How Albania Steals the Hearts of Long-Term Visitors

There’s something that happens when you stay in Albania for more than just a few days. I’ve seen it again and again—someone arrives with a carry-on, expecting a nice little getaway, and a month later they’re messaging me about apartment viewings and long-term stays.

I get it. I really do.

Because once Albania gets under your skin, it doesn’t leave. And that’s especially true for the south.

A Place That Surprises You

Let me start with this: Albania is not a place that screams for your attention. It doesn’t throw itself at tourists like some other Mediterranean destinations. Instead, it quietly wins you over. First, with the light. Then, with the sea. And finally, with the people.

Most long-term visitors I meet didn’t plan on falling in love with this place. One couple from Sweden told me they only came to escape a rainy summer back home—six months later, they owned a small seaview apartment overlooking Saranda Bay. The view got them, of course. That glittering water, always just a bit too blue to be real.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. And I don’t say that lightly. You can walk from a seafront property to a 2,000-year-old archaeological site in under 15 minutes. You’ll find fresh seafood for the price of a coffee in Paris. And somehow, even in high season, you can still find quiet little corners of coastline that feel like they’re yours alone.

It’s Not Just the Beach

Yes, the beach helps. No one forgets their first swim in Ksamil.

But there’s more.

There’s the rhythm of the place. The late breakfasts. The slower pace. The way older men sit under fig trees in the morning playing dominoes, as if time has nothing to prove. The small bakery in the side alley behind the old mosque, where you can still buy bread warm from the oven if you show up around 7:30 AM. (And yes, they run out by 8.)

There’s this unspoken invitation here to slow down. To notice. To be part of something simple and honest. People who come for a week often end up rethinking their calendar altogether.

From Visitors to Neighbors

I remember this German couple from Frankfurt who came on a scouting trip. At first, they were hesitant. They had heard of Albania but didn’t really know what to expect. On their second day, we had lunch at this taverna just before the turn to Borsh—the kind of place with no menu, just whatever the owner’s wife cooked that morning. By day five, they were asking about investment potential. By day ten, we were walking through this villa with full sea views and a private pool.

They didn’t just want to visit anymore. They wanted roots.

And that’s the thing. Albania has this way of shifting your priorities. All of a sudden, the idea of owning a little place near the sea feels less like a dream and more like a plan. A very achievable one, too. Our affordable properties range from elegant 1+1 beachfront apartments to hillside homes with panoramic views.

A Tangent About Coffee (Because It Matters)

Quick note—if you ever visit Saranda and try to leave without having at least one espresso per day, good luck. It’s nearly impossible. Coffee culture here is more than just caffeine; it’s ritual. It’s where deals are made, friendships are formed, and property decisions get discussed.

I’ve had more serious conversations about investments over a tiny macchiato than in any office setting. So if you’re considering buying, expect to drink a lot of coffee. And maybe even learn how to order like a local: “një kafe ekspres, pak e fortë.”

Investing in a Feeling

What I’ve realized after years in this business is that people aren’t just buying walls and windows. They’re buying what a place makes them feel.

And Albania makes you feel like you belong.

Whether it’s the sound of waves in the evening or the way the mountains glow pink just before sunset, there’s a depth here that’s hard to describe. Many of our clients aren’t flashy investors—they’re people who want a second home that feels real. A little apartment with a balcony. A White Residence unit with morning sun and space for a lemon tree. A place they can escape to, or even retire in.

And they can. That’s the beauty of it.

Why Long-Term Visitors Stay

It’s the tiny moments, really. The olive vendor who remembers your name. The neighbor who brings over raki at sunset. The boat rides to still lagoons you never find on Google.

And sure, Saranda has its modern side. New restaurants, fast Wi-Fi, rooftop lounges. But it hasn’t lost its soul.

People come here expecting "cheap property on the Albanian Riviera." What they find is something that shifts their whole perspective.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and you’re curious, come see it for yourself. But give yourself more than a weekend. Come with an open mind and a loose itinerary. And maybe, just maybe, bring a notebook—you might start planning more than just your trip.

And if you need someone to show you around, you know where to find me.