Hidden Gems of the Albanian Riviera: Investment Opportunities Beyond Ksamil

Beyond Ksamil’s Fame

Everyone talks about Ksamil. And for good reason — the little village once known only by locals has become a global name. Prices have soared, new developments rise every year, and finding a good plot near the beach today is nearly impossible.

But here’s the thing: many investors stop their search there. They think, “If it’s not Ksamil, it’s not worth it.” That’s where they’re wrong.

The truth is, the real hidden opportunities now lie just beyond Ksamil — in the untouched villages and coastal stretches of the southern Riviera. If you missed Ksamil five years ago, these are the places to watch now.

I’ve been living and working in Saranda for years, and every time I drive south along the Riviera road, I still get that same feeling I had the first time I saw Ksamil before the world discovered it — the sense that something special is about to happen.

Qeparo – The Stone Village with Sea Views

There’s something timeless about Qeparo. The upper part of the village sits high on the hill, with its narrow stone streets and ancient olive trees overlooking the Ionian. Down by the coast, the newer part quietly wakes up each summer as a handful of boutique hotels open their doors.

Qeparo feels like the Albania that travelers dream about — slow, authentic, and full of stories. For investors, it’s one of the few places left where traditional charm meets high potential. Stone houses can be restored into eco-lodges, or you can build luxury villas that blend into the landscape.

Prices here are still 30–40% lower than Ksamil or Saranda, even for properties with spectacular sea views. Last month, I visited a local family who still makes olive oil in the old way — pressing it by hand in a small courtyard. That same family owns a plot that looks directly toward Corfu, untouched, waiting for someone with vision.

If I were starting from scratch today, Qeparo would be near the top of my list.

Borsh – Albania’s Longest Beach and Biggest Untapped Opportunity

Borsh is, in one word, vast. A seven-kilometer stretch of pure sand, crystal-clear water, and mountains rising behind — yet still surprisingly quiet. You won’t find endless hotels here. For now, it’s mostly family-run tavernas, scattered villas, and the sound of waves.

That’s why Borsh is the biggest untapped investment zone in southern Albania. Infrastructure is improving every year — the new Riviera road makes the drive from Saranda less than 25 minutes, and utilities are expanding fast.

It’s the perfect setting for villa projects, boutique hotels, or beachfront restaurants. And when you combine natural beauty, low density, and improving access, it’s easy to see why investors who think long-term are turning their eyes here.

Take, for example, our White Residence Villas in Borsh — four exclusive villas built by our own construction company, with over 15 years of experience and a team of 150 skilled professionals. Each villa sits on about 300 m² of land, surrounded only by nature, with three floors, private swimming pools, and wide verandas overlooking the sea. It’s the kind of quiet luxury people now seek — refined, private, and connected to nature. Only seven minutes’ drive from the beach, and, importantly, with 0% commission for buyers.

In my opinion, Borsh is where Ksamil was seven years ago. The difference is: this time, investors know what’s coming.

Lukovë – The Future Eco & Boutique Destination

Drive another ten minutes south, and you’ll reach Lukovë — a peaceful, hillside village with the Ionian stretching endlessly below. You’ll still find goats walking freely and small family gardens full of citrus trees.

Lukovë isn’t trying to be the next Saranda, and that’s exactly what makes it special. The area has the perfect balance between authenticity and potential. Land and construction costs remain well below Saranda’s, which opens the door for investors interested in eco-tourism or sustainable boutique projects.

I’ve spoken with travelers who come here just for the stillness — people who could afford five-star resorts but instead choose small, design-driven villas surrounded by silence. That’s the market Lukovë will serve: mid- to high-end visitors who want privacy and meaning.

One of my favorite spots here is a tiny café hidden behind the church, where locals drink raki as the sun sets over the sea. It’s hard not to imagine a few elegant stone villas on the nearby hills — modern, sustainable, but rooted in this same calm rhythm.

Piqeras – Micro-Locations for High Returns

Just beyond Lukovë lies Piqeras — a village so small you might miss it if you blink while driving. But don’t underestimate it.

Piqeras offers limited plots and full sea views, which means exclusivity. It’s perfect for small-scale luxury projects — two or three villas designed for those who value privacy over proximity.

Because the land is scarce and competition is almost nonexistent, investors here enjoy what I call the “first mover’s advantage.” When the rest of the coast becomes saturated, these micro-locations will command premium value.

Sometimes I stop here with clients for coffee at a small roadside terrace — from there you can see the entire coast curving toward Corfu. Every time, they ask the same thing: “Why isn’t anyone building here yet?”

That question usually marks the beginning of a deal.

Infrastructure & Accessibility

It’s impossible to talk about opportunity without mentioning what’s changing behind the scenes.

The new Vlora International Airport, set to open soon, will make southern Albania far more accessible. Direct flights from central Europe will shorten travel time dramatically. Combine that with the newly upgraded coastal road, and suddenly destinations like Borsh or Qeparo no longer feel remote.

Even simple things — like improved water supply and power lines — are transforming what’s possible for developers.

I still remember the drive to Borsh five years ago: narrow, winding, and full of potholes. Today, it’s smooth, scenic, and lined with wildflowers in spring. This improved infrastructure is quietly pushing tourism beyond Ksamil and Saranda, bringing opportunity to every hidden corner.

ROI & Market Data

Let’s talk numbers — because that’s what serious investors want to know.

Right now, property prices in Borsh, Qeparo, and Lukovë are 30–50% below Saranda levels. Yet demand is steadily increasing. Once the airport opens and accessibility improves, we project annual appreciation of around 10–15% for well-located properties.

Short-term rentals are also rising fast. Many travelers looking for peace can’t find availability in Ksamil or Saranda during high season, so they’re booking villas and apartments further south.

To give you perspective: a new luxury duplex in Ksamil — brand-new 2025 build, with two private swimming pools (one exclusive, one shared), underground parking, and just 300 meters from the beach — already shows ROI up to 16% per year. Imagine that level of performance in a place where land costs 40% less. That’s the logic driving the next investment wave.

Why “Beyond Ksamil” Is the Next Investment Wave

Let’s be honest — Ksamil is reaching saturation. Land is scarce, prices are high, and major investors already hold most prime plots.

Meanwhile, Borsh, Qeparo, and Lukovë offer better entry points with room to grow. Their charm lies in what they don’t have: overcrowding, overdevelopment, and overpricing.

The modern traveler is changing too. People now seek quiet luxury — places that feel personal and untouched. In this sense, the south’s authenticity has become its greatest asset.

Just last week, I showed an apartment in Saranda to a couple from the Netherlands. It was a fully furnished seaview 1+1 on Skënderbeu Street — quiet neighborhood, new residence, private pool, and no blocked view of the sea. When they stepped onto the balcony, they just stood there in silence. That’s when I realized again why I truly believe Saranda still offers the best value on the Mediterranean coast.

And for those who want brand-new comfort without the crowds, there’s also this modern 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil — a 2025 building with a shared swimming pool, set in a quiet neighborhood just a 7-minute walk from the beach. Projects like these define the new standard of investment quality here — understated, elegant, and designed for long-term value.

Conclusion – Early Investors Win

The hidden towns of the Albanian Riviera are today where Ksamil was seven years ago. Still calm. Still affordable. Still full of opportunity.

Tourism is spreading south, infrastructure is catching up, and international attention is slowly shifting. Small, smart investments made now — a villa, a few seaview apartments, a small hotel — will multiply in value as this natural evolution unfolds.

At VivaView, we’ve always believed in finding value before the crowd does. From luxury villas in Borsh to high-ROI apartments in Ksamil and Saranda, our team helps investors secure beachfront and seaview properties that combine real beauty with long-term potential.

If you’re watching the Albanian Riviera closely, don’t just look at where everyone else is buying. Look beyond Ksamil — because that’s where the next chapter is being written.