Berat, Albania: The City of a Thousand Windows

If there’s one place you have to visit in Albania, make it beautiful Berat—also known as ‘the city of a thousand windows’. Discover this wonderful town home to two ancient neighborhoods, filled with traditional Ottoman houses and divided by the River Osum. Use your days to wander the cobblestone streets, explore the bustling markets, and see a beautiful mountain sunset from the ruins of the Byzantine Castle. Enjoy all the top things to do in Berat, Albania!

Berat, Albania: The City of a Thousand Windows

Berat is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. Here you’ll discover a stunning bridge crossing the River Osum that unites two hillside neighborhoods. As you wander the cobbled streets, you’ll also find mosques, churches, and ruins home to friendly neighborhood cats.

There’s plenty of history to be discovered in Berat, which is why the historic center is a designated UNESCO site. Additionally, the town has newer parts—namely, the main pedestrian boulevard. Here, you can discover many cafes, restaurants, and shops where families gather at the end of the day.

1. Berat Castle

Berat Castle is one of the top things to do in Berat. This 13th-century structure is also the biggest castle in Albania, its ancient walls telling the story of Berat. Most interesting is that locals still live within the citadel walls, meaning you’ll find houses, shops, and stalls within the castle quarter. It’s essentially its own village!

To get there, you have two roads you can follow up the hill. Halfway up this route, you can also find a shortcut where you zig-zag over a gravel path. Once you reach the top, it’s very picturesque, with beautiful views all over the valley. Plus, you can also climb on the walls for fantastic sunset views.

2. Entrance Fee and Opening Times for Berat Castle

The entrance fee for Berat Castle is 300 LEK (2.70 USD) between 9 AM  – 6 PM. However, it’s open 24 hours a day, so you can get free entrance if you visit outside the primary hours.

We recommend allowing yourself a few hours for exploring and extra time if you want to visit the museum. You can also join an organized tour of Berat Castle for more information.

3. Visit Berat’s Red Mosque (Top Thing to do in Berat)

On top of the hill, within the citadel, sits the ruins of one of the oldest mosques in the country! An icon of the religion within Albania, the Red Mosque was also the first in Berat. Sadly, there is now only the minaret left and the remains of some of the walls, although this doesn’t take away from its beauty and importance.

4. Join a Tour of Osum Canyon (Top Thing to do in Berat)

Got more time on your visit to Berat? If you do, don’t miss out on visiting the great Osum Canyon! (Book your tour here) This colossal gorge is Albania’s largest canyon, home to some beautiful nature and some of the most spectacular views. Take a tour, where you’ll experience the views from above the gorge, as well as climb down into the sheer canyon to swim in the refreshing river. This area also becomes popular in the summer for rafting, an exciting activity to do on your trip to Berat.