How To Do a Tirana to Berat Day Trip
Berat is known as Albania’s city of a thousand windows, easily one of the country’s most beautiful destinations, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because it’s only 97 km from Tirana, a day trip to Berat is very doable.
I’ve visited Berat a couple of times. Once as a day trip, and the following year for 5 days because I loved it so much.
While you can certainly book a guided day trip of Berat from Tirana, you don’t need to. It’s very easy to visit Berat from Tirana independently, and I’m going to tell you how.
Should You Do a Tirana to Berat Day Trip?
Berat is worth visiting, no question about it. Should you go for the day? Yes, if that is all the time you have. If possible though, spend an extra day or two. If you do decide to stay overnight in Berat, I highly recommend these Berat hotels.
Berat is very historic and has enough to see to keep you busy for a day or two. It’s also the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and just enjoy the scenery.
But if all you have is one day, don’t miss Berat. It’s gorgeous, interesting, very walkable and has one of Europe’s oldest living castles. The food and wine are excellent too!
How to Get To Berat from Tirana
It’s easy to travel from Tirana to Berat. The best ways are by bus or private transfer, and I’ve done both.
You’ll need cash by the way. Buses and private transfers (taxis) don’t take cards.
You can also rent a car, but I don’t think it’s worth it just to drive to Berat. Berat is full of narrow cobblestone streets and steep hills, making driving and parking challenging. If you are driving, park in the centre and walk everywhere.
Tirana to Berat By Bus
This is the easiest and cheapest way to do a Tirana to Berat day trip.
Buses leave every hour from Tirana’s South North Bus Terminal. The fare is 500 lek ($6 USD), and the drive takes between 2 and 2.5 hours.
When I took the Tirana to Berat bus, the driver asked if I wanted to be dropped off in the centre (yes!) or the Berat bus terminal. If you do get off at the bus terminal in Berat, you can take a local bus into the centre for 30 lek ($0.40 USD), a taxi for 700 lek ($7.80 USD), or walk which is 30 minutes.
Tirana to Berat by Private Transfer (Taxi)
The easiest way to get to Berat from Tirana is by private transfer. The first time I went to Berat I used Taxi Landi to drive me there and back. Taxi Landi is very reliable and dog friendly. The drive is about 1.5 hours.
This was a couple of years ago and I’ve forgotten what I paid, but a one way from Tirana is about 8000 lek ($95 USD).
You could also take the bus one way, and a Berat taxi back to Tirana. Almost all taxis will be willing to drive to Tirana. There’s always a bunch of taxis outside the Lead Mosque in Berat.
If Berat is too long of a drive, consider going to Kruja from Tirana instead. Kruja is one hour from Tirana and a beautiful, but smaller, historic mountain town.
Things to Do in Berat
There’s quite a few things to do in Berat, but it’s also a lovely city to just do nothing except wander around, enjoy the views and relax with a coffee or glass of wine.
Here’s what I suggest for your day trip to Berat:
- Berat Castle: Start at the most important and special historic site in Berat. This is the largest castle in Albania, and it has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century. Walk the fortification walls, stroll through the cobblestone lanes, and visit Byzantine churches and ancient mosques. Berat Castle is the one non-negotiable thing you must see in Berat.
- Onurfi Iconographic Museum: Located within Berat Castle, the museum is the historic Assumption of St. Mary Cathedral. I’m not really into religious art, but the cathedral and iconography are incredible.
- Ethnographic Museum: Located in a historic mansion in the Mangalem Quarter, this is supposed to be one of the best ethnographic museums in Albania. It was closed for renovation when I visited, but was set to open soon.
- Bulevardi Republika: Walk the pedestrianized main street beside the park and Osum River. Lots of cafes and restaurants, and the views of Berat Castle and the Mangalem Quarter look like a postcard.
- Gorica Quarter: Cross the river on the Ottoman style Gorica Bridge and wander around Gorica, the historic Christian quarter. Visit St. Spiridon Orthodox Church while there.
Where to Eat in Berat
Berat has some excellent food. Try the local specialty Vienezi i Berati – breaded steak rolls filled with walnuts and cheese. It’s a traditional Albanian dish that you will only find in Berat.
These are my favourite places to eat in Berat:
- Zgara Zaloshnja: Traditional restaurant in the centre. They make a delicious Vienezi i Berati.
- Eni Traditional Food: Located on the Gorica side, they serve wonderful Albanian specialties. The qofte (meat balls) in onion sauce is amazing.
- Rus Restaurant: Casual restaurant that serves a mix of Greek and Albanian cuisine in the centre. Food is displayed cafeteria style. I had terrific fergese here- the pepper and cheese casserole.
What to Know Before You Go
The most important things is to wear sensible walking shoes. Berat is full of cobblestone streets, some quite steep, and they get slippery. Any kind of heel or flip flops would be a nightmare (I am speaking from experience).
My Airbnb host told me tap water is safe to drink in Berat because it’s a mountain source. And I did drink lots of it for 5 days without incident. So you don’t have to buy bottled water there.
Berat gets very hot in summer, low to high 30s (86 – 102 F). I highly recommend you start early and visit Berat Castle first because it’s uphill. It’s also a super popular tourist destination and gets busy – another reason to start early and avoid the crowds.
When I was in Berat I took a walking tour with Bruno of Free Tour Berat. If you want to get the most of your day trip from Tirana, you could book a Berat tour with Bruno. He’s an excellent guide and a lives locally in the Gorica Quarter.
Last Words on How to Do a Tirana to Berat Day Trip
Berat is one of Albania’s must see destinations. It’s truly a beautiful city and full of interesting history. It’s so easy to reach from Tirana, there’s no excuse not to do a Berat day trip.
The only regret you’ll have about visiting Berat for the day is that you’re not staying longer.
