Why Investors Call Albania “The Last Mediterranean Bargain” (And How Long It Will Last)

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard a client say, “I can’t believe these prices are real.”
They arrive in Saranda or Ksamil expecting Mediterranean price tags — the kind you see in Corfu or Mykonos. And instead, they find seaview apartments for a fraction of the cost. But here’s the truth I’ve started telling them: this won’t last forever.

Scarcity Is the Story

Albania still feels like an undiscovered chapter in the Mediterranean, but the story is moving fast.
Land is limited, especially along the Albanian Riviera. There are only so many beachfront plots, only so many hillsides where you can build villas with panoramic sea views. And every year, more of those plots are bought up by developers or international investors.

Between 2025 and 2030, we expect prices in hotspots like Saranda and Ksamil to rise sharply. Not just because of tourism (which keeps breaking records), but because the land supply is finite. I’ve seen offers for parcels in Ksamil double in just three years.

The irony is that locals used to think the land was endless. “There’s always another hillside,” my uncle used to say. But now, even small plots near the Butrint road are being sold before they reach the open market.

A Personal Glimpse

Just the other day, I showed an apartment in Ksamil to a young couple from Germany. They had seen Corfu the week before and came here out of curiosity. The moment we opened the balcony door and they saw the Ionian stretching out in front of them, the wife turned to me and whispered: “This would be impossible back home.”

I’ve had moments like that in Borsh too. There’s this little taverna near the beach — nothing fancy, just grilled sardines, fresh bread, and a carafe of homemade wine. I often take clients there after a villa viewing. Somehow, sitting with their feet almost in the sand makes them realize this isn’t just an investment. It’s a lifestyle they can step into.

Price Trends: 2025–2030

Let’s talk numbers, because investors love numbers.
Right now, Saranda apartments for sale average between €1,800 and €2,200 per m² in prime new developments. In Ksamil, prices are a touch lower today but rising even faster, especially for anything within walking distance of the beaches. By 2030, it’s not unrealistic to imagine €3,000–€3,500 per m² becoming the norm in these towns.

The rental market is equally strong. A one-bedroom seaview apartment in Saranda can earn €120–€150 per night in July and August. Even in shoulder months, you’ll see steady bookings. That’s why ROI figures of 8–10% annually are common for well-located properties.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. You can still buy a beachfront property in Albania here for the price of a small studio in Mallorca. But again — how long?

Not Just Numbers – A Shift in Lifestyle

Of course, real estate isn’t only about return on investment. Many of my clients are drawn here for something else.
The Mediterranean lifestyle — but unpolished, still authentic. The morning coffee at a small café where the waiter knows your name. The way neighbors leave figs at your doorstep in August. The mix of old traditions with new energy.

One of my favorite examples? In Borsh, during August, families gather at the olive groves after sunset. Kids run around while the adults pour raki and talk politics. It’s simple. But when I explain this to foreign buyers, they always smile and say: “That’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

Tangent: Why Ksamil Feels Different

Sometimes I get asked why Ksamil is so hyped compared to Saranda. The answer isn’t just the beaches — though they’re spectacular. It’s the scale. Saranda is a city. Ksamil is still a village (at least in spirit), even if new buildings are rising every season. That’s why the new projects there feel so appealing.

Take the White Residence Ksamil. It was finished just a month ago — 2025 construction, brand new, with a private swimming pool for residents. What I love most is the quiet neighborhood, tucked away from the chaos, yet only seven minutes’ walk to the beach. That balance of “quiet luxury” and convenience is rare, and it’s why units there are already getting attention from international buyers.

The “Bargain” Won’t Stay a Bargain

I need to be honest: Albania won’t stay cheap forever. That phrase — “The last Mediterranean bargain” — is already wearing thin. The market is maturing. Infrastructure is improving. Flights into Tirana and even the new Vlora airport will change access dramatically.

Developments like the White Residence Villas in Borsh show what’s coming next: gated villas with private pools, built on large plots, designed for both comfort and ROI. These are the types of properties that, five years from now, people will say: “If only I had bought then.”

Insider’s Perspective

Living here, you start to notice things outsiders miss. For example, everyone talks about Ksamil in July, but few mention how magical Saranda feels in late September — still warm, fewer crowds, but rentals keep running at high occupancy. Or the way property values shift just one street back from the seafront. A difference of 50 meters can mean €500 less per m².

And then there’s Borsh. Tourists think of it as just “the longest beach in Albania.” But drive five minutes inland and you’ll find waterfalls, old stone houses, and land plots that are already attracting serious investors.

A Final Thought

I’ve lived and worked in this region for years, and I’ll tell you this: Albania is at a turning point. The window for buying affordable properties on the Albanian Riviera is still open, but it’s narrowing every season.

Will it last until 2030? Probably not. By then, I expect Albania to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Croatia and Greece in pricing. But right now — today — it remains the best-value Mediterranean market.

And maybe that’s why I still get excited each time I open a balcony door for a new client. Because I know I’m showing them more than an apartment. I’m showing them a rare chance to own a piece of the Mediterranean… before the secret is truly out.

👉 Curious what’s currently available? You can explore projects like White Residence Ksamil or even the villas in Borsh directly on our site: VivaView Projects.