Why Everyone Is Talking About Buying Property in Albania Right Now

(From the eyes of someone who has lived and worked in real estate in Saranda for years)

There are weeks when I walk along the promenade in Saranda and hear more English, Italian, Polish, and French than Albanian. And honestly, it still surprises me — in a good way. Albania has always been beautiful, but the fact that the entire world is suddenly talking about it?
That part feels new.

In the last two years especially, the buzz has grown louder. Friends from abroad send me articles saying, “Is this where you live? It looks unbelievable.” And every time, I laugh a little because — yes, it is unbelievable, but it has always been this way.

Let me walk you through why Albania is suddenly on everyone’s lips and why so many investors are calling this moment a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Albania Is Everywhere in International Media

It feels like every month a new article pops up. Forbes praising the Riviera. Business Insider calling Albania “Europe’s breakout destination.” National Geographic highlighting the nature. Even the Mirror in the UK has written about those Americans who recently moved to Saranda and said they felt “reborn.”

And honestly… who can blame them?

Just last week, while showing a couple a seaview apartment, they said something that made me smile:
“We first heard about Albania from TikTok. Then we saw a travel blogger calling Saranda ‘the last untouched gem of Europe’… and here we are.”

It’s happening constantly now. Influencers go viral. Travelers upload videos of crystal-clear water in Ksamil. Someone posts about how cheap seafood is here compared to Italy. And boom — thousands of new eyes on Albania.

Sometimes it feels like the world discovered us overnight.

Prices Are Still Low Compared to the Mediterranean

This is the part investors love the most.
And the truth is simple:

Albania is still affordable — shockingly affordable — compared to Greece, Italy, Croatia, Malta, or Spain.

Here in the south:

• Saranda apartments for sale with full sea view: €1,800–€2,500/m²

• Greece across the water: €6,000–€12,000/m²

• Villas with private pools in Albania? Often ½ or ⅓ of the Mediterranean price.

I’ve had people from Mykonos come here and ask me twice:
“Are you sure these numbers are correct?”

Yes. They are correct. And that’s exactly why Albania’s market is booming.

Truthfully, this is still the early stage. When I look at how our coastline resembles parts of Crete 20 years ago, I genuinely believe that the current price range will look unbelievably cheap in hindsight.

The ROI Is Shockingly High

Let’s be honest: lifestyle is one thing, but real investors care about numbers.
And the numbers here? They speak loudly.

• Saranda & Ksamil Airbnb ROI: 8–12% yearly, sometimes more

• Tourism season: May to October (longer than Greece in some years)

• Demand: Extremely high

• Supply: Extremely low — especially in Ksamil and Borsh

I’ve seen apartments that generate €20,000+ per season simply because Ksamil is fully booked in July–August every single year.

And new builds with pools or quiet-luxury finishes? They perform even better.

A good example is a brand-new duplex in Ksamil, part of a 2025 residence with two private swimming pools — one exclusive, one shared — plus underground parking, full privacy, and 300m from the beach. It’s the kind of property where ROI can realistically reach 14–16% yearly, especially with the location on the main road. (If you're curious, it’s casually listed here: https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2)

Tourism Is Exploding Every Single Year

In 2024 alone, Albania received over 10 million tourists. For a country of our size, that number is insane — in the best way.

2025 and 2026 are expected to be even stronger with the new airport, more flights, more media exposure, and the continuous “viral Albania” trend on TikTok and Instagram.

People love the lifestyle here:

• clear water

• seafood

• sunsets

• freedom of movement

• friendly locals

• and the ease of traveling the Riviera

Tourism → demand for accommodation → higher ROI → rising prices
It’s a cycle investors recognize immediately.

Sometimes when I drive from Saranda to Borsh on a summer morning, I see long lines of foreign-plated cars heading south — it reminds me how quickly interest has grown.

Infrastructure Projects Are Changing Everything

This part is HUGE, and honestly, it’s one of the biggest reasons prices are shifting.

• Vlora International Airport — a game changer for the whole Riviera

• Llogara Tunnel — now connecting the Riviera faster and smoother

• New Riviera Road upgrades — shorter travel time, safer roads

• Marina projects in Saranda — attracting yacht tourism

• Port expansions — easier cruise arrivals

Every time Albania upgrades a road or announces a new airport, I immediately see how buyers react.
Infrastructure always brings price growth.

I still remember when the Llogara Tunnel opened; that first week felt like every investor in Europe called us asking:
“So what does this mean for property values?”
It means: up. Always up.

Foreign Buyers Are Entering the Market Faster Than Ever

This is a trend I notice every single week.

We’re seeing:

• Poles

• Italians

• French

• Germans

• Czechs

• Nordic buyers

• Albanians living abroad returning to invest

• And yes — more Americans than ever

Saranda and Ksamil seem to attract Americans who want low cost of living, warm weather, and a simpler Mediterranean lifestyle. Some even tell me:

“We didn’t know Albania existed until we saw a video about it, and now we’re buying.”

And it’s true — once they visit, they fall in love quickly.

One American couple recently said that their favorite moment was drinking coffee at a quiet lookout above Mango Beach, watching the water change colors.
A small detail, but that’s what convinces people emotionally.

Albania Is Safe, Affordable, and Offers a High Quality of Life

I won’t romanticize things — Albania is not perfect. But it is genuinely safe, relaxed, and affordable.

Living costs are still low compared to Europe:

• meals

• transport

• rent

• utilities

• healthcare

The climate? Over 300 sunny days a year in the south. Winters are mild. Summers are vibrant. The air feels clean, especially on the hills of Saranda or the slopes of Borsh where the sea breeze mixes with the mountain air.

Foreigners often tell me they appreciate the human part of Albania — the way a waiter remembers your order after two visits, or how neighbors help each other with something as simple as carrying groceries. These small customs remind me how culturally warm we are.

Supply Is Low — Demand Is Rising Fast

This is maybe the most underrated factor.

Places like:

• Saranda

• Ksamil

• Borsh

• Qeparo

• Himara

… they simply don’t have endless land.

In Ksamil especially, new plots are extremely limited. That’s why a quiet-luxury residence there — like the modern 1-bedroom apartment finishing in 2025, with a private pool for residents and only a 7-minute walk to the beach — is already catching attention from international buyers. (You can see it casually here: https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2)

I believe Ksamil today is exactly where Crete and Zakynthos were around 2000–2004. Early stage. Growing. Limited supply. Prices rising each season.

Perfect Timing: Buy Before Albania Joins the EU

This is a major psychological trigger for investors.

History is clear:

• Croatia joined the EU → prices doubled

• Slovenia joined → major appreciation

• Bulgaria joined → giant wave of foreign investment

Albania is on the same path.

Investors want to enter before the big jump, not after.

And I can already see this mindset influencing purchase decisions, especially from French and German buyers this year.

A Few Insider Examples From the Ground

Because you asked for the human, local perspective — here are a few real examples of properties that truly represent this “moment” Albania is living:

A quiet, luxury 1+1 in Saranda

A fully furnished seaview apartment in a brand-new residence, located in one of the most peaceful and safest neighborhoods of the city. It has a private swimming pool and full, open sea views. The kind of place that feels like home instantly.
Very casually listed here: https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished

The White Villas in Borsh

These are special — and not just because our construction company built them with 15+ years of experience and a team of 150 professionals.
Each villa has:

• 3 floors

• private pool

• large veranda

• 300m² total land

• private parking

• complete privacy

• surrounded by nature

• 7-minute drive from the beach

This is the definition of quiet luxury. A residential paradise where you hear nothing but wind and cicadas. Perfect for family living or high-end seasonal rental.
Again, very casually linked: https://www.vivaview.al/en/projects/white-residence-villas-borsh

Sometimes when I’m up there checking the construction progress, I stop for a minute just to enjoy the silence. You really feel the difference.

Conclusion: Albania Is at the Beginning of Its Growth Curve

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of walking clients through seaview apartments, beachfront property opportunities, and quiet hillside villas, it’s this:

Albania has not reached its peak. Not even close.

We’re still early:

• Prices are low

• ROI is high

• Tourism is exploding

• Infrastructure is improving

• Foreign buyers are increasing

• Supply is limited

• EU integration is ahead

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now.
And I’m not saying that as a salesman — I’m saying it as someone who has watched this coast grow year after year.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in the Albanian Riviera, this is the moment.
Five years from now, we’ll look back and say:

“Those were the good old prices.”