How Tourism Is Shaping the Albanian Economy in 2025

By someone who lives it, every day

I’ve lived in Saranda for over a decade now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when tourism shifts, everything else moves with it—especially in a place like ours.

In the early 2010s, Saranda felt like a secret. We locals used to joke that foreigners only found Albania by accident—maybe they took the wrong ferry from Corfu or got lost looking for cheaper Greek islands. But here we are in 2025, and suddenly the secret’s out. The Albanian Riviera is booming, and tourism is right at the heart of it.

And honestly? I get it.

I mean, just last week I showed a client a seaview penthouse in Ksamil—this one here—and the look on their face when they stepped onto the terrace? That view of the turquoise water, the smell of grilled seafood from the tavernas below, the sound of cicadas in the background. That reaction reminded me exactly why I love this job. You don’t have to convince people. The place speaks for itself.

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The Ripple Effect of Tourism

Tourism has done more than just fill our beaches and restaurants. It’s reshaping the local economy from the ground up.

Ten years ago, most locals here in Saranda relied heavily on seasonal work—hotel jobs, summer cafés, guiding boat tours. But now, thanks to the surge of interest in beachfront property and Saranda apartments for sale, we’re seeing a completely new wave of investment.

Locals are turning old family homes into modern rentals. Small builders are becoming full-blown developers. Even my neighbor, who used to only fish in the summer, now runs a growing short-term rental business. It’s wild—in the best way.

And then there’s real estate. Oh, real estate.

Back in the day, you could grab an apartment with sea views for under €40,000. Try finding that now! That same unit today? Double. Sometimes triple. Especially if it’s in Ksamil or has direct beach access. Still, compared to Italy or Greece, these are affordable properties by Mediterranean standards. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. And I say that as someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes this market.

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A Small Tangent (Because That’s How Conversations Work)

I have to say, the other morning I was sitting at the taverna near Borsh beach—you know the one, it doesn’t even have a sign, just a faded umbrella and the smell of fresh calamari—and I overheard a couple from Poland talking about how Albania “feels like what Greece used to be in the ’80s.”

And I couldn’t stop smiling. Because they’re not wrong.

That untouched charm, the unpaved paths, the way locals still bring you figs from their backyard just because. We haven’t polished everything up yet, and honestly, I hope we never fully do.

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