Sunday Dinner: The Irreplaceable Institution of the Albanian Family

I’ve lived in Saranda long enough to notice something beautiful that rarely gets talked about in blogs, brochures, or even the casual conversations tourists have with locals. It’s not the turquoise waters (though yes, they’re spectacular). It’s not even the seaview apartments that everyone dreams about.  

It’s the Sunday dinner.  

Now, you might be wondering why a real estate agent is talking about food. But in Albania—especially here in the south—Sunday dinner is more than a meal. It’s an institution. It’s the heartbeat of the family, a ritual of connection, and frankly, one of the most powerful reasons people fall in love with life on the Albanian Riviera.  

And believe me, I’ve seen it happen.  

Where Life Slows Down (In the Best Way)  

Last week, I showed a client a stunning 1-bedroom apartment on Panorama Road. Sea views, absolute tranquility, and only a short walk from the promenade. She turned to me, eyes still wide from the view, and said, “I feel like I could actually slow down here.”  

And she’s right.  

You do slow down here—because the culture invites you to.  

That’s exactly what Sunday dinners are about. Around 1 PM every Sunday, families from Saranda to Borsh start gathering. You’ll hear pots clanging, conversations drifting from balconies, the occasional clink of raki glasses. Kids run between cousins. Elders sit in the corner, quietly observing everything with a kind of wise patience. It’s a scene you don’t find in many parts of the world anymore.  

More Than Food: It’s a Feeling  

We don’t do quick meals on Sundays. There’s no “grab-and-go” culture here when it comes to this sacred time. A traditional Sunday table in Saranda might have:  

• Tavë kosi (yes, we argue whether the Vlora version is better),  

• Freshly grilled fish caught that morning near Pasqyrat Beach,  

• Homemade byrek that somehow always tastes better when made by your aunt,  

• And let’s not forget the mountain salad with olive oil pressed from your cousin’s grove in Lukovë.  

It’s this deep sense of rhythm—slow, steady, meaningful—that people seem to crave more and more these days. And it’s not a coincidence that so many of my clients, especially from Northern Europe, say the same thing after buying a beachfront property here:  

“I didn’t just buy a home. I bought a way of life.”   
 

Real Estate with a Side of Tradition 

Funny enough, I once had a German couple fly in just to look at villas in Borsh. Beautiful people. They were ready to decide, but I insisted they stay for one more day so they could experience a Sunday lunch with a local family. They agreed, kind of curious. 

They ended up staying a week longer. 

They eventually bought one of our most charming properties— this sea-facing villa —and told me later that it was that family meal that sealed the deal. “We want this lifestyle,” they said. Not just the view, not just the architecture. But this —this sense of groundedness. 

If you’re ever in doubt about whether to buy in the south, my suggestion? Don’t just look at the square meters. Join a Sunday lunch. 

Tangent, but Important: The Little Things Add Up 

You know, it’s funny. Sometimes people come to view Saranda apartments for sale and they’re fixated on the details: Does it have Italian tiles? What’s the exact balcony size? Are the windows double-glazed? 

All valid questions, of course. But the feeling of living here can’t be measured in centimeters or ceramic finishes. 

That feeling is sitting on your balcony at golden hour, hearing your neighbor call their grandkids to dinner. That feeling is walking down to the local bakery on Sunday morning and having the woman behind the counter greet you by name. That feeling is knowing that, even if you live alone, there’s always a table you could be invited to. 

And if you’re lucky enough to live in something like this bright, sea-view apartment on Panorama Street , that experience becomes even richer. 

From Apartment Tours to Family Tables 

Not every property tour ends in a transaction. But many of them end with a connection. Some of my favorite moments aren’t when the keys are handed over, but when clients come back and say: 

“You were right. That place near the taverna in Borsh? It is perfect for evening wine.” 

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast—not just because of affordability or views (although this luxury 2+1 unit still amazes me with its space and light). 

But because of the lifestyle that wraps around the real estate. 

Here, you don’t just invest in square meters. You invest in memories. In community. In family traditions like Sunday dinner. 

 

Final Thought (or a Warm Invitation)

If you’re reading this from far away—maybe sipping your third espresso in Brussels or hiding from the rain in Oslo—consider this an invitation. Not just to view one of our seaview apartments or luxury villas, but to experience what it’s like to be part of something timeless.

Because in Albania, we don’t just build homes—we build lifestyles.

And sometimes, it all starts with a table, a smile, and a warm dish of byrek on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

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