Traditions That Still Thrive in Modern Albania

Written by someone who truly lives and breathes the Albanian Riviera

There’s something magical about living in a place where tradition and modern life somehow manage to blend so effortlessly. I’ve lived in Saranda for years now, and I still find myself surprised at how many customs from my grandparents’ time still shape daily life here. Especially in the south.

Last week, I showed a client a stunning seaview apartment in Ksamil—you know the kind where the Ionian Sea just stares back at you from the living room? Their jaw dropped. Not just because of the view (although yes, it was breathtaking), but because a local neighbor brought over figs and fresh bread within 20 minutes of us arriving. That moment captured so much of what Albania still holds onto: genuine hospitality, warmth, and that feeling of being seen.

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Coffee Is a Lifestyle, Not a Drink

Let me start with the most sacred of all Albanian traditions: coffee.

If you’re not used to it, you might think, “How do these people get anything done?” We sit for hours, sipping tiny espresso cups or Turkish coffee, talking politics, family, or just watching the world go by. It’s not about caffeine—it’s about connection.

I remember taking a German couple to view beachfront properties in Saranda last spring. We had four viewings scheduled. But after the first one, the neighbor invited us for coffee… and then we got invited by another neighbor. Two hours later, we were still sitting on a sunlit terrace, talking about life in Albania and listening to old tales about the village before it became part of Saranda’s growing coastline. Needless to say, we saw just one property that day—but they still bought it. No rush. That’s the Albanian way.

If you’re ever near the old lagja nr. 4 in Saranda, there’s this tiny corner café—no sign, just plastic chairs and a view of the port. I swear they serve the strongest coffee in town and the best local gossip.

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Besa Still Matters (Even in Business)

One thing that shocks a lot of foreign investors is how powerful a promise is here.

In Albania, we have a concept called besa—it’s a word that doesn’t quite translate, but it means a sacred promise. Your word is your bond. And believe it or not, in real estate, it still counts.

I’ve had handshake deals that moved smoother than notarized contracts in other countries. Of course, we still follow all the legal procedures (don’t worry!), but the trust, the personal respect—it’s real. It’s why many of our clients feel so at ease working with us.

Actually, one of the Saranda apartments for sale right now is a good example. The owner’s grandfather built it stone by stone, and now, instead of rushing to sell to the highest bidder, they asked us to find “the right person.” That says a lot.

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Family Comes First. Always.

This one’s not just a saying here. It shapes everything—from how we celebrate holidays to how we build our homes.

You’ll notice a lot of affordable properties along the coast are actually two- or three-floor houses with separate entrances for each generation. It’s intentional. We build with the idea that children, parents, and grandparents might all live under one roof. Or at least share the same yard.

Sometimes when I take clients to view these types of homes, they ask, “Why so many kitchens?” I laugh. Because grandma needs her own cooking space, of course. She’s not giving up control of the byrek anytime soon.

There’s a lovely village villa just outside Saranda that’s still owned by three brothers who only meet there in the summers. It has grapevines, a fig tree, and the original wood-burning oven from the 1960s. If walls could talk…

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