13 of the Best Things to Do in Berat, Albania

Looking for things to do in Berat? I’ve got you covered. This post contains the 13 very best things to do in Berat, Albania.

If you’re planning a road trip through Albania, Berat is almost definitely on your itinerary, and this guide details the very best things to do while you’re there. This mountain city is comprised of two primary neighborhoods lying on either bank of the Osum River: Gorica and Mangalem. During my road trip across Albania, I fell in love with Berat’s Ottoman architecture, the warmth of its locals, and the lush hillside serenity.

Berat is often called “The City of a Thousand Windows”, but this is a mistranslation. It should more correctly be referred to as “The City of One Over the Other Windows”. No matter its nickname, the Byzantine settlement appears carved into the sides of fig tree-swathed hills, like something out of a fairytale. In my opinion, Berat is an unmissable stop on any Albania travel itinerary. It’s the perfect place to dig deeper into the culture and history of this underrated Balkans country. I’ve included where to eat and stay in this post alongside 13 of the best things to do in Berat.

best time to visit Berat ↴

Berat’s technical climate classification is “Mediterranean”, which makes sense given it borders Greece. Because of the high temps, summers can be quite hot, though not unbearable. The average temperature in Berat across the year is a pleasant 21°C, so visiting during the spring and autumn months is a great way to enjoy comfortable weather without crowds.

Spring | March brings the beginnings of spring, but travelers should also expect rain for approximately 25% of the month. the temperature averages 22°C.
Summer | As previously mentioned, summers are hot, with temperatures rising upwards of 35°C.
Autumn | The autumn months from September through November see warm temperatures that peak around 25°C.
Winter | Between December and February, Berat experiences a wet winter with heavy rainfall and temperatures reaching a high of 13°C.

how many days to spend in Berat ↴

You could fill up 5 days in Berat if you added a full-day canyoning tour, vineyard visits, and a cooking class onto your itinerary. However, I don’t think that long is absolutely essential for a taste of this UNESCO-listed town. 3-4 days in Berat should be enough for a hearty introduction, moving at a relatively relaxed pace.

how to get to Berat ↴

to Berat from Tirana

Many people arrive in Berat from Tirana, since the city is only a 2-hour drive from the Tirana Airport, the country’s major airport and capital city. From the airport, you can hire a rental car for the duration of your Albania itinerary. Road-tripping is the best way to see Albania, and renting a car only requires a passport and a valid driver’s license. There are plenty of rental car companies, but we opted for a vehicle from Rental Point. We paid for full insurance, which I highly recommend because the uneven roads, mountain terrain, and narrow city parking make dents and scratches probable, even for the best drivers.

Alternatively, if you aren’t comfortable driving in Albania or are unable to, buses run between Berat and Tirana. You’ll have to find your way to the Tirana bus station, but once you get there, you’ll find buses that depart every half hour between 5:40 AM and 5:30 PM. It’s worth noting that travel time by bus from Tirana to Berat is close to 3 or 3.5 hours. Tickets cost 500 ALL and can be purchased at the bus station.

While I had no safety concerns while traveling in Albania, I understand that some people may not want to journey to Berat independently. In that case, you can book a tour from Tirana to Berat.

to Berat from Vlorë

My travel companions and I arrived in Berat from Vlorê, along the Albanian coast. It was only a 1.5-hour drive, and the roads were great the entire route. You can also get a bus from Vlorë to Berat via bus. Tickets cost 150 ALL and can be purchased at the bus station. Expect the journey to take 2.5 hours.

where to stay in Berat ↴

Berat is split into three main areas: Berat Castle, Mangalem, and Gorica. Because Berat is a very walkable, compact city, it doesn't matter too much where you stay. However, I would recommend the Mangalem side of town for the quickest access to the town’s main landmarks and sites. If you stay in Gorica, you will have to walk to Mangalem to visit the castle, many of the city’s best restaurants, and a majority of Berat’s tour operators.

While it might add a few extra minutes to your walk, staying in Gorica isn't without its benefits. Generally speaking, accommodation is cheaper on the Gorica side of Berat. This is often referred to as the more “local” side of the city, where budget travelers can find traditional guesthouses and affordable hostels. The Berat Castle area, officially known as the Kala neighborhood, offers fantastic views of Berat from above, but staying here means you’ll be farther from the city center.

The one consideration you should make is parking. Most people travel across Albania as part of a road trip in a rental car so having easy access to parking is a crucial planning detail.

best accommodation in MANGALEM

Vila Meri | For my stay in Berat, my friends and I opted to book Vila Meri, a newly renovated villa set inside a traditional house on the Mangalem. Our room was a bit tight for three people with luggage, but ultimately it was clean, cozy, and had every homey touch we could dream of. The bathroom was contemporary (with good water pressure) and the beds were comfortable. Vila Meri’s complimentary breakfast consisted of traditional Albanian bread, seasonal fruit, marmalade and jam spreads, and eggs cooked to order. Flora and her son run the villa with the same kindness and Albanian hospitality we experienced throughout the gorgeous country.
Hotel Osumi | Hotel Osumi is a friendly, family-run hotel in a great location.
Beratino Hotel | A beautiful, rustic hotel with traditional design touches and a terrace bar.
Bed & Breakfast Josiph | Josiph’s family home has comfortable, clean rooms, located near Berat Castle. The owner’s (Josiph) wife serves guests a delicious local breakfast on the B&B’s terrace.
Guesthouse Arben Elezi | This guesthouse’s main draw is its rooftop terrace.
Hotel Ansel | Another traditional hotel with comfortable and clean rooms, Hotel Ansel is located along the Osum River.

best accommodation in Gorica

Tradita e Beratit | Set in a traditional house in Gorica, this hotel combines old-world charm and mod-cons for one of the best accommodation experiences in Berat.
Berat Backpackers | On the budget end of the accommodation spectrum is Berat Backpackers. This popular hostel for backpackers is located in Gorica, close to several restaurants. It gets good reviews, but it’s worth noting that it is a bit of a trek from here to the castle.
Maya Hostel | A popular hostel amongst budget travelers, housed in a traditional 16th-century house.
Amalia Boutique Hotel| A recently refurbished hotel with included breakfast and nearby parking.
Koroni Boutique Hotel | A terrace hotel property with romantic, rustic rooms.

We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.

13 best things to do in Berat ↴

Berat Castle

Albania has no shortage of castles, but Berat’s Castle grounds (known as Kala) feel special. The hilltop castle looks out over the lush hills of Berat and its terracotta-tiled homes. Its story weaves together Illyrian, Roman, and Byzantine history. Within the castle walls, locals still live in traditional houses, owning restaurants, and cafés scattered throughout the stone walls.

Main sights to see within the castle grounds:

St. Theodore’s Church
White Mosque
Red Mosque
The Holy Trinity Church
Iconography Onufri Museum

Please note: I have listed some of these sights and landmarks separately in this post, as their individual histories and significance make them noteworthy in their own right.

Getting to Berat Castle requires some effort whether you’re arriving on foot or by car. Unless you are staying in Kala, you will have to hike up the cobblestone hill to the castle grounds. If you’re planning on driving to the castle, please be aware that the road is incredibly narrow and has a 10% incline. The area itself isn’t particularly wheelchair friendly, as the uneven cobblestones (which are remarkably slick) make walking even with full mobility a challenge.

ADMISSION | Free

Holy Trinity Church

Many of Albania’s houses of worship were destroyed during the communist and Ottoman periods of the country’s history. Somehow, the Holy Trinity Church survived. Albanian nobles builts the Holy Trinity Church sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the church, since it’s one of the country’s most well-preserved churches. Apparently, you can talk with the groundskeepers who will let you in for a peek if they are feeling kind, but I wasn’t lucky. Still, the exterior is worth taking a gander at, especially given what the church has withstood.

XHIRO ON BOULEVARD REPUBLIKA

“Xhiro” is a tradition you’ll see occurring every morning and every evening across Albania. Xhiro is a time of day when locals go for a leisurely stroll with friends, enjoy an ice cream or a coffee, and play a game of outdoor chess. In Berat, you’ll see people taking their daily xhiro along Boulevard Republika, a pedestrian-only zone lined with cafés on one side and a public park on the other.

traditional cooking class with Mama Nina

Hands down the best thing we did in Berat was take a cooking class with Mama Nina. It was truly the highlight of our time in Berat. We were driven up to the Berat Castle/Kala neighborhood, where Mama Nina, our home cook instructor lives with her family. Mama Nina spoke limited English, but her neighbor acted as translator when necessary, and provided laughs and banter as we chopped peppers, diced onions, and sliced eggplants.

Mama Nina accommodated me as a vegetarian, while still crafting a carnivorous menu for my travel companions.

BOOK | €35 per person for 3 hours of cooking instruction, plus time to eat at your leisure

Red Mosque

The Red Mosque is one of Albania’s oldest mosques, built during the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately, only a minaret remains on the Red Mosque ruins. However, it stands as a reminder of how blended the religious tapestry of the country is. The minaret has been protected as a cultural monument since 1961. This is yet another landmark to visit while you wander Berat Castle grounds.

Iconography Onufri Museum

The Iconography Onufri Museum (Muzeu Kombëtar Ikonografik Onufri) is widely regarded as one of the most important things to do in Berat. I am not a religious person, and so the extent of my knowledge regarding religious iconography is limited to my time as a student-athlete on scholarship at a Catholic university. However, over my time exploring Latin America, I have developed a real admiration for the imagery, which is why, when the opportunity presented itself in Berat, I had to buy a ticket and see bold, beautiful pieces for myself.

The museum is housed inside an 18th-century cathedral. Room after room of the cathedral-turned-museum is filled with religious artwork from various Byzantine churches, monasteries, and Islamic mosques. The art is even more impressive knowing that Albania outlawed religion in the 1960s.

I highly recommend grabbing the audio guide for an additional 100 ALL, as it explains the symbolism of each piece in detail. Large bags are not allowed, though I was allowed in with my larger-than-most tote bag. I was also allowed in with my camera, however, I was told no flash photography or video footage was allowed (photos only).

ADMISSION | 400 ALL for adults,120 ALL for students and children aged 13-18, 100 ALL for audio guide

SOLIDARITY SHOP

There’s no shortage of souvenir shopping to be done in Berat. Many local shops sell traditional handicrafts sprinkled throughout the mountain town. However, my favorite little store in the city was Solidarity Shop, a social enterprise that generates income for vulnerable and rural groups, including women and rural families. The small shop sells art, candles, textiles, and jewelry. It also sells local jams, olive oil, and wines. There is a small café in the back of the shop where you can try local wines, raki, and favorite Albanian dishes.

ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH

Up on the Berati hillside sits a medieval Byzantine church. St. Michael’s, which dates back to the 14th century, is culturally significant. The way the church was built on the side of the mountain out of rock epitomizes Byzantine architecture. St. Micheal’s is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in Berat and is considered by many to be a symbol of the city. You can most easily view the church from the Gorica side of the city. There are a few lovely cafés with outdoor seating that have clear views of the church sitting cliffside.

wander Gorica

Gorica isn’t technically a “thing to do”, but the more “local” side of Berat is often a bit forgotten about by visitors. Walking across the bridge and taking a wander around the cobblestone streets of Gorica makes for great photo opportunities. Gorica was once the Christian part of Berat, so it’s on this side of town that you’ll find the Orthodox Church of Saint Spiridon and the House of Stavri Duhanxhiu, which are the main landmarks in this area. There are great views from Gorica of St. Michael’s Church, and several eateries that have alfresco dining with unadulterated views of the church on the hill.

ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM

I failed big time in Berat because it wasn’t until I arrived that I realized the Ethnographic Museum was closed for renovations until October 2024. It’s regarded as one of the top things to do in Berat and was raved about by many of my friends who have visited. The museum shares local history, traditions, and culture with exhibits set inside a two-story Albanian home.

ADMISSION | 400 ALL

Solomon Museum

Not far down the road from the Ethnographic Museum is a tiny exhibition about how Berat served as a place of refuge for Jewish people during the Holocaust. The Solomon Museum tells the story of how Jews came to Berat while fleeing persecution. Orthodox Christian and Muslim families in Berat sheltered the refugees, making Berat the only Nazi-occupied place where the Jewish population increased during WWII. The museum was free to enter, but donations are appreciated. I visited for about 10 minutes on my way to the Solidarity Shop, which is about all it takes to wander around the small museum.

ADMISSION | Free entry, donations welcome

OSUMi CANYON

If you have the time, consider taking a day trip to the Osumi Canyon, which is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Albania. The canyon is surrounded by 8 stunning waterfalls, making it truly a sight to behold. To get to Osumi, most travelers book a tour, which includes transportation from Berat to Çorovodë city, the closest city to the canyon.

I had read a lot of rave reviews about the Osumi Canyon and Bogove Waterfall day trip operators in Berat. Unfortunately, we visited in June, during the peak summer months when the water levels are at their lowest. Because of this, I can’t personally vouch for any of the tours I’ve listed, however, they all come highly recommended.

I recommend booking with the following highly-rated operators:

WINE TASTING

There is a blossoming wine scene in the area, propelled by several family vineyards (kantinas) spattered around the outskirts of Berat. We didn’t have time to visit any of the recommended wineries, but if you have a spare afternoon in Berat, add wine tasting to your “to-do” list. I have read that travelers should temper their expectations, as the wine tastings in the area aren’t quite up to par with what you might experience at vineyards in Italy.

Some of the most highly-rated wineries in the area include:

Nurellari Winery Cellar | Three-glass tastings start at €15 per person and include a food board. All tastings must be booked in advance of arrival via their website.
Çobo Winery | Çobo offers free tours of the vineyard property and two different wine-tasting packages. The first is a four-glass tasting that costs €18 per person and includes light snacks. The second package is €35 per person for a selection of their premium wines (and the light snacks). A booking is required for this wine-tasting experience, which can be done on their website.
Pupa Winery & GuestHouse | Pupa’s newly renovated location only opened last year. They offer three-glass tastings that cost €15 per person and include a taste of traditional Albanian raki and light snacks.
Solidarity Shop | While this cute little shop isn’t a winery, it does offer patrons a chance to taste a selection of Albanian wines in its corner café. You can also try local raki while you’re here!

where to eat in Berat ↴

Albanian food is heavily influenced by the cuisine from Greece, Italy, and Türkiye. Nothing I ate in Albanian was anything short of delicious! Below are a list of foods to try and where to eat them in Berat.

Albanian foods to try in Berat

byrek | A typical Albanian dish similar to English pasties, but made with paper-thin filo pastry. The dough is filled with meat, eggs, vegetables, and cheese.
tavë kosi | A traditional Albanian dish made with baked lamb and rice covered in a mixture of yogurt and eggs added to a roux. It is heavily seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic.
qofte | You may see this written as kofta, but both are Albanian meatballs.
fërgësë | Made with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, ricotta or feta cheese, and garlic, Fërgësë is often used as a dip for homemade bread. It was one of my favorite Albanian dishes.
petulla | What’s better than fried dough?! This is normally eaten at breakfast time, not unlike a donut, though it’s plain and served with jams, marmalades, and butter.
kasata | Kasata is an ice cream of sorts, only much lighter. It’s a truly delicious dessert!
baklava | You may have had baklava in Türkiye, but you’ll find it everywhere in Albania. It’s a layered dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and syrup or honey.

best restaurants in Berat

Homemade Food Lili| It is essential to book a table here in advance so that you don’t miss out on this wildly popular homestyle eatery. Lili runs this family restaurant like every guest is a dear friend. His warm demeanor and willingness to make everyone feel at home make dinner here feel like you’ve been invited to an intimate Albanian dinner party. The menu is laid out in printed photos and Lili explains the food options to the entire restaurant in multiple languages. Wooden tables, all crafted by Lili and his son, are quickly filled with plates of traditional food and homemade raki (distilled by Lili’s father). Our meal here is something I will always remember. Again, we witnessed many people get turned away, so be sure to book ahead! You can make a booking via WhatsApp (+355692349362). Please note: this is a dinner-only restaurant and is closed on Mondays.
Klea Castle | On our inaugural night in Berat, the three of us climbed up to Berat Castle for a meal within its stone walls. We sat on the terrace of Klea Castle Restaurant and tried oven-baked fava beans and fërgësë. Millette and Bri tried local raki and we all finished our much-anticipated meals with complimentary kasata.
Hotel Mangalemi Restaurant | If we had had one more spare meal in Berat, it would have been at this highly-rated restaurant.
Solidarity Shop | Inside this social enterprise store is a café that serves traditional Albanian small plates. I loved trying their kasata, a dessert like ice cream with chopped nuts, drizzled with honey.