How to Earn 8–12% from Airbnb / Booking in Albania (Real Examples)

I’ve been working in real estate in the south of Albania for years now, mostly around Saranda, Ksamil, and Borsh. And if there’s one question I keep hearing from investors—whether they’re from Tirana, Italy, Poland, or even further—it’s always the same:

“Is it actually possible to earn 8–12% from rentals here?”

Short answer?
Yes. But not by accident.

There’s a very specific way these returns happen. And honestly… I’ve seen people get it very right, and others completely miss it over small details.

Let me walk you through how it really works, based on what I see every day.

Why Saranda Still Has an Edge (and why I keep saying it)

I’ll say something that I truly believe, even after seeing markets like Greece and Montenegro:

Saranda still offers some of the best value on the Mediterranean coast.

Not just in terms of price—but in terms of yield potential.

You still find affordable properties compared to Corfu (which is literally across the water), but the rental demand in summer… it’s intense.

July and August? Fully booked almost everywhere.

And what many people don’t realize is that the season has been quietly extending.
May, June, September… even October now has life.

Last summer, I had a client with a simple 1-bedroom near Mango Beach—nothing crazy, but well done. He covered most of his yearly expenses just in July and August.

That’s when it clicks for people.

Real Numbers (Not The “Instagram Version”)

Let’s talk realistically.

A well-positioned 1-bedroom apartment in Saranda can generate something like:

• May: €45–55/night
• June: €60–70/night
• July: €80–110/night
• August: €100–130/night
• September: €60–80/night

Occupancy is the real game.

If you average it properly, across the full season, you can reach:

👉 €10,000 – €14,000 per year for a 1-bedroom
👉 More for larger units or premium locations

Now combine that with property prices still relatively low compared to the rest of the Albanian Riviera…

And yes, you land in that 8–12% ROI range.

But—and this is important—that only happens if a few key things are done right.

Location Is Not Just “Close to the Sea”

Everyone says “location matters.”
But here, it’s more specific.

In Saranda, not all areas perform the same.

• Properties near Butrinti Road (Mango Beach area) do very well because everything is walkable
• Panorama Road is quieter, better views, attracts a slightly higher-end client
• Ksamil works great for short-term, but only if access and parking are sorted (very important there)

I remember showing a property to a couple last summer—great sea view, beautiful balcony… but it was up a steep road with no proper access.

They loved it at first.

Then they tried walking up in the heat.

That changed everything.

Furnishing: This Is Where People Either Win or Lose

This is one of the biggest differences I see.

Modern furnishing directly increases your revenue.

Not slightly. Significantly.

Tourists today compare everything on Airbnb in seconds.
Your apartment is competing with 50 others… instantly.

A clean, modern, well-lit apartment with neutral tones, good bedding, and a nice balcony setup?

It wins.

Always.

I’ve seen two identical apartments in the same building:

• One furnished cheaply → struggles to get bookings
• One done properly → fully booked

Same location. Same size.

Different mindset.

Small Details That Increase Income (More Than You Think)

This is where local experience really matters.

Sometimes, it’s not the big things—it’s the small ones.

Example: Parking.

Having just one private parking spot can increase your rental value more than people expect.

In peak season, parking in Saranda is… let’s just say, not easy.

So when guests see “private parking included,” it becomes a deciding factor.

Other small things that matter:

• Elevator in the building
• Good Wi-Fi (not optional anymore)
• Air conditioning that actually works properly
• Security / cameras in the building
• Easy self check-in

All these increase both price per night and occupancy.

The Type of Property Matters More Than People Think

Not every property is equal when it comes to ROI.

1. Standard Seaview Apartments

These are the most common.

And if chosen well, they perform very consistently.

That’s why a lot of investors start here—especially looking for Saranda apartments for sale that are already in good rental zones.

2. Managed Investment Properties (Passive Income Style)

This is becoming more popular now.

For example, projects like this one:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/projects/slates-by-vivaview

It’s a different concept—you buy a unit, and a professional team handles everything.

No stress about guests, cleaning, or bookings.

I’ve had clients who prefer this because they don’t want to deal with operations at all.
They just want returns.

And honestly… for many, it makes sense.

3. Luxury Villas (High Risk, High Reward… but worth it)

Now this is interesting.

Luxury villas—especially with private pool and parking—are in huge demand during peak season.

Families, groups, higher-end tourists.

And they pay well.

You can take a look here:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/luxury-villas

I’ve seen villas booked at €300+ per night in August.

But they need to be done right. Location, design, privacy—it all matters.

Still, if executed well, they often deliver the highest ROI in the market.

A Quick Story (Because This Happens More Than You Think)

A few weeks ago, I was with a client from Northern Europe.

We visited three properties in one day—same budget.

The first one had a great view, but outdated interior.

The second was modern, but no parking.

The third… was slightly smaller, but perfectly finished, had parking, and was close to everything.

Guess which one he chose?

The third.

Not the biggest. Not the most expensive.

Just the most complete.

Seasonality (And How Locals Actually Use It)

People think Saranda works only in summer.

That used to be true.

Not anymore.

• Summer → short-term rentals (high income)
• Winter → long-term rentals (stable income)

Some owners rent from November to April for around €400–500/month.

It’s not huge, but it covers expenses.

And then summer becomes pure profit.

A Small Tangent… But Important

Sometimes clients ask me:

“Should I wait? Maybe prices will drop.”

I get it.

But here’s what I’ve seen over the years—especially in Saranda and Ksamil:

Good properties don’t really get cheaper.

They disappear.

And new developments… come at higher prices.

Especially with everything happening in the south—marinas, international interest, tourism growth—it’s not slowing down.

Anyway… back to rentals.

What Most People Get Wrong

I’ll be honest here.

People focus too much on price per square meter.

But for Airbnb income, what matters is:

• How it rents
• How it looks
• How easy it is to use

A slightly more expensive apartment, but better positioned and furnished?

Will outperform a cheaper one almost every time.

Final Thoughts (From Someone Who Sees This Every Day)

If you do things right—location, furnishing, details, management—

8–12% annual return is realistic in Saranda.

Not guaranteed. But very achievable.

I’ve seen it enough times now to say it with confidence.

And beyond the numbers… there’s something else.

You’re investing in a place that people genuinely enjoy.

The sea here isn’t just something you look at—it becomes part of the experience.

Sometimes I finish a property viewing late afternoon, and I take clients for a coffee near the promenade… just to let them feel the place.

That usually says more than anything I can explain.

If you’re exploring seaview apartments, beachfront property, or investment opportunities along the Albanian Riviera, take your time—but don’t overthink it too much.

This market rewards people who understand it early.

And if you ever want a real, honest perspective—not a sales pitch—I’m always happy to share what I actually see on the ground.