Is Albania a Good Real Estate Investment?

I get this question almost every week.
Sometimes from investors who’ve done their homework. Sometimes from travelers who didn’t plan to fall in love with Albania, but did anyway.

So let me answer it honestly. Not like a brochure. Not like a sales pitch. But like someone who has lived in Saranda for years, walked through hundreds of properties, and watched this market change season by season.

Is Albania a good real estate investment?
Short answer: yes.
Long answer? That’s what this article is for.

How I See Albania Through the Eyes of Buyers

A few days ago, I was showing a couple from Northern Europe around Ksamil. We stepped into a brand-new apartment, still smelling faintly of fresh wood and paint, and I could see it on their faces. That pause. That quiet moment when people stop asking questions and just look out the window.

Those moments never get old.

They usually come right after someone realizes two things at once:
– how beautiful this place really is
– and how affordable it still feels compared to the rest of the Mediterranean

That combination is rare. And it’s exactly why Albania has become such an interesting real estate market.

Why South Albania Feels Different

The Albanian Riviera isn’t loud.
Not yet.

Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh — they’re developing, yes. But they still move at a human pace. Mornings start with coffee by the sea. Afternoons slow down. Evenings stretch longer than planned.

There’s a rhythm here that buyers notice immediately. And it matters, because real estate is emotional before it’s financial.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. Not because it’s cheap — but because it’s still fairly priced for what it offers.

Seaview apartments. Beachfront property. Walkable neighborhoods. Real lifestyle value.

Saranda Apartments for Sale: Living vs. Investing

One thing I always tell clients is this:
If you can see yourself living in the property, chances are it’s also a good investment.

Take, for example, a seaview 1-bedroom apartment on Skënderbeu Street in Saranda. Quiet area. Safe. New residence. Private swimming pool. And a completely open sea view — no future construction blocking it.

This kind of property works on two levels.
It’s perfect for someone who wants a calm, high-quality home.
And it performs extremely well as a rental.

That’s the sweet spot in today’s market. And it’s why Saranda apartments for sale are getting more attention every year.

Ksamil: Small Area, Big Potential

Ksamil is compact. You feel it when you walk it. Everything is close — the beach, the cafés, the center. That’s exactly why demand stays high.

I’ve watched Ksamil evolve quietly. New buildings, better planning, more attention to detail. And buyers have noticed.

A brand-new 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil, finished in summer 2025, in a calm and newly developed neighborhood, with a shared private pool for residents and just a 7-minute walk to the beach — this is the kind of property people aren’t looking for aggressively yet… but they will.

That understated, quiet luxury.
No noise. No chaos. Just quality.

Ksamil also attracts a different type of buyer now. Families. Couples. Investors who care about long-term value, not quick flips.

A Quick Tangent (But Stay With Me)

Sometimes, when I’m showing properties in the south, I stop for coffee at a small spot locals use year-round. No signs. No Instagram crowd. Just good espresso and familiar faces.

Those places tell you more about the market than statistics ever could.

When locals start renovating homes instead of selling land, you know something is shifting. Confidence grows quietly. And that confidence shows up in real estate.

Alright. Back to the main point.

Beachfront Property vs. Seaview Apartments

People often ask me which is better.
Beachfront property or seaview apartments?

There’s no universal answer.

Beachfront property offers immediacy. Step outside, and you’re there. It’s emotional. Powerful. But limited in supply.

Seaview apartments, on the other hand, offer elevation. Perspective. Often better privacy. And in Saranda especially, some of the best views come from slightly above the coastline.

From an investment standpoint, both perform well. But seaview apartments often give more flexibility — easier maintenance, better year-round living, and strong rental appeal.

Duplex Living in Ksamil: A Step Above

One category that has surprised many buyers lately is duplex properties in Ksamil.

A new 2025 luxury duplex, located just 300 meters from the beach and the center, with two swimming pools (one private, one shared), underground parking, and full security — this is no longer “holiday-only” real estate.

This is family living.
Or serious investment.

Properties like this can reach up to 16% ROI per year, depending on how they’re used. And the reason is simple: limited supply and high demand for quality.

Not flashy luxury. Real luxury.

Villas in Saranda: Privacy Is the New Currency

Apartments dominate conversations. But villas… villas are becoming rare.

A private villa in Saranda, in a quiet and secluded neighborhood, with its own swimming pool and a spacious layout, offers something apartments can’t: complete independence.

Families love them. Long-term renters love them. And investors? They see the scarcity.

These villas don’t appear often. And when they do, they don’t stay long. It’s one of those segments where Albania still offers opportunities that are almost gone elsewhere.

Affordable Properties (And Why That Word Matters)

I’m careful with the word “affordable.”

Albania isn’t cheap in the sense of low quality.
It’s affordable in the sense of value.

You still get modern construction, new infrastructure, private pools, and premium locations — without paying inflated prices driven by decades of speculation.

That window won’t stay open forever.

And this is where timing matters more than hype.

Cultural Details Buyers Don’t Expect

There’s something I notice with foreign buyers. They come for the sea. They stay for the people.

Neighbors bringing fruit from their gardens. The slow conversations at sunset. The respect for space, but also for community.

You won’t find that in spreadsheets. But you feel it when you live here.

And that emotional connection is what turns “good investments” into great ones.

So… Is Albania a Good Real Estate Investment?

From where I stand — yes. Without hesitation.

Not because it’s trending.
Not because social media says so.
But because the fundamentals are strong.

– Growing demand
– Limited prime coastal land
– Increasing construction quality
– Still-accessible pricing
– Strong rental performance

And most importantly, a lifestyle people genuinely want.

If you’re looking at Albania purely as numbers, it already makes sense.
If you’re looking at it as a place to live, even part-time, it makes even more sense.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, after a long day of viewings, I drive along the coast as the sun drops behind the hills. Saranda lights up slowly. The sea goes quiet.

I think about how many people are just discovering this place for the first time. And how lucky I am to already call it home.

Albania isn’t a future investment.
It’s a present one.

And if you ask me — quietly, honestly — this is still one of the best moments to be here.