Tirana or Saranda? The better digital nomad place in Albania
Updated: Aug 6
While both locations offer completely different environments, it is important to go through all the aspects to see if Tirana or Saranda suits you as your next digital nomad base!
I spent a month in Tirana and a month in Saranda as a digital nomad so let me share with you my thoughts so you can decide for yourself!
Most important comparisons between Tirana and Saranda
The main difference is that Saranda is a chill beach town, mostly for tourists. You have some great things to do around, but mostly beach tourism. It is ideal for digital nomads who want to stay by the beach and have a beach town atmosphere.
Tirana is a bubbling hub of great restaurants, culture, and entertainment. It is a big city where there is loads to do. You do not have a beach, but you do have a lot of things to do around the city, and the beach is only a couple of hours' drive away.
So really you need to decide if you want to be in a big city where everything is convenient or beach town vibes.
What both places have equally great for a digital nomad lifestyle
Both locations have excellent weather throughout the year. The summers are very warm. During the winter, there are more rainy days, but that is equal in both locations. Here are the average temperatures in both locations:
Both locations are cheaper than most places in Europe. Although accommodations are cheaper in Saranda, life itself is more expensive in Saranda, so these two factors equal each other.
From both places you can do loads of tourism, so both locations are equally interesting!
Both Tirana and Saranda have good wifi. It will be more common to find good wifi in Tirana, as some places in Saranda might not have as good one. But you can find good coffee shops with good wifi in both.
Saranda Pros and Cons for remote workers
PROS
Beach at the city and many beautiful beaches around.
Easy travel to Corfu.
Extended summer due to nice beach weather up until the end of October.
Cheapish long-term rentals.
CONS
Almost nowhere can pay with a card. Cash only!
Expensive to eat out. Also tours and car rentals. As it is a tourist city.
Not an ideal infrastructure. Not so easy to travel by public transport.
Not too many coworking spaces.
Tirana Pros and Cons for digital nomads
PROS
Big city offering convenience.
Cheap to eat out and loads of good food options in Tirana city center.
Friendly and lovely people. Also, in Tirana most people tend to know and speak English.
Easy to travel around. Easy to rent a car and cheaper.
Loads of coworking spaces options.
CONS
More expensive accommodations.
Which is the best digital nomad base in Albania for remote workers?
For me personally, there is a clear winner - Tirana! After spending a month in each location I simply enjoyed Tirana's vibe much more. The people are friendlier, the food is better, and there is so much to do and see, in Tirana city center and around. If I were to return to Albania, I would without a doubt pick Tirana again. I think it is a very good long-term base for digital nomads. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how great a value-for-money destination Tirana is. Also, loads of coworking spaces in the city center.
If you are planning your next move and want to prepare for your trip to this beautiful country, make sure to check out these things you need to know before traveling to Albania!
