Berat Albania

The very best things to do in Berat Albania, including Berat Castle and a day trip to Osumi Canyon, plus instructions for how to travel from Tirana to Berat by bus. Berat in central Albania is an elegant stone-and-alabaster city wreathed in fig trees and cleaved by the Osumi River. An ancient Illyrian settlement turned Byzantine frontier town, Berat is known for the Ottoman houses that cascade down both sides of its gentle river valley. Evenly spaced portals cut into the stone facades lend it the famous epithet: ‘The City of a Thousand Windows’. Berat is home to one of two UNESCO-listed historic centres (the other being in Gjirokaster), making it a must-see in Albania for history buffs and culture lovers alike. Between the unusual Berat Kala and the medieval bazaar, historic mosques, local cuisine, a lively cafe scene and one of the handsomest Ethnographic Museums in the Balkans, Berat has a lot to offer. Not to mention the spectacular valleys, canyons and wineries within easy reach of the city. Berat Castle (Kala): Head to the platform on the far end of the fortress. From here, you’ll have unparalleled views of Gorica, the Osum River, and the mountains in the distance. Plan to coordinate your visit to the castle a few hours before sunset, so you don’t have to walk up the hill twice. The New Bridge: This modern bridge has excellent vantage points of both Gorica and Mangalem. It’s a great spot to get close up views of the city during sunset hour. Gorica Hill: For one of the best panoramic sunset views, hike up to the top of Gorica Hill for amazing views of Mangalem and the valley below. The hike only takes a maximum of 30-minutes and is worth it for the views. To find the route, we suggest downloading the app Maps.Me and searching for “viewpoint.” In Albania, food is all about freshness and seasonality. It's like picking fruit from the tree or harvesting veggies from the garden. Olive oil, herbs, and spices are magic ingredients that give dishes their special kick. Albanians have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to cooking. They grill, stew, bake – whatever it takes to make food taste delicious. And when it's time to eat, everyone gathers around the table like one big family. It's all about sharing good food and good company. The culinary traditions of Albania are a window into the country's vibrant past; dishes here feature a medley of flavours influenced by the Mediterranean and the Balkans. There are so many reasons to add a few days in Berat to your Albania itinerary. Contact us at Berat Turistic Guide