What Are Foreign Buyers Really Looking For in Albania?

There’s this funny moment that keeps happening.

A foreign client steps onto a terrace overlooking the Ionian. They pause. Say nothing. Just… breathe.

And then, without fail:

“This can’t be real.”

That’s when I usually smile, let them soak it in, and casually point out, “It’s real — and it’s available.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. People don’t fly to Albania just for that moment (though it helps). What really drives them here? That’s a bigger story — one I’ve come to understand after years of working with buyers from Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK, even as far as Canada and Dubai.

So let’s talk about what foreign buyers actually want when they come to Albania.

It’s not always what you think.

1. A Simple Life — but Not Too Simple

Many of the people I work with are done with noise. They’ve had the fast life — London traffic, Berlin rents, Milan chaos. They’re not coming here to find a replica of that. They’re searching for peace.

But also… they still want decent coffee and fiber optic internet.

The trick is balance. They want to hear the waves at night but also order a pizza that doesn’t take 90 minutes to arrive. In places like Borsh or Lukovë, you’ll find that sweet spot. And in Saranda? You’ve got both worlds.

Side note: There’s this hidden taverna in Qazim Pali, right before Borsh, that serves grilled fish better than some restaurants in Split or Corfu. No menu, no fuss. Just ask what they caught that morning. It’s places like this that seal the deal emotionally — not the bathroom tile.

2. Seaviews That Don’t Break the Bank

Let me be blunt: Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

I’m not just saying that to hype up a listing.

When you compare square-meter prices to similar destinations — think southern Italy or the Greek isles — we’re still far below. And yet, the views? Often better.

A couple from Kraków once told me: “We thought we’d be buying a small studio near a noisy road. Instead, we found a brand-new apartment with panoramic sea views and a shared pool.”

They were looking at this property at the time.

That’s what makes the Albanian Riviera special — not just that it’s affordable, but that it feels like you’re cheating the system. In a good way.