What Economic Trends Are Driving Growth in Albania (Through the Eyes of a Local in Saranda)

Sometimes I walk down Rruga Butrinti early in the morning, before the cafés fill up and the ferries from Corfu start unloading tourists. You can feel it — that quiet hum of change. New buildings rising, small shops getting fresh paint, real estate signs going up faster than ever. Albania is changing fast, and I get a front-row seat every day.

Over the years, I’ve guided buyers through this transformation — from curious travelers who “just wanted to see” Saranda, to investors who now own entire apartment buildings. And while everyone has their own reason for coming, the truth is simple: the economy is moving, and it’s moving in the right direction.

Let me tell you why.

Tourism Growth: The Heartbeat of It All

You can’t talk about Albania’s growth without talking about tourism. It’s the motor that keeps everything running.

We’ve reached a point where summer no longer belongs just to July and August. Visitors are coming earlier, staying later. In Saranda, cafés stay open in November now — something unimaginable a few years ago. Ksamil, once quiet after September, now hosts digital nomads renting apartments for months at a time.

Every tourist adds to the economy — and every returning tourist becomes a potential buyer. The demand for beachfront property and seaview apartments keeps rising, especially in places that offer comfort with calm.

One of the clearest examples is White Residence in Ksamil — a newly completed 2025 development that perfectly fits the new kind of tourism we’re seeing. It’s elegant, quiet, and only a 7-minute walk from the beach. The private swimming pool gives it that exclusive, quiet luxury feeling everyone looks for today. You can see more about it here.

Tourism doesn’t just bring short-term income. It creates long-term belief — belief that Albania isn’t just a summer stop but a place worth living and investing in.

Foreign Investment & The Construction Boom

Drive along the Albanian Riviera today and you’ll see cranes, cement trucks, and brand-new residences where old fields once stood. For some, that might sound chaotic — for others, it’s opportunity.

Investors from Italy, Poland, Germany, and the UK are buying land and funding developments in Saranda, Borsh, and even in smaller coastal villages like Qeparo. It’s not just because prices are still affordable properties compared to the Mediterranean — it’s because Albania feels like a market still in its early chapters.

In Borsh, for instance, we’re building White Villas, a collection of four luxury homes — each one with private pools, three floors, and around 300 m² of total space. The location is serene, surrounded only by olive trees and sea breeze, just a 7-minute drive from the beach. It’s the kind of place where time slows down. Each villa sits on its own land, with private parking and large verandas — perfect for a summer home or rental investment. What I love about this project is how it embodies quiet luxury — the kind you feel, not flaunt. You can explore it here.

And then there’s the 1+1 seaview apartment on Skënderbeu Street in Saranda — one of those properties that makes people fall silent when they step onto the balcony. The entire Ionian Sea opens up in front of you, nothing blocking the view. A calm neighborhood, private pool, luxury finishes — ideal both for living and investing. Take a look here.

What we’re seeing isn’t just real estate growth — it’s confidence being built, brick by brick.

A Stable Economy and a Strong Lek

I’ve noticed something interesting when speaking with foreign clients: they expect volatility. They think of Albania as “developing,” and yet, when they start transferring money or running calculations, they’re surprised.

The Albanian lek has been stable, inflation remains controlled, and public debt is relatively low. That stability creates trust — something investors crave. It means you can plan, build, and rent without fear that the market will swing wildly.

I always tell my clients: Albania doesn’t move in bubbles. Prices rise naturally, following demand. It’s not speculative chaos; it’s growth grounded in tourism and investment. That’s what makes it sustainable.

EU Candidate Status & Business Reforms

A few years ago, bureaucracy here could test anyone’s patience. But things are changing. With Albania moving closer toward EU integration, transparency and efficiency have improved.

You can now register a property faster than ever, and foreign investors find it easier to buy through licensed agencies. There’s a stronger push for quality construction and legal clarity — which benefits both locals and foreigners.

In Saranda, I’ve seen how developers are now competing on quality, not just price. Better insulation, modern materials, smart home features — it’s becoming the new normal.

Digital Nomads and the Albanian Diaspora

It’s funny — ten years ago, you’d rarely see someone working remotely from a beach bar in Ksamil. Now it’s common. People come for a month and end up staying for a year. Reliable internet, affordable living, sunshine all year — Albania fits perfectly into the digital nomad lifestyle.

And then there’s our diaspora. Many Albanians living abroad — in Switzerland, Italy, or the U.S. — are investing back home, especially in the south. They want something tangible, a property that connects them to their roots but also appreciates in value.

Just last week, I met a man from Lausanne who told me, “I used to visit Saranda every summer with my parents. Now I want my children to grow up coming here too.” He bought a seaview apartment the same day. That’s not just an investment — it’s emotion meeting opportunity.

New Sectors Emerging Beyond Real Estate

Real estate may be what I live and breathe, but even I can see how other sectors are shaping this growth. Solar energy projects are starting to appear on rooftops around Saranda. Agrotourism — small family farms offering lodging and organic meals — is drawing both tourists and locals. And young Albanians are launching startups that connect local services with international clients.

All these things — innovation, sustainability, creativity — make the country more resilient. And that, in turn, strengthens the real estate market. When jobs diversify, people buy more homes. When the energy sector grows, infrastructure follows.

Why I Believe the South Is Just Getting Started

I’ve lived through Albania’s transformation — from the days when Saranda had only a few modern buildings to now, where cranes silhouette against every sunset. Some say it’s growing too fast. Maybe. But I see something else: potential being realized.

There’s still a huge gap between property prices here and the rest of the Mediterranean. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire coast. You can still find modern apartments with full sea views, swimming pools, and parking for a fraction of what you’d pay across the border.

And unlike many overcrowded destinations, the charm here is intact. The people still greet you with a smile, the seafood is fresh and simple, and that little café above Mango Beach still serves the best morning espresso in town.

Final Thoughts

Albania’s growth isn’t random. It’s built on tourism, fueled by investment, and protected by stability. The south — especially Saranda, Ksamil, and Borsh — represents the country’s new face: confident, open, and quietly luxurious.

Every time I walk past a new building site or hand keys to a new owner, I feel proud — not just as a realtor, but as someone who’s watched this place bloom.

If you’ve ever thought about buying here, maybe now is the moment. Because Albania’s story of growth is still being written — and the best chapters, I believe, are just ahead.