How Tourism Growth in Albania Is Fueling Property Investment

I’ve lived in Saranda long enough to remember when this town was mostly quiet for half the year. You’d see a few tourists in early June, then again in August when the ferries from Corfu were packed. Today? It’s different. The season starts in April and stretches all the way to October. Every year, more people arrive — not just for a holiday, but to stay a little longer, to rent an apartment, or to ask me that one question I hear almost every week:
“Is it still worth investing here?”

And honestly — yes. I believe Saranda still offers some of the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

Tourism First, Then Property Demand

Let’s start with the simple equation: tourism brings rental demand, and rental demand pushes property value.
You can already feel it in Saranda and Ksamil. When you walk the promenade on a July evening, you can hear five or six languages around you — Italian, Polish, French, even Arabic. Many of those visitors are no longer staying just in hotels. They’re booking seaview apartments on Airbnb, or in private villas with pools.

The result? Owners who invested early are now seeing real returns. Apartments that used to rent for €60 a night are now going for €120 or more in peak season. That’s a 100% jump — and not just because of inflation. It’s because demand has outgrown supply.

How the Coastal Towns Are Changing

I spend most of my week between Saranda, Ksamil, and Borsh — and you can see three very different stories unfolding.

In Saranda, the focus is on comfort and accessibility. People want seaview apartments close to everything, but also in calm, residential areas — not just tourist zones. A great example is this 1-bedroom apartment on Skenderbeu Street. It’s in a quiet and safe neighborhood, part of a new luxury residence with its own swimming pool and a completely unobstructed sea view. Perfect for someone who wants both privacy and investment potential — and yes, I’ve walked that street countless times; in the evenings, you can actually hear the sea.

Then there’s Ksamil, which has transformed faster than any place I’ve ever seen. Just a few years ago, it was a small beach village. Now it’s becoming one of the most desirable spots on the Ionian coast. Tourists here aren’t just coming for the beach — they’re looking for lifestyle. If you walk seven minutes from the center, you’ll find new projects like White Residence in Ksamil: brand-new luxury apartments completed just a month ago, with private swimming pools for residents and a quiet, elegant neighborhood. It’s the kind of place that defines “quiet luxury.” You can feel it in the details — clean architecture, calm atmosphere, no chaos.

And finally, Borsh — a personal favorite of mine. Borsh is still wild and peaceful, with long beaches that stretch for kilometers. It’s where people go when they want nature and silence. A few minutes’ drive from the beach, on the main road, we’ve built White Residence Villas in Borsh: four luxury villas crafted by our construction company, which has over 15 years of experience and a team of 150 skilled professionals. Each villa sits on its own 300 m² of land, with three floors, private pool, large veranda, and private parking — all surrounded by greenery and sea views. I like to call it a residential paradise, because that’s exactly what it feels like when you stand there at sunset. And with zero commission fees, it’s a smart investment too.

The Tourism Ripple Effect

When people talk about tourism growth, they usually mean visitor numbers — but the real story lies in what happens after those visitors leave. Many return, but this time not with a suitcase — with questions about property papers, notaries, and building standards.

I remember one client from Norway — he first came to Saranda just for a summer holiday. Two years later, he bought an apartment. Last summer, he came back and told me: “I’ve never had a single month without rental income.”

That’s the ripple effect. Tourism doesn’t just fill hotels; it builds long-term confidence in the market.

Beyond the Beaches

There’s something else people forget: Albania isn’t only about the beaches. Visitors are discovering the charm of small villages, the stone alleys of Gjirokastër, the ruins of Butrint, the mountain drives toward Lukova. And when they experience that mix of history and coastline, they begin to see property ownership as more than just an investment — it’s emotional.

Last month, I met a couple from the Netherlands. They spent a whole day viewing properties but ended up deciding based on something simple — the sound of the church bells near the old quarter in Saranda. That’s the beauty of real estate here: it’s never just about square meters; it’s about how it makes you feel.

Local Insight: The Details That Matter

If you’re ever visiting to see properties, try to avoid the noon heat. Go early morning or late afternoon. The light hits the sea differently then — more silver than blue. And stop for lunch at the small family-owned taverna on the way to Qeparo; they don’t have a menu, but they’ll grill the catch of the day for you. I’ve closed more deals over a plate of fresh fish than in my office.

These are the small things you can’t find in brochures. They’re part of what makes investing here personal.

The Numbers (and the Feeling)

Let’s be realistic: property prices in Saranda have been rising steadily — from around €1,000 per square meter a few years ago to €1,800–€2,200 in prime areas today. And yes, they’ll continue to rise, but slowly and sustainably. Why? Because Albania is still underpriced compared to its Mediterranean neighbors.

But the real motivation isn’t just numbers. It’s that feeling when you stand on a balcony overlooking the Ionian Sea, and you realize you’re part of a place that’s still authentic. You can buy a beachfront property, or a seaview apartment, and know that it’s not just a transaction — it’s a lifestyle shift.

The Future Is South

If you’ve been following the Albanian market, you’ll notice a clear pattern: the south is leading. The infrastructure is improving — better roads, stable electricity, more flights to Tirana and soon to Vlora. Foreign investors are becoming residents, not just tourists.

And what excites me most is that this growth still feels organic. The culture remains strong, people greet you with “mirë se erdhe” everywhere you go, and the air smells of olive trees and sea salt. I don’t think that will ever change — and that’s exactly why I keep telling my clients: the best time to invest was yesterday, but the second-best time is today.

Final Thoughts

The connection between tourism and property investment in Albania is clear — one feeds the other. Every traveler who falls in love with the Albanian Riviera becomes a potential investor. And every new property built with care and vision brings even more people to discover this coast.

I’ve spent years helping clients find apartments, villas, and land here, and I still get that same excitement when someone stands on a balcony in Ksamil or Borsh and just goes silent for a moment. Because that silence means they get it — they see what I see.

And if you ever find yourself walking along Saranda’s promenade one evening, look around. The lights across the bay, the chatter from the cafés, the mix of languages — that’s the sound of a market growing. A place transforming. And honestly, it’s just the beginning.