Berat, Albania is a lovely, compact city to visit that’s home to a castle and plenty of wandering lanes. It’s a picturesque city and some of the charm just comes from walking the streets of the historic city center. It doesn’t take a lot of time to see the highlights of Berat, so it deserves a place on any Albanian itinerary.
In this guide, learn how to plan an itinerary for one day in Berat, Albania.
One Day in Berat, Albania
While there are plenty of ways to organize your time in Berat, here’s what I recommend, particularly if you’re a first time visitor or if you’re here on a very hot day (like I was).
Morning – Berat Castle & Surroundings
In my opinion, no visit to Berat would be complete without climbing to the top of the castle for views of the city. Like almost every castle in Europe, Berat’s castle was built on top of the highest hill in the city. While it was protection for the castle, now days, we get fantastic views from the top.
You’ll have a bit of a climb to reach the castle from the historic center. It’s steep in some places, but it’s a manageable climb. If you’re here on a hot day, try to visit as early in the day as you can. There’s not a lot of shade up at Berat Castle and you’ll constantly be exposed to the hot sun. And since walking up the hill to the castle can work up a sweat, that’s even more incentive to start early.
The important thing to note about visiting Berat’s castle is that it’s not a castle in the traditional sense. A lot of the castle is in ruins, but other buildings have taken over the space. What do you expect from a castle that was first constructed in the third century?
So you’ve reached the top of the hill. What do you see and do at Berat’s castle?
Take in the views from the Berat Viewing Platform. This is where you’ll get the best views of the city. You’ll be able to see views of the river and surrounding mountains from other areas around the castle, but this is the best view.
If you have an interest in religious art, you can visit the National Iconography Museum. The museum is home to more than 200 works of art, including works from famous Albanian painters. As the name suggests, many of these artworks are Orthodox icons.
Holy Trinity Church is nice from the outside and has a marvelous setting. Inside, it doesn’t look all that impressive on the surface, but what you should know is that those peeling frescoes are unique. The church was constructed during the Byzantine era and the frescoes help to give a unique look at Albanian iconography from the 13th and 14th centuries.
In addition to everything else I’ve mentioned, you’ll find restaurants, cafes, and a few shops. Like on the streets below, there’s plenty of lanes and streets to walk down, so take your time walking and seeing what you can find.
I’d give yourself two hours at minimum to visit the Berat castle, but three hours allows you to travel more leisurely and visit the Iconography Museum.
A Break for Lunch
The more I travel, the more I try to make it a point to actually include a stop for lunch amongst a busy sightseeing day. So, find somewhere that looks good and enjoy your lunch. Just keep in mind that all food portions in Albania and you will inevitably end up leaving your meal very, very full.
Afternoon – Historic Center & Gorica
After lunch, spend some time exploring the city center of Berat. This is pretty vague, I’ll admit, so here’s what you’ll want to make sure to look out for.
The Gorica Bridge was built to connect the Muslim and Christian sides of the city. Now it’s just a way for tourists and locals to get around. Note that there are two bridges and I liked to make it into a circle. I’d cross one bridge and wander through the Gorica neighborhood. When I was done, I’d cross the other bridge and work my way back to my starting point.
In the Gorica neighborhood you’ll find charming lanes and restaurants. You’ll also find several orthodox churches including Church of St. Spiridon and the Church of St. Thomas.
In Mangalem, you’ll find more lanes to explore, though if I’m honest, I think I liked Gorica more, but you can be the judge. You’ll also find the Bachelor’s Mosque and the King Mosque.
Further east, you’ll find a large square and the Saint Demetrius Cathedral. Is it the most impressive cathedral I’ve ever been in? No, but you can still pop in for a visit.
Like with the castle this morning, there’s no rush and you can take your time as you leisurely meander through the city of Berat.
Evening – Boulevard Republika
As the temperatures drop (particularly on a hot, summer day), it becomes more pleasant and Boulevard Republika comes alive with locals and tourists alike. This pedestrian street is lovely for a stroll. With bars and restaurants lining one side the street and a park on the other, it’s a perfect spot to people watch.
Is One Day in Berat, Albania Enough?
I think one day in Berat is just enough time to see the highlights. In my opinion the highlights are the views from Berat Castle and walking through the historic Old Town. Both of those can comfortably be done in just one day.
How to Get to Berat, Albania
If you’re traveling by bus around Albania, you’ll know that finding bus schedules can be difficult. The best resource is grijafatravel.com which gives a high level overview of when you can expect buses to leave.
For those traveling between Tirana and Berat, buses depart frequently. Typically there will be a bus leaving every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what time of day. Buses utilize the North-South Bus Terminal in Tirana.
You can also reach Berat from numerous other destinations, but the frequency of these departures is not as high as what you will find for connections to Tirana. Confirm the schedule in advance if possible.
Just keep in mind that most buses won’t leave until they’re full. So use the times that you find online as a starting point, but realize that the bus drivers may not actually stick to those times. For that reason, I don’t recommend purchasing your bus tickets for Albania in advance (unless your journey involves crossing a country border).
How to Get Around Berat, Albania
Once you arrive in the historic center of Berat, it’s pretty easy to get everywhere you need on foot. The center is pretty compact and while you can spend some time walking along the river and crossing the bridges, in general, you’ll be fine exploring on foot.
The big issue is reaching Berat’s bus terminal since it sits outside the historic center. You have two options. Option one is to take a taxi. There are typically taxis waiting at the bus station, but for those wanting to go to the bus station, ask your accommodation to call you a taxi. This should cost about 5 euros/500 LEK. If you’re staying at one of the hotels inside Berat Castle, I’d recommend taking a taxi so you don’t have to climb the hill with all of your luggage.
The second option is cheaper, but takes longer. There is a public bus that connects the bus station and the historic center and it costs just 30 LEK. There is a stop marked just in front of the bus terminal where the bus will pick up.
In town, there are several stops, but I’d look at either the stop near Gorica Bridge, this stop near Mangalem, or this stop on the square in front of St. Demetrius Cathedral. There’s only one bus running this line, so just stand at the stop, wait for the bus to show up and board. A worker will come around and ask for your fare and give you a ticket.
Tips for a Summer Visit
I visited Berat in July and it was hot. My top tip for a summer visit to Berat is to reconsider. If you can visit at another time during the year, it’s likely going to be a much better experience. Personally, if I were to visit again, I’d aim for May, early June, or September. This should give you nice weather without oppressive heat.
But, if it works out that you’ll be visiting in summer (perhaps because you’ll be doing some hiking in northern Albania and want to include a stop in Berat while you’re in the country), try to get an early start. Go sightseeing early in the morning and late in the evening. Spend the afternoon, and hottest part of the day, relaxing in a cool place. When it’s that hot out, even the locals head for the comfort of cooler temperatures.
Final Thoughts
Berat is a very picturesque city and I think it’s completely reasonable to plan just one day in Berat. You’ll be able to see the highlights of the city and not feel rushed. It’s the perfect place to stop on your way from Tirana to popular destinations in the south of Albania.
