Top 8 Things to Do in Berat, Albania for First-Timers

8 best things to do in Berat, Albania

1. Explore Berat Castle

Berat Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in the area. This Roman-era castle sits atop a rocky hill on the left bank of the Osum River, overlooking the city of Berat.

The castle's origin can be traced all the way back to the 4th Century BC, but most of the structure you will see inside the castle wall was mainly built in the 13th Century when it was part of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire that followed shortly.

The castle is bigger than it looks from the city. You can spend several hours discovering all of the Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques inside the castle district.

The way up to the castle from the Old Town is quite steep, and in the mid-summer heat of Albania and the exposed trail, it can be quite unbearable to go up to the castle during the day.

For the best time to visit Berat Castle, I would recommend you go up around 8 AM when the sun is still low and the castle is still empty. Berat Castle is the main attraction in Berat, and by 10 AM, there will be a ton of tourists heading up there. So, if you want to have the whole place to yourself, go early.

One of the best viewpoints in Berat is at the viewing platform inside Berat Castle, so be sure to get all the way to the end. From up there, you will be able to see Berat city, the Gorica Quarter, and the surrounding landscapes from above.

Looking over the surrounding landscape, you will notice 2 mountains on both sides of the Osum River. Those are Mt. Tomorr and Mount Shpirag, and the legend has it that these 2 mountains were once giants who fought each other to win the heart of a woman in Berat.

They both battled each other, inflicting damages that can be seen on both mountains. On Mt. Shpirag, you will see several diagonal lines on the side of the mountain, which they said were sword wounds from the battle. Somewhere atop Mt. Tomorr, there is also a giant crater, which they said was a wound inflicted by a mace attack.

Eventually, both died, and the woman in Berat was so sad she cried her eyes out, creating the Osum River that flows between the 2 mountains. A fitting story for a beautiful place like Berat, don't you think?

To enter Berat Castle, you will have to pay 100 LEK for the entrance fee, and you can spend as long as you like in the city. Be sure to have the exact amount of money as they tend to not have change.

They didn't have any change when I was there, and I just stood in front of the gate awkwardly for about 10 minutes until they let me in for free 😂. With a mere one-dollar entrance fee, I wouldn't say it was worth the free entrance, but I was not going to walk down to the city to get change and come back for it 😅.

By the way, if you look at Mt. Shpirag carefully, you will see that there is a name carved on the side of the mountain. "Enver" Hoxha, the name of the cruel dictator who isolated the country during the communist era, was carved there. However, when the guy died, someone carved an N in front of ENVER to make it look like NEVER. Get it? Never! No more cruel regime! 😉

2. Admire the Beauty of Holy Trinity Church in Berat Castle

Within the walls of Berat Castle, there is one church that stands out above all others: the Holy Trinity Church. This church is a must-visit if you are interested in seeing a fine example of the great influence the Byzantine Empire left in this area.

This medieval Byzantine church was built somewhere between the 13th and 14th centuries, and it sits on the western side of Berat Castle on a sloping hill, overlooking Mt. Shpirag and the other side of Berat city. It makes quite a photogenic spot to capture the church, the city, and the mountain all in one frame.

3. Check Out Other Mosques and Churches in Berat

Many civilizations have managed to coexist in Berat for centuries, and you can see it from all the mosques and churches you will find in Berat. There are also several other churches and cathedrals that you should check out.

There are the St. Theodore's Church and the St. Mary of Blachernae Church located within Berat Castle, and Saint Demetrius Cathedral located at the eastern end of Bulevardi Republika, not too far from the Old Town.

For mosques, you will find Lead Mosque not too far from Saint Demetrius Cathedral, the King Mosque with its beautiful ceiling, and the Bachelor's Mosque in the Old Town where we will explore next.

4. Explore Mangalem Quarter (Old Town)

Following our trail from the Bachelor's Mosque, you will find yourself in the Old Town of Berat or the Mangalem Quarter as it is called. Back in the day, the Mangalem Quarter was known as the Ottoman Quarter where Muslims resided, and the Christians resided in the Gorica Quarter across the river.

Nowadays, it is pretty much identical to Ottoman-era houses with multiple large symmetrical windows, all lined up along the sides of rocky hills on both sides of the Osum River.

There are several restaurants and bars within the Old Town with a nice view, but in my opinion, the best view you can get of Berat and its thousand windows is not within the Old Town but from Gorica Quarter, where you can actually see these windows all lined up and stacked perfectly together.

5. Explore Gorica Quarter

Crossing the Osum River, you will be in Gorica Quarter, which is a quieter part of town and a perfect place to get away from the crowded Berat Castle. Even though there aren't any outstanding structures to see in Gorica, its perfect view of the Old Town from across the river sure makes up for it.

Gorica beauty is also in the details of these old houses, where you will be able to find remnants of the Ottoman influence on architectural choices, such as the doorbell design and the Ottoman chimneys.

Spend an hour or two wandering around the crisscrossing cobblestone streets of Gorica, and when it's about an hour or two before sunset, you can go on a hike to catch the sunset.

6. Hike Up the Gorica Hill for Sunset

Gorica Quarter sits on the side of Gorica Hill, and behind the quarter, there is a hiking trail that will take you through the lush green forest, up to an opening with an unmatched panoramic view of Berat Castle, Mangalem Quarter, and Gorica Quarter.

The trail goes even higher than Berat Castle Observation Deck and gets 100% fewer tourists than if you were to watch the sunset at the castle. I was up there alone for hours before sunset. I only met one local on my way down, and that was it.

The hike is not too difficult to follow. The trail begins from the western end of Gorica's main road where you will see a hiking trail sign with an arrow that you can follow.

The trail will take you through a blissful forest as you climb up to an opening where the trail will disappear for a bit. Do not worry; from the opening, you can clearly see the top, and all you have to do is walk through the grass, and you will be rewarded with an outstanding view of Berat.

If you are not sure where the hiking trail is, I would recommend you to get Maps.me and save Berat Map offline for the hike. There should be a trail from behind Gorica Quarter that you can follow to the top.

And the best part of this trail is that it only takes 15-30 minutes to complete! I have hiked for many more hours for less rewarding viewpoints than this. If you are looking for a sunset spot, this is the place to be.

7. Walk the Bulevardi Republika at Night and Experience Xhiro Hour First Hand

After sunset, be sure to check out Bulevardi Republika and experience Xhiro, an Albanian tradition where, once the sun is down, the entire city will come together at a boulevard and walk up and down the street, socializing with each other.

A small, seemingly quiet city like Berat will light up with life; it almost feels like a different city. With people out and about, playing chess outdoors, talking to each other while walking up and down a street, I gotta say, I've never seen a tradition quite like it.

What not many people know is that Bulevardi Republika is also the best place to take a photo of Berat. From Bulevardi Republika, looking at the Mangalem Quarter, you will be able to see the old houses all stacked up in a pyramid shape while the boulevard and the trees along the side go straight to it, creating a picture-perfect photo that captures everything awesome about Berat.

8. Dine Berat Local Cuisine under Moonlight

Albania is home to many delicious dishes, and Berat has a ton of local restaurants for you to indulge yourself in. Foods such as fergese, musaka, stuffed peppers and eggplants, and meatballs are something you should definitely try when you are in Berat.

There are several restaurants that serve delicious Albanian cuisine at an affordable price you can try, such as Homemade Food Lili, Restaurant WilDor, and my favorite one, Antigoni, which I will elaborate more on in the next section about what to eat and drink in Berat, Albania.

What to Eat and Drink in Berat, Albania?

1. Dine under Moonlight at Antigoni Restaurant

Antigoni Restaurant is an Albanian restaurant that serves traditional dishes like fergese, qoftë (meatballs), stuffed peppers, and eggplants at a very affordable price and offers a 5-star view of Berat Old Town.

I frequented there quite often just to try all their main dishes, like their delicious fergese: a thick dip-like dish mixed with pepper, tomato, egg, cheese, and sometimes liver. Another favorite is the healthy and filling stuffed eggplant or pepper, which goes very well with a basket of bread.

One of the highlights of eating at Antigoni restaurant is the unbeatable view of the Mangalem Quarter, where all the houses, from which the name "thousand windows" came, can be seen from your dinner table. Be sure to go there at night so you can see how colorful Berat actually is.

2. Get Your Coffee Fix at Shtepia e Kafes Gimi

Shtepia e Kafes Gimi is a great cafe to visit if you are looking for a place to take a break from a day of exploration. The cafe serves delicious coffee, both iced and hot, pastries, and ice cream, which are perfect for a hot day in Berat.

They also have great air-conditioned indoor and outdoor seating areas and a front-row seat to seeing Xhiro on Bulevardi Republika at night. They also have reliable WIFI for you to stay connected if you have to.

Other Things to Do

1. Visit the Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum is a great place to visit if you want to learn about the history of Berat, Albanian cultures, and allow you to get a glimpse of what life was like back then.

The view is also pretty amazing from the balcony of the museum, overlooking the city. It is a great place to stop for an hour after you come down from the castle.

2. Hike the Osumi Canyon

If you have another day to spare, I would recommend that you spend that day in nature and explore the surrounding landscape of Berat. Osumi Canyon is the largest canyon in Albania, and it is one of the greatest hikes you can do in Berat.

The trail will take you through a scenic part of this 18km Canyon, along the side of the canyon, on wooden bridges, and there may also be a chance for you to relax and swim in the canyon.

You can book the Osumi Tour through here for 77 USD, and they will take you on a jam-packed adventure day through the canyon as well as a walk around Polican city and a scenic drive around Berat's stunning landscape.

Where to Go After Berat?

The next place I would recommend you visit is Gjirokaster, another UNESCO Heritage Site dubbed the City of Thousand Steps or the Stone City. The bus from Berat leaves twice per day to Gjirokaster at 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The bus takes 3 hours and will cost you 900 LEK.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Gjirokaster?8 Best Things To Do In Gjirokaster

Other popular destinations from Berat are Vlore, Saranda, and back to Tirana. The bus schedule for these places and many more is shown above.

When to Visit Berat, Albania?

The best time to visit Berat is from April to October, when the weather hovers around 15°C in spring, 20 - 32°C in summer, and 20°C in autumn.

The weather in Berat is often dry and can be quite hot in the mid-summer months, so prepare a cold bottle of water before you start hiking up to Berat Castle.

Outside of the recommended months, Berat can be quiet and inactive, as well as chilly, where the weather can go down to almost 0°C. If you can choose when to visit, I would recommend sticking to the April - October period.

How to Get to Berat, Albania?

How to Get to Tirana?

To get to Berat, you will probably have to fly into Tirana, the capital city of Albania. To get to Tirana, you will have to fly, and depending on where you are coming from, there are several airlines you can choose from.

From the US, you can fly into Tirana via Turkish Airlines through Istanbul, KLM Airlines through Amsterdam, Alitalia Airlines through Rome, and a few other routes that go through Europe.

From within Europe, you can go with low-cost airlines like WizzAir or RyanAir to get to Tirana. If you are coming from a place that doesn't have a low-cost direct flight to Tirana, it might be worthwhile to travel by land to a city that has one and fly from there instead of relying on expensive flights.

From Asia, the easiest way to fly to Tirana is through Istanbul via Turkish Airline. If you want to minimize cost, you can find a way to Turkey and then, from there, you can fly with Pegasus Low-Cost Airline to Tirana. Keep in mind that you might have to change airports if you are switching from a regular carrier to a low-cost carrier in Istanbul.

To find a cheap flight to Tirana, I would recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to search for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.

Looking for a complete guide to Tirana?10 Best Things to Do in Tirana, Albania

How to Get to Berat, Albania?

From Tirana, there are several buses you can take to Berat. The buses leave from Southward Bus Stop, and the cost for such a bus is around 400 LEK per person.

The bus from Tirana to Berat leaves twice per hour starting at 05:40 AM and ends around 05:00 PM. The journey will take you around 2 hours and you will be dropped off at Berat Bus Terminal, a few kilometers outside of Berat Old Town.

How to Get from Berat Bus Terminal to Berat Old Town (Mangalem)?

The bus from Tirana or Gjirokaster will drop you off at Berat Bus Terminal, a few kilometers outside of Berat Old Town. To get to the Old Town, you will need to take a local public bus.

Once your bus drops you off at the bus terminal, you can wait for a local bus in front of the terminal restaurant (located on the right-hand side), and a bus will come every 15 minutes to take you to the Old Town.

Basically, any local bus that goes through the bus terminal will take you to the old town. Do not sweat when the bus goes in the opposite direction when it goes out of the terminal, as they often go a bit further and do a U-turn back towards the Old Town.

The bus costs 30 LEK per trip, and you can pay the guy who will come and give you the ticket when you get on.

If you are staying in Gorica as recommended in this guide, I would suggest that you drop off at the Urban Bus Stop a bit north of the Gorica Bridge so that you can easily walk to Gorica Quarter.

To get back to Berat Bus Terminal, simply wait for the bus on the opposite side of where they drop you off and flag one down. If you have a bus to catch out of Berat, be sure to spare at least 40 minutes, as the public bus in Berat is ridiculously slow. You will see this when you travel from the bus terminal to the Old Town.

How to Get Around Berat, Albania?

Berat is a small city with all the tourist attractions I recommended here concentrated in the old town area, so everything is within walking distance.

If you are planning to travel further, such as to the Berat Bus Terminal mentioned in the last section, you can take a public bus that will cost you 30 LEK per trip.

How Many Days to Spend in Berat, Albania?

One full day (2 nights) is recommended to see all Berat has to offer. Here is a breakdown of what you will do in Berat for one full day:

Day 0: On your arrival day, you can spend the first night walking around the Gorica Quarter, eating local food at Antigoni restaurant, and chilling at your hostel/hotel.

Day 1: On your first day, hike up to Berat Castle as early as you can to beat the sun and the crowds. Spend half a day there before you come down and explore the Old Town (Mangalem), checking out all the churches and mosques in the city.

In the afternoon, go explore Gorica Quarter, and in the late afternoon, hike up to the top of a mountain on Gorica for Sunset. Come down to see Xhiro at Bulevardi Republika before ending the day.

How Much Money Do I Need for Berat, Albania?

Based on the one-day itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you will be spending in Berat as follows:

Accommodation: 11 USD x 2 nights = 22 USD (2,463 LKR).

Food: A good meal will cost around 500 LEK. Breakfast is included in most hostels/hotels, so from that, we will be spending 1000 LEK for a day in Berat. For the itinerary, we can include dinner on the arrival day, so in total, you will spend 1500 LEK on food.

Transportation: For a roundtrip bus ride from the terminal to the Old Town and back, you will spend 60 LEK in total.

Activities: Most of the activities recommended here are free, except for the Berat Castle, which will cost you 100 LEK for the entrance fee.

Total Budget for one full day in Berat: 4,123 LEK (37 USD).

Is it Safe in Berat, Albania?

Berat and most of Albania are very safe, and the locals are very nice and extremely friendly, something you can come to expect from Albanians. However, from my experience, there are quite a few poor people living in Berat, as you will find one or two beggars on the street while you are there.

We were also invited by a local guy to try his raki, which we thought was free (very common in Albania for people to invite you in without expecting anything back), but he asked for money at the end. They are not aggressive or intimidating in any way; however, it's just important to keep in mind that the locals might expect one or two euros in return.

The experience above is not, in any way, a norm in Albania. It only happened to me once during my travel through Albania. In Gjirokaster, people invited us in and gave us fruits without expecting anything, so do not be scared when the locals welcome you in.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Albania?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Berat, Albania without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Berat, Albania:

Reliable WiFi is available in most places, such as hotels, hostels, and restaurants. If you are looking for a cafe with reliable WiFi, Shtepia e Kafes Gimi is a great place to do so.

A local SIM card is also a great option if you want to stay connected all the time. It is also useful to have a local SIM card if you are planning to travel around Albania for a while.

For the local SIM card, if you are staying in Albania for more than 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the Vodafone Z package. It is a one-month validity SIM card with 5.5 GB of regular data, 10 GB for social network usage, 400 minutes, and SMS. The cost is 1500 LEK + 100 LEK for a new SIM card.

If you are traveling in Albania for 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the 14-day validity Vodafone Tourist sim that gives you 10 GB of data and 500 mins of calls for 1300 LEK.

For more information about Albania's local SIM card: Albania Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Berat, Albania?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Berat, Albania:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Albania

Looking for more information for your trip to Albania? Here are a collection of articles about Albania that will help you with your trip planning:

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• Albania, a country once isolated, is now open to travelers, allowing them to uncover the beauty that has been hidden for a century. Here is a travel guide to help you in uncovering it: 2 Weeks Itinerary for Albania.
• First time visiting Albania and looking for awesome things to do? Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Albania.
• Tirana is an excellent place to start your journey in Albania. Here's a complete guide on things to do in Tirana.
• Gjirokaster, the stone city of a thousand steps, is another excellent UNESCO heritage site waiting for you to explore. Here are: 8 Best Things to Do in Gjirokaster.
• Albanian Riviera, a place where you will find hidden beaches, pristine coastline, and one of the best places to see the sunset in Albania. Here is a complete 5-day itinerary and travel guide on backpacking the Albanian Riviera.
• "Is this really Albania?" is a question you will ask yourself the moment you set foot into the Albanian Alps. Here is a complete hiking guide on Theth-Valbona and the Albanian Alps.
• My words are not convincing you about traveling to Albania? How about you see it for yourself with my Albania travel video? Adoralbania, the Albanian Adventure Travel Video
• For all articles about Albania, visit the Albania Travel Guide page.
• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3 Months Itinerary for Europe.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Looking to travel to the Balkans? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Balkans Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Eastern Europe related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
• You can also see all my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.