Living in the South Of the Albanian Riviera

There’s a certain hour in the south of Albania — usually around 6:30 p.m. — when the air cools down just enough, the olive trees cast long shadows over the hills, and the Ionian Sea turns that glassy shade of blue that looks like someone quietly poured silver into it.

That’s the moment I think about when someone asks me why so many people are moving here. It’s not just about the prices, or the views, or the investment potential — though, let’s be honest, those help. It’s about the feeling. And living in the south, especially in places like Saranda, Ksamil, or Borsh, offers a feeling you rarely find anymore in the Mediterranean.

The Charm That’s Hard to Translate

There’s this Albanian word we use — “rehati.” It’s not just comfort. It’s deeper than that. It’s a kind of peace that settles into your bones. A stillness.

You’ll find it in the early mornings in Lukova when the cafes open before the sun has fully stretched over the mountains. You’ll find it in the afternoon silence in Qeparo, when the only sound is the hum of bees near the lemon trees.

A few weeks ago, I met a French couple who were looking at a seaview apartment near Mango Beach in Saranda. They weren’t looking for anything fancy — just a quiet place where they could drink coffee on a balcony with a view. We ended up spending an hour talking about tomatoes. Yes, tomatoes. They couldn’t believe how rich and sweet the local ones were. That’s what living here does. It slows you down enough to appreciate things like that.

A Slower, Sunnier Life — With Surprising Practical Benefits

You might think this lifestyle comes with compromises. But honestly? Many of the clients I work with are surprised by how much value you get here.

Saranda apartments for sale often come with sea views, balconies, and access to private pools — and yet still cost a fraction of what you’d pay for similar properties in Greece or Italy. Even beachfront property in Ksamil is still accessible, especially if you’re early enough in the buying cycle.

Here’s one of the villas we’ve recently listed in Borsh:

👉 Villa 1 & 2 – White Villas by VivaView

Three floors, private pool, Mediterranean-inspired architecture, and just a 5-minute drive from the beach. The kind of place that blends into the hillside, quietly elegant.

And if you’re more drawn to apartment living, with a mix of comfort and modern amenities, take a look at the White Residence — full sea view apartments just a short walk from the Saranda promenade. I’ve been inside those units during golden hour… the light through those windows? Unreal.

Real Life, Real People

I know sometimes the blogs or agencies online make it all sound too perfect. But this is still a real place. You’ll see goats cross the road on your way to the beach. The post office might close a little early on a hot day. And your neighbor might invite you in for raki and insist you eat two slices of baklava, even if you’re full.

That’s the trade-off — and personally, I think it’s a beautiful one.

There’s an old man in the upper village of Borsh who sits outside his stone house every afternoon and says hello to every single person who passes. He doesn’t speak English, but he’ll offer you a plum or a smile — or both. It’s the kind of thing you don’t really get in the cities anymore. Here, people still wave. They still remember your name.