Inside Albania’s Ambitious Plan to Become The Next Superyacht Hub

When did you first hear about Albania? The Balkan state has all the natural assets of its stylish neighbors, even rivalling Greece and Montenegro with the clarity of its water and stretches of sunny coastline. It is, in fact, perfectly placed to take advantage of the Mediterranean yachting season—yet remains firmly off the industry’s radar.

“It’s still very niche as a charter destination,” explained Irini Sarantis, IYC’s chief digital officer, over email, with the brokerage firm only booking about 30+ weeks of charter in Albania annually. That’s 0.27% of its Mediterranean business, a startling statistic largely attributed to “weak infrastructure” and lack of luxury developments, according to managing partner Filip Jerolimov.

But that is about to change.

Last year, Albanian officials revealed their plans to transform Albania into the next big superyacht hub. Their maritime strategy, backed by private investors, will see a network of interconnected marinas strung up along the coast, creating an attractive stopover for yachts during the Mediterranean season.

Italian yacht designer Luca Dini has been tasked with the monumental project, which he said was “very exciting, but a lot of responsibility” in our Zoom interview. “Albania is the only country in Europe where you can still develop on a large scale,” the designer explained. “It’s a blank slate. How many people can say they helped build a country?”

Dini isn’t wrong. Albania’s public infrastructure development is nearly 70% lower than the European Union average, according to The International Monetary Fund, while private financier the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development listed infrastructure upgrades as a vital focus in its 2025-30 strategy for the country.

The ambitious project will see several kilometers of coastline converted into a marina and resort complex, featuring sports courts, meditation, yoga and opportunities for prayer and worship, while also offering visitors the chance to engage with “traditional culture and local food.”

It is one of five developments Dini is working on in Albania, including a residential settlement in the capital city of Tirana, inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and a “multifunctional building” in Dürres complete with high-end hotel.

According to Dini, the key to unlocking Albania’s coast is its logistics. “This country is a black hole next to Greece. Yacht owners don’t have a place to put an anchor, so they refuse to go,” he explained. “It’s a great pity, because it’s truly beautiful there. So this is a major thing we are trying to change.”

The marina network will share resources to improve logistical efficiency, with the added benefit of diffusing environmental impact and economic growth along the entire coastline. There have also been talks to develop new service facilities aimed at the yachting industry such as repair yards, yacht chandlers, refit stations and high-quality fueling areas.

For all this investment, Dini insists the development will benefit locals and wealthy visitors alike. “We’re not creating Porto Cervo or the Cotê d’Azur. This project is built with the Albanian population in mind, so there will be two-star hostels alongside the five-star hotels,” he explained.

Dini intends for the resort to be “invisible” from the sea, driven by a “respect for the country’s topography” as well as his aesthetic urge as a designer. “When owners approach by tender, I don’t want them to see a big white building,” he said.

Square footage was another a point of conversation—and friction—between Dini and investors. “We’ve fought to maintain a very low density, which the president agrees with,” he said. “The plan is to make everything discreet, and with plenty of space.”

The result is a lush, loosely gathered collection of buildings; a far cry from the stacked developments seen in Port Hercule or Bahia Mar. The studio has chosen plant-covered roofs that follow the curves of Albania’s mountains—over 75% of the country is mountainous—and melt into the hills behind, which are bursting with olive trees and various other vegetation. Terracotta (which will be 3D-printed on site) has also been incorporated to “honor Albania’s cultural heritage,” but in a way that avoids consuming or transporting the local material for the sake of sustainability.

Most of Dini’s projects are scheduled to launch in just over five years. Once that happens, the designer is confident that Albania will be firmly on the Mediterranean map.

“Owners keep asking me when the marinas will be ready. There is a lot of curiosity about the country,” he said. “It opens up new itineraries and routes, where Albania can be combined with Montenegro, Croatia and even Venice. The possibilities are exciting.”

Possibility is the word for it. There’s certainly movement—and investment—stirring beyond Dini. The very first edition of the Balkans Sea Fair was held in Vlorë last year, Albania’s only dedicated boat show, while Dürres Yachts and Marina, a $2.5 billion development spearheaded by Abu Dhabi property developer Eagle Hills, has been partially operational since March 2025.

“The new Albania,” as Dini calls it, will reportedly be ready in the next few years. If successful, who knows? The country might supplant the Saudi Red Sea as yachting’s next big thing.