Why South Albania’s Riviera Is Becoming a Hub for Hotels & Villas

I’ve lived and worked in Saranda long enough to see the coastline change before my eyes.
A decade ago, the southern Riviera felt almost untouched — a few family-run hotels, quiet beaches, and local fishermen selling fresh catch on the promenade. Today, it’s something entirely different. Not chaotic — still calm, still Mediterranean — but alive. You can feel the energy shift every summer.

Rapid Tourism Growth in the South

If you’ve been to Saranda, Ksamil, or Borsh lately, you already know what I mean. Every July and August, record-breaking numbers of visitors arrive — families from Poland, couples from Italy, young travelers from France, and lately, a lot of guests from the UAE.

With new ferry routes from Corfu and direct international flights on the way to Vlora International Airport, access has never been easier. It used to take a full day of travel to reach this part of Albania. Now, tourists land, rent a car, and reach the Riviera in under an hour.

And they’re not just coming for quick weekend trips anymore. They’re staying longer, booking higher-end villas, and actually exploring beyond the beach bars. The longer stays mean more nights, more dining, and stronger demand for hotels and villas — especially those that offer privacy and good service.

Sometimes when I drive through Ksamil in August, I can’t help but smile — the line outside every small bakery, the packed beach lounges, the sound of Italian, Polish, and Dutch all mixing together. It’s a sign of real, lasting change.

 Infrastructure Driving Development

If tourism is the heart of the southern coast, infrastructure is the backbone.

The Riviera Coastal Road, stretching from Vlora to Saranda, has completely changed how people move between beaches. It’s now possible to enjoy lunch in Himara, stop for coffee in Qeparo, and still make it to Borsh for sunset. For investors, that means accessibility — and accessibility drives value.

Add to that the long-awaited Vlora International Airport, which is already reshaping travel plans. Once it’s fully operational, expect tourism to double. More flights mean more guests, and that inevitably means more rooms, villas, and hotels.

Even utilities have quietly improved. Reliable water supply, better electrical systems, and faster internet — details most tourists never notice, but developers do. These upgrades have encouraged both Albanian and international investors to start projects that, five years ago, would’ve felt impossible.

 From Apartments to Luxury Villas & Boutique Hotels

The market itself is evolving fast.
Not long ago, the trend was simple: buy an apartment, rent it out during summer, and enjoy 8–10% ROI. Now, investors are going bigger — boutique hotels, serviced villas, private compounds. The demand for “quiet luxury” is real. People want infinity pools, seaview terraces, and Mediterranean minimalism — not big resorts.

A few weeks ago, I walked a client through one of our new duplexes in Ksamil — everything brand-new, finished for 2025, two swimming pools (one private, one shared), underground parking, and total privacy. It’s about 300 meters from the beach. As we stood on the balcony, he said something that stuck with me: “It feels like Mykonos… but still authentic.”

He wasn’t wrong. You can see the project here if you’re curious — Luxury Duplex for Sale in Ksamil. It’s modern, calm, and built for long-term value — the kind of property that represents the new face of the Albanian Riviera.

 ROI and Rental Potential

If you talk to anyone renting on Airbnb or Booking.com in Saranda or Ksamil, they’ll tell you — occupancy is sky-high.
Even before peak season, most listings are 80–90% booked. The season now stretches from May to October, giving owners five full months of rental income.

For villas and boutique hotels, the returns can reach 8–15% annually, and in some cases even higher. A well-designed villa with a pool and sea view in Borsh or Ksamil often pays itself off within a few years.

We’ve seen this pattern repeat over and over. One of our buyers purchased a small seaview apartment in Saranda three years ago — now it’s fully booked every summer, and the property value has appreciated by over 40%. For anyone looking to combine lifestyle with investment, that’s hard to beat.

By the way, here’s a great example of what I mean — Seaview 1-Bedroom Apartment for Sale in Saranda, Skënderbeu Street. It’s a luxury 1+1 unit in a new residence, with a private swimming pool and unobstructed sea view — perfect both for living and short-term rental.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

Limited Supply vs. High Demand

This is one of the biggest secrets investors are starting to notice — there simply isn’t much coastal land left.
Regulations in areas like Ksamil, Borsh, and Qeparo protect much of the seafront from overdevelopment. Good for nature, but it means scarcity. And scarcity drives prices up.

I’ve watched empty lots I used to walk past sell within days, and small guesthouses get transformed into boutique hotels. Investors who buy early not only benefit from rental income but from capital appreciation that can reach double digits in just a few years.

In Borsh especially, the demand for coastal land is rising fast. That’s why we developed the White Residence Villas — four luxury villas on the main street of Borsh, surrounded by olive trees and open sea views. Each one is about 300 m², built with 15+ years of our construction expertise, featuring private pools, large verandas, and parking. Seven minutes from the beach, and honestly, it’s the definition of quiet luxury. For investors, it’s 0% commission and 100% peace of mind.

Every time I visit that site, I end up staying a bit longer — the view is that good.

 Lifestyle and Cultural Appeal

Of course, numbers matter. But there’s something deeper about the south.

Maybe it’s the morning coffee at the old cafés near Saranda’s port, or the family lunches in Qeparo where everyone insists you try their homemade olive oil. Or that tiny fish restaurant just above Borsh Beach where locals gather after sunset — most tourists never find it, but it’s perfect for property viewings because you can feel the soul of the place.

South Albania isn’t just beautiful; it’s safe, warm, and authentically Mediterranean. The kind of region where people still greet you with a smile and ask if you’ve eaten.

That’s why so many buyers come not just for investment, but for a lifestyle change. We’ve sold to families from Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, France, even the UAE — all drawn by the same thing: balance. Profit, yes. But also peace.

If you want a small, elegant retreat that reflects that lifestyle, take a look at this Modern 1-Bedroom Apartment in Ksamil. It’s in a new 2025 building, with a private swimming pool for residents, just seven minutes from the beach — a perfect mix of quiet luxury and investment potential.

 Government Vision for Tourism 2030

The Albanian government knows what’s happening — and they’re supporting it.

The Tourism 2030 Vision focuses on sustainable, high-quality growth. Incentives include reduced taxes for hotel developers, simplified construction permits, and grants for eco-friendly projects. The aim? Turn the Albanian Riviera into a premium Mediterranean destination — not overcrowded, but refined.

It’s already working. In the last few years, we’ve seen projects that meet European standards — energy-efficient villas, boutique resorts, and smart urban plans that protect coastal character. For investors, that means more confidence and transparency in the long term.

 Comparison with Other Regions

It’s easy to compare Albania with its neighbors — Greece, Montenegro, Croatia. They all have charm. But here’s the thing: southern Albania is still affordable. Entry costs are lower, labor is cheaper, and property taxes are minimal. Yet the scenery? Identical — turquoise bays, stone villages, and olive groves that go on forever.

I’ve spoken with clients who sold their properties in Corfu or Budva and bought here instead. “It reminds me of what Greece was twenty years ago,” one of them told me. And he was right. The feeling of discovery, the potential — it’s still here.

Final Thoughts

Every time I stand on a terrace overlooking the Ionian, I think about how far this coast has come. From quiet fishing villages to vibrant investment zones, from basic rentals to luxurious villas — it’s a transformation I’ve witnessed firsthand.

But what excites me most is that it’s happening the right way: sustainable, locally driven, and full of opportunity for those who see it early.

Whether you’re looking at Saranda apartments for sale, a beachfront property in Ksamil, or a seaview villa in Borsh, the message is the same — South Albania’s Riviera is where the next wave of Mediterranean growth is unfolding.

And honestly? There’s never been a better time to be part of it.