I’ve met a lot of people over the years who tell me the same thing, especially after spending a few days here in the south: “Why didn’t I discover Albania sooner?” It usually comes with a laugh, a glass of raki, and the realization that this small country—tucked between Greece and Montenegro—offers something very few places in Europe still do: beauty, simplicity, and affordability… all in one package.
If you’re dreaming of retiring somewhere that actually feels alive—without draining your savings—then yes, Albania might just be your second home after retirement. And if I had to choose a spot to settle down, it would be right here, in Saranda, where the mountains hug the sea and the pace of life slows to something human again.
Let’s explore why more and more retirees are calling this corner of the world their own.
The Albanian Riviera – Where Time Slows Down
There’s something about the Albanian Riviera that’s hard to explain until you feel it. It’s not just the weather (though that helps—300 sunny days a year!), or the food (fresh fish and homemade olive oil), or even the prices (which are shockingly low compared to Italy or Greece).
It’s the fact that here, life happens outside.
People sip coffee for hours without checking their phones. Kids still play in the streets. The butcher remembers your name after the second visit. And there’s a kind of warmth—jo vetëm nga dielli, but from people—that makes you feel part of something.
If you’re picturing long walks by the sea, lazy afternoons on your balcony, and spontaneous invites from neighbors for homemade fig jam, you’re not far off.
Why Retirees Are Looking at Saranda
Let me tell you, Saranda isn’t just a summer town anymore. While it used to be mainly a July–August escape for Albanians and Kosovars, things have changed.
Today, we’re seeing a growing number of foreign retirees from Italy, Poland, Germany, the UK, and even Canada. Some come for the investment. Others for the sunsets. Most stay for the lifestyle.
And I get it. Just last month, I had coffee with a retired couple from the Netherlands who bought a 1-bedroom apartment with a sea view right here on Rruga Panorama. They told me they were paying €900 a month for a one-bedroom in Spain without any views—and here they got full ownership, a big balcony, and actual peace and quiet for a fraction of the cost.
That street, by the way, is one of my personal favorites. It’s elevated just enough for panoramic views, but still walking distance from the beach and markets. The kind of place you hear roosters in the morning and waves in the evening.