Along the banks of the river Osum in central Albania, Berat is bursting at the seams with history and charm.
Best known for its picturesque Ottoman houses that neatly climb the surrounding hills, the city will remind you of times long gone. Tradition still runs strong here, and with an old town that’s a Unesco World Heritage Site, people won’t soon forget that.
My visit to the place dubbed “The City of a Thousand Windows,” was a wonderful experience. Between a still liveable castle, spectacular views from ancient ruins, and an authentic local cuisine, Berat is the perfect place to add to your Albania travel plans.
Here are the top things to do while in Berat.
Visit The Berat Castle
It’s hard to mention Berat without also talking about its hulking castle. Looking over the old town, the fortress is still known as home to dozens of locals. You can enjoy a meal among the cobbled streets, explore the many churches, or check out stunning views along the walls.
In fact, there is so much to do here, that I wrote a whole article about the top reasons to visit Berat Castle. Walking up the steep hill and through the impressive gates is a must when in the UNESCO city.
Hike Up To The Gorica Ruins
On the hill opposite Berat Castle, the Gorica Ruins have a history that dates back thousands of years. While they are mostly a heap of scattered stones now, the spot is known for its breathtaking view of Berat.
Alternatively, the hikes around this area are perfect for a midday adventure. A trail behind the Gorica Quarter leads up to the ruins, which are located beneath a shady canopy of trees. If you are looking for a place to enjoy the sunrise or sunset, this is it.
Check Out All The Mosques And Churches
The whole Balkan Peninsula is full of thousands of churches and mosques, but Berat seems to do them better than most. Seriously, there’s a crazy amount of beautiful places of worship in the city of a thousand windows.
The crown jewel has to be the Holy Trinity Church, which stands within the walls of Berat Castle. It’s a perfect example of Byzantine architecture, and happens to be ridiculously photogenic. Don’t skip the other churches and mosques though, they all have something to offer.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how difficult it is to visit some of these. Most of the older structures are locked up, and it’s almost impossible to find the key master. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to sneak a peek at some of the beautiful artwork inside.
Explore The Old Quarters
There are two distinct quarters in Berat, and they stand directly across from each other. Split in the middle by the magnificent Osum River, two bridges connect the sides on each end of the neighborhoods. One of those bridges is the iconic Gorica Bridge, which is one of the oldest Ottoman era bridges in the whole of Albania.
It’s easy enough to get stuck staring at the thousands of windows appearing from the historic white Ottoman houses, but I suggest wandering through the ancient quarters.
The two areas are known as the Mangalem Quarter and the Gorica Quarter. The Mangalem Quarter hides beneath the Berat Castle, and is a neighborhood filled with shops and restaurants. Grape vines shade the streets and families sell jams and souvenirs from their homes.
The Gorica Quarter, while also having some lovely restaurants, is directly below the old Gorica Ruins. Unlike its opposite, which also hosts mosques, the Gorica side is only home to churches. During the afternoon the sun shines brightly on this side of the river, which in cooler months makes it a perfect spot for a walk.
Experience Xhiro When The Sun Goes Down
Don’t be fooled, xhiro is just the Albanian word for walk. However, the activity seems to be ingrained into the daily lives of most Albanians. Normally, when the sun goes down, hundreds of people gather to walk the streets and socialize.
Pretty much every city or town I visited had a special spot for the healthy tradition. In Berat it’s the Bulevardi Republika, which is a pedestrian walkway lined with bars and cafes. Join the crowd and saunter up and down the street a few times, before settling down for a beverage at one of the shops.
Eat The Traditional Food
If one thing is for certain, it’s that Berat does food particularly well. Along the coastal towns in Albania it’s common to see Greek and Italian foods dominate the menus. However, in Berat you’ll mostly see traditional foods throughout the restaurants.
Some of the common dishes are stuffed peppers and eggplant, musaka, byrek, and different grilled meats.
You can’t go wrong with anything that has Tavë in front of it either. These are just a variety of different casserole dishes, usually cooked in clay pots. I also found the food in Berat, in general, to be cheaper than most other places in the country.
Popular eateries include Antigoni and a personal favorite Restaurant WilDor. The combination of service, setting, and tasty food stood out to me here. A shout out to Heaven’s Kitchen too, for its delicious fast food.
*Osumi Canyon And Bogova Waterfall
If you are looking to hit up some amazing nature, then a trip to Osumi Canyon and/or Bogova Waterfall is the way to go. They are both to the south of Berat and within an hour drive away. There are different tours that leave in the morning from the old town.
I put a star next to these two because, unfortunately, the weather didn’t allow me to visit. I felt a need to mention them, so others don’t miss out as well. They remain at the top of my Albania bucket list, and will be a priority during my next visit.
These are all the things that made my stopover in the city of a thousand windows especially memorable (plus one that didn’t).
When you’re in Berat, I suggest you try them out, so you can make the best out of your trip to one of Albania’s most beautiful cities!
