Berat

History · Central Albania

Berat

The city of a thousand windows

Best time
April–June and September–October
Time to spend
1–2 days
Region
Central Albania
Coordinates
40.71° N 19.95° E

White Ottoman houses stacked up the hillside give Berat its nickname, and its windows face the Osum river and the Gorica quarter on the other bank. Together with Gjirokastër it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

People still live inside the hilltop castle, among Byzantine churches and the Onufri Museum of icons. The surrounding hills are Albania's best-known wine country.

Don't miss in Berat

  • Watch the evening light on the Mangalem quarter from Gorica bridge
  • Wander the lived-in castle and the Onufri Museum
  • A day trip to the Osum Canyon
  • Wine tasting at a family winery nearby

How to get to Berat

  • From Tirana: buses take around 2–2.5 hours.
  • Berat is an easy stop between Tirana and the south coast if you're driving.

Watch out for

  • The walk up to the castle is steep and cobbled; go early or late in summer heat.
  • Osum Canyon rafting is best in spring when the river is high.

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Itineraries that include Berat