Is Albania Safe for Americans and Europeans? A Local’s Honest Perspective

I get this question almost every week. Sometimes from families planning their first summer in the Albanian Riviera. Sometimes from investors who have been watching the region from afar and finally decide to take the next step. And sometimes from curious travelers who message me late at night saying, “Be honest… is Albania really safe?”

After living and working in Saranda for years, walking these hills, showing properties from Borsh to Ksamil, drinking countless macchiatos with clients who ended up becoming friends — I’ve learned that “safety” is not just about crime statistics. It’s about how a place feels. How people treat you. How you move through the streets at night. How the community looks after you, even when they don’t know you.

And if you ask me bluntly?
Yes — Albania is safe for Americans and Europeans. Surprisingly safe.
But let me explain it properly, from the view of someone who literally spends every day meeting foreigners, walking neighborhoods, and helping people find homes here.

The First Thing Visitors Notice: The Atmosphere Is Relaxed

Saranda has a rhythm of its own. Calm mornings. Kids walking to school. Fishermen heading to the port. Older men arguing about football near the bakery on Rruga Mitat Hoxha. You’ll see women sitting on balconies watering plants… and yes, occasionally, a neighbor offering you figs because you happen to pass by at the right moment. That’s Albania.

And when foreigners arrive, especially Americans, the reaction is almost always the same:
“It feels different. Safe… slower… simpler.”

A few days ago I was walking with a couple from Oregon around a quiet hillside neighborhood near the Monastery Road. They asked me if locals ever get annoyed by foreigners moving here. I laughed. “If anything, they’ll invite you for raki and won’t let you leave.”
That’s our culture — mikpritja, hospitality. It’s not a slogan. It’s just who we are.

Walking at Night in Saranda and Ksamil

People always expect me to say, “Well, avoid this area… stay away from this corner…”
But honestly? I walk everywhere at night. My clients walk everywhere at night. And I’ve never had a single issue — and I’m saying this as someone who is constantly outside, meeting clients, showing beachfront property and seaview apartments all the time.

In the hills above Saranda, I sometimes finish viewings very late, especially in summer when the light stays golden until 9 PM. You still see families walking, kids on scooters, people coming back from the promenade. No one is stressed. No one is rushing. And no one is looking over their shoulder.

Ksamil is even calmer — especially the residential pockets just seven minutes from the beach where many buyers ask me to help them find affordable properties that still offer that quiet luxury feeling.

But What About Crime?

Let me put it this way:
Foreigners, especially Americans, are much safer here than in many big Western cities.

Crime exists everywhere, yes, but everyday life in Saranda is peaceful. That's why so many Europeans — Italians, Polish, Dutch families — have started buying second homes here. Albania is becoming their escape from overcrowded, overpriced cities.

And it’s not just the tourists saying this.
I’ve had dozens of clients who move here long-term and tell me after a few weeks:
“I feel safer walking alone in Saranda than I did in my own city back home.”

I hear this line so often that at this point it's almost part of the local soundtrack.

A Small Tangent Before We Continue

Sometimes when I’m walking clients through Borsh — especially on the upper road where the olive trees open to one of the widest sea views in the Mediterranean — I catch myself thinking about how untouched everything still is. Albania reminds me of the Mediterranean 30 years ago. Greece and Italy before everything got privatized and crowded.
Alright, that’s my tangent. Back to the main point.

Why Foreigners Feel Safe: Albanians Look Out for People

There’s one thing Americans always point out:
Albanians don’t let strangers feel like strangers.

If someone is lost, somebody will stop immediately.
If you’re struggling with luggage, two people will help.
If you ask for directions, they might walk you there.

A funny example: I once had a client visiting the port area who couldn’t find the little panoramic shortcut road toward the center. Before I could guide him, a man from the café nearby stood up, walked outside, and started explaining the route in the most dramatic hand gestures possible — classic Albanian style. My client still laughs about it.

Safety for Property Buyers — Another Big Question

Investors often worry about paperwork, legal systems, property rights.
And these are real concerns. Good ones.
But this is where local experience matters.

South Albania — especially Saranda, Ksamil, and Borsh — has become extremely regulated in the last decade. New buildings must have full documentation, modern construction standards, certified electrical and plumbing systems, and very strict cadastral procedures. It’s one of the reasons foreigners prefer new developments over older houses.

When someone is looking for Saranda apartments for sale, the first thing I do is walk them through the legal part in simple language. No confusion. No surprises. That transparency also makes people feel safe investing here.

Insider Detail: The Places Where Clients Feel the Safest

This depends on personality, but here are a few things I’ve noticed after hundreds of showings:

• Saranda Hills (above the center): Calm, breezy, and surprisingly quiet even in July.

• Ksamil’s “new neighborhood” near the main road: Safe, modern, families everywhere.

• Borsh’s upper residential zone: Completely surrounded by nature; people describe it as therapeutic.

Many of the most serious investors prefer these areas because they feel safe, private, and naturally well-ventilated — something people don’t think about until they experience the July heat.

A Very Quiet Mention of a Few Properties This Relates To

Since we’re talking about safety and investment confidence, let me casually share a few examples without making this sound like a sales pitch.

1. Ksamil – Modern 1-Bedroom (New 2025 Building)

There’s a new 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil I’ve been showing lately — a brand-new, 2025 residence with its own private swimming pool for residents, located in a very calm area just 7 minutes from the beach.
People love it because the surroundings feel organized, intentionally “quiet luxury.”
Here’s the link if you want to see it yourself:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2

2. Saranda – Fully-Furnished Seaview 1+1 on Skënderbeu Street

One American couple recently told me they felt immediately safe in this area.
And I get it — it’s a peaceful neighborhood, new residence, high-end finishing, private swimming pool, and completely open sea views with zero obstruction.
A perfect blend for someone wanting safety + beauty.
Link, casually:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished

3. White Residence Villas – Borsh

Now… this might be the most “quiet luxury” place we’ve ever built.
Our construction company (15+ years experience, 150+ workers) created four villas on the main road of Borsh, each villa with:

• private pool

• big veranda

• sea views

• 300 m² land + building area combined

• private parking

• completely surrounded by nature

Seven minutes from the beach.
And honestly, it’s the kind of place where safety feels like silence — just olive trees, sun, and the sound of cicadas. All for sale with 0% commission.

Here’s the link, very casually shared:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/projects/white-residence-villas-borsh

4. Ksamil – Luxury Duplexes (New 2025)

Two pools — one private for the duplex, one shared with the building.
Underground parking included.
300 meters from the beach.
Located directly on the main road.
A secure, private space perfect for families or investors aiming for high ROI (up to 16% yearly).

Here’s the link:
https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2

Again — these examples aren’t ads. They’re simply the best representation of how safety, calm neighborhoods, and smart investing intersect here in the south.

So… Is Albania Safe for Americans and Europeans?

Yes.
And not just “safe enough.”
Genuinely safe. Welcoming. Warm. Familiar, even if it's your first day here.

If you plan to walk the promenade at night, go ahead.
If you want to explore the little back streets near the Saranda marina for coffee, do it.
If you want to drive to Borsh at sunrise (highly recommend), you’ll enjoy one of the most peaceful coastal roads in the region.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast — not only because of prices, but because of how naturally comfortable life feels here.

Final Thought

Every time I finish a property tour with a foreign client, they say something that always makes me smile:

“Why didn’t we come here sooner?”

Maybe you’ll say the same.

And if you ever want guidance — whether you’re searching for beachfront property, seaview apartments, or just trying to understand the Albanian Riviera better — I’m always here to help, honestly and without pressure.