I finally arrived in Albania, planning to drive along the coastline in a southward direction and exploring the mainland on the way back. The diverse country landscape is very promising, with mountains, seaside and deep history, there’s no chance of being bored cruising. The fascinating Berat is one of the oldest cities in Albania, featured on most covers for Albania travel guides. If you plan to visit, here are all my answers to what to do in Berat for the most unforgettable trip.
What to do in Berat city?
Berat, the “City of a Thousand Steps,” is truly one of a kind. It was a lot more interesting than I ever expected. The city is a unique example of Ottoman and Byzantine architecture, influenced by several civilizations. Two days are ideal for a trip to Berat, one is a bit short for this gem.
Berat is located between the Tomorr Mountains and the Osum River and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you are wondering what to do in Berat, you’ll be surprised by a number of highlights: first of all – the best food in Albania, the Berat Castle (Kalivo Castle), the Old Town, and the Holy Trinity Church, enough to captivate you for the day.
What does Berat mean?
The name BERAT means the one who exhibits brightness. It’s probably related to its white Ottoman houses.
How to get to Berat from Tirana?
The distance from Tirana to Berat is 100km.
It takes about 1.45 minutes to get to Berat from Tirana by car and up to 2.5 hours by bus.
TIP: I highly advise using only national and main roads, as some rural roads are in a fatal condition. When renting a car, you will be advised to stick to the main roads and avoid any off-road.
There are many ways to travel to Berat from Tirana. The easiest is by car, but there are many other transportation options available to choose from.
Bus from Tirana to Berat.
The bus from Tirana to Berat is one of the most popular connections in Albania. If you are planning to visit Berat by local transport, it’s going to be very straightforward.
Buses depart daily from Tirana to reach Berat city every 20-30 minutes, from 5 am till 5 pm.
The bus from Tirana to Berat leaves from the South and North Bus Terminal (it’s about 6km from the city center).
A bus ticket from Tirana to Berat costs 500 LEK (5 Euro).
Bus from Berat to Sarande.
There is a public bus departing from Berat to Sarande every day at 8 am and 2 pm. The journey takes 4-4.5 hours, covering the distance of 210 kilometers. A bus ticket costs ~ 14 Euro.
Explore the Castle of Berat.
Before visiting the city of a thousand steps, I recommend driving to see the Castle of Berat, known locally as Kala or Kalivo. It’s an important site with roots tracing back to the 4th century BC- the Byzantine period, with most of the church was built in the 13th century.
It’s very easy to get to the castle, you can drive up (almost to the gate of the castle!) 😉
A small roundabout and a tiny street leading up to the castle entrance, where you can find some parking spaces.
If you decide to drive up the steep road a bit further, you can park literally at the castle entrance.
If you are visiting during peak season (weekends, holidays), the site can be crowded. This is the main stop for organized coach tours. So finding a parking slot during this time can be challenging.
The castle entrance is free. Only the sightseeing audioguide tour is paid and it takes 1.5h if you wish to join.
Its cobblestone streets will lead you through stone churches, charming houses and a museum. The castle town is open 24h.
From the ruins, you’ll be able to capture the panoramic views of the city.
Onufri Iconographic Museum.
The Museum of Byzantine icons is an impressive site, just a short walk from the main castle entrance. Indoor, there are two floors dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography. The entrance to this part is free.
The Osum River divides Berat into two parts – Mangalem and Gorica. Mangalem was the Muslim Quarter, while Gorica was a Christian’s residence.
The Mangalem District.
The Mangalem district is one of Berat’s most picturesque areas. It’s famous for its well-preserved Ottoman houses that rise up the hill, on both sides of the river.
There are two main bridges connecting the two parts of Berat and Gorica Bridge is the one you want to walk through!
Gorica Bridge in Berat.
Gorica Bridge over the Osum River, built in the original Ottoman style, is a landmark of Berat city.
The ancient bridge connecting the Gorica district to Berat city was originally built from wood in 1780, it was rebuilt with stone in the 1920s.
Gorica Bridge takes you straight to cosy cafes and local restaurants with delicious food.
In the narrow streets of Berat, you’ll find lots of cafes, small shops and local artisans showcasing traditional crafts. It’s time for a traditional Albanian coffee or a sweet pastry.
Even though Berat is an extremely popular destination, the restaurants were top quality with surprisingly low prices! It was the best food I had in Albania!
Food to try in Berat.
Food tasting in local taverns or at one of the many family-run restaurants is one of the best things to do in Berat. The traditional dishes I tried were amazing, especially baked eggplant and stuffed peppers. Some popular traditional Albanian dishes are:
- Tavë Kosi (baked lamb with yogurt)
- Borek (Byrek) – a pastry with a variety of fillings
- Fërgesë (a savory dish made with peppers, tomatoes, and cheese)
- Olives and locally produced olive oil and wines.
The Albanian landscape is dotted with olive trees.
Colombo Hotel.
The Colombo Hotel was a big surprise to see in Berat. If you are wondering what to do in Berat for a bit of luxury, this beautifully decorated 5-star accommodation will spoil you with its exceptional facilities and charm. You’ll be surprised to know the prices in 5* Colombo Hotel start from only 70 USD/per night.
Here are few top-rated places to stay in Berat:
Low-Budget: Hotel Boutique BUZI – family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi ~ 23 USD. This hotel is a great value for money.
Mid-Range: Hotel Plaza Berat with air-conditioning & balconies ~ 77 USD.
Berati Castle Hotel ~ 62 USD.
Spacious Apartments: KC Apartment ~ 67 USD.
Hiking around Berat.
Even in such a small town like Berat, there are few hiking opportunities.
- The first one is a hike to St. Michael’s Church, which sits on a steep hill facing down Berat’s old town. This small yet impressive church dates back to the 13th century, represents a blend of Byzantine and Albanian architectural styles.
The second option is a short, relatively easy hike from the city to the Tumulus of Berat for panoramic views of Osum Valley.
How to spend one day in Berat?
In my opinion, Berat is probably the most fascinating city in Albania. There are many things to put on the list of what to do in Berat. If you are spending only one day in Berat, it’s going to be long 😉
Here is my super guide on how to spend one day in Berat:
- Start by visiting Berat Castle. Why? Because if you are there early enough, you might be lucky to avoid all the crowds arriving by organized tours.
- Hike up to St Michael Church – if you do it before noon, you might avoid the heat in summer months. The views over the Gorica quarter and Osum River are breathatking.
- Go down and walk through Gorica Bridge to explore the Gorica quarter. Have a nice Albanian coffee or breaky in one of the lovely cafes that greet you just over the bridge.
Walk the cobblestone streets of the Mangalem district.
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