Will Albania Property Prices Rise?

It’s a question I hear almost every week.
Usually over coffee, sometimes during a property viewing, often right at sunset when Saranda looks at its best and people start imagining what life here could actually feel like.

Will prices keep rising? Or has the moment already passed?

I’ve been working in real estate here long enough to see cycles, expectations, and surprises. And honestly, the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. But if you ask me as someone who lives here, works here every day, and watches the market from the inside — I believe we are still in the early stages of growth.

Let me explain why.

How Saranda Changed — Slowly, Then All at Once

Ten years ago, most foreign buyers coming to Saranda were adventurous types. People looking for something different. Prices were low, infrastructure was improving, and the Albanian Riviera still felt undiscovered.

Today it’s different.

Flights are easier. Social media has shown the coastline to the world. And more importantly, the quality of construction has changed. New residences now look and feel closer to what buyers expect in Italy or Greece, but with prices that still fall into the category of affordable properties compared to the rest of the Mediterranean.

I notice it during viewings. A few weeks ago, I was showing a couple from Northern Europe a property in Ksamil. They walked onto the balcony, saw the sea in front of them, and just went quiet for a moment. That silence — that’s when I know someone is already imagining ownership.

Moments like that happen often now.

Demand Is Growing, But Not in a Loud Way

One thing people misunderstand about the Albanian market is that growth here is not aggressive. It’s gradual. Organic.

Saranda isn’t turning into a massive resort city overnight. And that’s actually why prices continue to move upward steadily instead of exploding and collapsing.

More foreigners are buying seaview apartments not only for holidays but for longer stays. Remote work changed things. So did lifestyle priorities. People want sun, walkable cities, good food, and a slower rhythm.

And Saranda offers exactly that.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. Not because it’s cheap — but because the value you receive compared to price is still unmatched.

What Buyers Are Actually Looking For Now

The demand today is very specific.

Buyers are not just searching for any Saranda apartments for sale. They want new buildings, privacy, clean architecture, and practical layouts. Pools matter. Parking matters. Views matter even more.

In Ksamil, for example, I recently walked through a new apartment finished in summer 2025 — a 1-bedroom apartment in a quiet neighborhood. Nothing excessive, just well designed. Private swimming pool for residents, seven minutes walking to the beach, calm surroundings. The kind of place that feels comfortable from day one.

That’s where the market is moving. Quiet luxury rather than flashy development.

The same applies to larger investments. The new duplexes in Ksamil — two swimming pools, underground parking, only a few residents in the building — attract buyers who want security and privacy. Some use them as family homes, others purely as investments, especially when rental returns can reach around 16% annually.

A Small Local Detail Most Buyers Don’t Notice

There’s a small bakery near the old road above the Saranda promenade. Locals go there early in the morning before work. If you sit outside long enough, you’ll see construction managers, agents, and property owners passing by.

You can tell how the market feels just by listening to conversations.

When people start saying, “There’s nothing left in that area,” prices usually move next.

And lately, I’ve been hearing that more often.

The Role of Property Management — The Part Foreign Buyers Care About Most

This is something many investors ask about only after buying.
“What happens when I’m not here?”

The reality is simple. Most foreign owners don’t want stress. They don’t want to manage bookings, cleaning schedules, guest communication, or maintenance from another country.

That’s why property management has become such an important part of what we do.

During peak season, we manage properties so owners can maximize profit while doing absolutely nothing themselves. Pricing adjustments, guest handling, cleaning coordination — everything is handled locally. The home works as an investment, not as a responsibility.

For many buyers, this is the moment when buying in Albania starts to make real sense. You enjoy the property when you want, and during summer it generates income without headaches.

Different Types of Growth in Different Areas

Not all properties grow at the same speed.

In central Saranda, renovated apartments close to daily services continue to perform well because people actually live there year-round. Something like this renovated apartment near Rruga e Flamurit appeals to buyers who want practicality — walking distance to everything, usable outside the tourist season.

Meanwhile, villas in quieter neighborhoods are becoming more desirable for families. A property like this private villa in Surra, with space, privacy, and its own pool, attracts buyers looking for long-term lifestyle rather than short stays. These are rarer opportunities in Saranda now.

And then there’s land.
I’ve noticed more investors looking toward Borsh recently, especially for seafront or seaview plots like this land property in Borsh. The area still feels untouched, which usually means future value growth once infrastructure catches up.

A Small Tangent — Because Real Estate Here Is Also About Life

Sometimes I think people underestimate how much culture affects property value.

In Albania, neighbors still greet each other. Someone will bring you homemade raki or figs from their garden without expecting anything back. Summer evenings stretch longer than planned because dinner turns into conversation.

These things don’t appear in property listings.
But they influence why people stay.

And when people stay, prices rise naturally.

Commercial Growth Matters Too

Another interesting shift is commercial demand. As tourism grows, businesses follow. Cafés, restaurants, services. Spaces close to the beach or promenade are becoming harder to find.

I recently walked through a commercial space just steps from the sea — a large shop with terrace and parking. Locations like that quietly increase in value because business activity supports the entire area’s property market.

Residential and commercial growth always move together.

So… Will Prices Rise?

In my opinion, yes.
But not in a dramatic overnight way.

Prices in the Albanian Riviera are rising because demand is becoming more international, construction quality is improving, and supply in the best locations is limited. Saranda, Ksamil, and Borsh are still catching up to the rest of the Mediterranean.

And timing matters. Buyers today are still entering before the market fully matures.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who Calls This Place Home

Some evenings, after finishing viewings, I drive toward the hills above the city. The lights come on slowly, boats move across the bay, and the coastline feels calm again after a busy day.

I think about how much Saranda has changed — and how much potential still remains.

Real estate here isn’t just numbers and square meters. It’s timing, lifestyle, and emotion combined. And right now, South Albania sits in a rare position where all three align.

If you ask me personally?
The story of property prices rising here has already started. We’re just not at the final chapter yet.