Is Berat Worth Visiting? Yes, and Here’s Why
Have you ever travelled somewhere for the day, but as soon as you got there wished you were staying longer? That’s Berat for me. Luckily, I was able to return a year later for 5 days. Do I still think Berat is worth visiting? Yes!
Is Berat Worth Visiting?
To me, Berat is the perfect historic city: easy to reach, large enough to explore for a couple of days, incredibly scenic and unique from other historic cities in the Balkans. Here’s why should add Berat to your itinerary:
1. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage City
Together with Gjirokaster, the historic centre of Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it’s a free one!
The old town is one of the most beautifully preserved in Albania with cobblestone streets, Ottoman era homes, ancient mosques and Byzantine churches.
2. People Still Live Inside the Castle
Berat Castle isn’t just a ruin, it’s a living neighbourhood. People still live within the fortification walls, making this the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Albania, and one of the oldest in Europe.
If you stroll through the back lanes of the castle you’ll come across laundry drying in the wind, locals having coffee at the cafe, and older women walking and chatting together. People have lived here for over 2,400 years!
3. The Views Are Stunning
Berat is incredibly scenic. The two historic quarters of Berat rise up the mountains on both sides of the Osum River which are joined by two pedestrian bridges.
There are postcard perfect views everywhere you look, even from the centre. I had gorgeous views of the main street Rruga Antipatrea with the Lead Mosque and Saint Demetrios Cathedral from my Airbnb balcony.
4. It’s Compact & Easy to Explore
Once you’re in Berat, you can park the car and walk everywhere. The city is spread out on both sides of the Osum River, but still very compact. There are two pedestrian bridges in the centre, so going from ones side to the other is no problem.
As long as you stay somewhere in the centre you’ll be able to easily explore all of Berat’s sites on foot. Keep in mind Berat spreads up the hills on cobblestone streets. Sensible shoes are a must!
5. The Food Is Delicious & Local
There are excellent places to eat in Berat. Riverside restaurants, cafes on the promenade, small family hosted tavernas, there are lots of choices.
Enjoy one of the local specialty dishes like Vienez i Berati, or indulge in a glass of wine from a local vineyard. Albania has amazing wine, and Berat is right in the middle of wine country.
6. The Architecture Is Uniquely Beautiful
Berat is often named the city of a thousand windows, for the traditional homes with many narrow windows. I took a free walking tour in Berat, and my guide told us homes were built like this to add light and spaciousness to historically crowded living conditions.
This architectural style together with the stacked appearance as the homes climb up the mountainside make Berat one of Albania’s most photogenic cities. It honestly seems like no matter where you are, there is no bad view.
7. You Can Stay in Beautiful Atmospheric Accommodation
Many hotels and guesthouses are in restored heritage buildings. Choose a boutique stay in the Mangalem Quarter (historically the Islamic side) or a guest house in the Gorica Quarter (historically the Christian side).
For a truly atmospheric stay, I love these properties:
- Beratino Hotel: Boutique hotel in a traditional Berati building on the main road below the castle. Luxurious rooms have original architectural features like stone walls and carved wooden ceilings. Doubles from $70 USD, including breakfast.
- Ador Boutique Hotel: Charming guest house in the Gorica Quarter of Berat. The historic home has been lovingly restored while keeping many original details. Rooms begin at $40 USD, including breakfast and parking.
For more advice about the best areas to stay in and other hotel ideas, check out where to stay in Berat.
8. It’s Easy to Reach from Tirana
Berat is well connected to Tirana. In fact, Berat is one of the easiest destinations to visit from Tirana. It’s even possible to visit Berat as a day trip.
There are multiple buses each day from the South North Bus Terminal (not glamourous, but cheap and reliable), and you can easily drive or take a private transfer from Tirana to Berat.
For more details and my personal recommendations, see how to get from Tirana to Berat.
9. It’s a Great Base for Day Trips
From wineries and mountain drives to rivers and nearby villages, Berat makes an excellent base to explore the region beyond the city. You’ll be able to explore nearby attractions:
- Osumi Canyon
- Alpeta Agrotourism and Winery
- Tomorri Mountain National Park
10. It Has a Peaceful, Authentic Atmosphere
Berat’s slower rhythm, friendly locals, and historic charm make it the kind of place you want to linger. Enjoy a glass of wine gazing down at the valley from the castle, or join the locals for a coffee at a riverside cafe.
Berat makes you want to slow down and take it all in.
11. Fascinating Museums and Cultural Sites
Berat has small but charming museums, like the fabulous Onufri Iconographic Museum or the Ethnographic Museum that showcase Albania’s art, history, and religious heritage.
There are many historic sites from the Ottoman and Byzantine eras, like Gate of the Pasha and Holy Trinity Church. Just walking the streets adds cultural depth to your trip.
The whole city is like a living history lesson, with the Gorica Quarter dating back to the 4th century and the Mangalem Quarter dating back to the Ottoman era.
12. Picturesque Bridges & Riverside Walks
The Gorica and Mangalem quarters are connected by iconic Ottoman style bridges, and strolling along the river offers peaceful, scenic views that feel straight out of a postcard.
For the best river views, walk down Rruga Staver Naco on the Mangalem side to the New Bridge. Then walk back along the Gorica side all the way to the suspension bridge. It’s a beautiful walk.
13. The Tap Water Comes from the Mountains
You can drink the tap water in Berat. It comes from the mountains and is safe to drink.
If you’re only in Berat a day or two that might not matter, but as someone who has lugged many 6 to 8 litre bottles of water around Albania, I am thrilled whenever I can drink the tap water.
Pros & Cons of Visiting Berat
To sum up, and be honest about the downfalls of visiting Berat, here’s a list of pros and cons. I still think Berat is worth visiting, but this will help you decide.
Pros
- Berat is a UNESCO listed site.
- Berat Castle is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited castles.
- One of the most picturesque European cities.
- It’s compact and walkable.
- Delicious local food and wine.
- Welcoming locals.
- Cultural and historic sites.
- You can drink the tap water.
- Only a few hours from Tirana by car or bus.
Cons
- Driving and parking in the historic centre and castle district can be tricky.
- Busy during peak season.
- Limited nightlife.
- Tourist pricing in the centre, though still a bargain compared to other historic European cites.
- The cobblestone streets can be steep and slippery.
- Hot in summer (it can go up to 40 C – 104 F).
How Much Time Do You Need in Berat
If you’re wondering how many days in Berat is ideal, 2 or 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend there. There’s enough to explore and keep you busy without being rushed for at least 2 days.
If you have extra time, consider doing a local wine tasting, taking a cooking class or doing a day tour to Osumi Canyon or Tomorri Mountain National Park.
The last time I was in Berat I stayed 5 days. I had seen all the sites, but still could have stayed longer just enjoying the vibe. It’s a very beautiful place.
If you’re comparing Berat or Tirana as your main city-stay, see my detailed comparison here.
Where to Go Next
Berat is in the middle of southern Albania, so it’s pretty easy to go in any direction from there. The easiest places to reach from Berat are the Albanian Riviera (which includes Saranda and Vlore), Tirana or Durres.
The last time I was in Berat I travelled onward to Korce by bus. While I highly recommend visiting Korce, the bus was not a direct route and it wasn’t the easiest transfer. If you have a car, go for it! Korce is wonderful.
Is Berat Worth Visiting FAQs
While both are beautiful, I think Berat is better than Gjirokaster because it’s a little larger and is more scenic.
No, one day is not enough, but if that’s all you have, you can make it work. Stick mainly to Mangalem, the Castle and have a meal over in Gorica.
Two or three days in Berat is perfect. That gives you enough time to see everything without feeling rushed.
Last Words on Is Berat Worth Visiting?
I wholeheartedly think Berat is worth visiting. It’s gorgeous, historic, unique and easy to reach. Berat is also a very interesting city with a long history that is very much part of its everyday life.
