Slow Mornings, Strong Coffee: Why Europeans Are Falling in Love with Albania’s Café Culture

by someone who lives and breathes Saranda  

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If you’ve spent any time in Albania—especially along the Ionian coast—you’ll quickly notice something different in the air. Not just the salty breeze from the sea or the smell of grilled seafood from a taverna tucked behind a bougainvillea-covered wall. It’s the rhythm. The pace. People here move slower, speak softer, and take their time with the little things—especially coffee.  

I’ve been living in Saranda for over a decade now. Originally, like many others, I came here for the sea views and sunshine. But what really got under my skin—what still anchors me to this place—is the way mornings start and afternoons stretch long into conversation. It’s the ritual of coffee. And believe me, it’s not just about caffeine.  

A Lifestyle, Not a Latte  

Back home in many parts of Europe, coffee is fuel. Something you grab from a kiosk while checking emails or rushing to catch the metro. Here? It’s sacred. You sit. You sip. You talk. Sometimes for hours. No rush. No takeaway cups.  

We have cafés on nearly every corner. Some new and stylish with Instagram-worthy interiors, others older and rough around the edges, where the same four men have been playing dominoes every afternoon since I first moved here. And all of them— all —are full of life.  

A lot of my international clients mention it after spending just a few days here. “There’s something about the energy,” one German couple told me last summer. They had originally planned to buy in Greece, but after a few unplanned coffees by the sea in Saranda, they decided to check out some local listings. A few weeks later, they closed on a one-bedroom seaview apartment on Rruga Panorama .  

It’s a different kind of lifestyle. One where your schedule isn’t ruled by stress or screen time. And more and more Europeans are starting to crave that.  

Why Coffee Hits Different Here  

There’s a tiny café in the hills above Saranda. No name on the door, just a few plastic chairs and the scent of fresh mountain oregano in the breeze. The older man who runs it doesn’t speak much English, but he makes the kind of espresso that makes you stop and just be . I once brought a Belgian investor there, and he said it was the most peaceful he’d felt in years. He ended up buying a small holiday home not far from White Residence in Borsh .  

There’s something else too. In Albania, you don’t drink coffee alone. Even if you show up by yourself, someone might wave you over. Locals chat with strangers. The waiter might join the conversation. It’s this gentle informality that makes even a simple espresso feel like a shared experience.  

You start noticing it once you’ve been here a while: deals happen over coffee. Friendships begin with a macchiato. Property viewings? Almost always include a café stop nearby. (And yes, I have a favorite spot near the promenade where I take clients before showing them beachfront property. Best way to soften a negotiation? A good Freddo and a sea breeze.)  

The Investment Angle No One Talks About 

It might seem silly to talk about coffee when discussing real estate, but hear me out. 

When Europeans look for a second home—somewhere warmer, slower, more affordable—they’re not just buying walls and floors. They’re buying a lifestyle. A feeling. That moment when you’re sitting on your balcony at 10 AM, listening to the waves, no meetings on your calendar, just a coffee in your hand. 

Albania offers exactly that, at a fraction of the price you’d pay in Italy, Greece, or even Croatia. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast—not just because of prices (though yes, they’re still very competitive), but because of the life you get in return. 

We’ve had clients from Sweden, Austria, Poland—even a couple from Portugal—choose Saranda not just because it’s beautiful, but because it feels human . It’s the kind of place where people remember your name, your coffee order, and how you like your eggs. Try finding that on the Costa del Sol. 

Tangent: One Morning in Ksamil 

I remember one morning in Ksamil, I arrived early for a property viewing. I stopped by a little beachside café just opening up. The owner was washing the chairs with seawater—an old habit that locals believe brings luck. I ordered a Turkish coffee and watched the beach come alive: fishermen hauling in the morning catch, kids with towels wrapped around their waists chasing dogs, the sun rising over Corfu like a postcard. 

That morning, the client was late. But I didn’t mind. In fact, I hoped they’d take a bit longer. 

For Those Seeking Slower Living 

Look, I get it. Not everyone dreams of slow mornings. Some want nightlife and skyscrapers. But more and more of my clients are tired. Burned out. They want quiet. Sunlight. A place where no one’s rushing them out of a café because the next table’s booked. 

That’s why Albania’s café culture isn’t just charming—it’s a signal. A way of life that tells you, “you’re safe here, take your time.” 

If you’re one of those people who dreams of waking up and walking five minutes to a beachfront café where the waiter knows your name and your dog’s name, maybe it’s time to stop dreaming and start exploring. 

And if you’re curious about what life might look like here, take a peek at this cozy seaview apartment we listed recently in Saranda . It’s tucked into a quiet street, close enough to the buzz, but far enough for peace. There’s a café just downstairs. Of course there is. 


Final Sips

In the end, people don’t just move to Albania for the prices (though yes, the affordable properties here are hard to beat). They come for the feeling. The warmth. The little things. Like how a simple coffee can turn into a two-hour conversation and maybe—just maybe—a new home.

If you’re thinking about investing, relocating, or even just spending a few months on the Albanian Riviera, my honest advice? Book a flight. Come have a coffee. Let the place do the rest.

Because sometimes, the best decisions aren’t made in boardrooms or Zoom calls. They’re made over coffee, under the sun, next to the sea.

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