Best Things to do in Berat, Albania (Your Ultimate Guide)
Last Updated on May 16, 2022
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A visit to the beautiful UNESCO town of Berat in Albania is not to be missed on your adventures through the country. It is one of my favourite towns in the country, and criminally underrated.
If you want to know what to see in Albania, Berat seems to have a charm like no other place, and there are so many amazing things to do in Berat to make you instantly fall in love with it.
Holidays in Berat are truly something special. It is famously known for its white Ottoman-style houses which also give Berat another name – the town of one thousand windows.
It’s a small place but you could easily spend more than a few days enjoying the numerous Berati attractions, soaking up the culture, and visiting other sites nearby.
The town itself is over 2400 years old and holds an important part of Albanian history. It’s one of the only places in the world where residents still live within castle walls.
Here’s your complete guide to visiting Berat, Albania – things to do, where to eat, and the best Berat accommodation!
📚 P.S. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide to get a comprehensive insight into more places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!)
You can find a Berat, Albania map here.
How to get to Berat, Albania
You can easily do Berat as a day trip, but I recommend staying at least 1 or 2 nights to soak up the town.
The extra time allows you to fully experience all the fun things to do in Berat without trying to cram everything in and feeling fatigued.
Renting a car and driving in Albania is a great idea so you can see places a little off the radar.
Travelling by bus to Berat
Tirana to Berat (400 Lek and takes 2 hours)
From Tirana there are regular buses: 5:40am, 6:30am, 7:15am, 7:45am, 8:15am, 8:50am, 9:20am, 9:50am, 10:20am, 11:00am, 12:00midday, 12:40am, 1:10pm, 1:40pm, 2:10pm, 2:40pm, 3:10pm, 3:40pm, 4:15pm & 5pm.
Saranda to Berat (1000Lek and takes 4 hours)
Leaving from Saranda there are 3 buses which leave daily: 8 am, 10:15 am and 2.30pm. The journey takes approximately 4 hours (depending on how many coffees your driver has had for the day!).
Gijrokastёr to Berat
There is one bus that leaves Gijrokastёr daily at 10.30am
You can also check out the bus timetables for Albania, which list return bus times, as well.
Things to do in Berat, Albania
1. Visit the Berat Castle
You simply cannot visit Berat without taking a walk (or drive) to the castle which overlooks the city. It is one of the top places to visit in Berat.
Berat Castle, also known as Berat Fortress, dates all the way back to the 4th century, although most of the current remains are from the 13th century.
The castle of Berat even still has examples of both Ottoman and Byzantine architecture within its walls.
Inside Berat Castle you will see old houses where people still live today and explore the old churches and mosques on site.
Berat Castle is special because it allows you to see a glimpse of Albanian history. The castle also gives an almost 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape.
Hands down, a visit to Berat Castle is one of the best things to do in Berat, Albania!
2. Gaze at the Holy Trinity church
If you want to know what to visit in Berat, churches should be top of your list. There are plenty to choose from.
In fact, there are ten remaining churches at Berat Castle, but none as impressive as the Holy Trinity Church, one of the top Berat tourism spots.
This church dates to the 13th century and has the most beautiful frescoes inside. While you’re at the castle make sure you take time to look at the church.
Even if you’re not interested in the history, it’s one of the best Berat attractions for a view over the town, and maybe the most stunning views a church has ever had!
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3. Marvel at the Berat old town
With old Ottoman houses and a unique charm, it’s a must to wander through the old cobbled streets of Berat and take in the culture.
One of the best things to do in Berat is to just sit at a local cafe and watch the locals go by. A good dose of people-watching is a must-do in Berat!
4. Wander Gorica and see the view from the bridge
Gorica is a neighbourhood just over the bridge in Berat and where my favourite hostel (Berat backpackers) is located.
It might not seem like one of the must-see Berat attractions, but this little neighbourhood is old with cobble lined streets.
To get a dose of daily life in Berat take a walk through the old houses and see the view of the ottoman houses from across the bridge.
There is a great photo opportunity here to capture the town of one thousand windows!
5. Visit the Ethnographic Museum
To learn more about the town’s history, one of the first things you’ll want to do when you visit Berat is head to the ethnographic museum.
While there may not be as many things to do in Berat as bigger cities like Tirana, this fascinating museum is still one of the top Berat attractions for a reason!
Plus, it’s a great way to avoid the hot Berati summer sun!
Originally a house, the building has been turned into a museum where you can see how a traditional Berat house is set up from furniture to household objects and even a well.
The house’s architecture is incredibly unique, as well. It’s one of the best places to visit in Berat to learn about the city’s history.
6. Visit Bogova waterfall
If you have more than a few days in Berat, things to do might seem limited. However, about a 50-minute drive away is one of the best natural attractions near Berat – Bogova waterfall.
You can opt to do a tour here or take a bus to the nearby village of Bogova then walk for 30 minutes until you reach the waterfall.
If you’re visiting by car you can park in the (sort of) carpark then walk for around 5-10 minutes until you reach it. The water is cold all year round so it makes for a great option in those hot summer months!
For those wondering what to see in Berat for outdoor lovers, the Bogova waterfall is a must. It is one of the best Berat tourism spots for adventurers.
7. Mount Tomorr
Like Bogova Waterfall, this is one of the best things to do near Berat, and why it’s worth staying a few days.
If you love hiking, then a visit to Mount Tomorr should be on your list. Not only is mount Tomorr a beautiful place for an adventure, but it plays an important part in Albanian mythology and folklore.
It’s also a place for religious worshippers, there is a festival at the end of august where pilgrims gather from the Bektashi sect to celebrate.
8. Take a wine tour
Wondering what to do in Berat for a romantic getaway? Take a wine tour!
Easily one of the most popular things to do in Berat, Albania is to take a wine tour, and that’s because the town is home to three wineries:
- Cabo Winery
I highly recommend visiting Cabo. It’s located just outside of the city. They do wine tours of the winery and the grapes.
You can also decide to do a tasting. You will taste several wines along with a food platter for a very good price. Their wine is some of the best in Albania!
- Nurellari Winery
Another fine winery is Nurellari. It’s not as popular as Cabo but it’s still very delicious, they have superb red wine here.
The place of the winery used to be a storage facility for food during communism. You can book a wine tour with them to learn more about their wine and history.
- Luani Winery
The third winery is Luani which started in 1960 as a state-owned winery but has been a privately-owned winery for the last 25 years.
They have a lot of variety at Luani so make sure you stop over to taste and hear more about the establishment!
Where to Eat in Berat
Here are some top recommendations for restaurants in Berat, Albania. Make sure you try some of the delicious traditional Albanian food while you’re in Berat!
- Restaurant Mangalemi
- Homemade Food Lili
- Wildor
- Antigoni Restaurant
- Heavens kitchen
Tours in Berat
There are several wonderful tours where you can dive deeper into Berat’s history and hear interesting facts about the town.
If you enjoy walking tours, one of the most highly recommended things to do in Berat is to take the Berat Historic walking tour.
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There are also other others that are on offer:
- Tour and traditional food in Berat
- Berat cultural tour
- Hiking in Berat
- Wine tasting tour with a lunch in Roshnik Village
- Historical tour of Berat – Walking tour and taste a special desert
- Osumi Canyon Tour (Daytrip from Berat)
- Berat walking tour and lunch in a local family
Where to Stay in Berat, Albania
Traditional house: There is a 300-year-old guest house called Nonaj House which comes highly recommended if you would like a look into and stay in one of the oldest houses in Berat.
Visiting here is its own exciting thing to do in Berat because this guest house is full of history!
Hotel: Some of the most highly recommended hotels in Berat, Albania include Hotel Mangalemi, Guesthouse Arben Elezi, and Hani i Xheblatit.
No matter what hotel in Berat you stay in, the hospitality will be amazing. I once even got a hand-drawn Berat map to help me find my way around the city and explore all the best things to do in Berat.
Hostel: There is only one hostel that I recommend you stay in when you visit and that’s Berat backpackers.
This is one of my favourite hostels in Albania. Its set in one of the old Berat houses and is one of the most beautiful and fun hostels in Albania.
The breakfast is delicious, and they also offer different tours which you can join. In the summer you also have the option to camp in the backyard.
Airbnb: There are plenty of Airbnb’s online. From new to old traditional Berat houses. Make sure you get your free $35 travel credit by signing up to Airbnb here.
🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! Berat is an underrated town in Albania with many amazing things to do and see – including easy access to the Albanian Riviera.
Berat city is known for its unique architecture, which is one of the main draws for visitors. However, Berat also has incredible landscapes and easy access to the Albanian Riviera.
I think the ideal amount of time in Berat is 3 days and 2 nights. This gives you more than enough time to see all the main sites and still take time to enjoy the beauty of Berat.
There is your full travel guide to visit Berat, Albania. Hopefully, you are inspired by some of my recommended things to do, places to stay, where to eat and so much more! Make sure you stop over at this UNESCO town and look into old Berati and Albanian history!
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