From Castles to Canyons: The best things to do in Berat Albania
Located at the foot of mount Tomorr, Berat -Also known as the ‘’City of a Thousand Windows’’- is one of Albania’s most enchanting cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its cascading Ottoman houses, dramatic mountain backdrop, and riverside neighbourhoods, it is easy to see why Berat is so loved among many travelers.
From my very first visit to the most recent one, Berat has never stopped amazing me.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering about the best things to do in Berat, Albania, this guide has the recommendations you are looking for- from exploring Berat Castle and wandering Mangalem and Gorica to hiking mount Tomorr and exploring the Osum river and canyons. Even letting you in on the best wineries in the region with the most spectacular views and aesthetics.
So let’s stop hyping it up- and dive into exactly what you should do when you visit this beautiful city.
Table of content
Wandering Berat’s Unesco Old Town
The UNESCO-protected districts of Mangalem and Gorica are among the oldest parts of Berat- and easily my favorite areas to explore on foot.
Separated by the Osumn river and connected by stone and hanging bridges, the two neighbourhoods each have their own charming personality.
Gorica, founded in the 16th century and once inhabited by local royalty, is dreamy to wander through and offers unique views of Mangalem and Berat Castle in one perfect panorama.
Nowadays, it truly comes alive at night, with cozy riverside bars and traditional restaurants playing live music.
I highly recommend coming here when you just want to slow down and experience real Albanian hospitality- paired with gorgeous views of the illuminated old town.
Across the Osum river lies Mangalem, the district largely responsible for Berat’s nickname; ‘’The city of a thousand windows’’.
With beautifully built ottoman houses cascading from the hillside, it really does feel like a thousand of windows are reflecting the golden sunlight back at you
Walking through this district feels like a fairytale maze of narrow cobblestone alleys between stacked white houses, with little surprises waiting at every turn.
Whether you’re wandering Gorica or Mangalem, every stroll turns into a small sidequest: wine windows tucked into alley walls, historic churches and mosques, charming cafes and secret viewpoints popping up when you least expect them.
If you have the time, make sure to visit both- you rarely come across such a beautiful preserved piece of history
And as an added bonus: crossing the bridges between the districts gives you postcard-perfect views of Mount Tomorr and Berat’s Old Town- ideal for that Instagram shot.
All with all no quick boring walk here- you’ll want to get gloriously lost.
River hiking in Osumi Canyon
Albanian summers can seriously get hot- so if you’re craving fresh air and cold water, I don’t blame you one bit. Luckily, one of the best places to cool off – and no it is not allong the coastline-, is also one of the most spectacular sights in the country: Osum Canyon (Also known as Osumni Canyon).
If you’re looking to escape the heat and the city, I highly recommend joining a guided river hiking tour in Osum Canyon near Berat.
You’’ll be picked up by van and driven along scenic mountain roads through picturesque villages, wih stops at jaw-dropping viewpoints along the way.
Once you arrive at the rafting center, near Skrapar, you’ll be fitted with all the necessary gear before heading into the canyon.
Then the adventure really begins.
Expect around two kilometers of walking through refreshing mountain-spring water, swimming underneath waterfalls, and -if you are feeling brave- jumping off cliff ledges into crystal clear pools. All of this happens inside towering canyon walls that rise dramatically above you, creating an almost surreal setting.
It’s absolutely worth the drive , and honestly one of my favorite experiences in all of Albania. If you’re passing through Berat, don’t skip this one.
Not into cliff jumping? No worries at all- guides do offer alternative tours so you can still soak up the scenery and enjoy the canyon at a gentler pace. Or take a look at my day itinerary if you plan to head over there by yourself.
Packing tip
Pack a swimsuit for underneath your wetsuit and make sure you have shoes with enough profile to walk over the slippery sidebacks. Preferably sneakers with laces so you don’t loose them,. otherwise the river will bring your shoes back to your Berat 🙂
Explore Berat’s Castle
One thing I absolutely recommend is visiting Berat’s Castle, this castle is not your typical castle ruins, it is definitely unique.
As Albania’s last continuously inhibited castle, this historic fortress is far more than just ancient walls and viewpoints. Inside you’ll find cozy family- run restaurants, lively little bars, hillside embedded mosques and churches, fascinating museums and monuments that tell the story of Albania’s resilient past.
You could easily spend an entire day wandering within and around the castle grounds.
Beyond exploring on your own, I highly recommend joining the guided castle tour, offered by larger companies likeAlbania Rafting group and experienced local guides that are available on site. The local guides are experts at bringing the history to life with enthusiasm- and often sprinkle in personal stories that make the entire experience even more special.
One of my favorite parts of the castle, though, is the view. From the castle walls you can look out over the snow covered mountains and red-roofed houses of Berat below- especially magical while enjoying traditional food and local wine at one of the restaurants perched along the walls.
A sunset dinner here? Unbeatable!
Personal favorite
If you don’t mind heading back up after dark, visit the official viewpoint overlooking Berat’s old town for one of my favorite scenes in this city: Berat glowing up from below, coming alive with lights after the sun has set.
And yes there are no spoiler photo’s for now, as the best part of traveling is discovering some pecial places for yourself. So I encourage you to discover this one on your own 😉
Go wine tasting at local Vineyards
Berat is home to two of Albania’s best wineries, making winetasting an easy- and delicious- addition to your itinerary.
Both offer completely different vibes
Roshnik winery
My personal favorite for atmosphere. Located in a more remote area, Roshnik boasts gorgeous views and dreamy gardens where tastings happen right between the grapevines themselves. At night, strings of lights hanging above the vines create a magical setting.
Çobo
Perfect for serious winelovers who enjoy a warm, homely feel. Here you can tour the winery itself- often led by a family member or even the owner- and enjoy carefully explained pairings. It feels intimate, authentic, and deeply rooted in local tradition.
Whether you choose Roshnik romantic garden setting or Çobo’s welcoming family estate, you really can’t go wrong.
How to get there?
Both places are outside the city and only accesable by car. So either you can join a tourgroup, go by your own car or take a taxi.
Or you can always ask your hotel/ airbnb/ hostel owner, as almost every Albanian seem to know someone that is able to help you out when it comes to transportation, wheather it is a cousin, neighbour or friend. An amazing option when you rally would like to learn more about the culture and Albania’s wonderfull people.
Escape to mount Tomorr
As much as I love Berat with all its cultural and historical sights, sometimes you just need a break from the bustling streets and tourist attractions- and touch some grass. Or rocks. Honestly, anything to do with nature.
So if you’re anything like me and craving mountain air and epic scenery, plan an excursion into Mount Tomorr National Park, one of the best nature escapes near Berat.
Several tours run each week and take you either fully or partway up the mountain, including beginner-friendly hikes for those of us who aren’t exactly seasoned mountaineers (yes- this includes me).
I joined a guided tour organized by the Albania Rafting Group, which drove us along narrow mountain roads through endless olive groves in a 4×4. Truly a gorgeous drive with beautiful stoppoints for pictures.
From a gentle starting point, we continued on foot – accompanied by our guide Arti, a local mountain expert, and quite possibly the sassiest donkey you’ll ever meet – towards mysterious old castle ruins perched high on Mount Tomorr.
Along the way, we passed surreal viewpoints, lush greenery, and pockets of wildlife, making this hike feel far more energizing than exhausting.
At the highest point of the route , you’re given plenty of time to soak in the enormous panoramic views: rolling olive gardens, the tiny mountain village, and Berat far below.
It’s the perfect backdrop for proving to friends back home that yes – you can skip the stairmaster this year because, look how high you hiked up the mountain in Albania. Just casually skip over the 4×4 drive, I won’t tell 😉
To top off the day, we were treated to one o the best freshly prepared traditional lunches, served high in the mountains with a view that somehow made it taste even better.
All in all, this is an experience that absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary when visiting Berat.
Optional Add-Ons
Because our tour started later in the day—and the weather turned shortly after—I didn’t get the chance to visit the mountain lake that’s normally included. I’ve heard it’s absolutely stunning, though, and kayaking on a lake tucked into the mountains sounds surreal.
Always check with your tour company what’s possible that day, as weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
Hiking Tip
The weather on Mount Tomorr can shift fast, especially if you’re new to hiking. Pack enough water and bring an extra layer—something like a vest or long-sleeved top is perfect. You don’t need a full parka, but being prepared for cooler temperatures is never a bad idea.
Why Berat Belongs to your Albania Itinerary
With it’s living castle, UNESCO neighborhoods, dramatic canyon landscapes, mountain escapes and vineyards tucked into rolling hills, Berat is one of Albania’s most rewarding destinations.
Whether you stay for a day or linger longer, this city has a way of quietly stealing your heart.