Berat is known to be the most beautiful city in Albania. Also called The City Of Thousands Windows, Berat has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. I kid you not when I say that I was shocked by the beauty of this city and the atmosphere there. You need to understand : this city is a must in your itinerary in Albania. To help you plan your time there better, here are 4 of the best things to do in Berat.
- Kalaja e Beratit (Berat Castle)
- Old Town Berat (+ 1001 Windows Viewpoint)
- Bulevardi Republika
- Free walking tour
Kalaja e Beratit (Berat Castle)
If you only have time for one activity in Berat, this is it! This castle/fortress overlooks the town of Berat. The view from the fortress is absolutely breathtaking. The Balkans countries have landscapes that are so different from the other countries in Europe.
This fortress is from the XIII century. The site is pretty big and can take up 2-3 hours if you take your time to explore. It has no entrance fee if you go between 6 pm & 9 am. Between 9 am & 6 pm, there is a fee of 300 LEK (4$ CAD).
You can walk from the center of town to the fortress. It takes 25 minutes on foot. The way to get there is uphill since Kalaja e Beratit is on a hill.
Old Town Berat (+ 1001 Windows Viewpoint)
As I said earlier, Berat is also called The City Of Thousands Windows. Walking in the old town is a unique experience. You will feel like you are in a medieval town. The cobbled streets and the windows make it magical to walk there. There are also restaurants and boutiques.
There are 2 bridges to get to the old town: Ura e Goricës (Gorica Bridge) & New bridge of Berat. At the beginning of the New Bridge of Berat, close to the street Shetitorja Osumi, you will find the most popular place to take a picture of the old town: 1001 Windows Viewpoint. You can also write the name of the viewpoint in Google Maps to find the exact location.
Bulevardi Republika
This activity is completely free. It’s actually just walking on Republika Boulevard. When I was there in June, there were a lot of shops and restaurants during the day as well as at night. I enjoyed walking on the Boulevard during my evenings. This activity is a great way to understand the lifestyle of Albanians!
Free walking tour
To be honest, I didn’t have the time to do a free walking tour in Berat. However, this activity was highly recommended to me. That’s why I don’t have a company in particular to recommend, but I know most hostels and hotels have a free walking tour option at their reception. I also saw stands promoting free walking tours in the center of Berat.
A free walking tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the city and the country. Usually, a tour takes around 1–2 hours. However, as you might know, nothing is really free anymore. Of course, the tour is free, but a tip for the guide is always appreciated since it is their job (and they need a salary).
