I get asked this question almost every week.
Usually by someone standing on a balcony in Saranda, looking at the sea, a little surprised by what they’re seeing.
“How is this still so affordable?”
It’s a fair question. Because when you step back and really look at it — the coastline, the climate, the lifestyle — Albania doesn’t feel like an undervalued place anymore. And yet, in real estate terms, it still is.
I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for years now. I’ve watched empty hillsides slowly turn into neighborhoods, small family houses become modern residences, and curious tourists turn into property owners. The change has been gradual, not explosive. And maybe that’s exactly why opportunity still exists here.
The Gap Between Perception and Reality
One of the biggest reasons Albania remains undervalued is simple: perception always moves slower than reality.
Many people abroad still imagine Albania as it was twenty or thirty years ago. What they don’t see is the new infrastructure, the quality of construction improving every year, or the fact that the Albanian Riviera now attracts visitors who previously only considered Greece or Italy.
I remember showing a property recently to a couple visiting for the first time. They had come only for a holiday, no intention to buy. But as we stood looking over the bay, they kept repeating the same thing — they couldn’t understand why prices were still lower than other Mediterranean destinations with far less natural beauty.
That moment happens often.
And it tells you something important. The market hasn’t fully caught up with how good the product actually is.
The Albanian Riviera Is Still Early
If you compare the Albanian Riviera with other coastal regions in the Mediterranean, the difference isn’t quality. It’s timing.
Places like the Amalfi Coast or parts of Croatia went through their transformation years ago. Prices adjusted quickly. Albania is going through that phase now, but more slowly, and in a healthier way.
Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh — they are still evolving. You can feel it when you walk the promenade in the evening or drive the coastal road toward Himara. New restaurants open, better architecture appears, and the audience changes. More international visitors, more long stays, more people asking about ownership instead of just hotels.
This is why Saranda apartments for sale continue attracting attention. Not because they are cheap — but because they are still reasonable compared to what they offer.
And yes, I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
What Buyers Notice First
Most buyers arrive expecting simplicity.
They leave surprised by quality.
Modern residences now include private swimming pools, underground parking, proper insulation, and finishes that match Western European standards. But prices haven’t fully reflected that yet.
Take, for example, a 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil I often mention when clients ask what “quiet luxury” looks like here. It’s a new 2025 building, finished recently, located in a calm neighborhood about seven minutes’ walk from the beach. Residents share a private pool, the surroundings are peaceful, and everything feels new without trying too hard to be impressive.
That balance is something people don’t expect to find at this price level.
A Small Tangent About Coffee and Timing
There’s a café near the old port where many of us in real estate end up at some point during the day. Builders, agents, sometimes architects. Conversations there are rarely formal, but you learn a lot just by listening.
When people start talking less about “if” and more about “when prices will rise,” you know the market is shifting.
That’s where we are now.
Anyway — back to why Albania remains undervalued.
Lifestyle Still Beats Speculation
Another reason is cultural. Albania hasn’t been built purely for investors. It’s still a place where people actually live year-round.
In Saranda, even in winter, you’ll see locals walking along the sea, cafés open, families gathering for long lunches. The pace is slower. More human. That matters more than many investors realize.
Seaview apartments here are not just holiday assets. They’re homes. And that creates stability in the market instead of artificial price spikes.
I’ve seen this especially in quieter areas like Skënderbeu Street, where properties such as this fully furnished seaview apartment attract buyers who want both lifestyle and investment. The view is completely open, no future construction blocking it, private pool, calm surroundings. The kind of place you can live comfortably all year or rent easily during the season.
Ksamil and the New Standard of Demand
Ksamil deserves special mention.
Social media made it famous, yes. But what keeps people coming back is something else — the scale. It still feels intimate. Walkable. Human-sized.
New developments reflect this shift. I’ve seen growing interest in properties that combine privacy with proximity to the center. Like the newer duplex residences — for example these luxury duplexes in Ksamil. Everything brand new, two swimming pools, underground parking, only a few residents in the building. About 300 meters from both the beach and the center.
For families or investors, that combination makes sense. Especially when returns can reach around 16% annually.
But again, the important thing is not the number. It’s the timing.
Land: The Opportunity Most People Still Miss
Apartments get attention because they’re easy to understand. Land is different. It requires vision.
Yet some of the biggest opportunities in South Albania are still in beachfront land. Places like Porto Palermo or parts of Borsh, where development is still controlled and nature dominates the landscape.
There’s a seafront land parcel in Porto Palermo I’ve walked many times with investors. Literally about ten meters from the water, first line. For someone thinking long-term — boutique hotel, villas, or hospitality concept — it’s the kind of opportunity that disappears once an area matures.
The same applies to land in Borsh, where large plots with open sea views still exist. Not for long, in my opinion.
Privacy Is Becoming the New Luxury
Another shift I’ve noticed recently is the demand for privacy.
People don’t necessarily want to be in the busiest area anymore. They want space. Silence. A garden. A pool. Somewhere children can run freely.
That’s why villas in quieter neighborhoods around Saranda have started gaining attention. A property like this private villa in Surra reflects that trend well — spacious layout, private pool, peaceful surroundings. Ideal for families or buyers looking for something rare in a growing city.
Because privacy becomes more valuable as destinations become popular.
Even Commercial Spaces Are Changing
This isn’t only about homes.
Tourism growth is slowly transforming commercial demand as well. Restaurants, cafés, boutique shops — they all follow the same pattern. First tourists arrive, then businesses adapt, then property values rise.
A good example is first-line commercial spaces near the beach, like this large commercial shop in Saranda. Locations like this become the backbone of seasonal economies, and experienced investors understand their long-term value.
Why Albania Won’t Stay Undervalued Forever
The truth is simple. Albania is not undervalued because it lacks quality. It’s undervalued because the world is only starting to pay attention.
Infrastructure improves. Visibility increases. Tourism grows. And gradually, prices adjust.
I’ve seen it happen in small ways already. A street that used to be quiet becomes desirable. A neighborhood once overlooked becomes the place everyone asks about.
That’s how markets evolve here — slowly, then all at once.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, after finishing property visits, I drive up toward the hills above Saranda just before sunset. The sea turns orange, the islands in Ksamil become silhouettes, and you realize how much potential still exists in this corner of the Mediterranean.
Albania is changing. But it hasn’t lost its authenticity yet.
And maybe that’s the real reason it’s still undervalued.
Not for long.
Can Foreigners Open a Bank Account in Albania?