What Tourists Miss About the South of Albania (But Locals Know by Heart)

Let me start with this:  

Tourists see the beaches. Locals feel the sea.  

And there’s a difference.  

I’ve lived in Saranda most of my life, and I’ve worked in real estate long enough to know when someone’s visiting the south… and when someone’s falling in love with it. Usually, it’s the second group that ends up buying a home here.  

The truth is, there’s so much more to southern Albania than what Instagram shows. Don’t get me wrong—the sunsets, the turquoise water, the seafood by the promenade… they’re all real. But they’re just the surface.  

If you stay long enough—or talk to the right people—you start to uncover something deeper.  

Let me share a few things only locals know by heart . Maybe it’ll help you see why this region isn’t just a holiday destination. It’s a place you might want to call home.  

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The Morning Silence (and Smell of Bread)  

Most tourists sleep in. And fair enough—vacation is vacation. But locals? We’re up early.  

There’s something magical about Saranda between 6 and 7 in the morning. No noise. The sea is flat like glass. You hear seagulls, maybe a fisherman shouting to his cousin on the dock. The smell of fresh bread from the bakery near the old bus station drifts through the streets.  

I often stop there for a byrek me djathë before heading to a construction site or meeting a client at our office. That first coffee… it just hits differently when the world is still waking up.  

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The Real Borsh Is Found Under the Olive Trees  

If you’ve ever driven the winding road down into Borsh, you know it’s special. But most people stop at the beach—take a few photos, grab a drink, leave.  

What they miss is the real Borsh, just behind the hill, tucked under olive trees that are older than some countries. The village center, the old stone mosque, the taverna with no menu (just trust the cook)—this is where time slows down.  

And from a real estate perspective? This is where the smart money is starting to look. We recently started offering seaview villas in this area—like our White Residence Villas , just 150 meters from the sea. Still affordable now… but I don’t expect that to last.  

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The Sounds of Summer That Aren’t the Waves  

Summer in the south is loud. But not just with tourists. It’s loud with weddings , kids chasing each other barefoot , and live music echoing from hilltop villages .  

You’ll be sitting on your balcony, sipping a cold drink, and suddenly hear a clarinet from a distant valley. That’s not a show—it’s someone’s cousin getting married. Happens every weekend from June to September.  

These sounds are part of life here. I always tell clients looking at Saranda apartments for sale: “You’re not just buying a home. You’re buying a rhythm. A pulse.”  

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A Tangent About Figs (Yes, Figs) 

Okay, this may sound random, but stay with me. 

There’s this fig tree in my grandmother’s yard in Lukovë. Every August, the figs explode—soft, sweet, sun-warmed. No shop fig compares. And you know what? That tree is part of the reason I fell in love with real estate. 

Because when I visit properties now, I don’t just look at tiles or balconies. I look for things like that fig tree—old, rooted, quiet… but carrying so much meaning. 

You’d be surprised how many beachfront property buyers are drawn in by little things like a garden wall, an old stone oven, or a lemon tree growing by the entrance. 

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The Places Where You Can Still Hear Your Thoughts 

Tourists crowd the same 3 beaches. That’s fine. Let them. 

But locals? We know the side trails. 

There’s a spot between Lukovë and Bunec where you can hike down to a pebbled bay. No bar, no umbrellas, no music. Just the sea, the cliffs, and a silence so pure it almost hums. 

If you ever come for a viewing and want a moment to reflect, ask me to take you there. It’s where I go when I need to clear my head between negotiations and client calls. 

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Not Every Sea View Is Equal (And Locals Know Which Ones Matter) 

One of the things I love most about showing homes is when a client walks into a raw construction site and gets it . They stand in a future living room and look at the unfinished window frame, and suddenly they see what I see. 

“Imagine this,” I say. “Glass from wall to wall. The sunset lands right there. You’ll smell the sea from your couch.” 

We’re currently working on several projects where that’s exactly the case—like Residenca 12 , a quiet, upcoming zone of Saranda that most buyers overlook now… but not for long. Or this luxury villa with panoramic views —honestly, one of my favorite listings right now. 

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The Warmth You Can’t See in Photos 

Albanians are proud. Generous. Sometimes chaotic, always warm. 

What tourists often miss is the way we show care: a coffee placed in front of you without asking. A neighbor yelling across the fence, “Do you want tomatoes?” A notary who remembers your grandfather’s name. 

Buying a home here means becoming part of that. You’ll get to know the guy at the bakery. You’ll figure out which bar serves the best raki . You’ll learn that people don’t say goodbye—they say “kalofsh mirë,” which really means “may you pass your day well.” 

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So… What’s the Point?

I guess what I’m trying to say is: if you only come to the south for the beaches, you’re missing the best part.

It’s not just the water. It’s the people. The silence. The music. The fig trees. The smell of bread. The way the mountains lean into the sea.

And if you’re thinking of buying here—whether it’s a seaview apartment, a beachfront property, or a villa tucked into the hills—don’t just ask about the square meters. Ask about the soul of the place.

Because that’s what locals know by heart.

And that’s what will make you stay.