Albania is a fascinating country located at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, from ancient Roman and Byzantine influences to the liberation efforts of various European countries in the 20th century, Albania has evolved in response to various challenges and events. This country went through a period of harsh communism, which left a significant mark on its social and economic development. Despite this history, Albania continues to develop and attract investors and travelers.
Albania maintains its exceptional identity thanks to the high religious tolerance that prevails here. Despite religious differences, Muslims, Christians and Roman Catholics live in harmony. This adds another dimension of richness to the country and opens the door to meeting different cultures and traditions.
Infrastructure and Transport
Albania is actively investing in the modernization of its infrastructure. An extensive program of construction and renovation of roads and highways is currently underway, significantly improving the flow of traffic in the country. This is most visible on the newly built roads in southern Albania, for example the link between Saranda and Vlora, where a new road was created inland. Or, for example, a new road and a planned tunnel shortening the route through the Llogara Pass. Albanian railways are also undergoing modernization. The route between Drač and Tirana is currently being built. This will enable more efficient transport of both passengers and freight in the future.
Tirana Airport underwent expansion and modernization in 2023, more than doubling capacity and with it passenger comfort. At the same time, air connectivity is improving and allowing easier access to the country. The airlines Ryanair and WizzAir are actively strengthening direct flights from Prague to Tirana, so Albania will be easier to reach than ever before. It is also planned to open a new international airport in Vlora, which will be the next step towards improving air connectivity in the region.
Tourism
Albania has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe in recent years. Above all, thanks to its beautiful beaches, diverse and still untouched nature, but also its interesting history, Albania attracts visitors from all over the world. What is even more interesting, the attractiveness of Albania is constantly increasing. Some popular coastal towns already face a high influx of tourists, which can mean occasional water outages, congested traffic and overall overcrowding. Therefore, many travelers prefer to look for quieter and less well-known locations in the summer months, where these problems do not threaten, and they can enjoy a quiet and authentic vacation.
In the coming years, Albania is expected to experience another boom in tourism. This country has the potential to become one of the main European tourist destinations. There is currently extensive construction of hotels, tourist attractions and residential projects, which makes it an attractive destination for real estate investments.
Construction and Real estate
Albania is undergoing significant developments in the real estate market, which is notable for its current dynamism. New development projects bring modern and high-quality real estate, which appeals to a wide range of investors, both local and international. Historically, however, there has been less regulation of construction in the country. This created a period of mass construction, especially on the attractive southern coast of Albania, most visible for example in the Drymades and Dhermi areas. However, Albania is currently trying to approach development with an emphasis on sustainability and quality. This includes both strengthening building standards, as well as environmental protection and improving the quality of infrastructure, as mentioned above.
This direction of development creates an attractive investment environment. Due to the relatively low cost of acquiring real estate, Albania attracts the attention of many foreign investors. Property prices are rising steadily, especially in coastal tourist destinations. However, there are still challenges, mainly in the form of the need to carefully evaluate the property and the legal aspects of the purchase. We write more about this topic in one of our previous articles. Albania still has an untapped potential for real estate development, and forecasts indicate that this market will continue to grow, especially due to the development of tourism.