What’s Driving Property Prices in the Albanian Riviera?

If you’ve been paying attention to real estate in the Albanian Riviera, you’ve probably noticed one thing: prices are climbing fast. Just a few years ago, you could find a beachfront apartment in Saranda for €50,000—now, that same property is double the price or more.

So, what’s going on? Is it still a good time to invest, or has the ship sailed? Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense—no boring market reports, just real reasons why property prices in Albania’s south are on the rise.

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1. The Secret’s Out—Albania Is No Longer a Hidden Gem

For a long time, Albania was one of Europe’s best-kept travel secrets—turquoise waters, untouched beaches, and prices that made Greece and Italy look ridiculously expensive.

Well, that secret’s out.

✔ Tourism is booming – Over 10 million visitors came to Albania in 2024, and most of them headed straight for the Riviera.

✔ Social media is putting Albania on the map – Travel bloggers and influencers are obsessed with Ksamil, Himara, and Saranda.

✔ Foreigners are starting to buy – Investors from Italy, Germany, the UK, and even the U.S. are seeing the potential.

When a destination becomes this popular, property prices naturally go up. Simple supply and demand.

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2. Foreign Buyers Are Snapping Up Property

Walk around Saranda, Ksamil, or Himara, and you’ll hear Italian, German, Polish, and English everywhere. More and more foreigners are buying homes in the Albanian Riviera, and here’s why:

✔ Holiday homes at half the price of Greece or Spain

✔ Airbnb-style rentals make great income

✔ It’s still one of the cheapest places to own property on the Mediterranean

And let’s be honest—when foreign buyers enter a market, prices always go up. It’s happening in Albania right now.

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3. There’s Only So Much Land to Build On

Unlike some areas in Albania where new buildings pop up constantly, the Riviera has a limited amount of space—and that’s driving prices higher.

✔ Ksamil and Himara are filling up – Beachfront land is becoming rare.

✔ New developments are selling out fast – Some are gone before construction even finishes.

✔ Stricter building regulations – The government is controlling new construction more carefully, limiting the number of new properties.

Less supply + more demand = rising prices.

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4. Albania Is Investing in Infrastructure

The Albanian government knows the Riviera is a goldmine, so they’re making it easier than ever to visit and invest.

✔ New roads – The route from Tirana to Saranda is being improved, making travel faster and easier.

✔ New airports – The Vlora International Airport is opening soon, bringing even more tourists and investors.

✔ Easy property laws for foreigners – Unlike some countries, foreigners can buy property in Albania with no restrictions.

As Albania gets more connected to the rest of Europe, more people will want to live, work, and invest here—pushing prices up even more.

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