The Airbnb Income Potential of Studio Apartments in Ksamil and Saranda

Let me be honest with you—when people think of investing in real estate on the Albanian Riviera, most immediately imagine luxury penthouses with panoramic views or big 2+1 family flats near the promenade. But here’s the truth from someone who’s lived here in Saranda for years, walking the streets, talking to locals, and watching the market shift season after season:

Studio apartments might just be the smartest investment on the coast.

I know that’s a bold claim—but stay with me.

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The Numbers Are Simple. The Logic Even More So.

Tourism in southern Albania has exploded in the last few years. Ksamil is no longer a secret. Saranda, while still affordable, is filling up with investors from Italy, Poland, Israel, and lately even Dubai. And the one thing that never goes out of style?

Affordable, central, walk-to-the-beach accommodation.

Studios check all those boxes.

Let’s say you pick up a compact, nicely built studio for €45,000 to €70,000. You furnish it smartly—nothing crazy, just clean, cozy, bright. You list it on Airbnb or Booking. What happens?

In high season, you can charge €50 to €80 per night, easily. Even more in Ksamil during July and August. The demand is insane. I’ve had clients who listed a small studio near the beach and were booked out 95% of the summer. I’m not making this up.

One of them told me they made €6,000 in three months—on a unit that cost under €60,000. That’s a 10%+ ROI in one summer. Tell me what other market in the Med is offering that?

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Location Still Matters (A Lot)

Now, not every studio is a money machine. I’ve seen people overpay for a “bargain” apartment that turns out to be on the 6th floor with no elevator and a 20-minute walk from the beach… uphill.

Don’t do that.

Look for something with main street access, close to the beach (within 5–7 minutes on foot max), ideally near cafés, the promenade, or the port in Saranda. People want convenience. They want to drop their bags and hit the beach or get a cocktail, not hike through hills with a suitcase.

That’s why I love listings like this studio or this furnished sea-view one. You don’t just get the space—you get the location that makes guests book instantly.

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Ksamil vs. Saranda – Where’s the Bigger Potential?

Good question. Depends on the strategy.

Ksamil is seasonal but crazy profitable in July and August. Think 3–4X nightly prices compared to spring or fall. It’s all about those turquoise waters and white sand beaches—Albania’s own Maldives, they say (a bit dramatic, but not entirely wrong). If you get a studio here and rent it just in peak season, you can still do great.

Saranda, though, has a longer season. Ferries from Corfu bring in tourists from April to October. It’s also more attractive for digital nomads, couples, and solo travelers looking for a base with restaurants, nightlife, and activities year-round.

I personally love Saranda’s energy. It’s evolving fast but still has that Albanian charm. A small studio with a side seaview or on the main boulevard will always rent. And with listings like this one or this unit, you’re well within that sweet spot.

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A Real Moment: Why I Believe in This

Last week, I showed a young couple from Belgium a modest studio tucked just behind the Saranda promenade. Nothing flashy. But when they stepped onto the little balcony and saw the sea just a few meters away, their faces lit up.

They asked me, “Do you think we can rent this out when we’re not here?”

I smiled. I’ve seen this question dozens of times—and the answer is still the same.

Yes, absolutely.

With the right management (and we help with that, too), you can make that studio work for you when you’re abroad. Let it pay for itself. Maybe even pay for your next trip back.

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