Why Dua Lipa Is in Love with the South of Albania

You know a place is special when even global superstars can’t stay away.

Dua Lipa—yes, the Dua Lipa—has been spending more and more time on the Albanian Riviera, and honestly? I get it. She’s not just coming back because of her roots. There’s something magnetic about the south. And once you feel it, it’s hard to stay away.

But let’s rewind a bit.

⸻

It’s More Than Just a Pretty Place

Every time Dua shares a picture from Dhërmi or Himara, the internet goes wild. Turquoise water. Stone villages. That golden-hour light you can’t fake with filters.

But what most people don’t realize is that it’s not just the aesthetics that pull you in.

It’s how you feel here.

There’s a certain freedom in the south. The kind where you leave your phone in the car and just… exist. Swim. Eat. Talk.

I remember last summer, I was showing a couple some seaview apartments near the Ksamil beaches—they were on a tight schedule, rushing from one viewing to another. Then we paused for a coffee at a roadside café with a view of the islands, and suddenly, their energy shifted.

The guy looked at me and said, “Do you ever get used to this view?”

No. You really don’t.

⸻

Dua Lipa Gets It

Dua isn’t just showing up for a photo op. She’s been spotted eating grilled fish at small, family-owned tavernas, swimming in secluded coves, and even dancing at local beach bars where the music’s just loud enough to lose track of time.

And she doesn’t only visit the “famous” spots.

Last year, she posted from a tiny beach near Borsh—one of those places you don’t find unless someone local points it out. There’s a taverna nearby (no menu, just what’s fresh) where I like to take clients after viewings. You wouldn’t think a place with plastic chairs could serve the best mussels you’ve ever had, but trust me—it does.

That’s the charm. It’s unpolished in all the right ways.

⸻

The Rise of the South—And What It Means for Property

Here’s what I’ll say, as someone who’s seen the market evolve fast: Dua’s spotlight isn’t just about tourism. It’s shifting the way people think about the region.

The world is catching on. And while some people are just coming for a vacation, others are realizing they could actually live here.

The value is still incredible. You can get affordable properties near the beach, or invest in a high-end beachfront property with panoramic views of the Ionian.

And places like Ksamil? They’re evolving fast—but still holding onto their soul.

Like this gorgeous duplex here, with a pool and walking distance to the beach.

Or if you’re thinking long-term and want something hotel-style near the sea,

check out White Residence in Ksamil.

Prices in Saranda are still friendly compared to places like Corfu, just a 30-minute ferry away—but they won’t stay that way forever.

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now.

⸻

A Quick Tangent About Fërgesë and Family

Okay—small detour here. Have you ever had homemade fërgesë in the south? Not the restaurant kind. I mean the real deal, slow-cooked with cottage cheese and peppers in a clay dish.

Last week, after showing a client a hilltop villa with mountain and sea views (the kind you dream about), her landlord invited us in for coffee… and served us fërgesë like we were family.

That’s the kind of hospitality you don’t find everywhere.

It’s in the small moments that the south wins people over.

⸻