Is Albania Friendly to Foreigners? Living, Investing, and Buying Property in Saranda

I get this question a lot.
Sometimes directly. Sometimes indirectly, hidden behind polite curiosity or cautious smiles.

“Is Albania really friendly to foreigners?”

I usually pause for a second before answering. Not because I don’t know, but because the answer depends on how you look at it. And maybe also on how much you’re willing to slow down and observe.

I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for years now. I’ve watched this town grow, change, open up. I’ve walked clients through neighborhoods that used to be quiet backstreets and are now some of the most searched areas for Saranda apartments for sale. And I’ve seen foreigners arrive nervous… and leave calling this place “home”.

So let me answer honestly. From the ground. Not from a brochure.

First Impressions: What Foreigners Notice Right Away

The first thing most foreigners notice isn’t the sea.
It’s the people.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been with clients when a local café owner brings an extra coffee “on the house” or a neighbor stops to ask where they’re from — not out of suspicion, but curiosity. Albanians are like that. We ask questions. Sometimes too many. But it comes from warmth, not intrusion.

A few days ago, I was showing a property in Ksamil to a couple who had never been to Albania before. Beautiful day, soft breeze, the kind of afternoon where the light hits the buildings just right. We finished the visit, and as we walked back toward the car, an older woman from the neighborhood insisted they try the figs from her garden. No English. Just gestures and a smile.

Their reaction told me everything. That quiet surprise. That moment when expectations change.

Hospitality Here Is Not a Concept. It’s a Habit.

In Albania, hospitality isn’t something we talk about.
It’s something we do.

There’s a word here — mikpritje. It’s deeper than “hospitality.” It’s about welcoming someone as if they belong, even if you met them five minutes ago. Especially if they’re a guest.

You’ll see it in small things.
Like how restaurants in Saranda don’t rush you out, even in summer. Or how in villages near Borsh, someone will still wave at you even if they’ve never seen you before. Or how locals will argue over who gets to pay the bill — and somehow, you never do.

This culture plays a huge role in why foreigners feel comfortable staying longer… and eventually buying.

Living Here as a Foreigner: What Actually Matters

Let’s talk practical life. Because friendliness isn’t just smiles — it’s how daily life feels.

Foreigners living here often tell me the same things:
– They feel safe
– They feel noticed, but not judged
– They feel part of a rhythm, not stuck outside it

Saranda is small enough that you quickly recognize faces. The bakery near the port knows your order after a week. The guy who parks cars near the promenade greets you by name after a month.

And yes, there are cultural differences. Things don’t always move fast. Paperwork can test your patience. Albanians are emotional drivers. That’s a whole separate conversation.

But overall? Life feels human here.

A Small Tangent: Coffee Says a Lot About a Place

This might sound unrelated, but trust me — it’s not.

In Saranda, coffee is not something you “grab and go”. You sit. You talk. You look at the sea. You complain about politics. You stay longer than planned.

Foreigners often tell me this is when Albania starts to feel friendly. When nobody rushes you. When time stretches a bit.

I think that’s important. Because if you’re thinking about buying beachfront property or seaview apartments, you’re not just buying walls. You’re buying into a lifestyle. And this slower, more social rhythm is a big part of it.

Anyway. Back to the point.

Foreigners Buying Property: How They’re Treated

This is where my work comes in directly.

I work with buyers from all over Europe — and increasingly from the US. Many arrive cautious. Some have heard old stereotypes. Others simply don’t know what to expect.

But once they start viewing properties, things shift.

Take a modern 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil I showed recently — brand new, finished in summer 2025, private swimming pool for residents, in a quiet new neighborhood just a 7-minute walk from the beach. Nothing flashy. Just clean lines, calm energy, quiet luxury.
We sat on the balcony for a moment, listening to the neighborhood. No traffic. Just distant voices and cicadas.

That property is now under serious consideration.
If you’re curious, it’s similar to this one:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2

No pressure. Just context.

Ksamil, Saranda, and the Feeling of Belonging

Each area has its own personality.

Saranda feels international now. Lively, but still manageable. Especially in quieter streets like Skënderbeu Street, where new residences offer privacy without isolation. I recently visited a 1-bedroom apartment there — fully furnished, private pool, full sea view with nothing blocking it. The kind of place where you can live year-round or rent without compromise.

Properties like this one:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished

Ksamil, on the other hand, feels more intimate. More residential. New neighborhoods are forming — calm, organized, designed with foreigners in mind. For example, apartments in White Residence, finished in summer 2025, with shared private pools and easy access to the beach, are attracting buyers who want something modern but understated:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-ksamil-65m2

And then there are duplexes.
New 2025 duplexes in Ksamil, just 300 meters from the beach and center, offering underground parking, full privacy, and even two swimming pools — one private, one shared. Perfect for families or investors looking for up to 16% ROI without sacrificing quality or peace.
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2

I mention these casually because this is the reality I see every day. These homes exist. And foreigners are choosing them.

Local Details You Won’t Find Online

There are things you only learn by being here.

Like which road in Saranda stays quiet even in August. Or which bakery opens at 5:30am and smells like childhood. Or that one hidden spot near the old stadium where locals take clients after viewings because it’s calm, shaded, and honest.

These details matter. They’re what make foreigners feel guided, not sold to.

And they’re why many buyers tell me, months later, “We felt safe because you understood the place, not just the property.”

So… Is Albania Friendly to Foreigners?

Yes.
But not in a polished, artificial way.

It’s friendly in a lived-in, sometimes chaotic, always sincere way.
It’s friendly when your neighbor checks on you during winter storms.
It’s friendly when locals help you without expecting something back.
It’s friendly when you start recognizing faces and realizing you belong.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast — not just financially, but emotionally. Especially for those searching for affordable properties that still feel premium, authentic, and grounded.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Here Every Day

If you’re considering Albania — whether to live, invest, or simply explore — come with an open mind. Stay longer than a weekend. Sit for coffee. Talk to people.

And if you decide to look at property, don’t rush. Walk the neighborhoods. Feel the atmosphere.

Because Albania doesn’t impress you loudly.
It grows on you. Quietly.

And before you know it, you’ll stop asking if it’s friendly — and start wondering how you ever lived anywhere else.