10 Reasons Why Saranda Is the Perfect Place for a Second Home

There’s something about Saranda that catches people off guard—in the best way possible. Maybe it’s the light, how it reflects off the Ionian Sea in the early evening. Or the rhythm of the town—slow, but never sleepy. As someone who’s lived here most of my life and helped many people settle into their second homes, I can tell you this: Saranda doesn’t just look good in photos. It feels right.

If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a place by the sea—somewhere calm, beautiful, and affordable—let me give you 10 real reasons why Saranda is one of the smartest places to do it.

1. You Wake Up to the Ionian Sea (Almost) Every Morning

You don’t need a million-euro villa to have a sea view here. Thanks to Saranda’s hillside layout, even apartments a few blocks from the beach offer wide, stunning views of the water and the island of Corfu in the distance.

I’ve walked clients through modest one-bedroom flats where the view alone sells the property. One of our newest projects, White Residence Villas, was designed to make the most of those panoramic vistas—every terrace points toward the blue horizon.

2. It’s Still Affordable—For Now

Compared to Greece or Croatia, Saranda is still a hidden gem on the Mediterranean. Prices per square meter remain incredibly competitive—even for beachfront property. You can get a modern, well-located apartment for a fraction of what you’d pay across the water.

But I’ll be honest: this won’t last forever. Every year, more foreign buyers discover the Albanian Riviera. Prices have already started climbing, especially in hot spots like Ksamil and along Butrint Street.

3. You Actually Live Among Locals

This isn’t one of those places where expats live in isolated resorts. Here, you buy a home next to real Albanian families, hear the language, taste the traditional food, and maybe even get invited to a neighborhood wedding if you’re lucky.

There’s an honesty to daily life in Saranda—mornings start with coffee, not commutes. The local market buzzes with fresh fruit and friendly bargaining. There’s a small bakery near the old port where they still make bread the same way they did 40 years ago.

4. You Don’t Need a Car to Live Well

That’s a huge one. Most second-home buyers are looking for ease—and Saranda delivers. You can walk to the beach, the pharmacy, a dozen cafés, your favorite fish restaurant… all within 10 minutes. And that includes the best tavernas hidden in the backstreets.

I always tell clients: the best way to know a town is on foot. And in Saranda, that’s how locals live.