If you’ve been thinking about renting in Albania—especially somewhere along the Albanian Riviera—you’re not alone. Every week I meet people from the U.S., Italy, Poland, Germany… all curious about what it actually costs to live here. Some want a few months by the sea. Others want to “test the waters” before buying one of the many Saranda apartments for sale.
And honestly? I get it.
Life on the coast has a rhythm that’s impossible not to fall in love with.
I’ve lived in Saranda long enough to see the city grow, change, slow down, speed up, and then surprise me again. And with all those changes, rent has become a topic everyone—from students to retirees to remote workers—asks me about.
So let me give you the real story.
Not the internet version.
But the version you’d hear if we were having a coffee together on the promenade.
The First Thing You Should Know About Renting in Albania
Rents here depend on three things:
– Location
– Season
– View
And before you think “view doesn’t matter,” trust me… in Saranda, a seaview can change your mood in a way that’s hard to put into words. Some of the seaview apartments feel like they double in value the moment the sun sets over Corfu.
I’ve seen people walk into a place, take one look at the balcony, and say, “I’ll take it.” Not even checking the bedroom first.
It happens more often than you’d think.
How Rent Shifts Between Winter and Summer
Here’s something people don’t realize until they’ve lived here a full year:
Rent in Saranda has two personalities.
Summer: lively, colorful, full of movement… and more expensive.
Winter: quiet, peaceful, almost meditative… and noticeably cheaper.
Most long-term renters negotiate contracts based on the 12-month average, not on the August madness. Owners prefer long-term stability, and tenants love avoiding seasonal spikes—so it works for everyone.
So, How Much Is Rent in Albania Right Now?
Let’s break it down based on real, everyday numbers from what I see as an agent walking these neighborhoods.
1. 1-Bedroom Apartments (the most popular choice)
In coastal cities like Saranda or Vlora, long-term monthly rent usually ranges from:
– €250–€400 for standard locations
– €400–€550 for partial sea views or modern buildings
– €550–€700+ for premium seaviews or newer residences
A good example is a comfortable 1-bedroom unit we have available in a quiet area surrounded by greenery—ideal for someone who wants a peaceful setting but still close to everything. You can see it casually here if you're curious:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/comfortable-1-bedroom-apartments-for-long-term-rent-in-saranda-green-surroundings-partial-sea-view
Nothing flashy. Just a genuinely warm home.
2. 2-Bedroom Apartments (great for couples, families, remote workers)
Prices usually fall between:
– €400–€700 in most neighborhoods
– €700–€900+ for larger spaces or seafront units
For example, there’s a modern 2+1 apartment we recently listed that’s fully furnished and ideal for monthly stays—the type of place clients choose when they want space for family or work. If you want to get a feel for it, here’s the link:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-21-apartment-for-monthly-rent-in-saranda-fully-furnished
Again, it’s more of an illustration than a promotion. I like showing people the kind of apartments that represent the market.
3. Premium Seaview Rentals
This is where prices can move fast.
People fall in love with the light, the morning calm, the sound of the ferries leaving the port.
These usually rent for:
– €600–€1,000+ depending on the building and quality
– Top-floor seaviews almost always rent first
We recently helped a couple find a cozy 1+1 with a really beautiful view. It wasn’t “luxury” in the artificial sense—just clean, calm, and positioned exactly right. If you want to understand what I mean, here it is:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/11-apartment-for-rent-in-saranda-sea-view-furnished-cozy-stay
It’s the kind of place where you sit on the balcony once and suddenly your decision feels easy.
A Story From Last Week… Because This Job Always Surprises Me
A few days ago, I met a young couple from Belgium. They’d been traveling around the Balkans and ended up in Saranda almost by accident. We visited a mid-range apartment—not the most luxurious, not the largest. But when they stepped onto the balcony and heard the faint sound of church bells from the hillside behind the city… they both just froze.
Moments like that remind me why I still get excited about this work.
Sometimes it isn’t the square meters or the furniture.
It’s the feeling.
The Little Things That Influence Rent (And Only a Local Really Notices)
Let me tell you a few insider details—things that don’t show up on online listings:
– If the apartment faces the promenade, expect a bit more noise in July and August. Some people love it; others don’t. Prices reflect that.
– Buildings on the Kodrra side of Saranda often have quieter surroundings and slightly more stable winter pricing.
– If you’re near the old bakery above the port, there’s a hill that gets sun all morning—locals actually prefer living there because the apartments stay bright all winter.
– In the neighborhood above the stadium, rents are usually lower even though the sea view from higher floors is surprisingly good.
These small, local details can affect prices more than you’d think.
A Small Tangent (Because That’s How Conversations Go)
Sometimes people ask me if Albania still counts as “affordable”—and I smile because affordability depends on what you compare it to.
Is Saranda cheaper than Rome, Paris, or Barcelona?
Of course.
But compared to five years ago? No way.
Growth brings change. And honestly… it’s good to see the city doing well.
Anyway, back to the main point—rent.
Why Renters End Up Staying Longer Than They Planned
A funny pattern I’ve noticed:
Someone arrives planning to rent for three months.
Three months become six.
Six months become, “Maybe we should look at some beachfront property or those Saranda apartments for sale you mentioned?”
It’s the lifestyle that seduces them.
Morning walks by the sea.
Cheap, strong espresso.
Fresh fish from the old fisherman near the marina who still refuses to take digital payments because “it doesn’t feel real.”
And of course, the sunsets that make even long-term residents pause.
Renting here gives people a taste of a slower, calmer Mediterranean life. And once they taste it…
it’s hard to go back.
What About Renting Outside Saranda?
Other cities have different rhythms and prices:
– Ksamil → higher in summer, very calm in winter
– Vlora → more urban, growing fast, great long-term options
– Himara / Dhermi → limited long-term inventory but extraordinary views
– Tirana → more expensive for medium-range apartments, but completely different lifestyle
Still, Saranda remains the sweet spot.
And I stand by this:
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
The combination of climate, lifestyle, international interest, and steady development makes it unique.
Why Some Rentals Feel “Quiet Luxury” Even Without the Price Tag
People often tell me that some apartments here feel more premium than the rent suggests.
I think it’s because Albanian homes—even modest ones—carry a certain warmth.
Families put effort into details.
Owners often build with their own hands or oversee every corner personally.
There’s also something about the culture here:
We host.
We welcome.
We prepare homes like we’re preparing for guests.
This energy reflects even in rental units.
You walk into a simple apartment and feel… ease.
Calm.
A bit of quiet luxury, not the Instagram version, but the real one.
Renting as a Step Toward Investing
A lot of renters eventually become investors.
They start by testing the city for a year.
They get used to the restaurants, the beaches, the winter rhythms, the locals who greet them like old friends after just two weeks.
Then they start exploring:
– seaview apartments
– affordable properties in up-and-coming neighborhoods
– small but profitable units near the promenade
– hillside homes with panoramic views
Sometimes we tour properties casually after a rental viewing.
It always starts the same way:
“We’re not buying now, just looking.”
But then life in Saranda does what it always does—it grows on you.
Final Thoughts: So, How Much Is Rent in Albania?
Enough to live comfortably.
Low enough that many foreigners feel relieved.
High enough to reflect the city’s growth.
But the real value isn’t in the number.
It’s in what you get for that number.
Sunlight.
Warmth.
A coastline that feels alive.
Neighborhoods where people still know each other.
A city that keeps evolving without losing its soul.
If you’re thinking about renting here, explore a little.
Walk the neighborhoods.
See how the light falls in the afternoon.
Sit for a coffee near the port or up in Kodrra and feel the energy of the place.
And if you want a starting point, the examples I mentioned earlier show exactly the kind of homes you’ll find on the market today—comfortable, calm, and designed for people who want to experience the best of the coast:
– A modern 2+1 for monthly rent
– A peaceful 1-bedroom surrounded by greenery
– A cozy seaview apartment perfect for long stays
They’re not presented as ads—just honest references, because sometimes seeing a real example explains more than numbers ever could.
If you’re ever in Saranda, send me a message.
I enjoy helping people understand this city the way locals do.
Not just through the listings, but through the rhythm of everyday life.
Renting in Albania isn’t just about finding a place to live.
It’s about finding a place that feels right.
