Why Albania Feels Like Greece in the 1980s – Beautiful, Authentic, and Still Affordable

I’ve been living and working in Saranda for over a decade, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this from visiting clients:  

“This place reminds me of Greece before it got too commercial.”  

They’re usually standing barefoot on a quiet beach. Or sipping espresso on a stone terrace in Qeparo. Or looking out over the olive groves from a hilltop apartment with a sea view.  

And honestly?  

They’re not wrong.  

Albania – especially the southern coast – feels like Greece in the 1980s . But not in a copycat way. It’s got its own rhythm, its own warmth, its own secrets. And for those looking to invest in affordable property by the sea , this is one of the last corners of the Mediterranean where authenticity still lives… and where the prices haven’t caught up to the views.  

The Feeling You Can’t Buy – But You Can Live In  

One of the things I’ve learned in this business is that people don’t just buy apartments in Saranda because of the floor plans or the pool (though those help!).  

They buy the feeling .  

That feeling of walking into a beach bar where no one’s trying too hard.  

Where the music is just right, the raki is homemade, and someone’s grandmother brings out figs from the back.  

That kind of real.  

That kind of alive.  

There’s a reason people are comparing it to Greece in its golden age. Back when things were simpler, and less filtered. You still feel that here.  

The Albanian Riviera – Where the Roads Are Twisty and the Views Are Wild  

I always tell clients: if you’re driving from Saranda to Borsh or Himara, don’t rush it . You’ll want to stop every 10 minutes.  

There’s a lookout just before the descent into Lukova that still makes me catch my breath, even after seeing it a hundred times. And if you stop by the roadside stall with the big red umbrella just before the turn to Piqeras, they’ll squeeze fresh orange juice that tastes like the sun.  

These aren’t tourist brochures. These are places I stop myself when showing beachfront properties or seaview villas .  

The coastline between Saranda and Vlora is still rugged. It hasn’t been tamed by glass hotels and giant resorts. And that’s a good thing.  

Because it means there’s still space to invest — and to invest smart.  

Prices That Don’t Match the Views (Yet)  

You can still find beachfront apartments in Saranda for under €100,000.  

Try saying that about Corfu. Or even Crete. You’ll get laughed out of the room.  

But here, it’s possible. And not just for studios or half-basements. I’m talking about well-designed 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, with private pools , balconies, and Mediterranean finishes.  

One of the best examples of this kind of opportunity is White Residence in Borsh . These are modern luxury villas , each with a private pool, three levels, and panoramic views of the sea — surrounded by nothing but olive trees and silence. It’s like living inside a postcard, but without the noise.  

Or if you’re more into ready-to-move-in apartments near Saranda’s promenade, Residenca 12 offers exactly that. Sea views, close to the beach, and high-quality construction — all at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in Spain or Italy.  

And no, this isn’t a “too good to be true” thing.  

It’s just that Albania got skipped over for decades. And now it’s catching up — slowly, quietly, beautifully.   

A Tangent About Time (Because Albania Moves Differently) 

Here’s something I didn’t expect when I started in real estate here: time moves slower in Albania . 

Not in the frustrating way (okay, sometimes that too), but in the way that makes you notice things. 

You’ll walk past the same old man sitting on the same wooden chair every morning. He’ll nod. Maybe offer a smile. 

You’ll watch the kids jumping off the pier, laughing, not looking at their phones. 

There’s something timeless about that. Almost cinematic. 

And when clients ask me if investing here is “safe,” I tell them — the numbers make sense, but it’s the feeling that sells it. 

Because when you fall in love with a place, you stay. And that’s what makes value go up. That’s why this market is growing every year. 

What Makes the South So Special? (Beyond the Obvious) 

Sure, the crystal-clear water , the stone villages , and the sunsets over Corfu are amazing. Everyone sees that. 

But let me tell you what most people don’t see — until they come here: 

• The taverna in Borsh with no name, where the fish is caught 20 minutes before it hits your plate. 

• The small chapel on the hill above Qeparo, hidden by cypress trees, where locals still light candles every Sunday. 

• The bakery in Saranda that opens at 5 AM — where the owner knows your name by the third visit and always slips in one extra byrek. 

That’s the Albania I sell. 

That’s the Albania people stay for. 

The Sweet Spot Between Simplicity and Investment 

It’s rare to find a country where you can wake up to the sound of waves… 

…own a fully titled villa with a pool , 

…rent it out on Airbnb for the summer, 

…and still have your money working for you — while enjoying a morning espresso on the terrace. 

Some of our investors are already seeing 7–10% annual returns on short-term rentals. And with demand increasing from Polish, German, Scandinavian, and even Middle Eastern buyers, the numbers are only trending upward. 

But unlike other Mediterranean countries, Albania hasn’t sold its soul. Not yet. 

You still see shepherds leading goats across roads that now lead to beachfront properties. You still get handed homemade jam when you visit a listing. And yes — you can still buy directly from the builder (in many cases, with 0% agency commission , like some of the VivaView projects here ). 

So… Is Albania the “Next Greece”?

Not exactly.

Greece is Greece.

But Albania is something else.

It’s real. It’s unpolished. It’s honest in a way that’s hard to find these days. And it’s changing — fast enough to create opportunity, slow enough to still feel human.

If you’re looking for the last piece of untouched Mediterranean, with sunshine, sea views, and smart investment potential — don’t wait 10 years.

Because by then, we’ll all be saying:

“Remember when Albania felt like Greece in the 80s?”

Curious to see what that looks like?

Start with our seafront villas, or check the full portfolio here.

And if you’re ever in Saranda — I’ll take you for a coffee by the water. You’ll see what I mean.

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