If you're in Berat, make sure to visit Berat Castle—it’s one of the top highlights in the city. The location offers incredible panoramic views over the Osum River, the Gorica Bridge, and the iconic red rooftops of Mangalem. It’s both a historic site and a living neighborhood, with locals still residing within the castle walls. Getting There: You can drive up (recommended if you prefer comfort—there’s parking available), or walk like I did. It’s about a 20-minute uphill walk, but totally doable if you enjoy a scenic climb. The reward at the top is worth every step! What to Expect: The castle is like stepping back in time—stone-paved paths, beautiful Ottoman-era homes, quiet churches, and photo spots at every turn. You’ll also find a few cafés and small places to eat or grab a drink while enjoying the scenery. Food & Drink Tips in Berat: For coffee and casual bites: Coffe Gimi on the Boulevard is a must—modern vibe and great service. Food offered ther likd dnacks, desserts etc For traditional ambiance: Tradita e Beratit stands out more for its stunning architecture and courtyard than the food, but it's still a worthwhile stop. Bonus Tips for Travelers Exploring More of Albania: Going to Saranda? Try Sophra Traditional—delicious Albanian cuisine paired with an unbeatable view of the Ionian Sea. Visiting Gjirokastra? Don’t miss Te Furra—authentic dishes and a homey atmosphere that feels like a warm local hug. ✅ Free Entry ✅ Historical Experience ✅ Scenic Walk or Drive ✅ Family-friendly ✅ Instagram-worthy Views ✅ Dining Spots Nearby Whether you're in Berat for a day or longer, make sure Berat Castle is on your list—it's the heart of the city and a perfect start to understanding its beauty and culture.

My favorite castle in Albania ! really cool town/ fort at the top of the hill . no entry fee/ really nice views / pretty well preserved castle walls/ church/ etc. plenty to explore and nice area to walk around . Access options : from berat it’s a longer walk up (but easy drive) from the street near the roundabout is a shorter walk up but bumpy road at the beginning (wouldn’t recommend driving) , and from the church way is an adventurous trail walk up (saw families with children hiking up this way)

Very beautiful place with cobblestone streets, tiled roofs and fantastic panoramic views. We bought a standard tour, so we had to rush from one place to another. If your travel plans allow, come outside of a tourist group and spend more time in this great place.

A must see whilst in Berat, you can easily walk up the hill via the main road. There's amenities once you get to the top with plenty of cafes and restaurants. I personally don't recommend driving up as it can get busy so expect having to reverse up a steep hill.

A beautiful place to visit. Museums and churches inside the city-castle, even part of a mosque. Very beautiful view of the mountains. If you drive all the way up to the castle, you need to try to find a parking spot and it may not be so easy.

It’s called castle but there is no castle ahah the entire fortress and ancient village which is so lovely to visit. Nice views from the sky. But I tell you, the way to the top is very hard to climb. You need to walk a lot, but with time it’s ok. Also you can bring a car to the top. No worries. Also we didn’t have to pay for entrance in the castle.

Berat Castle is an enchanting historical site that offers visitors a captivating glimpse into Albania's rich past. The breathtaking views, ancient stone structures, and well-preserved fortifications create an immersive experience. Walking through its winding pathways, I felt transported in time. A must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

A national museum located in the heart of the largest castle in the Balkans. The museum has international values, and world-class iconography, carefully managed by M. Pasku. Also the volumetric combination of the church with the museum gives a feeling of grandeur. Prominent architecture between Greek and Byzantine elements. We had the honor to contribute to site-work and academic research, works consisting of architectural survey and scans of the building with lidar & point-cloud technology.

An interesting little museum inside the castle walls. The altar screen is fantastically ornate. The audio guide goes into some of the pieces in a little too much detail for all bar the most enthusiastic visitor.

Unfortunately I was here with a power outage and did not get to experience the beauty of all the icons. I had to use my phone's flashlight to be able to see things... That being said, when in Berat go and see this when exploring the castle. Beautiful history. Not only of the Orthodox Catholic Church..

Very well preserved and put-together, I found this museum highly worthwhile and enjoyable with the audio guide. The music is well-chosen on it and adds a lot! One of the better museums I’ve seen in Albania.

The museum itself is absolutely beautiful, the artwork it holds is amazing and staff is wonderful. BUT the tourists are terrible and disrespectful- especially ones that are part of tour groups. Guides allow photography, flash photography, loud disturbances, more than 15 people upstairs- all against rules. I even witnessed someone touching the artwork. Personally, I don't think private tours should be given free reign when it's very clear that they do not care about preserving these priceless artworks. I can see the staff is trying their best, but unless there are strict rules put in place, these important pieces of history will be lost. The funny thing is, same tourists would never attempt the same disrespectful behaviors if they were visiting the Met or the Lourve.

Beutiful orthodox church, well preserved

The Onufri Museum is a gem located in Berat castle, central Albania. The visit to the museum was a great experience overall. We had the opportunity to view the collection of historical icons and various artifacts dating as far as the Byzanyine era. It was quite remarkable, as each object carried a unique and profound story. The detailed explanations of our guide Anila, regarding the history and significance of these artifacts greatly enhanced the visit. Her extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and deep appreciation for the museum’s importance made the tour truly extraordinary.

A beautifully preserved house offering a rich glimpse into traditional Albanian life. Authentic artifacts, warm atmosphere, and detailed exhibits make it a must-visit in Berat.

Disappointing experience. I checked Google beforehand and saw it was marked as temporarily closed, but decided to check in person — no sign, no info on-site or on the official website. The shop next door told me it’s been closed for a long time and likely won’t reopen. It’s really frustrating that there’s no clear communication for visitors. A simple sign would go a long way.

Good experience of delving into the customs and traditions of Albanians. You can spend one hour there before heading to the castle.

Nice museum! A lot of history inside of it and information about the traditional Albanian living ways.

Very simple museum with some exhibit of traditional clothing and tools in the ground floor, the second floor is a well preserved traditional Albanian house. Very cozy living areas, sunny kitchen, bedrooms furnished in traditional style for all visitors to experience. No photography allowed inside. The outside garden is beautiful with terraces of flowers and fruit trees. Entrance was 200 leke. Cash only. Free toilets on site. No Wi-Fi.

Must stop there on your way to the castle. It show the Albanian culture in a very interesting way.

Best attraction in Berat if you want to have a taste of the local architecture and culture.

A great choice of hotel for us - one that really understands how to deliver the important things: 1) A hot shower with high water pressure. 2) A truly comfortable bed. 3) A delicious filling breakfast. 4) Friendly helpful people. We couldn't ask for more, a lovely stay.

Absolutely recommend this place. It is located in the UNESCO quarter. We booked our stay just two hours before check-in because our original hotel turned out to be too far from the city center and we had to cancel. The lady who checked us in was lovely. The room was cozy with a stunning view. Breakfast was tasty and filling. I would 10000% come back.

Great experience, property owner was very sweet and accommodative and guided us through. Room was very clean and so was the bathroom. Fairly comfortable bedding. Breakfast was excellent- very tasty and fresh.

Lovely owners, delicious breakfast. The advert was a little deceiving when it said view of mountains and lake - due to the shape of the building, we could see only the roof! Otherwise, great stay, really central location in Berat and I would stay again.

Ok so first - to find it - the location is slightly wrong in google maps but not too far off, follow the directions it gives you but instead continue slightly further up the hill and it will be on your right and not on your left as google maps indicates. The sign is flat on the wall and high above the door so very hard to see. Or as others have said ask at the restaurant and they will guide you. The hostess is very sweet indeed and the breakfast she made us was the best we had in all of Albania. Really recommend a balcony room as the views are stunning.

Lovely little hotel. We stayed for one night and loved it! Berat is a beautiful place. We struggled to find the hotel as it’s down a bit of a side street but we found the restaurant by the same name (balcony gorices) and the staff kindly walked us up to the hotel. It’s worth noting the free parking is in this restaurant also. The breakfast was insanely big considering the room price. We got bread, eggs, jam, cheese, meat, pastries, fruit, orange juice, water and coffee!! We were stuffed. Staff were generally really friendly and helpful. The bed was comfy and room very clean.

Great location, very cute hotel and nice staff. Breakfast was delicious.

Loved the winery and the tours provided. The family here is very friendly and hospitable. Wines are very good and I loved the olive oil and cheese provided as well.

Amazing wine taste for our groups. As we collaborate for years, it is the best choice to taste Albanian wine. The guide tour is perfect for people who want ti learn how the good wine is produced. The shop has a variety of choices, to have a nice drink with your friends also.

Nice yard for tastings. Had a quick tour for tasting. The whole experience took about 3 hours - which was fine because we were not in s rush, but at times felt that we were bit forgotten, waiting for the next wine to try. Great quality snacks to accompany the wines. Beautiful products. Recommended winery to visit in Albania.

The guides are very kind and informative, they show a good understanding of their craft. Great, even amazing english skills. Wine was, contrary too my fear, good. Complex, not too sweet, some dry with a lot of tanins and some other more wet and light. All in all a great experience, good snacks and drinks, and a beautiful garden. For context I chose package 2, 45€

Our visit to Çobo Winery was one of the highlights of our trip to Albania! We arrived without a reservation, and even though a few groups were on their way, the team was incredibly accommodating and still found a spot for us. The service was friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience feel effortless. The wines were great, finger food was plentiful, and the outside setting was perfect for a relaxed tasting. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in Berat! 🍷

Our first visit to Albania and we hired a private transport from the airport to Ksamil. Our guide recommended this stop after Berat and that’s how we found it. Such a great family story that was shared by nephew who personally guided our tour and tasting. He was knowledgeable and spoke great English, such hospitality. They offer unique wines and very reasonable prices. Can’t wait to take them home and share with family and friends and pass along the great story.

So lovely! They usually take reservations, but we didn’t and they were very accommodating. Our server was funny and charismatic. The wines were almost entirely local grapes and SO GOOD! The tour was about 10-15 mins and you could really tell how much work goes into making the wine. Definitely worth going. Gëzuar :)

During Site works for the architectural survey of this "cultural heritage monument", with world values ​​under the supervision of UNESCO. Congrats to the architecture students (2nd year couse) who worked and involved on-site for this important masterpiece!

Beautiful little ancient church located on the mountain. The paintings Inside the church are faded, but gives the feeling of old world charm. The church looks very pretty from outside. The steps leading to the church are very slippery, should be careful while climbing.

Lovely old monastery that can be accessed through a peaceful walk up from the old town. It’s beautiful to explore and provides a great view from the top overlooking the village below.

Beautiful ancient church with a friendly guy taking care of it.

Holy Trinity Church is a medieval Byzantine church which stands on the hill inside Berat Castle In the city of Berat, Albania. Because of its location, it offers magnificent sunset views over the city and is frequented by both locals and tourists that come to admire it. The church is only open once a week but otherwise closed. However, one can admire its historic and architectural beauty outside. No information available about it so come prepared/ research online. Also because of its stone paths trailing up and down around the church having comfortable shoes will prove to be beneficial.

The church has a cross in square plan with a dome. It is composed of the naos, narthex, and the altar alcove. In the church have been skillfully used many byzantine architecture features such as the inner organization of the volume and the decorative and illuminative systems. This features together with the pyramidal shape, forms and proportions give to the church a picturesque view. The Byzantine architectural elements in the church have been combined with western architectural elements belonging to the same period. Inside has two columns with reused capitals that are thought to have been taken from the antique ruins of the citv. In an inscription inside the church has been written the name of closed permanently :( Andronicus Paleologus, who was Governor of the Province of Belgrade (Berat) during 1302-1326. According to this inscription the church must have been built during the XIV century with the financial support of Andronicus Paleologus Asan.

Alright its a very nice church,but faces some real issues. The government and the department of the sports and culture has to something about it . This chuch needs some serious restoration,otherwise all the pictures and everything inside of it will fade away. Im not a religion man,but for the people who believe it’s something difficult and hard to face.

We were welcomed so warmly. The winery looked so great (ask for a tour and the new Wine cellar). And I think so he best part is that it is still family owned. We are staying overnight (no one can resist a good wine tastery). Genti our guide during the wine tastery was so warm, welcoming an had so much nice to tell about the winery. You feel the warmth and experience trough his stories. We would love to come back and see al the new developments they are planning for the winery.

We went for the wine tour and tasting. Genti was amazing. Love the enthusiasm and allegiance to the family business. Makes the tour very engaging and you really want the business to thrive. The wines are great. Love the red, not my normal type, but was fabulously drinkable. Great visit. Fabulous building. Do not miss if you are in Berat.

We came for a wine tasting tour after reading about it in a book and researching on the internet. We were made very welcome and our guide explained everything comprehensively. The surroundings are being expanded and the winery itself is beautifully presented. The vineyards are close but not immediate. The white and red whines are delicious and definitely worth a visit. I would definitely recommend. The winery does have a hotel but have suspended this while building development takes place. All the same , the wine tasting was very good value and the wines were of excellent quality.

The wine tasting was an amazing experience – perfectly organized, with a friendly atmosphere and lots of interesting knowledge. The wines were carefully selected, each with its own unique story and flavor, and the way they were presented made the tasting both engaging and enjoyable. The winery itself left a great impression – beautiful surroundings, a charming interior, and the passion of the hosts made me want to stay longer. Definitely a place worth visiting and returning to.

Service: We went on a wine tasting tour in October 2025 and were shown around by Ganti. He was knowledgeable, friendly, informative and very kind! We had a wonderful time, the service was amazing 🤩 the wine was delicious! One of a kind experience 🩷 Location: very near to Berat hotels, beautiful drive!

The tasting experience is top notch—take your time and enjoy the experience. Very different from wine tasting in CA USA (which is also wonderful with great wines) this feels like family and the work and the process of wine making is visceral and personal. The process is full of love but also intense calculation. I especially loved the Rose (Serina grape) surprising since I usually don’t like Rose but this is dry and lovely, I highly recommend anyone to come here and enjoy this experience fully. And maybe take home some lovely wine along the way.

We did the classic wine tasting tour. We were welcomed very friendly. The tour and wines were great. The story about the history and the process was very interesting. The following tasting was very well organised with great tasting notes, great wines and friendly stories.

Spent the afternoon by ourselves touring this beautiful Cathedral. Although it is a newer Cathedral it is a beautiful and majestic holy site full of gorgeous murals and beautiful architecture. This is worth taking time to stop and see.

This is a very modern Cathedral built on the same site as it's predecessor which was destroyed under the communist regime. It's very plain inside however the stand out feature is the beautiful crafted wooden iconostasis added in 2010. It's currently undergoing some water pressure cleaning and looks as if it's closed. But open the exterior gate and you can go inside.

Located bang in the centre of Berat new town, this 18th Century Byzantine style boasts of traditional styling in ancient aesthetics. I visited today and was meet by the 40 day prayer of the last bishop.

Museum in the Berat castle has much better iconography. But still worth a visit and donation.

Beautiful church, the Divine Liturgy sounded beautiful the nave was filled with both young and old.

Beautiful and quiet cathedral. A baptism was taking place when we visited it, and it was a good experience.

Huge admiration and thank you to the local parish for maintaining such a beautiful cathedral!

You can have the view of “City of Thousands windows” from the bridge. This stone bridge holds a large history of ottoman era and you can see that in the structure. You will have some amazing views from the bridge. Also There are cafes too. You can grab a coffee and enjoy the bridge view too!

Gorica Bridge over the Osum river is a landmark in the city of Berat, Albania. It is one of the oldest and most popular Ottoman bridges in Albania. It connects two parts of Berat, was originally built from wood in 1780 and was rebuilt with stone in the 1920s. It’s one of the famous places to visit while in Berat. Very crowded bridge with people stopping for photos and view. A great view to Berat castle and the old town.

A picturesque town with a rich history and unique character. The old town’s white houses and hilltop castle create a magical atmosphere. Berat is truly unforgettable!

If you go to the church opposite the bridge, this is the place for the best sunset views with all the houses in the background. We made our photos from the church yard and after they closed it at 8 p.m., we continued the photo session in front of it. They light the lights around the houses at the same time and it gets very beautiful. The bridge is also lighted.

Gorica Bridge is a pedestrian bridge on the Osum river, which connects two parts of Berat. It's a landmark in the city of Berat, Albania and one of the oldest and most popular Ottoman bridges in Albania. The bridge was originally built from wood in 1780 and was rebuilt with stone in the 1920. It provides view of the mountains and the unique Berat city.

Must see in Berat. Walk across the bridge but also climb the nearby street to see it from above. You can also walk away to the parking of a mechanic. It offers great views from the river level

Beautiful Bridge over the river enjoy the stunning views of Berat and the culture of the city

Stunning mosque and very friendly staff. I've rarely seen such beautiful wood carving and decoration. A unique place, definitely worth going in

The mosque , meticulously preserved since the early 16th century, stands as a radiant testament to centuries of faith and artistry, embodying both history’s endurance and the city’s soulful harmony.

Nice mosque in Berat. The guys in the door offered to visit, even I was just outside looking to the facade. They were polite and nice. The building was nice to visit.

You will have to navigate regular prayer times as those are for prayers. Outside of that they will let you in. It’s definitely nice on the inside. The two other building if open should be seen, I peaked in from the bars and windows.

I wasn’t let in because I’m jewish. The first time i feel antisemitism in Albania. He asked me where i’m from before letting me in, then refused to let me in and said “for you this is always close, don’t try to come tomorrow”. Really bad feeling.

Very nice old place. The keeper was a nice guy. He explained some stuff to us eventhough his English wasn't the best. The only downside is that no azaan in here.

If you are either Israeli and/or Jewlish you have to lie about your nationality and/or your religion, since the guy at the entrance is going to tell you that you're not welcome there. Funny thing (or very stupid thing on his end) is that both religions share the same god, so punishing by avoiding entrance to a holy place because of one's political views is ridiculous

Perfect pool day. Food really good and affordable. Pizza, salad and brusketa great. Staff work so hard to give a good service. Not too packed even at full capacity. Sunbeds comfy.

Really beautiful pool, great playground for children, and very affordable food and drinks! Perfect for families with kids – everything was clean, well-maintained, and pleasant. I definitely recommend a visit!

Small swimming pool with fresh water. Nice outside area. Come from Berat hotels which all has a lack of pool, and get in the water here. 800 lek entrance. Food and drinks are ok and plentiful. prices are reasonable. The service of the young people running around is fantastic :-)

What a perfect day to spend the day!!! This pool is huge!!! And so many sun loungers and sun beds. It was really clean, including toilets and showers. We had such a lovely Day here, umbrellas for my husband and sun for me! The pool has a deep and shallow area and also a bit to sit in and enjoy the sun whilst staying cool. 7e to enter for an entire day. Huge parking if you drive or we got the bus from Berat and it was easy and d cheap to reach. Then …. There is the food. The menus are hugeeeee and so reasonable priced. They have seafood, meat and pizza as well and a range of drinks and Ice cream. All great prices and everything you can pay on card. We had pizza and was incredible. Highly recommend. All staff efficient and friendly. There is no pressure to order anything if you don’t want. This was the review I would honestly have written before the most gracious and lovely Act of kindness at the end which further shows what kind and wonderful people these are. At the end of the day we had missed the last bus home, we could have for a taxi and the owner was so generous and gave us a lift to the bus station. I cannot believe how kind and generous this was. He had no need to but did it just off his own back to help us out. We are so grateful and thankful.

We’ve been to Family Time for dinner 3 times across 2 visits to Albania. We love it! You can get a whole mix of delicious, traditional meats with traditional appetizers and sides, or you can get yummy fast food like pizza. We always enjoy coming here with friends and family.

Wow, what an amazing find! This little gem looks like a little resort. Two awesome pools, super friendly staff, and good food! Lots of lounge chairs and shade too, perfect for those super hot days. It ended up being one of our favorite places during our time in Berat. If you’re looking to spend a day outside while in Berat, definitely check it out! Our little family had a great day at Family Time :). Thank you!!

Spend the afternoon here. Good and friendly atmosphere! Staff speaks English. For the tasty food (pizza & steak) we had the good service of Arli ;). Only downside is the closing time of +/- 17:00 (because otherwise, we would have stayed a bit longer since it was a nice place to chill out), and also the music that's playing a bit loud.

We had the BEST wine tasting experience ever! Adrian was the best host, and we got the chance to experience the Albanian culture and bond with other travellers. One of the best nights of our lives, the food was also amazing. Much love from Lithuania ❤

A very memorable wine tasting tour! We had not come across Albanian wine until visiting Albania but we were pleasantly surprised by the delicious local grapes. Also the Raki! Our host Adrian was fun and enthusiastic, really making our experience memorable. We stayed for dinner in the restaurant which was a great selection set menu. Very generous portions, we could not finish! Would recommend, easy drive from Berat.

Dining at Alpeta Agritourism was an unforgettable experience. The food was absolutely amazing, authentic, fresh, and full of local flavor. The restaurant itself feels like something out of a fairytale, warm and beautifully decorated, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing evening. The staff were wonderful, friendly, respectful, and genuinely funny, making us feel completely at home. Every detail showed care and love for what they do. And the wine… I’m honestly speechless. It was exceptional, rich, and perfectly paired with the meal. A truly memorable dinner. I’ll definitely be coming back ,this place has my heart. ❤️

Fantastic place to stay. Nice rooms and a lovely spot by the lake which is supremely relaxing. But the best part is the food and the wine. The way they do the wine/raki tasting is so much fun. I’m a grumpy Dutch guy and ‘group things’ I usually avoid. But the wine tasting at a long table, full of nice people which turned into mildly drunk dinner was just incredible. Good food, good drink, good new company. Also all the staff are amazing.

I've been to a lot of wineries around the world.....and.....wow. This beautiful place nestled in the mountains has it all. First of all, Adrian . I could write paragraphs. Possibly the best winery host I've had in my life. Very knowledgeable, kind, funny, and really wanted you to know the history and his love for the place. The wine was amazing but he really made the experience. Definitely check this place out- the best winery in Albania for sure 😊

Everything was absolutely beautiful, and the wine tour was wonderful! The guide was so friendly and relaxed — he had a great sense of how to bring the group together. The rooms were spotless and lovely, though the water wasn’t always warm. We would love to come back anytime!

Amazing wine and raki to try in a nice ambience. Awesome variety of food to be eaten along with them. We tried Fergese, Patate furre, Beetroot salad, Wallace miss, Qofte Kungulli, Olives, cheese, 3 variety of wines and 3 special Rakis. The service is top level and the cost of food is not that much. We can walk around as well in the farm. Would highly recommend going here.

Beautiful, but sad to have men outside trying to scan tourists.

The man with glasses at the entrance of the church is very rude. We were in the courtyard for 5 minutes and all of a sudden he tells us it's "finish" at 11.25am. I just turned for a picture and he started speaking in Albanian, probably insulting us with his grumpy face. Didn't say goodbye as he slammed the door closed after us. They should put the opening hours at the entrance, how could we guess a church would close at 11.25am.

First thing you hear is "one candle" to get in.. not even a greeting.. i lit a candle in the other church cause no one asked me to and i felt that place needed preservating.. i just walked away from this one instead because of that guy at the entrance

Old angry guy in front scamming 1 euro juste because he's smoking in front of the door. Bored of having to pay in the 15 churches of the city

You can really feel the history of the church when the old man posted up infront of the church chain smoking tries to scam some money out of you for a candel. Perhaps the church sees some of it, but it apears to go right into his pocket. Cigaret money, perhaps? Maybe some of the smoke reaches heaven so Jesus can get a whiff.

Our entry to the church was conditioned on buying candles, so we simply walked away.

A very beautiful place