as hectic as summer-Saranda, but enough life to keep you engaged. And the views? Unreal. I once watched a Canadian couple cry — tears of joy — standing on a hill above Ksamil looking at Corfu. “How is this still a secret?” they asked. 

Spoiler: it won’t be for long. 

 

So… what’s your result?

• Mostly A’s? You’re a Saranda Seeker

You want practicality, seaviews, and walkable life. Great choice for investment, too.

→ Check out Gold Residence or Panorama Street listings for smart, long-term living.

• Mostly B’s? You’re a Ksamil Dreamer

Peace, beauty, and balance. Close enough to Saranda for weekend visits, but with its own charm.

→ Ask me about newer listings that aren’t even online yet.

• Mostly C’s? You’re a Borsh Wanderer

You’re looking for peace, nature, and the kind of property that becomes a legacy.

→ Let’s talk off-market villas, fixer-uppers, or even land to build your own.

Final Thoughts (From Someone Who’s Walked These Streets at All Hours)

I’ve walked Saranda’s promenade at 6AM before the sun rises, had raki in Borsh with strangers who quickly became friends, and seen Ksamil under moonlight with no tourists in sight. This place… gets under your skin.

It’s not just about beachfront property or seaview apartments. It’s about waking up every day in a place that feels right.

So — did this little quiz help?

Even if it didn’t give you all the answers, maybe it gave you the questions you need to ask.

And if you ever want to explore one of these places together, you know where to find me. Probably walking somewhere, keys jangling, espresso in hand.

VivaView Real Estate

— Real conversations. Real properties. Real Albania.

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