Warm Sea Even in October: Southern Albania as a Croatia Alternative

October is usually the month when most Czechs mentally close the door on their beach holiday. Croatia's coast is already cooling, the sea drops to around 19–20°C, and promenade restaurants start shutting for the winter. Southern Albania, though, is still going strong at this time of year.

How warm is the sea in October

On the Albanian Riviera — around Ksamil, Sarandë and Dhërmi — the sea temperature in October typically sits around 22–23°C. In warmer years, like this one, it climbs past 24°C — a figure the Adriatic or Crete rarely reach at this time of year. Daytime air temperatures hover around 22–25°C, though a light jacket comes in handy in the evening.

Where exactly

Ksamil is the southernmost and best-known stop — a few kilometers from the Greek border, with tiny islets right off the beach and clear water. A little further north lies Sarandë, a larger coastal town with a promenade and a ferry to Corfu, visible just across the water. The northernmost of the three, Dhërmi, is one of the quieter, less commercial beaches along the coast.

All three fall within the area where we're active in Albania too — see our properties on the Albanian coast.

Getting there

There's a direct flight from Prague to Tirana, taking around two hours. The onward drive south to the coast used to take over four hours — but in July 2024 a tunnel opened under the Llogara pass, cutting roughly 40 minutes off the Vlorë–Sarandë stretch. Accessibility is set to improve further: a new airport opened right in Vlorë, at the northern end of the Riviera, in 2025, and from summer 2026 low-cost carriers including Ryanair and Wizz Air are gradually adding routes there.

Why this matters to investors too, not just holidaymakers

A longer swimming season means a longer short-term rental season — and that's exactly what makes southern Albania an interesting investment location, not just a holiday destination. Coastal property prices start from €1,000/m² (compare that to Croatia or Greece, typically from €3,500/m²), and short-term rental yields in seasonal locations run at around 4–8% a year. With the new Vlorë airport and a shorter drive along the coast, accessibility — and demand for rentals — is expected to keep improving.

You'll find more on specific listings and figures on the Albania page, or reach out directly via our contact form.