Over the past few years, Albania has become one of the most dynamic destinations for seaside real estate investment. Just a few years ago, it was a little-known country with low land prices; today, it is being talked about as the “new Croatia of the Balkans.” And the momentum is far from over – a new international airport is due to open in Vlora in 2026, significantly improving accessibility and boosting property values across the region.

✈️ Vlora Airport – the gateway to southern Albania

The new airport in Vlora (Vlora International Airport) is Albania’s largest infrastructure project of the past decade. It is scheduled to open in 2026 and is expected to welcome up to 2 million passengers per year.
Thanks to it, travel time from Europe to southern Albania will be shortened by several hours – tourists from Prague, Bratislava, Vienna or Berlin will be able to reach Vlora on direct flights in under two hours.

This will significantly increase the appeal of the southern resorts – Vlora, Himara, Saranda and Ksamil will become more accessible than ever before. Investors expect property prices within a 50 km radius of the airport to rise by 15–25% during the first two years after opening.

📈 Albania’s real estate market: growth that isn’t over yet

Apartment prices in Albania continued to rise by 10–15% annually in 2025, despite market saturation in areas such as Saranda or Durrës. In smaller towns such as Himara or Orikum, it is still possible to find modern apartments for half the price of those on the Croatian coast.
Foreign investors (especially from the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany) are focusing on new-build properties with sea views, but interest is also growing in inland projects, where entry prices are lower and rental yields are higher.

💶 What will affect prices in 2026

Transport infrastructure – in addition to the airport in Vlora, the Fier–Vlora motorway is being expanded and the coastal SH8 road is being modernised all the way to the Greek border.

Tourism – Albania expects more than 15 million visitors per year, nearly double the 2022 figure.

New development projects – more residential complexes with pools, wellness facilities and reception services are being built, targeting short-term rentals such as Airbnb.

Foreign demand – more and more investors are using Albania as an alternative to Croatia, where prices and taxes are several times higher.

🌅 Vlora as the new investment hotspot

Thanks to its combination of sea, mountains and a new airport Vlora is becoming a symbol of the “new Albania.” The city is undergoing a major reconstruction of the Lungomare promenade, while new hotels and a marina for yachts are also being built.
While apartments here were selling for €1,000/m² in 2021, new-build prices now range around €1,800–2,200/m² – and the trend is still upward.

Investors who enter the area before the airport opens have the greatest chance of appreciation. After 2026, Vlora is expected to join the ranks of cities such as Split or Dubrovnik, but with significantly lower costs.

💡 Summary for investors

Opening of Vlora Airport (2026) = major growth in tourism and property prices

Greatest potential: Vlora, Himara, Orikum, Llogara

Price growth by 2027: estimated at +20% to +35%

Ideal time to buy: by the end of 2025

Target tenants: European tourists and digital nomads looking for peace, the sea and easy access