Skip to content 
What’s up, guys? We’re here in Berat! In this video, we’re going to show you the best things to do Berat, Albania, and around the city. It’s known as the city with a thousand windows, and it’s super picturesque. There’s also a lot of beautiful nature around! We hope you enjoy this Berat travel guide.
The town of Berat is located 70 kilometers (or 43 miles) south of Tirana, in the center of Albania. It’s known for its historic architecture combined with stunning natural scenery. It’s nicknamed the “town of a thousand windows” because of the Ottoman-era houses with large windows that overlook the town. Whether you’re a culture lover, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, Berat offers something for everyone.
We’ll show you six amazing places to visit Berat, which are best explored over two to three days. So let’s dive in!
About Berat
Berat is a city on the Osum River in central Albania. It’s known for its white Ottoman houses. On a hilltop, Berat Castle is a large compound now inhabited by townspeople. Within its walls are Byzantine churches, the Red Mosque, and the Onufri National Museum, which features Christian icons. To the east is the Ethnographic Museum, located in an 18th-century house, displaying traditional crafts and part of a reconstructed medieval bazaar. These landmarks are some of the top places to visit in Berat Albania for history and culture lovers.
Berat Castle (Main Attraction)
Looming over the town, Berat Castle is an attraction that you can’t miss when searching for things to do in Berat, Albania. This fortress dates back to Roman times, but the walls and towers that still stand here today are mostly from the 1200s. Within its walls, you’ll find a vast citadel complex of stone streets, houses, and Byzantine churches, mixed with ruins from other time periods. Make sure to visit the subterranean water cistern and the 14th-century Holy Trinity Church, which you can also enter. The castle of Berat is almost like a village because once you enter the walls, there are tons of restaurants, shops, and hotels. Apart from historical sites, the castle also offers the best panoramic views over Berat. Head to the lookout platforms to take in the views of the river valley.
It’s a steep climb to reach Berat Castle from the lower town, but it’s absolutely worth it for the stunning views. No Berat travel guide would be complete without it.
Mangalam & Gorica Neighborhoods
Below the castle sit two of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods in all of Berat: Mangalam and Gorica sit on either side of the Osumi River and are connected by the ancient Gorica Bridge. Both quarters are composed of narrow alleys of ancient white stone houses, timber doors, and large windows. After visiting these sections of town, you’ll understand where Berat’s nickname comes from. If you want to learn about Berat’s rich history, culture, and architecture, you can also go on a guided half-day tour of these districts combined with a visit to the castle. These neighborhoods rank high among the places to visit in Berat for culture enthusiasts.
Bogove Waterfall (Nature Spot)
If you’re wondering what to do in Berat beyond the city, the Bogove waterfall is for you. It’s located 35 kilometers or 21 miles from the town and it’s easiest to reach by car. The whole area is green and shady, with deep swimming holes and cascading falls. It’s super refreshing to take a dip here during the heat of summer. But be aware that the water is numbingly cold. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the falls, making it one of the best things to do in Berat Albania for nature lovers.
Osumi Canyon (Adventure & Activities)
Not far beyond the waterfalls, you can find the Osumi Canyon. The Osumi River passes through the town of Berat and flows through the canyon, with walls reaching over 80 meters or 262 feet in some sections. Different seasons offer different types of things to do in Berat Albania. During the spring, you can see many waterfalls from the bottom which can be explored by raft, while during the summer the water is lower and there are more opportunities for river hiking and swimming in the streams. We went on a guided day tour here, which also included a visit to the Bogove waterfall. This was one of our favorite activities in all of Albania. You can book your tour via the link in the description. Definitely recommend getting a guide for it if you can, because he’ll explain a little bit of the history, how this all formed, and you can get a life jacket and some nice water shoes.
Wine Tasting (Çobo Winery)
The countryside around Berat is known for its production of wine. You can admire the vineyards when driving around, but you can also do a tasting at some of them if you’d like. The Çobo Winery is probably the most famous wine producer in all of Albania. You can find this one in many restaurants and bars around the country, and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Berat Albania if you love wine.
Additional Activities & Trip Links
If you have more time in Berat, it’s also worth checking out other activities. We’ve put a graphic on the screen with some other places to visit Berat Albania. Organize your Albania trip with our interactive Berat travel guide! Find a discount code below. We also included important links that you’ll need for your Berat trip in the description, such as an interactive map to get to each spot that we mentioned. We’ll catch you on the next adventure!
