Can Albania Sustain Its Tourism Boom? A Look at the Numbers (And the Reality on the Ground)

Every summer, I watch the streets of Saranda go from laid-back to electric. The cafés are full, the promenade comes alive, and you can hear a mix of languages in the air—Italian, German, Polish, even Swedish. Last week, I showed a client a stunning seaview apartment in Ksamil and their jaw literally dropped when they saw the view. They said, “How is this place not world-famous yet?”

Honestly, I ask myself the same thing sometimes.

But lately, another question has been popping up more often, especially among investors and long-term buyers: Can Albania really handle all this growth? Is the tourism boom just a bubble—or is this the new normal?

Let’s dig into it, both from the numbers and from what I’ve seen on the ground, living and working in Saranda for over a decade.

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The Boom Is Real—But It’s Still the Beginning

If you’ve walked through the port area of Saranda in July or August, you already know we’re dealing with massive tourist traffic. In 2023, Albania welcomed over 10 million visitors, and southern hotspots like Ksamil, Dhermi, and Saranda saw record-breaking numbers. To put it in perspective, that’s more tourists than Albania’s entire population—by almost four times.

And 2024 didn’t slow down. With new ferry routes, improved roads, and an airport opening just 30 minutes from Saranda (finally!), tourism is expected to keep climbing.

But here’s the thing: while the growth is fast, it’s not random. Albania has something most Mediterranean countries lost a while ago—authenticity, affordability, and raw beauty. That combination is rare these days.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. And I say that as someone who’s seen clients fall in love with both million-euro beachfront villas and cozy, affordable apartments tucked just one street back from the promenade.

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Infrastructure: Playing Catch-Up

Now, let’s be real—there are growing pains.

We’re still catching up on infrastructure. Water pressure drops occasionally in high season. Wi-Fi in some remote villages is… optimistic. And don’t get me started on parking in July.

But you can feel the shift. New roads are being built. The promenade got a facelift. Private developers are stepping up where the public sector can’t keep pace yet.

Even local cafés are leveling up—just last month, a little bar I’ve always loved near Rruga Butrinti started offering oat milk lattes and artisanal cocktails. Ten years ago, you’d be lucky if the espresso machine worked.

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A Word About Real Estate Demand

The rise in tourism has had a huge impact on the property market—especially for Saranda apartments for sale and beachfront property in Ksamil. I’ve had clients from Germany, Norway, and even South Africa reach out, saying they visited once and just had to buy something.

We’re seeing three big types of buyers:

1. Expats or retirees looking for a peaceful, affordable place to live full-time.

2. Investors wanting to rent during peak season (July–September can easily bring 10–15% ROI annually).

3. Albanians living abroad—especially from Switzerland and the UK—who want a second home by the sea.

If you’re curious, here’s a modern seaview apartment that checks all the boxes for lifestyle and investment. It’s walking distance to the beach and perfect for Airbnb rentals or long-term stays.

And this apartment just 120m from the beach? It’s in one of my favorite new buildings—super modern with clean finishes. It sold within days of listing, and for good reason.

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