I give you in this blog an overview of the most fun activities and sights in Berat and the surrounding region. This city has an incredible amount of cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes and the delicious culinary highlights. Berat, also known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”, is one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in Albania. It is rich in history and lies in an environment where you can beautifully go rafting.
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Visit Berat Castle
Our first destination is the impressive Berat Castle, one of the oldest castles in the country. This imposing fort offers a breathtaking view over the city and the surrounding mountains. Walk through the old walls and explore the various historical buildings within the castle complex. Here you will also find the Onufri Museum, which houses a treasure of religious art and icons that are an important part of the local culture and traditions.
Get Lost in the Mangalem Neighborhood
A walk through the enchanting Mangalem neighborhood is like a journey back in time. The narrow cobblestone streets, with their wooden houses built against the hill, create a picturesque setting. Discover the beautiful architecture and stop at cozy cafes and craft shops. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the ethnographic exhibition in the Ethnographic Museum, where you can learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the local population. See for more information: https://muzeumet-berat.al/en/ethnographic-museum/
Look Out Over the Old Neighborhood
On the south side of the citadel is Mangalemi, the historical neighborhood that borders the Osum River and is characterized by the steep hill on which the famous whitewashed houses are built. These stone houses, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, are built in a beautiful Ottoman style. What makes these houses so special is the upper floor of each house, with countless windows that are adorned with traditional wood carvings. From afar, it looks as if the windows seamlessly blend into each other, and this is why Berat has earned the nickname “The City of a Thousand Windows”. An excellent place to enjoy this spectacle is from the mountain at Berat Castle.
Tip! Go here towards the end of the day when the sun sets, this creates beautiful long shadows and great photos.
Rafting in the Osumi Canyon
Just a short drive from Berat, you will find the breathtaking Osumi Canyon. Here you can take an unforgettable walk through the gorge and enjoy the lush green landscapes, the cascading waterfalls and the unique fauna and flora.
If you want even more adventure, I recommend going rafting on the Osumi River, which will certainly give you an adrenaline rush. You will go rafting between beautiful waterfalls in turbulent water. We booked our rafting adventure via Albanian Rafting.
Stay in Berat
Berat is naturally a place where the real culture of Albania can be seen in all the beautiful historical buildings. So there is nothing better than also finding a suitable place to stay. We stayed in Hotel Berati, a beautiful traditional hotel.
