Where to Stay in Berat, Albania: Best Areas & Hotels
Berat is Albania’s most beautiful historic city and although small, where you stay is important. There are several very distinct areas and a range of accommodation choices.
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Berat, I recommend two or three nights. That’s enough time to explore the old quarters, the Castle, and enjoy the charm of the city.
I stayed in an Airbnb in Berat (I need a kitchen and have my dog with me – I’ve listed the Airbnb link below), but I visited all of these hotels and toured them personally.
Where to Stay in Berat
Berat has a UNESCO designated historic centre divided by the Osum River. On one side is the Mangalem Quarter and on the other is the Gorica Quarter. Together with the Castle district they make up the historic centre. This is the best area of Berat to stay in.
There is also the Modern city, built post communism in the 1990s, and the communist district.
While the Modern city is very close to Berat’s historic centre and has some good places to stay, the communist area is further away and I don’t recommend it.
Berat Historic Centre – the Best Location to Stay in
The historic centre is the best area of Berat to stay in. It’s the prettiest part of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within walking distance of Berat’s sites and attractions.
The historic centre is divided into three areas: Mangalem, Gorica and the Castle. Personally, I think Mangalem is the best of them all, but here’s information on each one so you can decide which is better for you.
Gorica and Mangalem are divided by the Osum River, but there are two pedestrian bridges in the centre, so it’s very easy to go back and forth.
Mangalem Quarter
This is the heart of Berat. Most of Berat’s sites, restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels are located in the Mangalem Quarter. Berat Castle is on this side.
Historically this is the Muslim side of Berat, though today there’s little difference. From Mangalem you can walk everywhere.
The main pedestrian road is on this side, and there’s a nice park along the river that my dog enjoyed.
My favourite places to stay in Mangalem, Berat:
- 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: A traditional hotel built on the ruins of an Ottoman palace. The location is excellent – on a cobblestone street that leads directly to Berat Castle. Rooms start at $60 USD, including breakfast. This is a really good option if you want to stay somewhere historic, but don’t want to stay within the castle walls.
- Fani’s Center Apartment Airbnb: Studio apartment with fantastic views of Mangalem. I stayed here for 5 nights and was very comfortable. There’s a few stairs and no elevator, but the location was exceptional, and it was very clean.
- Hanna’s Hostel: Pet friendly hostel well located beside the main square in Mangalem. Beds from $17 USD, including breakfast and parking. Free wi-fi.
Castle District
Berat Castle is a residential area, with 100 families living within the fortification walls. There are several small guest houses within the castle. It has been continuously inhabited since the 4th century BC.
Technically part of Mangalem Quarter, the castle area is its own distinctive neighbourhood.
While extremely atmospheric and historic, the castle is on a steep hill and the cobblestone roads and lanes can be challenging to walk on, especially if it’s damp (they get slippery). Parking is limited.
My favourite places to stay in the Castle district, Berat:
- KRIS Guesthouse:Lovely guesthouse within the castle walls full of traditional charm. Breakfast and parking are included. Rooms from $50 USD.
- Villa Sophie Berat Castle: An updated traditional stone home within the castle walls. Rooms from $50 USD, including breakfast. No parking.
Gorica Quarter
The Gorica Quarter is much quieter than Mangalem. It is a charming and historic residential area which used to be the Christian side of Berat. The 19th century church of Saint Spiridon is in Gorica.
The roads and lanes are all cobblestone, and a little steep in places. Gorica does not get as much as sun as Mangalem and is noticeably cooler, particularly in summer.
There are no shops on this side, but there are a few restaurants by the river, including one of my favourite places to eat in Berat, Eni Traditional Food.
You can easily cross over to the Mangalem side using one of the pedestrian bridges.
My favourite places to stay in Gorica, Berat:
- Oda e Gurit Boutique Hotel: Newly opened and beautifully restored historic property. Rooms have updated comforts but maintain their traditional features. Doubles start at $55 USD, including breakfast and parking.
- Ador Boutique Hotel: A charming small 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.
- Hotel Ajka: Simply furnished, but large rooms with views of the river. This hotel is on the far side of Gorica, in a very quiet location. The hotel is built around the mountain, with the stone outcrops forming part of the main hallway. Rooms from $35 USD, including breakfast and parking.
Berat Modern City – a Good Alternative
This is a good area to stay in if you can’t find something in the historic centre. The Modern city is right beside the old part of Berat, starting just after Saint Demetrios Cathedral and the main square.
The name ‘Modern City’ is a bit misleading. It was built in the 1990s, and is only modern if you compare it to the historic part of Berat.
My favourite places to stay in the Modern city, Berat:
- Hotel Plaza Berat: A 4 star luxury hotel, one of the nicest in Berat. The location is perfect, just at the start of the Modern city, right beside the centre. It’s a newer hotel and some room have park views. Doubles start at $80 USD, with breakfast and parking.
- Hotel Gega: An older property owned by the same family as Hotel Plaza Berat. Rooms are simple, but comfortable and clean. It is also well located very near the centre. Rooms start at $50 USD, including breakfast and parking.
Where Not to Stay
Don’t stay in the communist area. It’s further away from the centre and all the sites. Even if you have a car, I don’t recommend it. It’s an unattractive part of Berat and will take time to get into the centre.
If you’re taking the bus from Tirana to Berat, you’ll probably end up seeing the communist neighbourhood, because the bus station is there.
Last Words on Where to Stay in Berat
The best area stay in Berat is the historic centre, either Mangalem or Gorica quarters.
If you want to be near all the action and sites, stay in Mangalem. If you want something more peaceful, you’ll enjoy Gorica. The Castle area is very special, but not that practical because of the steep cobblestone streets and hilltop location.
Want itinerary ideas? Here’s how I fit Berat into a 5 days in Albania route.
