From wandering through Ottoman neighbourhoods to exploring a hilltop fortress, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Berat, making it an essential stop on any Albania itinerary. Located about two hours from Tirana, it was the first stop on our two-week Albania road trip and looking back, it was probably our favourite destination. Berat perfectly combines history, culture, fantastic food, and beautiful scenery, all within a compact city that’s easy to explore on foot.
Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Albania is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. With over 2,400 years of history, Berat is famous for its distinctive Ottoman architecture, whitewashed hillside houses, and dramatic setting along the Osum River. The city spreads across two sides of the valley, with the historic neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica facing each other beneath the imposing fortress of Berat Castle.
In this Berat travel guide, I’ve shared all the best things to do in Berat, alongside recommendations for where to eat, drink, and stay, plus practical tips for making the most of your visit.
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Best things to do in Berat
Explore the historic Mangalem Quarter
One of the best things to do in Berat is explore this historic Mangalem quarter.
Berat is divided into three historic districts, Mangalem, Gorica, and Kala, the castle quarter. Mangalem is the largest of these and forms the heart of Berat Old Town. It is home to the iconic Ottoman houses stack up that cascade down the hillside, creating the famous view that earned Berat its nickname. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the most photogenic places to visit in Albania.
We loved exploring this area with its narrow, cobbled lanes which wind behind the cafés and restaurants. It has loads of character and was our favourite area of the city to explore.
It’s a vibrant neighbourhood, with bars and restaurants and really feels like you’re stepping back in time. If you’d like to know more about the city’s fascinating past, you could book a historic walking tour of the city.
Tip: Try out Friendly House for dinner, with great rooftop views and a taste of some authentic Albanian cuisine.
Walk up to Berat Castle
Visiting Berat Castle is undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Berat and a highlight of any trip to the city.
Perched high above the city in the district of Kala, the fortress dates back largely to the 13th century, although the site itself has been fortified much longer.
Unlike many castles, this isn’t just a historical monument, people still live within the castle walls today. As you enter the gates, you’ll pass locals selling handmade rugs, textiles, and traditional crafts. You can even sign up for Mama Nina’s cooking class hosted by one of the Albanian families.
One of the best things about visiting Berat Castle is that entry is completely free. Once inside, you’re free to wander the perimeter, climb the ramparts, and discover some of the best views in the city.
Places to look out for at Berat Castle:
- The panoramic viewpoint
- The Red Mosque
- The White Mosque
- St Theodore’s Church
- The unusual giant stone head sculpture
We saw all of these by following the castle walls in a clockwise direction, stopping for a drink in one of the cafés along the way.
It’s worth noting that the climb up to the castle is very steep, especially in the summer heat, but the views make it worthwhile. It is possible to drive, although parking near the castle is extremely limited.
Visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum
For anyone interested in history, religion, or art, the Onufri Iconographic Museum is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Berat.
Located inside the beautiful Church of the Dormition within Berat Castle, the museum displays a collection of over 200 Byzantine icons and artwork from churches and monasteries across southern Albania.
Another interesting cultural stop is the Ethnographic Museum, housed inside a traditional Ottoman home. This exhibits an insight into daily life in Berat through the centuries.
Explore Gorica
Exploring Gorica is another of the essential things to do in Berat, particularly if you want the best views of the famous Ottoman houses across the river.
While Mangalem tends to attract most visitors, Gorica is quieter and has a more relaxed atmosphere. It is equally charming and shouldn’t be missed.
Two bridges connect the neighbourhoods. One of them is the beautiful stone Gorica Bridge, which has become one of Berat’s most photographed landmarks.
We crossed using Gorica Bridge and returned via the other. Although Gorica is quieter, there are still a few inviting cafés and restaurants. It’s worth going across to explore the back streets and get one of the best shots of the “Thousand Windows.”
Take a day trip to Osumi Canyon
If you have already covered all the main things to do in Berat, a day trip to Osumi Canyon is one of the best ways to experience the surrounding region.
Often referred to as Albania’s Grand Canyon, this dramatic landscape features towering cliffs, clear water, and some spectacular scenery.
We booked this guided tour to Osumi Canyon, which included a stop at Bogovë Waterfall on the way. The waterfall is beautiful but brace yourself as the water is absolutely freezing!
The highlight was exploring the canyon itself. We hiked and floated our way down the valley, stopping occasionally to jump into the water from low cliffs. The kids absolutely loved this.
Depending on the season, you can also go rafting or tubing through the canyon. Water levels are generally highest in spring. As we went in summer, the water levels were fairly low, which can be tough when you’re walking on the river bed. However, they provide you with water shoes to help protect your feet.
The transfer takes about 90 minutes from Berat, plus additional time to reach the canyon, but we all agreed the journey was completely worth it. It’s a really well-organised, professional tour, which we’d highly recommend. All the clothing and equipment is provided.
Go wine tasting in a local vineyard
One thing that surprised me in Albania was just how good the wine was.
It shouldn’t really have been a surprise, as Berat is in one of Albania’s wine-producing regions and is surrounded by family-run vineyardsand traditional wineries known as kantinas.
Most local vineyards offer wine tasting tours. You can book a full wine tasting tour with transfers here. As I’m the only wine drinker in the family, we didn’t go, opting for the more adventurous canyon walk instead, but the reviews are always good.
If you don’t have time for a vineyard visit, Berat has its very own wine window! Simply ring a bell and a glass of local wine appears. This sounds like fun and is one of the most unusual things to do in Berat.
Useful information for your visit to Berat
Getting to Berat
By car
We drove directly to Berat from the capital, Tirana. We picked the rental car up in the morning and drove there on the A3 in about two hours. You can compare the best prices for rental cars with Discover Cars.
By bus
Frequent buses leave from the South and North Albania Bus Terminal in Tirana. They leave every 30 minutes and take about 2 – 2.5 hours. These go to the Berat Bus Terminal, from where you can take a bus to the city centre.
A day trip
If you’re short of time, you could do a day trip to Berat from Durrës or Tirana. This is a full day’s trip by minibus, which includes a stop at Belshi Lake and visits to Mangalem and Berat Castle.
Where to stay in Berat
As Berat is so compact, most accommodation is in a good location. If you want to be closer to more bars and restaurants, you should chose the Mangalem side of the river. If you have a car, you’ll also need to stay this side to get a parking space.
We stayed in the Hotel Onufri, a traditional, 4-star with an excellent location and free parking in front of the hotel. A more unique option is a stay at the castle in the Berati Castle Hotel.
Other popular choices are
- Luxury Accommodation: Hotel Colombo is an elegant hotel with an outdoor pool
- Mid-range Accommodation: Hotel Mangalemi is a really authentic looking hotel in a central location
- Budget Accommodation: Maya’s Hostel is a lovely budget accommodation near the banks of the river in Gorica
How long do you need in Berat?
As Berat is compact, you could easily see most of the highlights in a day. Many visitors do it as a day trip from Tirana. However, I think this would feel rather rushed.
We spent two nights in Berat and found this to be the perfect amount of time for a first visit. It gave us plenty of time to explore the city at a leisurely pace and do a day trip to the Osumi Valley.
How do you pay in Berat?
Although some places in Berat accept card payments, cash is still widely preferred, so it’s worth carrying some local currency. Our hotel and several restaurants only accepted payment in Albanian Lek (ALL).
We also found ATM withdrawals very expensive, so it was more economical to withdraw a larger amount each time.
Can you use your mobile phone in Albania?
Yes, but you should check your roaming charges before you travel. Albania is not part of the EU roaming zone, so your mobile provider might charge you extra for using it.
We purchased a 15-day e-SIM from Airalo, which gave us just the right amount of data for the 2-week trip.
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