I get this question almost every week.
Sometimes twice a week, usually over coffee.
“How good are rental yields in Albania, really?”
And I always smile before answering. Because the short answer is simple.
But the real answer — the one that actually matters — takes a bit more explaining.
I’ve lived and worked in Saranda long enough to see rental cycles come and go. I’ve watched neighborhoods change. I’ve seen quiet streets turn into summer hotspots, and I’ve seen properties bought “just for holidays” quietly turn into serious income generators.
So let me walk you through it. Not as a spreadsheet. But as someone who’s been here, every season, every year.
Why Rental Yields in Albania Feel Different
On paper, rental yields in South Albania already look attractive.
But numbers alone don’t explain why they work.
What makes Albania — and especially the Albanian Riviera — unique is the combination of low entry prices and fast-growing demand. You’re not buying into a saturated market. You’re buying into a place that’s still being discovered.
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
And I don’t say that lightly.
Where else can you still find seaview apartments, modern finishes, private pools, and walking distance to the beach — all at prices that feel almost outdated compared to Greece or Italy?
That gap is exactly where rental yields are born.
A Small Story From Last Week
A few days ago, I was showing a client around Ksamil. It was early afternoon, that quiet hour when the sun is high and the streets feel calm before the beach crowds return.
We stepped onto the balcony of a brand-new apartment, still smelling faintly of fresh paint and new wood. The client didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Just looked around. Then turned to me and said, “I get it now.”
Moments like that tell me more than any rental calculation ever could.
Short-Term Rentals: The Real Engine
Let’s talk honestly.
Rental yields in Albania are driven mainly by short-term rentals, not long-term leases.
Saranda and Ksamil are seasonal, yes — but the season is longer than people think. May to October is strong. July and August are intense. June and September are quietly excellent.
And here’s something only locals really notice:
Guests increasingly book places that feel residential, not touristic. Quiet neighborhoods. New buildings. Clean design. Pools. Privacy.
That’s why newer residences perform better, even if they’re not directly on the beach.
Ksamil: Small Area, Strong Numbers
Ksamil is a special case.
Limited land. High demand. And a global spotlight thanks to social media.
Properties here tend to achieve strong nightly rates, especially when they offer something a bit extra — like a pool or a modern layout.
Take this modern 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil, for example. It’s brand new, finished in summer 2025, located in a quiet new neighborhood, with a private swimming pool for residents and just a short walk to the beach. Nothing flashy. Just calm, well-designed, and comfortable.
These are exactly the properties guests return to year after year. And repeat guests are gold when it comes to yields.
Nearby, within the White Residence area, you’ll also find apartments like this 1-bedroom unit in Ksamil. Same idea. New build. Shared pool. Seven minutes on foot to the beach. These properties don’t need aggressive marketing — they book themselves once listed properly.
Saranda: Stability + Growth
Saranda works differently.
It’s bigger. More diverse. And more stable year-round.
Here, rental yields come from a mix of short-term summer stays and longer winter rentals — digital nomads, retirees, people staying for a few months instead of a few days.
Seaview apartments in Saranda are especially strong performers. Not partial views. Real views. The kind you don’t need to explain.
A good example is this 1-bedroom seaview apartment on Skënderbeu Street. Quiet and safe neighborhood. New residence. Private swimming pool. Fully furnished. And the sea view is completely open — no buildings in front, no future surprises.
Properties like this are easy to rent. Easy to manage. And easy to resell later, which many investors forget to factor in.
A Quick Tangent (Bear With Me)
Sometimes people focus too much on yield percentage and forget lifestyle.
And lifestyle matters.
I’ve had clients choose one property over another simply because the morning walk to the bakery felt nicer. Or because the local café nearby made the best byrek. Or because the neighbor said “mirëmëngjes” every day.
These things don’t show up in spreadsheets. But they absolutely affect occupancy.
Okay. Back to yields.
Duplexes & High-End Rentals: Fewer Bookings, Bigger Returns
Now let’s talk about something more premium.
Luxury duplexes and larger properties don’t rent every single night. But when they do, they rent well.
In Ksamil, properties like this luxury duplex near the beach are in a category of their own. Two private swimming pools (one exclusive to the duplex), underground parking, full security, and just 300 meters from both the beach and the center.
This is the kind of property families book for a full week. Or two. Or return to every summer. With potential returns reaching up to 16% annually, it’s not just a lifestyle purchase — it’s a serious investment.
And still, it doesn’t feel loud or commercial. It feels… calm. Quiet luxury.
What Actually Affects Rental Yield (Locally)
Let me simplify this, local-style:
– New construction rents better. Period.
– Pools matter more than proximity to the beach.
– Quiet neighborhoods outperform noisy ones over time.
– Seaview apartments maintain value even when the market slows.
– Affordable properties attract more consistent bookings than overpriced ones.
And one more thing people underestimate:
Professional management.
A well-managed property in Saranda can outperform a better-located one that’s poorly handled. I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count.
Albanian Culture & Hospitality (Yes, It Matters)
Albanians take hospitality seriously.
Guests feel it.
Whether it’s a neighbor offering figs from their garden or a café owner remembering your name, visitors sense something different here. That warmth translates into better reviews. Better reviews mean higher occupancy. Higher occupancy means stronger yields.
It’s all connected.
So… Are Rental Yields in Albania Worth It?
If you’re looking for a mature, slow-growth market — maybe not.
But if you’re looking for strong yields, capital appreciation, and a place that still feels authentic, then yes. Absolutely.
Saranda apartments for sale, seaview apartments, beachfront property, and well-priced homes along the Albanian Riviera still offer something rare in today’s Europe: opportunity.
And not the risky kind. The quiet kind. The kind you look back on in five years and think, I’m glad I moved when I did.
Final Thoughts From a Local
Sometimes, late in the evening, I walk along the promenade after work. The lights reflect on the water. Ferries arrive. Cafés buzz softly. And I think about how far this city has come — and how far it still has to go.
Rental yields are strong here not because of hype.
But because demand is real, prices are still reasonable, and the lifestyle is genuinely attractive.
If you understand that — really understand it — the rest becomes simple.
And if you don’t yet?
That’s okay. That’s why I write these things.
Because Albania doesn’t sell itself on paper.
It sells itself when you’re here.
