Berat Albania – My Travel Guide & Top Tips

Berat › Berat Albania – My Travel Guide & Top Tips

Berat is certainly one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful city in Albania. Its historic buildings with their unique white colour and the extraordinary shapes of their roofs and chimneys are what make this city so special. In 2008, Berat was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I could have spent days strolling through the narrow, winding streets. Are you planning a road trip through Albania? Then you should definitely not miss the city of a thousand windows! In my blog post, I have summarised all the information you need for a short trip and the most important places of interest in Berat.

Table Of Contents

Why Berat is the most beautiful city in Albania

Berat – Old town of Mangalem

Berat consists of three districts: Kalaja (the castle), Gorica and Mangalem. Mangalem is the vibrant heart of the city and one of the most popular districts. In the picturesque old town of Berat, with its beautiful Ottoman houses nestled against the mountain, you can stroll through the narrow streets, discover hidden restaurants and cafés, and enjoy beautiful views of Berat in between. Mangalem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas in Berat!

Berat – Gorica & Gorica Bridge

Gorica on the opposite side of the Osum River is the less visited of the two old town districts – but it is just as beautiful! Similar to Mangalem, you will find narrow, cobblestone streets winding up the steep hill to the top of Gorica Hill. Once you get to the top, you will have a fantastic view of Mangalem and the castle! By the way, this is also pretty much the best place in Berat to stay as well as to enjoy the sunset.

If you visit Gorica, you should also cross the Gorica bridge. This is the bridge with the seven arches that lies a little further from the old town. The Gorica bridge is one of the attractions of Berat because of its special architecture. From this old stone bridge, you have a great view of both parts of the city.

Berat – The Great Castle

One of the top attractions in Berat is the old castle high up on the mountain. This 13th-century structure is also the largest castle in Albania. It is interesting to note that the locals still live within the castle walls, i.e. you will find houses, restaurants, shops, and stalls in the castle district. There are also churches, mosques (some of which are in ruins) and a museum. It is almost a village in itself.

Travel Tip: The official opening hours for Berat Castle are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there is an entrance fee of around €3. However, the castle can basically be visited any time. So if you go there outside these opening hours, you will save on the entrance fee.

Berat – The Holy Trinity Church

Not far from Berat Castle is the beautiful Church of the Holy Trinity. This Byzantine church is located on the hill of Berat – or rather, on the hill. From Gorica, you can see it on the opposite side of the hill, directly below the castle walls. The ancient church also dates back to the 13th century. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the Holy Trinity Church, but from here you have a great view of the valley and the city.

Berat – Xhiro along the Promenade

There is a tradition in Albania: the Xhiro (‘Dschiro’ pronounced). By this, the Albanians mean their evening walk (usually before and at sunset) along the country’s promenades. And in Berat, this tradition can be wonderfully observed on the promenade of the Osum River. Vendors offer grilled corn on the cob or popcorn at their small stalls. You should not miss the Xhiro!

Berat – Museums

There are two museums in Berat that you can visit.

If you want to learn more about the history of Berat, the local culture and customs, you should visit the Ethnographic Museum. It is located in a historic house from the 18th century. There you can see traditional clothing and tools, as well as the interior of a typical house in the region.

The Museum of Iconography Onufri (within the castle grounds) offers a collection of relics from some of Berat’s most important religious buildings. It is located in the Cathedral of St. Mary and is named after Onufri, the 16th-century master of iconography.

Restaurant Highlights in Berat Albania

A popular activity in Albania is the Xhiro, the evening stroll. Just in time for sunset, young and old take their best clothes out of the closet to stroll along promenades or meet in cafés. In Berat, this can best be seen on the magnificent Bulevardi Republika, which was redesigned in 2016. It’s crazy how busy it gets here in the evening! It’s an experience not to be missed!

Berat is known for its good grapes. Those who are interested should definitely stop by the Cobo winery to taste the local wines. A special delicacy is homemade olive oils or spreads made from figs, strawberries, or olives. These are often available to buy in guest houses or restaurants.

At the restaurant of the Hotel Onufri, you can enjoy the best local dishes such as vienez (stuffed veal with cheese and eggs) or stuffed aubergines. The huge Antigoni Restaurant still has seats available when the other restaurants are already packed. The food is only okay, but the beautiful terrace with a view of Mangalem makes up for it. A better choice, however, is the Wil Dor restaurant, which also serves dishes of traditional Balkan cuisine such as moussaka or qofte.

My Tips for restaurants & cafés:

• Shtëpia e Kafes Gimi | A lovely café with delicious coffee and cake right on the
• Tradita e Beratit Restaurant | Traditional Albanian cuisine (located in Gorica)
• Eni Traditional Food Berat | Albanian and Mediterranean cuisine (located in Gorica)

My Tips for where to Stay

Accommodation

The historic centre of Berat is the ideal starting point, because from here you can easily explore all the sights on foot. There are a number of hotels and hostels – from traditional guest houses to modern hotels, everything is represented.

I stayed for 2 nights at Tradita e Beratit, which I can recommend. It has traditional rooms, a beautiful, small terrace where breakfast is served in the morning and is located in the historic district of Gorica with great views of Mangalem.

Other options are:

• Hotel Mangalemi
• Berat Backpackers Hostel

Travel tip: Gorica is the less visited part of Berat, so hotel prices here are also a bit cheaper. It’s a good alternative, especially since it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Mangalem and the promenade.

Excursions from Berat: Osum Canyon

If you have a little more time, you can easily take a day trip to the Osum Canyon. It’s easiest if you book an organised tour. The drive there takes about 1.5 hours. Once there, you and a guide will descend into the largest canyon in Albania and experience a really cool adventure while ‘canyoning’.

When the water level is high enough, the area is also a popular destination for rafting.

-> CANYONING TOUR IN THE OSUM CANYON

Getting to Berat

If your starting point is Tirana, there are several ways to get to Berat.

I would recommend a rental car, which allows you to travel through Albania flexibly. From the airport, where you can pick up the rental car, you can be in Berat in under 2 hours. The roads are in good condition and most of the route is on the motorway.

Another option is the bus. This alternative is cheaper than the car, but unfortunately it also takes longer. The bus connections are said to be quite reliable and leave about every half an hour from Tirana Airport – for no more than €5!

Best time to travel

Berat is best visited in the low season in spring or autumn, when it is less busy and accommodation prices are also lower. In addition, the weather is usually a bit more pleasant, as it is neither too hot nor too cold.

I was in Berat in September, and it was still very summery there with over 30 degrees!

How many days should you spend in Berat?

I spent 4 days in the city of a thousand windows and thus had plenty of time to discover everything at my own pace. 2 or 3 days are also enough for a first impression and to see the most beautiful sights of Berat.

Is Berat the most beautiful city in Albania?

After spending a few days in Berat, I can understand very well why so many people are enthusiastic about the city. The charm of the old town, the architecture, the location nestled between hills, the bridges spanning the Osum River and the very hospitable inhabitants make me realise that Berat is the most beautiful city in Albania for me! I can only recommend everyone to visit Berat during a trip to Albania.

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