Also known as “The City of a Thousand Windows,” the city of Berat in Albania is a must-see place! Explore this UNESCO city with its Ottoman architecture and many historic buildings. Explore Berat Castle overlooking the valley or get lost in the narrow streets of Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods. In addition, enjoy the delicious Albanian cuisine in one of the many traditional restaurants. Discover the 10 best things to do in Berat, where to stay and more tips here!
10 best things to do in Berat
Berat is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Albania and therefore cannot be missing from your itinerary. This historic city will take you back to Ottoman times with its many beautiful houses and historical features. We recommend that you spend at least two nights in Berat in order to discover the 10 best sights for yourself.
1) Castle of Berat
Berat Castle, also called Kalaja e Beratit, is one of the best things to do in Berat. Built in the 13th century, it is one of the largest castles in Albania. It is still surprisingly intact, and to this day people still live within the castle walls. You will also find museums about Berat’s history, fun souvenir shops, restaurants and other attractions such as the Holy Trinity Church. So you can easily spend several hours here, so be sure to take your time. Located on a hill, the castle also offers a phenomenal view of the city and valley beyond. The best time to visit the castle of Berat is during sunset, when everything is bathed in an orange glow. The road to the castle is steep and punchy, but believe us it’s definitely worth the climb!
Opening hours Berat Castle: open 24 hours a day | price: between 9am and 6pm 300 LEK (€2.8)
2) Old center Mangalem
The Osumi River divides Berat’s old town into two historic districts, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the side of the hill you have the old town of Mangalem. Here you can see the many characteristic Ottoman houses stretching along the slope. Hence comes the name “The City with a Thousand Windows. Strolling through the streets in the Mangalem district is therefore a pleasure for the eyes. The narrow streets, covered with climbing plants, offer the necessary cooling on hot summer days. In the Mangalem district you will find some historic mosques as this used to be the Islamic part of Berat. Furthermore, you will now find numerous local stores and restaurants. We definitely recommend reserving a table at Homemade Food Lili! Be sure to make a reservation as this cozy little restaurant is often full several days in advance.
3) The Gorica neighborhood
Across the river Osumi you will find the neighborhood of Gorica. Formerly known as the Christian part of Berat, you can still find remains of Orthodox churches such as the Holy Spiridon Church. When in Gorica, you will further have a fantastic view of the Mangalem neighborhood, the many Ottoman houses with their thousand windows and, at the top, the castle of Berat. Gorica is less crowded than the Mangalem district but is definitely worth a visit! Not for nothing is it also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
4) The Gorica Bridge
The historic districts of Mangalem and Gorica are connected by the characteristic Gorica Bridge or Ura e Gorices in Albanian. This bridge consists of seven arches and is built in the distinctive Ottoman architecture. With the Albanian mountains and the winding Osumi River in the background, you get a beautiful view. As such, this makes it one of the most photographed places in Berat, so it is something you should definitely not miss when you are in this Albanian city!
5) Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church or Holy Trinity Church is one of the most notable historic churches in Berat. This Orthodox church dates back to the 13th century and is located within the walls of Berat Castle. It combines Byzantine and Western elements and with its domed tower, this is definitely a highlight in Berat to do. You cannot visit the church inside. Located on the hill near Mangalem, it nevertheless offers a fine view of the valley of Berat.
6) National Ethnographic Museum
If you want to learn more about Ottoman history in Berat, you should definitely visit the National Ethnographic Museum. The museum is located in one of the most beautiful and largest Ottoman houses in Berat. Here you will immediately get a good idea of what it was like to live and live in Berat at that time. Alternatively, you can visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum located in the Church of Saint Mary.
Museum opening hours: daily from 9 am – 4 pm | price: 300 lek (€2.8)
7) Holy Spiridon Church
Located in the Gorica neighborhood, the 18th century Holy Spiridon Church reflects Berat’s rich religious history. Unlike Holy Trinity Church, you can visit this church inside. There you will find a plain interior but with a beautiful wooden altar and some frescoes. The beautiful bell tower with two bells completes the picture.
8) Wine tasting at Cobo Winery
Can you taste wine in Albania? We were just as surprised, but Albanian wines have since become one of our favorites! A 20-minute drive from the center of Berat you will find the Cobo winery. This winery that has been around for generations is definitely worth a visit. In addition to a tour of the estate and in the wine cellar, you will get some more explanation about the history of wine in Albania and its rise after the communist era. Afterwards, you can sit down for a wine tasting accompanied by tasty snacks. Finish with a typical Albanian raki based on walnuts!
9) Traditional Albanian food
In Berat you will find plenty of cozy restaurants offering the many traditional Albanian dishes! Like the wine, the Albanian cuisine also surprised us tremendously. The Albanians still use their local products and you can taste it. Some Albanian dishes you should definitely have tried are Tavë Kosi (lamb fried in yogurt) and Byrek (layered pie of filo dough filled with vegetables and meat).
These are our favorite restaurants in Berat:
- Homemade Food Lili (early reservations are recommended!)
- Temi Albanian Food
- Eni Traditional Food
- Tradita e Beratit Restaurant
10) Osumi Canyon & Bogove waterfall
If you are in Berat for several days then a day trip to the Osumi Canyon cannot be missed! The Albanian landscape around Berat is characterized by beautiful mountains and gigantic gorges, where Osumi Canyon is the largest in Albania. To reach Osumi Canyon, it is best to book a day tour or rent your own car. The trip to the canyon is an hour and a half drive, but the drive itself is already worth it because of the beautiful scenery! On the way to the canyon you can make a stop at the Bogove waterfall. This waterfall is reached after a 30-minute hike, after which you can take a refreshing dip. Afterwards you will drive further to Osumi Canyon where you can go rafting through the canyon with an organized tour. Or marvel at the spectacular view from the wooden bridge that seems to balance over the canyon.
Where to stay in Berat
Berat is a small town and you can reach almost everything on foot. We recommend spending at least 2 nights in Berat. Preferably stay in the historic center in one of the many guest houses. The Albanian people are extremely hospitable and you will feel right at home. In hotels such as Tradita e Berartit or Hotel Mangalemi you will stay in rooms with still the authentic Ottoman interior. There are also more budget-friendly options such as Berat Backpackers Hostel.
TRAVEL TIP: The Gorica neighborhood is cheaper to stay in than the Mangalem neighborhood.
How to reach Berat
You can easily reach Berat in Albania from the capital Tirana and the drive takes about 2 hours. For a tour of Albania, we recommend that you rent a car rental. Albania has an excellent road network and driving is fine. From Tirana, you can also take a bus to Berat. Buses leave about every hour in the center of Tirana. A bus ticket will cost you 500 LEK (€5) and can be purchased on the bus or at the terminal.
Best Travel Time Berat, Albania
The best travel time for Berat, and for Albania in general, is from April through October. Then you have the least precipitation and warm temperatures. Note that the months of July and August can get very hot up to 30°C and it is often busier.
Have you visited Albania and Berat yourself? Let us know in a comment below what your experience was with this amazing country! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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