Berat

Berat is a city in Albania. In 2008 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town. It is one of the country's most beautiful towns, and is known as the "town of a thousand windows".

• Berat Tourist Information Center.

Berat Tourist Information Center.

• The castle. It was mostly built in the 13th century, but with origins going back to the 4th century BC. A very beautiful place with great views of the surrounding area. Getting to the Kala requires a steep walk up a cobbled path - take care, the stones are worn and slippery. The citadel is still inhabited, with many churches, and there are a couple of bars and shops in the Kala area.
• Onufri Iconography Museum, Rrugica Shën Triadha (within the Kala. Closed Mondays. at the site of a church, features the vivid iconography works of the famous 16th century painter Onufri and others. The museum hold other artifacts gathered form nearby churches and others around Albania.
• Berat Ethnographic Museum, Rruga Andrea Tavanxhiu (in the grounds of a traditional house, on the way up to the castle. It features traditional local furniture and house utensils.
• Mangalem old town area. a traditionally Muslim area.
• Gorica old town area. A traditionally Christian area.
• Numerous Byzantine Churches, dating from the 13th century.
• St Mary church, next from Rrugica Panajot Haxhimihali (within the Kala.
• Church of St Demetrius.
• Church of St. Theodore.
• Church of St. Sophia.
• Dormition Cathedral.
• Holy Trinity Church.
• Saint Michael Church, Rruga e Shën Mëhilli.
• Cathedral of St. Bitri, Rruga Antipatrea and Rruga Rilindja corner.
• Several Mosques from the Ottoman era (starting from 1417).
• Sahatit Mosque, Rruga Xhamia e Sahatit.
• Kuqe Mosque, Rrugica Mbrica (South part of the Kala.
• Bachelors' Mosque, Rruga Antipatrea.
• Mbret Mosque, Rruga Mihal Komnena.
• Tekke of Helveti.
• Lead Mosque, Rruga Gaqi Gjika.

• Tomorri Mountain. A national park. There is a Bektashi Temple at the mountain peak.
• Bogova Waterfall, Bogovë village (S 30 km between Berat and Corovode..
• Osumi River Canyon. One of the most beautiful rivers in Albania passing through canyons as high as 100 meters. Outdoor Albania offers a 3-hour rafting experience inside the canyons.

Tomorri Mountain. A national park. There is a Bektashi Temple at the mountain peak.

Bogova Waterfall, Bogovë village (S 30 km between Berat and Corovode..

Osumi River Canyon. One of the most beautiful rivers in Albania passing through canyons as high as 100 meters. Outdoor Albania offers a 3-hour rafting experience inside the canyons.

The castle. It was mostly built in the 13th century, but with origins going back to the 4th century BC. A very beautiful place with great views of the surrounding area. Getting to the Kala requires a steep walk up a cobbled path - take care, the stones are worn and slippery. The citadel is still inhabited, with many churches, and there are a couple of bars and shops in the Kala area.

Onufri Iconography Museum, Rrugica Shën Triadha (within the Kala. Closed Mondays. at the site of a church, features the vivid iconography works of the famous 16th century painter Onufri and others. The museum hold other artifacts gathered form nearby churches and others around Albania.

Berat Ethnographic Museum, Rruga Andrea Tavanxhiu (in the grounds of a traditional house, on the way up to the castle. It features traditional local furniture and house utensils.

Mangalem old town area. a traditionally Muslim area.

Gorica old town area. A traditionally Christian area.

Numerous Byzantine Churches, dating from the 13th century.

St Mary church, next from Rrugica Panajot Haxhimihali (within the Kala.

Church of St Demetrius.

Church of St. Theodore.

Church of St. Sophia.

Dormition Cathedral.

Holy Trinity Church.

Saint Michael Church, Rruga e Shën Mëhilli.

Cathedral of St. Bitri, Rruga Antipatrea and Rruga Rilindja corner.

Several Mosques from the Ottoman era (starting from 1417).

Sahatit Mosque, Rruga Xhamia e Sahatit.

Kuqe Mosque, Rrugica Mbrica (South part of the Kala.

Bachelors' Mosque, Rruga Antipatrea.

Mbret Mosque, Rruga Mihal Komnena.

Tekke of Helveti.

Lead Mosque, Rruga Gaqi Gjika.

• Take a walk on the peculiar Footpaths of The Old Town featuring exterior flower and plant decorations, tight paths and unique local hospitality.
• Horse ride at Gorica Hill.
• Take a walk along the main Promenade at sunset where locals hang out for some fresh air.
• Cinema.
• Osum Park.

Take a walk on the peculiar Footpaths of The Old Town featuring exterior flower and plant decorations, tight paths and unique local hospitality.

Horse ride at Gorica Hill.

Take a walk along the main Promenade at sunset where locals hang out for some fresh air.

Cinema.

Osum Park.

• Traditional souvenirs include stone carving, wood cheeping, and textile products.

• Rice with turkey-cock (Pilaf me kaposh deti)
• Mont Blanc pastry named after the white peak of Tomorri Mt
• Try the delicious figs and olives of the area.
• There is a traditional restaurant just inside the Kala area that does very good food.
• Guva Mangalem Hotel-Bar-Restaurant, Rruga Llambi Guxhumani, +355 32 230 014. Average. Rooms: air conditioning, room service, Internet, bathroom.
• Ajka Restaurant. Delicious food with an excellent view.

Guva Mangalem Hotel-Bar-Restaurant, Rruga Llambi Guxhumani, +355 32 230 014. Average. Rooms: air conditioning, room service, Internet, bathroom.

Ajka Restaurant. Delicious food with an excellent view.

• Try traditional Raki made from walnuts (Raki me arra), and peculiar juice made from roses.
• Cobo Winery, Ura Vajgurore, +355 3612 2088. Features locally made wine and a winery tour.

Try traditional Raki made from walnuts (Raki me arra), and peculiar juice made from roses.

Cobo Winery, Ura Vajgurore, +355 3612 2088. Features locally made wine and a winery tour.

• Tirana - There are buses.
• Gjirokastër - Take a bus.
• Sarandë via Gjirokastër - departs 08:00 and 14:00 daily, 6 hours (1000 lek)
• Fier - If you wish to travel to Fier, it is recommended not to take shortcuts as the direct road between Berat and Fier is in bad shape. Instead, go via Lushnjë.