Why Some Sea-View Apartments Are Cheaper Than Others: The Orientation Secret

I get this question a lot:

“Why is this apartment with full sea view cheaper than that one down the road—with the same view?”

And honestly… it’s a good question.

On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. You’re standing on the balcony, looking out at the same turquoise sea, maybe even a similar floor in a similar building. But the price tag? Off by €20,000 or more.

Well, let me tell you something only someone who’s lived and worked here in Saranda for years would know: orientation changes everything.

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The South Knows the Sun

Let’s start with something simple: the sun.

Here on the Albanian Riviera, we get a lot of it. Honestly, sometimes too much in July and August. And the way your apartment is positioned—north, south, east, west—completely changes how your place feels year-round.

Take a seaview apartment that faces directly west. Sounds great, right? You’re getting postcard sunsets every night. But here’s the catch: in summer, your balcony is basically an oven by 4 PM. I’ve had clients walk into west-facing units and say, “Wow, amazing view!”—and then 5 minutes later they’re asking if the AC unit is industrial-grade.

Now compare that with an east-facing apartment. Still full sea view. But now you get the soft morning sun, the cool breeze off the water, and shade during the hottest hours. It’s quieter too—locals nap around 1–4 PM, and if your terrace is calm and cool during that time, that’s gold.

A few months ago, I showed two apartments in the same building in White Residence—one faced east, the other west. Both had great views, similar finishes. But the east-facing unit? Sold in 2 weeks. The west-facing one? Still waiting. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

If you want to check out those kinds of options, this is one of the better seaview residences we have—right by the sea, with orientation that actually works with the sun, not against it.

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Tangent Time: That One Client in Ksamil

Last week, I showed a family from the Netherlands a few properties around Ksamil. One of them was incredible—panoramic view, modern building, priced under market.

But… it was west-facing, top floor, no pergola.

We were standing on the terrace, and the father turns to me and says, “I love it… but it’s like standing in a toaster.” We both laughed, but it made a point.

Sometimes, the view is only half the story.

Orientation is the other half.

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