Amazing Things to Do in Berat, Albania
You can visit Berat and be done with all popular things to do in Berat within a day. You can extend it to two days if you wish to go explore the unbridled nature surrounding the city among things to see in Berat. Berat is divided into two halves by Lumi i Osumit river. On one side is Mangalem with a majorly christian ambiance and on the other bank is Gorica with majorly islamic influence. Both areas are part of the same city, but have drastically different places to visit in Berat. The city is built along the slopes of mountains. The city itself is a great Berat sightseeing attraction with windows from houses and other buildings peeking from top of one another. Berat is hence also known as the city of a thousand windows. The ottoman style architecture of the houses in Berat are responsible for the name allocated to the city. Among things to do in Berat pertaining to the ottoman empire includes visit to the Bachelor’s Mosque, Halverti Teke, Lead Mosque, and Sultan’s Mosque. The rising row of windows is among the most wonderful things to see in Berat. It is equally fun walking the criss-cross streets of Berat glancing at the houses, shops, and other buildings as you climb up the slope of the mountain for Berat sightseeing.
The old town area of Berat is great for a leisurely stroll during Berat travel. You can try out some local snacks and dishes. The Turkish style tea is something you will find quite popular in the streets. The quaint little shops also make a great spot for shopping for traditional and local items when you visit Berat. Bulevardi Republica is another great place for a leisurely stroll with Berat sightseeing. The place also offers a great sunset view as well. There are some wonderful cafes, shops, and snack bars on the Bulevardi Republica which are among popular places to visit in Berat.
The list of places to visit in Berat is not very long. The most popular monument for Berat sightseeing is the Berat Castle. It is the crown resting on top of Gorica Hill overlooking to city. It is one of the few castles in Albania which remains in great shape. There are a few Berat tourist attractions within the walls of the castle. What makes the Berat Castle so interesting is that it is in stark contrast to the ottoman architecture of the city. The Berat Castle has been taken over different rulers under different empires. You will find those among places to visit in Berat. The castle itself houses a citadel, a market, restaurants, shops, and even houses. The Holy Trinity Church is also located within the castle is a major monument for Berat sightseeing. There are residents living in one of Berat tourist attractions, if you can believe that. The castle is like a small town within itself and arguable the best among places to visit in Berat. You can also dine and shop for souvenirs among things to do in Berat at the Castle. The castle is great for Berat sightseeing. It is a high viewpoint to absorb panoramic view of the city.
Major things to see in Berat also includes the popular Iconography Museum dedicated to the artist Onufri Argitis. This Berat tourist attraction contains works of art from other artists as well besides Onufri. Well-known works in the museum include Iconogrpahy by Onufri and Nikolai. You will also see paintings and iconography by Onouphrios Cypriotes, David Selenica, Kostandin Shpataraku, and Çetir tribe. This museum is also among Berat tourist attractions located in Berat Castle. There are a total of 176 items displayed at this museum. This alone makes it popular among places to visit in Berat.
Another important museums to visit on Berat travel is the Ethnography Museum. This museum depicts the history and culture of the region. It is best place to visit in Berat to understand the people of Berat and see its transition through the history. You will find artifacts from the Greek, Macedonian, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule in this Museum. It holds several interesting things to see in Berat. It is not just elaborate items from homes of kings and ministers. This museum focuses more on lives of the common folks. The Berat Ethnography Museum is built in a grand ottoman house and is one of the biggest house museums in the country.
You can go for hiking, trekking, camping, mountaineering, and nature exploration among things to do in Berat. Mountains and Gorges are among geographical characteristics of Berat. Many local Albanians visit Berat for Osumi Canyon. It is the largest canyon in Albania. Besides hiking and sightseeing in Berat, you can also go for white water rafting in the river that cuts through the Osumi Canyon. Another popular spots for nature exploration among things to do in Berat is Bogove Waterfall. This waterfall forms an enclosed pool amidst the rocks which makes a great spot to dive in and have a bath among places to visit in Berat.
In terms of food, there are several local offering you can try when you visit Berat. The places to visit in Berat for great cuisine are mentioned in the sections below. But, let’s take an overview of things you can try on Berat travel. You can try the local variant of Raki, the famous Albanian alcoholic drink among things to do in Berat. Among local dishes to taste on Berat sightseeing are Fergese, Pumpkin Burek, Berati Schnitzel, Pispili, Salce Kosi, and Baklava.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Berat, Albania
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Berat, Albania
- Berat Castle
- Onufri National Iconographic Museum
- Ethnogrphic Museum
- Holy Trinity Church
- Sultan’s Mosque / King’s Mosque
- Lead Mosque Berat
- Red Mosque
- Halveti Tekke
- Bachlor’s Mosque
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Berat, Albania
- Mountain Mal Shpirag
- Osumi Canyon
- Bogove Waterfall
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Berat, Albania
- Nurellari Winery Cellar
Sightseeing in Berat, Albania
- Gorica Bridge
- Old Town
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Berat, Albania
- Homemade Food Lili
- Restaurant Wildor
- Guva Mangalemi
- Onufri
- Antigone
- Heaven’s Kitchen
- White House
- Gimi Kafe
How to Reach Berat, Albania?
By Air
The nearest airport for places to visit in Berat is the Tirana International Airport in Tirana County. Once you land, you have to take the road for all things to do in Berat.
By Road
There are public and private buses that can take you to visit Berat from Tirana and back again. You could also rent a car from Tirana embark on Berat travel. You get to see several beautiful Berat sightseeing spots along the way, but the drive won’t be pleasant. The conditions of the roads in not great in Albania. So better take the public transport for places to visit in Berat.
By Water
Berat is landlocked on all sides, so it would be miraculous to find a water route directly to visit Berat. If you still wish to see Berat tourist attractions by arriving on a boat, you can either take a cruise to coastal towns of Albania & continue from there by road or wait for climate change to drown Albania till Berat’s border.
