Saranda, ALB

I’ve lived in Saranda for most of my life.  

And let me tell you something that even some locals haven’t fully realized yet:  

This place isn’t just “growing.” It’s transforming.  

A few years ago, you could walk down Rruga Butrinti and still feel like it was a small coastal town—local kids chasing a football near the beach, older men drinking coffee outside their homes, the sound of the sea louder than the sound of cars.  

Now? You can still feel that, but it’s layered with something new. Cafés are turning into co-working spaces. Young Albanians who left for London, Milan, or Athens are slowly coming back—not just to visit their families, but to build something here. Investors are paying attention. And honestly… they should.  

A Town That’s Not Pretending to Be Something Else  

One thing I appreciate about Saranda is that it doesn’t try to fake sophistication.  

It doesn’t have to.  

You’ve got luxury properties here, of course—like this stunning 2-bedroom apartment with sea views and private parking . But you’ll still see the same families selling figs and oranges from their gardens on the same street. That contrast is part of the charm. Saranda has its own rhythm. It doesn’t rush for anyone.  

A few weeks ago, I was showing a beachfront property to a client from Sweden.  

We were on the balcony looking at the Ionian Sea, and she turned to me and said, “This doesn’t feel like a tourist town. It feels like life is actually lived here.”  

And she’s right.  

The Value Is Still Here—But Not for Long  

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.  

Where else can you get a seaview apartment, minutes from the beach, for a fraction of what you’d pay in Croatia or Greece?  

But here’s the thing: that window is slowly closing.  

Not overnight, but it’s happening.  

If you look at our new projects , especially on roads like Rruga Skënderbeu or the newer developments above Mango Beach, you’ll see how quickly things are moving. Developers are improving quality. Demand from foreigners is rising. Even more interesting? Albanians from Tirana are starting to buy second homes here, especially now that the road infrastructure is better.  

And with more direct ferries from Corfu and talks of expanded marina capacity, I’d say we’re two or three years away from a major pricing shift.  

You Learn a Lot by Talking to Locals  

The best part of my job isn’t selling. It’s listening.  

When I sit with older residents of Saranda, they’ll tell you about how quiet the promenade used to be in the early 2000s. About the days before the concrete boom, when Saranda still felt like a village. There’s pride in their voice, but also hope that what’s coming next is thoughtful.  

That’s why I always say—when you’re buying here, you’re not just buying square meters. You’re entering a community. So it matters who your neighbors are. It matters that you know where to get the best fresh fish (go to the small market behind the taxi station—not the big one by the port), or where to find the bakery that still uses wood-fire ovens (it’s hidden near the old stadium, no sign outside).  

These are the kinds of things you learn by living here. Not just visiting.   
 

A Minor Tangent: The Coffee Test 

Let me take a quick detour here. 

I have a little trick I call the “Coffee Test.” 

If a neighborhood doesn’t have at least two good cafés within a 5-minute walk, I don’t recommend it. I’m only half-joking. Coffee in Albania isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual. It’s where neighbors catch up. Where business deals start. Where you slow down. 

I remember showing a property to a couple from Belgium, and we walked into Bar Demi near the sea. We sat for 10 minutes. Locals nodded at us. The waiter gave them free lemon water. They turned to me and said, “This is the one.” 

They hadn’t even seen the apartment yet. 

Where You Should Be Looking 

If you’re browsing Saranda apartments for sale, I always recommend three types of locations: 

1. Near the Promenade – Especially second or third lines. You get the location without the high-season noise. 

2. Above the Main Strip – Think: upper Rruga Butrinti or Panorama Street. Great views, more space, better air. 

3. Emerging Projects – Like some of our latest developments where prices are still reasonable and build quality is improving fast. 

Some of these newer properties are built with export in mind—high-end finishes, proper insulation, full sea-facing balconies. Others are more minimal, affordable properties that can still generate serious income through seasonal rentals. 

If you’re looking for a starting point, browse here . We update frequently and try to give as much honest detail as possible. 

What I’d Buy Right Now (If I Had to Pick One) 

Honestly? I’d go for a 1+1 with partial sea view, second or third floor, walking distance to the beach, but just far enough to be quiet. 

You’ll pay less per square meter. 

It’s easier to rent. 

And you can always upgrade interiors later—think white walls, warm lighting, light wood furniture. That Scandinavian-Mediterranean fusion is what renters love right now. 

I’ve got my eye on a few listings like that. But don’t ask which—I’m still deciding if I should grab one myself. 

Final Thought: Why I Stay 

Some people ask me why I haven’t moved to Tirana or gone abroad like so many others. 

The answer is simple. 

I believe in the south. 

Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, even the quiet hills behind Lukova—they’re more than destinations. They’re opportunities. To build something real. To live slower. To reconnect. 

If you’ve ever stood on a balcony here at sunset and listened to the waves roll in, then you already know what I mean. 

And if you haven’t yet… maybe it’s time. 

Thinking of buying in Saranda?

Explore our full list of properties and projects or reach out anytime. I’m always happy to chat—no pressure, just real advice from someone who knows these streets like home.