Daily Life in Saranda Without a Car: Is It Walkable?

I’ve lived in Saranda long enough to know every shortcut, every café where the owner still brings out raki on the house, and exactly how long it takes to get from the port to the beach on foot (12 minutes, give or take). And I get asked this all the time by people thinking of moving or investing here:

“Can I actually live in Saranda without a car?”

Short answer? Yes.

Longer answer? Yes—and it’s kind of the best way to live here, to be honest.

Let me explain.

⸻

Everything Is Within Reach (Literally)

Saranda isn’t like those massive, sprawling coastal cities where you need a GPS just to find the nearest grocery store. It’s compact, walkable, and alive in a very special way. The main promenade (locals call it “Shëtitorja”) is where most of the action happens—restaurants, cafés, ice cream stands, souvenir shops, all hugging the coastline.

From most Saranda apartments for sale near the center, you can walk to the beach, bakery, pharmacy, and your favorite morning coffee spot in under 10 minutes. I know because I do it almost every day. Well, minus the pharmacy unless I’ve run out of sunscreen or mosquito repellent. (Tip: buy that before summer hits hard.)

If you find a seaview apartment just a few streets above the promenade—like this one I listed recently—you’ll get the breeze, the view, and still be close enough to hear the buzz of the town without being right in it.

⸻

Real Talk: It’s Built for Walking

What I love about Saranda is how everything encourages movement. Narrow side streets slope gently down to the beach, and every stroll turns into a casual “hey, how are you?” with a neighbor or a shopkeeper. There’s something very Albanian about it. We like to be out. We like to say hello. We likewalking.

Even in the summer when the tourists flood in, the town remains manageable on foot. Sure, traffic gets a little chaotic in July and August (pro tip: don’t try crossing near the ferry dock at noon unless you’re feeling brave), but that’s when walking actually becomes your superpower. You’ll bypass the gridlock entirely.

I’ve shown beachfront properties during peak season without ever getting in a car. Just last week, I had a couple from Sweden who were interested in luxury seaview apartments in Saranda. We walked from their hotel to the listing—this one here—and they were blown away not just by the apartment but by the journey there. “This whole place is a postcard,” they told me. And they’re not wrong.

⸻

But What About the Hills?

Okay, let’s be honest. Saranda isn’t completely flat. The town stretches upward, with newer developments climbing the hills behind the center. Some of the best affordable properties with panoramic views are up there—like this villa with the most insane view you’ve ever seen.

Is it walkable? Technically yes. But you’ll earn your steps.

I always tell clients: if you’re eyeing a place on the hillside, ask yourself two questions. One: do you love the view enough to climb a bit? (Most do.) Two: are you okay walking back from dinner uphill with a belly full of fresh seafood and white wine?

For some, that answer is no—and that’s totally fair. Luckily, local taxis are everywhere, and rides are usually under €5. Still way cheaper than owning and maintaining a car here.

⸻

Local Perks You Don’t Notice Right Away

Here’s a little thing only locals really appreciate: delivery guys on scooters are the unsung heroes of car-free life. You want water delivered? They’ll bring you five 10-liter jugs in under 15 minutes. Groceries? Pizza? Pharmacy products? Done.

And don’t even get me started on the little neighborhood bakeries. There’s this one near the Three Fountains area—I don’t even know the name, I just call it “Te Gjyshja” because the lady who owns it reminds me of someone’s grandma. She makes byrek that’s still warm when you buy it, and it’s the perfect reward after a property viewing or a morning walk.

⸻