The Roads That Lead Nowhere – But Take You to the Most Beautiful Places in Saranda

You won’t find them on TripAdvisor. Most of them don’t even have names on Google Maps. And yet, these are the roads I’ve followed again and again—not just for the views or the silence, but for the way they reveal what Saranda really is.  

Not just a summer destination. Not just a postcard. But a place that breathes quietly behind the beaches.  

As someone who’s been living and working in real estate here for years, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty that hides just beyond the “main spots.” And every now and then, I get a client who’s curious enough to ask:  

“What’s beyond the promenade?”  

That’s when I smile—because I know exactly where to go.  

A Right Turn Too Early  

Let’s start just outside the city.  

If you’re driving from Saranda toward Butrint, there’s a point where everyone veers left to go toward Ksamil. But if you take that small unmarked road on the right—yes, the one that looks like it leads to someone’s backyard—you’ll end up above the olive groves of Pllakë.  

Most tourists never get here. The road isn’t paved in parts. There’s no café with a neon sign, and certainly no beach bars.  

But the view? It’s the kind you remember. You see the entire curve of the bay, the rooftops of Ksamil in the distance, and Corfu quietly floating on the horizon.  

I once took a young couple there who were looking for a modest investment, nothing too flashy. They didn’t say much during the drive. But the moment we parked, the woman just said, “This is it.”  

And just like that, they bought a small piece of land right there on the slope. They’re building now—something simple, but with the kind of view money can’t really buy anymore.  

The Hill Behind the City  

Everyone knows about the road to Lekursi Castle. What they don’t know is that if you take the old trail behind the castle , through the pine trees, you end up in a forgotten part of Saranda.  

There’s a spot—locals call it “te Guri i Bardhë”—where the city feels far away, even though you’re just a 15-minute hike from downtown. From there, you don’t just see the water. You see layers : rooftops, alleyways, minarets, church bells, and that faint smell of figs in the heat.  

I go there sometimes when work gets overwhelming. It’s quiet. The kind of quiet you don’t expect to find in a place that’s been growing as fast as Saranda has.   

 

Hidden Paths in Borsh 

Now, Borsh is a different world altogether. 

People come for the long beach and leave thinking they’ve seen it all. But I always tell my clients—especially those looking for more than just beachfront property—to explore the old village . 

Just follow the narrow road uphill. It looks like it’s leading nowhere, but keep going. Eventually, you’ll reach the ruins of an old mosque, and right above it, some of the most untouched stone houses in the region. 

There’s this one taverna tucked between two fig trees, no sign out front. The owner grills lamb over wood and brings out wild oregano he picks himself. 

I once took a client up there to view one of our villas in Borsh . We had scheduled a 30-minute visit. We stayed for three hours, had raki with the neighbors, and they told us stories of how the road was built stone by stone by their grandfathers. 

That same client told me later: “This isn’t just an investment. It’s a life I didn’t know I was looking for.” 

A Loop Above the White Residence 

Now here’s something most property seekers don’t notice. When you visit a place like White Residence , you usually enter from the main road. It’s modern, close to the beach, very popular. But if you take the old dirt road that loops behind it and walk just 500 meters uphill, you reach a clearing with one of the best sea views in town. 

No noise, no people. Just the wind, the pine scent, and the blue below. 

I’ve used that road more times than I can count when showing properties. It gives buyers a new perspective—literally. One guy told me it reminded him of southern Italy in the ‘80s, before the crowds. 

Real Estate is Not Just About Walls 

This might sound strange coming from someone whose job is selling apartments and villas. But I don’t believe people fall in love with square meters. 

They fall in love with places. With the light that hits a certain wall at sunset. With a winding road that makes them feel far from the noise. With the sound of chickens in the morning instead of traffic. 

Saranda apartments for sale are increasing in value year after year, especially seaview apartments and beachfront properties. The Albanian Riviera is still affordable compared to Greece or Italy, but that’s changing fast. 

The secret now? Find the places that still feel like secrets. 

And those are usually not on the main road.

 A Final Thought

There’s a reason I still live here, after all these years. I’ve seen clients come and go, some return again and again, others move here permanently. But the ones who stay—the ones who really fall in love with Saranda—are those who take the wrong turns.

Those who ask, “What’s up that hill?”

Those who follow a dirt path just because it looked interesting.

Those who understand that sometimes, the road that leads nowhere… leads you exactly where you need to be.

If you ever want to explore some of these hidden corners, or you’re curious about investing somewhere that still feels real, come find me. I’ll show you the places you won’t find in brochures.

And who knows—maybe the property you’re looking for is just beyond the next bend in the road.

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