What to Do in Berat: Albania’s Most Beautiful Historic City
Berat, Albania’s most beautiful city has a lot to offer. Not only is the historical centre a UNESCO listed site, there’s a surprising number of things to see, which is one of the reasons Berat is so worth visting.
I spent almost a week exploring, and this is my personal list of what to do in Berat.
Things to Know When Visiting Berat
Berat is divided by the Osum River. On one side is the Mangalem Quarter. This is where most of the sites, restaurants and hotels are located. Historically this was the Islamic side of Berat. The Gorica Quarter is across the river. This was the Christian side. It is much quieter and smaller than the Mangalem side.
There are two pedestrian bridges in the centre spanning the Osum River, so you can easily cross from one side to the other.
It is the historic centre (comprised of the Mangalem and Gorica Quarters together with Berat Castle), that is the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On my most recent trip I visited Berat in early October, and many of the mosques and churches opened later in the morning, or not at all. Maybe things open more regularly during the summer, but keep in mind not all sites may be open.
I highly recommend you wear sensible shoes to explore Berat. There are a ton of cobblestone streets, and some of them are steep and slippery. Even in my hiking shoes it was sometimes challenging.
What to Do in Berat
Personally, I think Berat is the most beautiful city in Albania. Between the historic sites and natural beauty, there’s a lot to see.
I’ve visited Berat a couple of times now. The first time I visited Berat as a day trip, and the last time I stayed for 5 days. This is my own list of what I did, and what I recommend you do in Berat.
1. Berat Castle
Berat has a very special castle. Not only is it one of the largest in Albania, it is the only that has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century.
There is an actual castle, but the castle also refers to the neighbourhood within the castle walls. It is full of cobblestone lanes with homes, cafes, shops and churches. Over 200 people still live within the castle grounds.
Visit the historic churches St. Mary Blanchernae, Church of St. Nicholas, Holy Trinity Church and Church of Konstantine and Helen, and the ruins of the Red Mosque and the White Mosque. Unfortunately all of these churches were closed when I visited, but hopefully you’ll have better luck.
While there are some souvenir shops and cafes that cater to tourists, this is still very much a local neighourhood, especially if you explore the windy back lanes.
The castle is open 24/7 and free to enter.
2. Onurfi Iconographic Museum
The museum is the historic Assumption of St. Mary Cathedral with the most incredible icons, murals and wood carvings. Built in 1797, it’s a truly spectacular example of Byzantine architecture.
There’s also an exhibition room, but the church is what is truly impressive.
The church has icons painted by several masters, including famous Albanian painters Onurfi and David Selenica.
The museum is in the Castle district. When I went, there was a large group that commandeered the entire church with their guide, so try to get in when there’s no group.
3. St. Spiridon Orthodox Church
St. Spiridon is considered the most important church in Berat. This was the first Albanian church to re-open after the fall of communism.
It was built in 1864 and is located in the Gorica Quarter, the Christian side of Berat. Don’t visit too early. I went around 9:00 am the first time and it was still closed. Churches and mosques in Berat tend to open later in the morning.
4. Ethnographic Museum
Unfortunately, the Ethnographic Museum was closed for renovation when I visited, but check to see if it’s open yet, because it’s supposed to be the best ethnographic museum in Albania.
5. King Mosque
This is the largest and prettiest mosque in Berat. I’ve found most mosques in Albania plain compared to the elaborate ones I’ve seen in Istanbul and the Middle East, but King Mosque is beautiful with an elaborate painted wooden ceiling and the 99 names of Allah.
It was originally built in the 15th century by Sultan Bayezid, and more recently restored. You have to make a 100 lek ($1.20 USD) donation to enter.
6. Halveti Tekke
On the same grounds at the King Mosque is the Halveti Tekke. It’s usually locked, but a further 100 lek donation will get you the keys to open it.
A tekke is a meeting house of the Bektashi order of Sufism. Albania has quite a few tekkes, I’ve seen them in many cities and towns. In Albania, Bektashism is linked with nationalism, and it’s one of the major religions of the country.
7. Palace Ruins & Gate of the Pasha
The ruins of the former palace of Ahmet Kurt Pasha built during the 18th century still stand. The palace was partially constructed from stones taken from the ancient city of Apollonia, one of Albania’s most important sites.
The palace was destroyed in 1945, but parts have been reconstructed. The entrance to the palace, known as the Gate of the Pasha, survived and you can still walk through it today.
When I saw it there was a stage set up in front of the palace, so there must be performances there during the tourist season.
8. Orthodox Cathedral of St. Demetrios
It’s a newer Orthodox cathedral, but the largest one in Berat and has a very prominent place on the main square. St. Demetrios is considered the patron saint of Berat.
The cathedral is built near the ruins of the original church of St. Demetrios, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1851.
Reflective of Albania’s religious tolerance, the Cathedral is next to the historic Lead Mosque.
9. Lead Mosque
Beside St. Demetrios Cathedral is the Lead Mosque. The mosque was built in 1530 by Ahmed Bey Usgurli. Much of the original structure has been lost and rebuilt, but the minaret is original.
The mosque is named for the lead coating of its domes, similar to the Lead Mosque in Shkoder.
10. Bachelor Mosque
The mosque was built in 1827 for Berat’s unmarried craftsmen. It’s different from the other mosques in Berat because of the lovely floral motifs both inside and outside.
The lower portico of the mosque is used as a shop. My walking tour guide told us the mosque is the subject of an ownership dispute between the mosque and the shop owners. At the moment the building is divided in two.
These sorts of ownership disputes are common in Albania, resulting from the divvying up of property post communism (and often not to the pre-communism owners).
11. Bulevardi Republika
Bulevardi Republika is the main pedestrian thoroughfare through the centre of Berat. On one side there are cafes, shops and restaurants, and on the other there is a park and the river.
Albanians have a tradition of taking an evening walk, called ‘xhiro’ and this is the most popular boulevard. Bulevardi Republika is always active, but it really comes alive in the evenings.
Have a coffee at Gimi, the most popular coffee shop in Berat, on Bulevardi Republika.
12. Church of Saint Michael
Saint Michael is a beautiful 14th century Byzantine church perched on the steep hill overlooking Berat. It’s within the lower fortifications of Berat Castle. The views of Berat are exceptional from here.
You can access it from the Castle, or from the steep back lanes and stairs off Rruga Antipatrea.
Unfortunately, the church was locked up when I visited. I considered jumping the gate onto a ruined shed on the other side, but wasn’t sure if I could pull it off to get back out again.
13. Gorica Quarter
Gorica is the quieter side of Berat, historically the Christian Quarter (while Mangalem was the Muslim Quarter). It’s on the opposite side of the Osum River from Mangalem, connected by the historic Gorica Bridge and a newer pedestrian suspension bridge.
Originally Gorica was built in the 4th century, and there are still some ruins on Gorica Hill.
Today, it is a small residential enclave of windy cobblestone lanes and stone houses. This side of Berat gets little sun, and is cooler than Mangalem – it’s a good area to stay in during the summer.
14. Vienezi i Berati
Vienezi i Berati is a traditional dish of Berat that you won’t find in other parts of Albania. It is very thin steak rolled around cheese and walnuts, coated in bread crumbs and fried.
You won’t have any problem finding it, it’s on practically every menu that has traditional Albanian food.
I ate it at several Berat restaurants when I was there, but the best one I had was at Zgara Zaloshnja in the centre.
15. Free Walking Tour
I took an excellent free walking tour in Berat. My guide Bruno is a Berat local and accredited tour guide with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
He was so knowledgeable and gave us lots of bits of information only locals know about (like the white stones in the cobblestone lanes are slippery and the black ones aren’t). He even took us to his home in the historic Gorica Quarter!
A free tour isn’t literally free. At the end of the tour you tip your guide what you feel the tour is worth. You can book a tour with Bruno through his website Free Tour Berat.
16. Berat Wine Festival
Every October Berat hosts a 3 day wine festival in the main square beside St. Demetrios Cathedral. If you happen to be in Berat at that time, it is one of the best things you can do.
Wineries from across Albania set up booths and offer wine tastings. There’s live entertainment, wine contests, and of course you can purchase bottles of wine.
I happened to be there during the 2025 wine festival, which only really got going at night. During the day there were a couple of wine kiosks open, but it was very quiet. This may also have due been to the unseasonably cold weather!
Best Day Trips from Berat
Berat is in a beautiful part of Albania surrounded by nature and in the heart of wine country. These are the most popular and easily doable day trips from Berat:
Osum Canyon
Nicknamed Albania’s Grand Canyon, Osum is a spectacular river gorge that is 13 km long and it’s only 35 km away from Berat. There’s quite a few day tours to Osum Canyon from Berat.
Wine Tasting
Albania has a very old viticulture, and there are some excellent vineyards near Berat. In fact, when I was in Berat in October, there was a 3 day wine festival with vineyards from all over the country.
Alpeta Agrotourism and Winery, Pupa Winery, Nurellari Winery and Cobo Wine are an easy drive from Berat. Make sure you call ahead because reservations are needed to visit some vineyards.
Pupa Winery and Nurellari Winery are very close to each other, so if you want to visit more than one, that would be a good combination.
If you want someone else do the driving, consider a guided tour from Berat to a local winery like this one.
Tomorri Mountain National Park
No doubt you have seen Tomorri Mountain from Berat, it is the large majestic mountain in the distance. There are all sorts of hiking trails, lakes, alpine valleys and an important Bektashi tekke.
It’s less than 50 km from Berat and takes about an 1.5 hours to drive there. I recommend this tour to Tomorri Mountain National Park with a 4×4.
How Many Days in Berat Do you Need?
I think 2 or 3 full days in Berat is good. Berat may be small, but there are a lot of things to do. It’s also a beautiful city – one that is a pleasure to explore leisurely.
The first time I visited Berat was on a day trip, and I immediately regretted that decision as soon as I saw it. I went back a year later for 5 days, and even then would have happily stayed longer.
If you speed through all the sites, you can easily add a day trip or explore the local vineyards. Albania has excellent wine.
When is the Best Time to Visit Berat
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Berat. The weather is pleasant for exploring and it’s less crowded. Hotels are also more affordable and it’s easier to get a reservation.
Summer is very hot and busy. Berat is one of Albania’s top tourist destinations and it gets crowded. Even in October there were still a lot of tourists compared to other Albanian cities.
Winters in Albania are cold, and quite a few guest houses and restaurants close in Berat, but you’ll avoid the crowds and get better deals on accommodation.
This can be a nice time to visit if you don’t mind cooler weather. There’s Christmas bazaars and you’ll get to experience a side of Berat most tourists don’t see.
How to Get to Berat
Berat is located in the middle of the southern half of Albania. It’s easy to reach by bus, private transfer (taxi) or car. I’ve travelled to Berat via bus and taxi.
By Bus: There are direct buses to Berat from Tirana, Saranda and Vlore. These buses can range from newer mini buses (called furgons), to school bus conversions that look like they’re from the communist era (my last Berat bus experience).
In any event, the bus will get you there and while not glamourous, it is cheap. From Tirana it’s only 500 lek ($6 USD).
Check the Gjirafa Travel website for bus schedules, but keep in mind it may not be exact. Berat is a major destination, so the buses are pretty frequent.
By Private Transfer (Taxi): Just about all taxis will drive you to Berat, though prices may vary. I usually use Taxi Landi for these sorts of transfers. The first time I went to Berat I used them from Vlore.
You can also book a transfer through daytrip – they tend to be more expensive, but you’re guaranteed an English speaking driver and can add sightseeing stops.
By Rental Car: Berat is easy to reach by car. Just make sure your accommodation has parking. In Berat’s centre parking options can be limited.
Driving in Albania is fine. The roads are mostly very good, and Albanian drivers are courteous (but they like to drive fast).
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I’ve had very good experience using DiscoverCars to hire from local agents. Prices start from just $18 USD/day.
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Where to Stay in Berat
The best place to stay in Berat is the centre, either in the Mangalem or Gorica Quarters. Keep in mind Berat is built on hills, and both sides can be very steep with narrow roads. The closer you are to the river, the flatter it is.
Mangalem is the busier side where Berat Castle and most of the what you’ll want to do is located. Gorica is quieter and also cooler because it doesn’t get as much sun.
Berat also has a section called the Modern City (built post-communism), and the communist area. The Modern City is next to Mangalem and the centre, but the communist side is further away and I don’t recommend it.
These are my top recommendations on where to stay in Berat:
Hotel Plaza Berat: A new 4 star boutique hotel, beside the Mangalem Quarter. Excellent location close to everything. It’s one of Berat’s best hotels. Rooms from $80 USD, including breakfast and parking.
Beratino Hotel: Small hotel in a traditional building on the main road directly below Berat Castle. Rooms are luxurious and feature original architectural features like stone walls and carved wood ceilings. Rooms from $70 USD, including breakfast.
Hotel Mangalemi: Very traditional hotel at the bottom of the Castle district. It’s in a lovely, historic area of cobblestone streets right in the heart of Berat. Rooms start at $60 USD, including breakfast.
Ador Boutique Hotel: A charming guest house on the Gorica side of Berat. The guest house is in a restored historic home, still with many original details. Rooms begin at $40 USD, including breakfast and parking.
If you’re travelling back to Tirana from Berat, here’s all the information you need.
Where to Eat in Berat
There is some wonderful food in Berat. Most of the restaurants are in the Mangalem Quarter, but there’s some good ones on the Gorica side too.
These were my favourite places to eat in Berat:
- Eni Traditional Food: Home cooked traditional Berati food. This was my favourite restaurant and I would have eaten here every day if I could have. The mum makes everything and even served me. It’s also dog friendly.
- Zgara Zaloshnja: Another traditional restaurant serving local dishes. I recommend the local specialty Vienezi i Berati here – it was very good. They have a nice outdoor seating area.
- Rus Restaurant: Good traditional food with most dishes displayed cafeteria style, so you can see what looks good and pick what you like. They make excellent fergese.
- Bibo Bar: Cafe serving Italian pizza, pasta and desserts. A popular spot with locals who come here for coffee.
Last Words on What to Do in Berat
Berat is Albania’s most beautiful historic city. Together with the historic centre of Gjirokaster it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is the list of what I did in Berat, and I encourage you to see the sites, but I also recommend you slow down and just enjoy Berat. It’s a lovely city for wandering around leisurely exploring the cobblestone lanes, or just relaxing with a coffee or glass of Albanian wine.
Want itinerary ideas? Here’s how I fit Berat into a 5 days in Albania route.
