Berat
is charming Ottoman quarters
Welcome to Berat
Berat weaves its own very special magic, and is easily a highlight of visiting Albania. Its most striking feature is the collection of white Ottoman houses climbing up the hill to its castle, earning it the title of 'town of a thousand windows' and helping it join Gjirokastra on the list of Unesco World Heritage sites, in 2008. Its rugged mountain setting is particularly evocative when the clouds swirl around the tops of the minarets, or break up to show the icy peak of Mt Tomorri. Despite now being a big centre for tourism in Albania, Berat has managed to retain its easy-going charm and friendly atmosphere.
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Berat activities
Albania Hidden Gems 8 Days Tour
Day 1. Transfer Airport – Hotel TiranaThe group is met at the airport by our Guide and Driver and transfer to the hotel in Tirana. After a short time in the hotel we take a city walk to visit the center of Tirana and Et’hem Bey Mosque.Day 2. Tirana-Marikaj-Kruja – RubikToday we start the day by visiting the History Museum in Tirana. After the visit we head to the agritourist center of Marikaj where a nice lunch arrangements waits for us. Next we travel to the city of Kruja where we can visit the Castle and Scanderbeg Museum. In the end of our visits we transfer to Rubik where will be accommodated.Day 3. Rubik – Prizren – Gjakova – ValbonaWe travel today through the Nation’s Highway toward Prizren, Kosovo. In Prizren we will visit Sinan Pasha mosque, hammam, old city center. Next we drive to Gjakova where we visit the Old Bazaar and have lunch as well. After lunch we head toward Valbona valley in Albania.Day 4. Valbona – Kukaj – ValbonaToday we will walk for about 1 hour to Kukaj village where we will learn more about the life of the local shepherds. We will meet with Tahir, a local, who lives in Kukaj. During tonight’s dinner we have invited a folk group to perform for us. They live in a nearby village and are self taught to play the local instruments and dance.Day 5. Valbona – Fierzë – Koman – ShkodërWe travel by our minibus until Fierza to catch the boat that sails for about 2 hours through Koman Lake. In Koman lake have been built 3 of the most important hydro power plants in Albania with an installed power of 600 MW. After lunch we drive towards Shkodër where before entering the city we can visit Rozafa castle, which dates back to 4th century BC.Day 6. Shkodër – Durrës – BeratToday we head to Durrës the 2nd biggest city in Albania, which dates back to 7th century BC to visit the Roman Amphitheatre. Next we resume driving to Berat to visit the UNESCO city. First we will visit the castle, which dates back to 5th century BC and after that we will take a walk through Mangalem quarter which gave a distinctive look to the city’s architecture.Day 7. Berat – Elbasan – Ibë (village near Tirana)Our journey will take us to Elbasan where we will visit the Castle, which dates back from 15th century and Saint Mary church in the castle. After lunch we drive to Kame resort in the near Tirana where will be accommodated.Day 8. Ibë (village) – Tirana – Mother Teresa AirportToday before our flight departure we can take a walk around the village or just relax in the resort before heading up to the airport. End of the Program.
Full Day Berat Tour from Tirana
The tour starts at 8:30 a.m from your hotel in Tirana. It will take approximetaly 2 hours to reach Berat. Once you get to the city you will be taken to Berat Castle which dates back to 4rth century BC. There you will learn that Berat was invaded three times by the Ottomans, Romans and Bulgarians to became later on a big principality under the rule of Albanian noble family of Muzaka in the 14th century. Visit the castle as one the most marvelous sights of the city. It is one of the biggest inhabited Castles and has many Byzantine churches, as well as some mosques built during the Ottoman era which began in 1417. Our walk in the castle will take us to Onufri Museum which is set up inside the Cathedral “Assumption of Saint Mary ” renovated in the 18th century. Beside the beautifully carved Iconostasis you will admire as well the icons of the renowned Albanian painter "Onufri". As we drive down to the city center we will visit the medieval center, King Mosque and Helveti Tekke and learn about the interesting cohabitation of two religious groups close to one another. Next stop is in the old quarters of Mangalem and Gorica that connect with each other by the Gorica Bridge over the Osumi River. Both quarters take pride of their architecture and rare shapes of the houses. In the end of these visits we head back to Tirana.
Day Tour of Berat from Tirana
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Choose Balkans, Tirana, Tirana CountyWe depart from Choose Balkans office in central Tirana towards the city of BeratStop At: Berat Castle, Berat, Berat CountyWe visit the castle of Berat, on the top of the hill above the two characteristic neighbourhoods of the city (Mangalem & Gorica). Berat's castle offers a unique experience as the inhabitants of Berat still live within this historical castle. Duration: 2 hours
TOUR OF ALBANIA THREE UNESCO SITES
Day 1: After your arrival at Tirana airport we start our journey toward the city of Kruja with its beautiful medieval castle. Kruja was the stronghold of Scanderbeg, Albania’s National Hero, who fought against the Ottoman invasion during the 15thcentury. Walking tour of Tirana, Albania’s Capital. Overnight in Tirana.Day 2: At 08:00 we continue our tour Tirana to Ohrid Lake. On our way to Pogradec we do a short city tour of Elbasan within castle. We take a city tour of Pogradec, Drilon (a beautiful natural park by Ohrid lake) home to many sources of cold drinkable waters coming from beneath the Mountain “Mali i Thatë”. We travel to Tushemisht Village, famous for its rich traditional cuisine and the unique way of cooking the Koran (an autochthone fish found only in Ohrid Lake). Overnight in Tushemisht.Day 3 : After breakfast by the Lake Ohrid, our tour continues towards Berat. City tour of Berat, an historic town also known as the city of the 1001 windows. Berat is an Albanian museum city also part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overnight in a Traditional Berati House in Mangalemi Neighborhood.Day 4 : Our tour of South Albania continues to Apollonia (about 2000 years old civilization) with its beautiful Facade, the Odeon Theater, the Church of Saint Mary, the nymphaeum (monumental fountains) the ancient statues of Illyrian times and mosaics. Our tour continues to Vlora, a beautiful Albanian city by the sea, formerly known as Aulona. Vlora has an astonishing view of the Ionian and Adriatic seas, with palm trees, sandy and rocky beaches. Overnight by the sea side in Vlora.Day 5 : Our tour of the Albanian Riviera continues to Orikumi, founded in III century B.C. We travel to Llogara Pass (a National Park) and stop in Dhermiu, a large village with about 30 old picturesque churches settled on a rough mountainous terrain. While traveling along the Albanian Riviera we stop at the bay of Porto Palermo, with its beautiful castle of Ali Pasha. In the evening we take a city tour of Saranda, including the synagogue and Lekursi castle. On the ruins of the old castle there is a bar with a breathtaking view of Saranda and Corfu Island. Overnight in Saranda.Day 6: We start our tour to Butrint an ancient city, part of the UNESCO world heritage. Butrinti is the most important archaeological site in Albania. On the tour to Gjirokastra we will visit the natural wonder of Blue Eye. Gjirokastra, is part of the UNESCO world heritage, with its great castle of Argjiroja and the weaponry Museum within the castle. We drive back to port of Saranda, where you can get on the ferry to Corfu, Greece. “Choose Balkans” Incoming Tour Operator thanks you for choosing our services and wishes your holidays had been gorgeous and full of unforgettable moments. We hope to see you again soon!
Tour of Berat in one day from Ohrid
Tour start at 9:00 from Choose Balkans Offices (Hotel Pick Up in Request) toward The historical town of Berat. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous churches’ painter all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. Will be visited • Berat’s fortress • Mangalem neighbourhood • Gorica neighbourhood • “Ura e Gorrices” – Gorrica Bridge • The Onufri's Museum • Xhamia e Beqarit – Bachelor’s Mosque “Choose Balkans” Incoming Tour Operator thanks you for choosing our services and wishes your holidays had been gorgeous and full of unforgettable moments. We hope to see you soon!
4 UNESCO sites - 4 Countries in 2 weeks - Europes last secret
ItineraryDay 1: Tirana - Kruja - Shkoder Stop At: Kruja Castle, Kruje, Durres CountyOur professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana. Right after the group gets together we start our journey toward northern Albania. On our way to Shkodra we will visit the historic town of Kruja, its medieval castle and the Scanderbeg National Museum. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Rozafa Castle, Shkoder, Shkoder CountyOvernight in Shkodra, where we visit Rozafa castle, and the Venetian style pedestrian street “pedonale”. Overnight in Shkoder. Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Shkodër - Podgorica (Capital city of Montenegro) - Fishtë Stop At: Museum and Gallery of Podgorica, Podgorica, Podgorica MunicipalityOn our way to Montenegro you would be invited by Shkodra’s lake glistening in the sunshine. Within 1 hour we arrive in Podgorica, capital city of Montenegro, where we explore the city’s most important attractions. Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Mrizi i Zanave AgriturizëmOur next destination is a slow food farm in a rural village in Northern Albania. Overnight at the agro – tourism. Duration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Fishtë - Komani Lake - Valbona Valley Stop At: Komani Lake, Koman, Shkoder CountyKomani Lake journey is described as “one of the World’s greatest boat trips”. As we take the turn from the main road the area becomes more rural, with fewer cars but more wild nature and amazing landscapes. We will stop for a short break by Vau i Dejes Lake, a beautiful and tranquil setting. At 09:00 we get on a ferry that will take us through Komani Lake offering spectacular views of the Albanian Alps, waterfalls, rural villages and wild forests.Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Valbona Valley National Park, Valbona, Kukes CountyOur next destination will be Valbona Valley National Park. After a delicious traditional lunch, we hike to Kukaj, explore the area and admire the so-called Crown of the Albanian Alps. Duration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 4: Valbona Valley - Prizren (Kosovo) Stop At: Albanian League of Prizren Museum [Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit], PrizrenOur journey continues towards Prizren (Kosovo). This town played an important role in the region firstly as an Illyrian settlement and as a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. Prizren is considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its’ rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Overnight in Prizren. Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 5: Prizren - Tirana (Capital city of Albania) Stop At: National History MuseumTirana, the capital of Albania would be our final destination for the fifth day, where we have full day city tour. Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife, these are some of the words that better describe this city where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on daily basis. Tirana offers a great combination of very interesting museums, historic sites, national parks and mountains, ottoman, Italian and communist style architecture all clashing between each other, offering however a great pleasure to wander. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options. Overnight in Tirana. Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 6: Tirana to Ohrid (UNESCO site, Macedonia) Stop At: Lake Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern RegionOhrid (Macedonia) is one of the most seductive destinations in Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for it’s 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. The houses where built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake. Overnight in Ohrid. Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 7: Ohrid - Korça (Albania) - DrilonStop At: Korca Old Bazaar, Korce, Korce CountyWe continue our journey towards Korça in the southeastern region of Albania, one of the most beautiful and important cities in the country. Because of its beauty, French-style villas and coffee culture, Korça is also called the ‘little Paris of Albania’. We will take a city tour of this lovely enchanting town. Not to be missed “Pazari i Vjetër”, the most charming neighborhood in Korça and an area that looks like it was pulled straight from a fairy tale; narrow streets, colored buildings, nice cafés and small boutiques can be found everywhere you look. Duration: 6 hoursStop At: Driloni National Park, Pogradec, Korce CountyLate in the afternoon we head to Pogradec. Drilon national park was the favorite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, sandy beaches and delicious cuisine. Overnight in Drilon. Duration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 8: Drilon - Berat (UNESCO site) Stop At: Berat Castle, Berat, Berat CountyOur next destination is Berat, also known as the 1001 windows city, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand above each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous churches’ painter all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. Overnight in Berat.Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 9: Berat - Zvërnec - Vlora Stop At: Zvernec Monastery, Vlore, Vlore CountyOn our way to Vlora we visit the Narta Lagoon, the island of Zvërnec and its ancient Monastery of Saint Mary (XIII century). Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Ethnographic Museum, Vlore, Vlore, Vlore CountyOur tour continues towards Vlora where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. Free afternoon by the seaside. Overnight in Vlora.Duration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 10: Vlore - Llogara National Park - HimaraStop At: Llogara National Park, Llogara National Park, Vlore CountyWe drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. We will shortly stop at Llogara National Park offering a spectacular view of the Palasa Beach. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Porto Palermo Castle, Himare, Vlore CountyOur next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. Himara would be our final destination for this day. Himara town is next to imposing mountain peaks blanketed in deep green forests, crystal clear seas fringed by long white beaches and sparkling springs inviting you to dive in. Overnight in Himara. Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 11: Himara - Butrint (UNESCO site) - SarandaStop At: Butrint National Park, Butrint, Vlore CountyThe ancient site Butrint, is our next destination. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrinti is the most important archaeological site in Albania. Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Lekuresi Castle, Saranda, Vlore CountyIn the evening we take a city tour of Saranda, including the synagogue and Lekursi castle. On the ruins of the old castle there is a bar with a breath taking view of Saranda and Corfu Island. Overnight in Saranda.Duration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 12: Saranda - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (UNESCO site) Stop At: The Blue Eye - Syri i Kalter, AlbaniaOn our way to Gjirokastra we will visit the natural wonder of Blue Eye. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster CountyGjirokastra is also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra you would have to pass by the medieval bazar. The atmospheric old town cascading down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you would be amazed by the wide variety of hand made crafts from local artisans and producers. Overnight in GjirokasterDuration: 12 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 13: Gjirokastër - Permet Stop At: Benja Thermal Baths, Permet, Gjirokaster CountyPërmet, our next destination, is the greenest and the cleanest town in Albania, also known as the "city of roses." The small town of Permet is famous for its folk music, literature personalities, and the good cooking, especially sweets, the so called 'gliko', or preserves. The area is also famous for good wine and strong raki. Very near to Përmet is Bënja, a natural hot thermal spring with a spectacular mountainous view. Overnight in Përmet. Duration: 1 dayNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 14: Permet - Apollonia - Tirana Stop At: Apollonia, Fier, Fier CountyAfter breakfast we head back to Tirana our final destination for this tour. On our way to Tirana we visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia the Odeon Theatre, the Church of Saint Mary, the ancient statues of Illyrian times and the mosaic. This marks the end of this amazing experience through history and adventure. Duration: 3 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.