Despite its tiny size, Albania is jam-packed with diverse cities, landscapes and attractions that are easy to access and reach from Tirana.
Those looking for an organized day trip tour with a knowledgeable guide will enjoy Albanian Night’s Berat tour, which takes care of all the logistics of getting from Tirana to the Window of a Thousand Windows and takes visitors to all the city’s major points of interest.
But for those looking to go during the low season or who want to experience Berat on their own, we’ve put together this guide for how to get to Berat and enjoy a day in the city.
Getting to Berat from Tirana
There are multiple options to get to Berat from Tirana, with the easiest being renting a car and driving south on your own. The road winds its way through Albania’s beautiful countryside, where the landscape is commonly compared to Tuscany. You’ll pass plenty of beautiful vineyards and wineries on this one hour and forty minute drive south.
For those looking to save some money and take public transportation, there are buses to Berat from Tirana’s North/South Bus Terminal that take approximately two to two and a half hours each way. The tickets typically cost 500 ALL (you can book tickets directly and find timetables on Gjirafa Travel).
How Long to Spend in Berat
Berat is a small and mystical town that has kept unique features from Albania’s Ottoman era intact throughout the years. Its major attractions can be seen in just one day if you’re only planning to spend a few days in Albania, or can be explored over two days if you also want to incorporate nearby attractions like the Bogove Waterfall or rafting along the Osumi River. More than one or two days in this destination may feel like too much.
What to Do in Berat
Berat is a beautiful and unique destination best explored on foot. The Berat we see today is actually a legacy of the Serbian and Ottoman Empires that came to rule it. It’s believed that the name Berat is derived from the Slavonic/Serbian word for Belgrade, as historians came to call it Belgrad-i Arnavud, “Albanian Belgrade,” in Turkish (Belgrade means “White City”).
Roam Berat Castle
Berat Castle, also known as Kalaja e Beratit, is an ancient fortress perched on a rocky hill with excellent panoramic views over Berat. Dating back mainly to the 13th century, this castle boasts a rich history influenced by Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Positioned on the right bank of the river, its fortified courtyard and sweeping vistas take the visitor back in time. Here you will discover the remnants of dozens of churches and mosques, as well as little old ladies selling traditional Albanian carpets with Ottoman designs and souvenirs reflecting local culture.
Admire Ancient Art at the Onufri Museum
The Onufri Iconography Museum pays homage to Onufri, a 16th-century Archpriest and the preeminent painter of Orthodox murals and icons in post-Byzantine Albania. This eclectic and unique museum is a must-visit for art and history lovers. Home to more than 200 artistic treasures spanning the 14th to 20th centuries, with icons painted by influential figures such as Onufri, his son Nikolla, and other notable artists, this small yet rich collection offers a glimpse into Albania’s artistic history and faithfully represents the region’s Orthodox influence throughout the centuries.
Discover Berat’s Red Mosque Ruins
The Red Mosque, or Xhamia e Kuqe, stands proudly as one of the oldest mosques preserved in the city of Berat. This mosque was constructed during the Ottoman era and served as a house of prayer for soldiers garrisoned in the fortress. In its heyday, it boasted a prayer hall with an almost square floor plan. Constructed differently from other mosques, the minaret is placed on the left side, uniquely conditioned by the surrounding walls. The cylindrical shape of the minaret without a facade is a rare sight in the architecture of Albanian minarets.
Saint Theodori Church
This ancient church dates back to the 16th century and is a recognized Cultural Monument of Albania. Home to a selection of beautiful murals painted by the famed Albanian artist Onufri (whose works are featured in the nearby Onufri Museum), Saint Theodori Church was built upon the ruins of an earlier structure from the late antiquity period. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the church stands as a testament to Berat’s rich cultural and historical legacy and offers a picturesque photo-taking spot for visitors looking to snap a beautiful memory of their visit to Berat.
Castle Tower Viewpoint
Built on top of the hill overlooking the Osumi River and Canyon, Berat Castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, surrounding countryside and distant mountains. Accessing the viewpoint is convenient through a walk up the steep Rruga Mihal Komena to the main entrance. The views here are unique and will take your breath away, so don’t miss this viewing platform before you head down to the Mangalem and Gorica quarters below!
Go to the Solomon Museum of Berat – Muzeu Solomoni Berat
The Solomon Museum in Berat, Albania, stands as a testament to the extraordinary history of the Jewish community which found refuge in this small town during World War II. Established in 2018 by Professor Simon Vrusho, the museum has gained recognition for telling the stories of Albanians who courageously saved nearly 2,000 Jews during the Holocaust. This display features documents, photos, and items from the Jewish community, which settled in Berat in the 16th century, escaping the Inquisition in Spain. It uniquely showcases Albania as the only Nazi-occupied territory where the Jewish population increased during World War II, highlighting the country’s tradition of religious coexistence, hospitality and tolerance.
Visit Xhamia e Sulltanit – The Sultan’s Mosque
Hünkâr Camii, known as Xhamia Mbret (King’s Mosque), is a house of prayer built by Sultan Bayezid II at the end of the 15th century. This picturesque mosque features a prayer hall, a portico (hajati) and a minaret. Reflecting the mishmash of cultures that have passed through this region, this mosque was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990 by the Republic of Serbia. During the 18th century, it was also temporarily converted into a Catholic Church. The prayer hall’s notable elements include a painted massive ceiling, a spacious gallery supported by wooden columns, a mihrab on the rear wall, and a minbar on the right side of the mihrab, forming its decorative structure.
Walk Around Mangalemi Neighborhood
The Mangalemi quarter, situated in Berat, is one of the city’s three districts and holds historical significance. Positioned north of the Osumi River and below the castle hill, Mangalem is characterized by its Islamic heritage, earning it the title of the Ottoman Quarter. The quarter’s narrow streets make up a grandiose maze that takes the visitor back in time as you get lost among the stray cats and polished stones that make its alleyways unique. Known as the “City of A Thousand Windows,” Mangalemi’s architectural charm dates back to the Ottoman period, with symmetrical windows lining the rocky hillside.
Stroll Through Gorica Neighborhood
Cross the Gorica Bridge to head into the adjacent Gorica neighborhood. Renowned as one of the oldest Ottoman bridges in the country, this iconic structure connects two distinct parts of Berat. With seven arches, the Gorica Bridge stretches an impressive 129 meters in length and 5.3 meters in width, elevating about 10 meters above the average water level. This 16th century area of the city is home to cobblestone-lined streets, small Orthodox churches and stone houses, earning it the title of Berat’s Christian Quarter.
Where to Eat in Berat
Berat is home to a rich blend of Ottoman and Albanian flavors. Slow-cooked meats, fresh dairy and locally-sourced spices dominate the dishes served in restaurants in this town. The local wine scene in Berat is also excellent, with dozens of nearby wineries and vineyards calling this corner of Albania home due to its favorable weather conditions encouraging grape cultivation.
Check out these three excellent restaurants on your day trip to Berat, all of which serve traditional Albanian food.
Klea Restaurant – Berat Castle
This small, family-run restaurant serves up traditional Albanian food and especially delicious locally-sourced cheeses. Housed in a no-frills, down-to-earth establishment right next to the castle, prices at this establishment are very reasonable despite its central location. The friendly and attentive owners of this restaurant serve up soft bread, high-quality olive oil and juicy steaks with homemade dips. The eggplant dishes, qofte (meatballs) and stuffed grape leaves (dollma or japrak) are especially savory and flavorful, representing the local culinary traditions of Berat. This restaurant has a small outdoor courtyard built with stones similar to the original Berat castle’s, as well as indoor seating in a carefully recreated traditional oda room in an Albanian villager’s house.
Lili Corner Homemade Food – Mangalem Quarter
Visitors to Lili’s restaurant in Mangalem love the rakia (local Albanian spirits) served at every meal in this cozy and intimate setting. Lili likes to come out and interact with guests, providing food as well as travel recommendations to guests. Make sure to ask for the local wine, made by the host’s father! This intimate, tiny restaurant has just 6 tables with 22 chairs and is usually jam-packed with eager tourists who want to try slow-cooked meals and dishes that showcase the best of Berati hospitality and flavor. Make sure to reserve your spot here ahead of time.
Antigoni – Gorica Quarter
This restaurant is right off the Gorica Bridge and offers beautiful views of the river and town. The terrace provides a lovely setting for enjoying the traditional roasted vegetables (perime zgare), tzatziki, biftek (steak) and stuffed eggplants. Prices here are still affordable despite the central location and beautiful views over the city and river, and the service is attentive. Customers love sipping on delicious, locally-made raki in the interior of the restaurant, which is designed to mimic the inside of a merchant-class home from Berat’s former glory days. The settings here provide a calm and refined experience for those looking to experience Albanian culture and gastronomy in comfort.
