The Heritage You Won’t See in Brochures – Investing in Properties with Local History

I’ve lived in Saranda most of my life.  

And I’ll tell you this — some of the most valuable properties around here?  

They don’t shine on Instagram. They don’t have a pool with LED lights. They don’t come with 3D renders and elevator access. But they have soul .  

These are the homes hidden behind stone walls, in villages that seem forgotten by time — or properties that sit quietly along the winding roads above Qeparo, Borsh, or even up in the hills behind Saranda.  

You won’t find them in travel guides.  

But you will feel something when you walk in.  

When History Adds More Than Square Meters  

A few weeks ago, I took a curious couple from Belgium to a property in an old village above Lukovë. It wasn’t luxurious. The stone steps were cracked, the door creaked like it had a story to tell (because it probably did), and there was a fig tree growing where the kitchen used to be. But when the woman looked around, she said:  

“This doesn’t feel like real estate. It feels like a story I want to be part of.”  

That stuck with me.  

See, in the Albanian Riviera, you have your classic modern offerings — beachfront property in Ksamil, stylish Saranda apartments for sale, sea view penthouses, and so on.  

And they’re great — I won’t pretend they’re not. You can see a few beautiful ones here:  

👉 White Residence Saranda – clean lines, elevator, 2 minutes to the beach.  

👉 Vila 1+2 in Borsh – a gem on the main road, ideal for private Mediterranean living.  

But there’s another type of property.  

One that whispers instead of shouts.  

And often, it’s worth far more than people think — not just financially, but emotionally, too.  

Ruins or Raw Treasure?  

Let’s be honest — a house without a roof doesn’t look promising on first impression.  

But many of these traditional Albanian homes are protected under cultural heritage categories. With proper renovation (and some patience), they become not just homes, but destinations .  

Think boutique guesthouses, mountain-view retreats, or personal sanctuaries that no one else in your friend group has even heard of.  

And that’s the thing. Most people don’t want a copy-paste vacation home.  

They want a story. An experience. A link to something authentic .  

I’ve had investors who walked away from modern beachfront apartments in Saranda and instead put their money into a 130-year-old stone house in Pilur.  

No air conditioning. No pool.  

But once renovated? It became a guesthouse that now books out 6 months in advance. It turns out tourists aren’t just chasing the sea — they’re chasing a feeling.  

What You Can’t Fake: Atmosphere  

You know what a listing photo can’t capture?  

The way the sunset filters through the wooden shutters of a forgotten home.  

Or how the silence of a village like Çorraj feels like therapy after living in a noisy city.  

I was once in a property above Borsh — no one had touched it in years. But as I stepped into what used to be a living room, I noticed a small shelf built into the stone wall, probably used for olive oil jars.  

The way the light hit that corner made the entire space feel warm.  

That’s not something you build — that’s something time leaves behind.   

 

A Tangent About Coffee (And Why It Matters) 

I’ve learned over the years that property visits are often more about coffee than contracts. 

I’ve had clients who decided to buy a home simply because they had the best espresso of their life at a small bar near the church in Piqeras. 

It’s funny — we try to sell logic, numbers, ROI. But sometimes, emotion wins. 

The same goes for these historic properties. They’re not for everyone. 

But for those who “get it” — the ones who light up when they see old tile patterns or original wooden beams — these places are irreplaceable. 

Hidden Potential = Smart Investment 

Now, from a cold financial standpoint — yes, many of these properties are undervalued. 

Why? 

Because they’re not easily marketable. 

You need to see them , walk through them , and sometimes believe a little . 

But here’s what I tell smart investors: 

• These homes are scarce. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. You can always build another villa, but you can’t replicate heritage. 

• Tourism is evolving. The demand for “authentic stays” is booming — from slow travelers to digital nomads. A renovated stone house in a quiet village near Borsh or Piqeras can easily compete on Airbnb with modern city flats. 

• Renovation is cheaper than people think. Especially when you preserve and enhance rather than rebuild from scratch. 

And yes — owning a piece of history means something. 

It means you’re not just profiting off Albania. You’re preserving it, too. 

If You’re Curious… 

I always tell people: start with a walk, not a commitment. 

Let me show you around. We’ll visit one of the old ruins above Qeparo, or maybe a small 2-room stone house in Shën Vasil where you can still see the fireplace used by four generations. 

You don’t have to buy. But you’ll leave understanding more about what this region truly is — beyond what makes it onto Instagram. 

And who knows, maybe you’ll find your place between the olive trees and the worn-out floor tiles. 

Final Thoughts 

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

Not just because of its beauty. But because of its layers — the modern and the ancient, the seen and the felt. 

So next time you’re scrolling through listings of beachfront property or new Saranda apartments for sale, take a moment. 

Think about the properties that don’t show up in the polished brochures. 

They might not sparkle… but they stay with you. 

And if you’re ready to explore both worlds — the stylish and the soulful — I’d be happy to show you around. 


Want to see what’s available?

Some of our clients like the modern lifestyle. If that’s you, check out White Residence in Saranda — it’s new, central, and very rentable.

Or maybe you’re drawn to Borsh’s raw charm — Vila 1+2 offers modern comfort but in a more untouched area.

And if something older, quieter, and more historic is what you’re after — just say the word.

We’ll go off the map.