There are a handful of awesome things to do in Berat, Albania and you really shouldn’t miss this charming little town! From UNESCO world heritage sites to stunning panoramic views, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I’ve delved into the top ten things to do in Berat so that you can ensure you make perfect use of your time here.
Let’s skip the small talk and dive into everything you need to know before visiting this fascinating little place.
Is Berat Worth Visiting?
Berat is absolutely worth a visit! There’s a decent amount to see and it’s a lovely place to wander. Besides, if you love learning about history, this place is rich in century old history and fascinating things to explore.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Berat?
I visited during the peak of the summer period in August 2023. And, in all honesty, the heat was absolutely unbearable!
Berat and Gjirokaster are known for being some of the hottest towns in Albania considering they consist of mostly concrete. Moreover, there’s very little tree coverage so this place really heats up!
Therefore, I’d recommend visiting during the shoulder season. Anytime before or after summer is great to enjoy this beautiful town. So, try to consider visiting beginning of June or the end of September.
The sunset views are incredible from the viewing platform!
How Long Do You Need in Berat?
In all honesty, you don’t need too much time in Berat as there isn’t an awful lot to do. So, I’d recommend allowing at least 2 nights to stopover in this town. Therefore, you get 2 half days to explore and one full day.
Plenty of time to explore the beauty of this town!
10 Best Things to Do in Berat
- Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to get around the town and do some exploring is to join in on the free walking tour. There are two tours running daily from 9 AM and 6 PM.
The tour guides’ names are Bruno and Elona and they are fantastic at showing visitors around the city.
For more information, hit the Google link below to find the starting point for the walk and to read up on some of the reviews.
- Gorica Bridge
The Gorica Bridge is a beautiful stone bridge to cross and explore both sides of the town. Moreover, this bridge is said to be anywhere from 300-400 years old.
The Bridge stretches out over the Osumi River and is about 130m in length. It’s a lovely spot to visit for sunset and to enjoy views over the river.
Not to mention, this makes up a great lap to take around the town including the next point of interest.
- New Bridge of Berat
Continue wandering around the town of Berat and visit this bridge to complete a lovely lap of the town. The new bridge of Berat is a suspension bridge, so it tends to bounce around a little once there are a number of people walking across.
Nonetheless, the bridge looks lovely and is another great way to cross over the Osumi River and offers another beautiful vantage point of the town.
- St. Michael’s Church
Perched up and nestled in the hills of Berat is St. Michael’s Church. However, if you want to reach this spot, you’ll need to be ready to conquer some steep hills to visit the attraction.
It’s likely that this church was built in the fourteenth century and now makes up part of Berat’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
For the most part, this spot isn’t visited by many people so you’re likely to have it all to yourself. And, the view over the town is absolutely incredible! It’s definitely worth the hike, just wear some comfy shoes to make your way to the top.
- Berat Castle
Battle the steep hills of Berat to enjoy the magnificent castle of Berat. Not to mention, this is easily one of the best things to do in Berat and I highly recommend visiting this location, despite the steep incline!
This castle dates back to the 13th century and stands at an elevation of around 214 metres. There are loads of houses, churches and mosques within the castle and there is plenty to explore.
When exploring the castle you can follow the different walking routes to explore the defensive wall, acropolis, Southern tower and so much more!
Tip: Visit the castle at sunset for stunning golden-hour views of Berat. Besides, this is also the coolest time of day to visit the castle!
- Berat Viewing Platform
At some point in your journey around the castle, you can wander over to the Berat viewing platform for epic views over the town. The Albanian flag will be flying high and the panoramic views over the town and surrounds make the hike up the hill worth every drop of sweat!
Sunset up here is pretty incredible and you can enjoy the beauty of this location before heading back into town.
- Bulevardi Republika
Wander where the locals flock to every evening for the best place to hang out once the sun goes down. There are bars, restaurants, cafes and outdoor seating spaces.
Moreover, this is a lovely spot to enjoy a sunset beer or to dine while people watching. I recommend taking a stroll along the boulevard before finding a spot to park up.
Wander the Boulevard at dusk
- Wine Tasting Tour
One of the most popular activities to enjoy in Berat is the wine-tasting tour. Enjoy a few hours of boozy-filled fun and taste some delicious local wines.
Not to mention, Berat is the biggest wine-producing town of Albania, so you’re sure to taste some of the best in the country!
For more information on the wine tasting tour, check out this link here.
- Bogova Waterfall
An hour’s drive southeast will take you to one of the hotspots of Berat. Moreover, this is an excellent way to escape the heat of Berat and dive into the beautiful nature of Albania.
Bogova Waterfall offers strikingly blue water between a rocky canyon. You will visit with a tour guide who will organise transport, lunch and all the sightseeing locations.
For the most part, tours are around 4,500 Albanian Lek, but the price will fluctuate according to season or exchange rates.
- Lulishtja
Last but not least, relax in the lovely park of Lulishtja, or enjoy a stroll under the trees. Moreover, this is an excellent spot to escape the heat and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Berat old town.
I recommend bringing some food along or grabbing some takeaway from one of the shops. There’s lots of space to enjoy a seat on the grass or park up along one of the park benches.
Wrapping Up
Berat is a charming little town and is absolutely worth visiting. There are a number of excellent activities and things to do, so it definitely makes this town worth a stopover!
All in all, my favourite attraction was easily the Berat Castle and viewing platform. I simply couldn’t get over the views and it’s definitely the best place to enjoy sunset in town.
Finally, be sure to check out the other posts on my blog for more information regarding travel in Albania. And, check out the other countries I’ve visited while you’re at it.
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