The Hidden Corners of the Albanian Riviera – Places Instagram Hasn’t Found Yet

There’s a bend in the road between Qeparo and Borsh where the view opens up so suddenly, it almost feels rude not to pull over. No signs, no parking spot—just you, the sea, and this wild stretch of coast that still looks the way it did fifty years ago. I’ve passed that bend dozens of times, but it still stops me.  

It’s places like that—unmarked, unfiltered, untagged—that remind me why I fell in love with this part of Albania.  

Lately, I’ve been thinking about all the corners of the Albanian Riviera that haven’t made it to Instagram yet. The spots you can’t find in guides. The tiny bays you stumble upon by accident. The trails that don’t have names but lead somewhere unforgettable.  

This isn’t a list of “secret beaches” or clickbait. It’s more like a letter from someone who spends their days exploring, guiding clients, sipping coffee with locals, and yes—occasionally getting lost on purpose.  

A Trail with No Name (But the Best View You’ll Ever See)  

Let me start with something real.  

About two weeks ago, I had a property viewing in Borsh. After we wrapped up, I suggested we skip the highway and take the old walking path that locals used before the roads were paved. It winds through olive groves, past a half-abandoned stone church, and ends on a small cliff overlooking the entire Borsh bay. No signs. No railing. Just silence and sea.  

My client—he was from Germany—just stood there, stunned. “Why doesn’t anyone talk about this?” he asked.  

I shrugged. “Because most people are chasing the same five photos.”  

And that’s the thing. The Albanian Riviera is full of beauty, but some of it is quiet. It doesn’t advertise itself.  

The Forgotten Village Above Lukovë  

There’s a tiny stone village tucked just above Lukovë. I won’t name it—partly because it doesn’t really have a name anymore. A few families still live there. Chickens roam freely. A small fig tree grows right through the center of an old roof.  

One afternoon last summer, I wandered up there after a long meeting. I had no reception, no plans, and no rush. A woman saw me passing and offered me a cold glass of dhallë and some home-baked bukë misri with olive oil.  

We ended up talking about the old days, when the only visitors to this area were merchants and the occasional Italian fisherman.  

That moment didn’t make it to Instagram—but I carry it with me every time I talk to clients who say they want something “authentic.”   

 

Not Everything Beautiful is on a Postcard 

I get it. The beaches in Ksamil are stunning. The blue water is otherworldly. But you know what’s just as magical? 

Waking up early in a small guesthouse in Piqeras, where the only sound is a goat bell. 

Or taking a sunset walk on the dirt road between Bunec and Kakome, where the sea looks like molten gold, and there’s no one else in sight. 

People often ask me about beachfront property or Saranda apartments for sale with sea views. I always say: sure, I can show you plenty. We have new projects like this in White Residence and even entire villas for sale just minutes from the coastline . 

But sometimes I pause and ask, “Are you looking for a view… or for a feeling?” 

A Quick Tangent About a Donkey 

Sorry, but I have to tell this story. Last month, while hiking a short trail near Çorraj, I came across a donkey tied to a tree, wearing what looked like a hand-stitched saddlebag full of plums. There was no owner in sight. No explanation. 

It was one of those weird, perfect moments that made me laugh out loud. I didn’t take a picture. I just stood there, ate a plum, and kept walking. 

And I thought—this is exactly what I want more people to experience here. 

What Most People Miss 

When tourists scroll through photos of the Albanian Riviera, they see the bright umbrellas in Ksamil, the port in Saranda, maybe a drone shot of Gjipe. All beautiful. But they’re missing: 

• The pine scent in Lukovë right after it rains 

• The shade of blue that only appears around 5:30 PM on the water near Shpellë 

• The roadside stalls selling wild thyme, still warm from the sun 

• The abandoned bunker halfway to Piqeras with wildflowers growing out of it 

These are the things that don’t make it online. But they’re what clients remember most—especially the ones who return, year after year. 
 

Real Estate That Matches the Mood

If you’re reading this as someone considering investing or relocating here, let me give you a little advice: don’t just look for a house. Look for a place that matches the rhythm you want in your life.

Want to wake up to the sound of waves? There are seaview apartments in Saranda that offer exactly that.

Prefer something quiet and a little raw? A villa tucked in the hills near Borsh might be the answer.

The point is—beauty in Albania isn’t always polished. Sometimes it’s rugged, real, and completely unfiltered. And I truly believe that Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast, especially when you step off the obvious path.

One Final Thought (Before You Scroll Away)

If you ever visit and find yourself on a road with no GPS signal, no cell service, and a view that takes your breath away—stay there a while. That’s the real Albania.

And if you’re thinking about making a life here—whether part-time, full-time, or just in your dreams—I’d love to show you around. Not just the listings, but the hidden places too.

No pressure. Just a coffee, maybe a sunset, and a little tour of what doesn’t fit in a filter.

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Written by someone who still believes the best things in Saranda can’t be captured by a camera.

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