2 Day Berat Itinerary + Things to do
Berat offers the perfect blend of city life, nature, culture, and history. Being one of Albania’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there’s plenty of things to do in Berat and in this post I’ll outline the best 2 day Berat itinerary.
Some fun facts – Berat is known as the “city of a thousand windows.” It was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The city is surrounded by mountains; the most famous being the holy Mount Tomorr.
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Albania Google Map – 200+ pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?
Then my Albania map is for you!
Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:
- Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
- Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
- Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
- Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details
Quick Albania Travel Guide:
**Find my recommended Albania itineraries linked in the section below**
Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable travel insurance before your trip. This insurance is trusted by backpackers and adventure sport enthusiasts around the world. You can also use my link to receive 5% off SafetyWing policies. Here’s a blog post with more trustworthy travel insurance options you can compare.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.
Best Activities: Looking for the best tours and activities around Albania? See my Viator shop for my top recommendations.
Currency: Albanian LEK (aka ALL). This is a closed currency so you’ll need to wait until you’re in Albania to withdraw/exchange money. Make sure you exchange any leftover money before you leave the country too. Credins ATMs don’t have a service charge.
Transportation: to enter the country you’ll find 1 international airport in Tirana, 1 port in Saranda (daily ferry arrivals/departures to Corfu, Greece), and a bus line from Montenegro. Buses are very cheap here, but unreliable and taxis are pricey in comparison. Driving is chaotic and there are no trains within the country.
Phone: purchase a local SIM card from Vodafone – the plans are cheap and they include lots of data, however international minutes are typically not available. Vodafone storefronts can be found in bigger cities (Tirana, Saranda, Shkoder, etc).
Language: Albanian, however you can get by with English. Google translate is recommended for smaller cities/villages.
Safety: I found Albania to be very safe. I and my fellow travellers had no trouble with theft and I felt comfortable walking around as a solo female at night. People are generally very welcoming here, but always keep your wits about you – no matter where you travel.
Helpful Info: don’t drink the tap water or bring a purifying bottle like this one. Most hostels/guesthouses/hotels have laundry facilities.
Purchase my Albania map which is downloadable to google maps on your phone. It has 200+ pinned locations around the country – all available at your fingertips.
Packing Guide: here’s my ultimate packing guide/travel essentials.
Albania is one of the last “undiscovered” countries in Europe. Plan your trip while prices & tourism levels are low!
Helpful Albania Blog Posts
Albania Itineraries: 1 week south | 1 week north | 2 weeks whole country | 1 month for backpackers
- My Ultimate Albania Backpacker Guide
- 15+ Helpful Tips You Should Know BEFORE Travelling Albania
- 30+ Best Things to do in Albania: Excursions, Tours, and Destinations
- 17 Best Places in Albania
- Hiker’s Guide to the Albanian Alps
- Valbona to Theth Hiking Guide
- 10+ Albania hikes Worth Doing
- Lodging: best hostels for backpackers | luxury hotels
Berat Itinerary and Things to do in Berat
How to Get to Berat
Berat is located further inland from the coast. It’s a 1.5hr drive from Tirana, 3hrs from Saranda, 2.5hrs from Gjirokaster, and just under 3hrs from Himara. Although I always recommend taking the bus in Albania, you can also drive. If you’re looking to rent a car, this site offers the most competitive rates.
There are direct bus routes to Berat from Tirana, Saranda, and occasionally a direct route from Gjirokaster. It’s possible to get to Berat from other cities and towns however you’ll likely need to make a connection somewhere along the way. This is the regional bus station location in Berat; where you’ll arrive and depart.
The bus system in Albania can be unreliable. Although routes are starting to show online/on Google Maps (as of 2024) I still recommend checking in with the locals regarding pickup times and locations to ensure the information you see online is correct. Hoteliers are often very knowledgeable when it comes to local and regional bus routes.
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Where to Stay in Berat
Below are my top pick stays in Berat for every budget.
Budget Stays in Berat
- Berat Backpackers is THE hostel to stay at in Berat. It offers a superb breakfast as well as excursions to the wineries and Osumi Canyon. They’ve also got plenty of outdoor garden space and they’re located in the heart of the Gorica quarter of Berat.
- Maya Hostel is the sister hostel to Berat Backpackers. They also offer excursions and a delicious breakfast. This is a great alternative if Berat Backpackers is full.
- If both Berat Backpackers and Maya Hostel are full, you can check out Hostel Mangalem.
Mid-Range Stays in Berat
If you’re simply searching for mid-range accommodations in Berat, look no further than Guest House Hava Baci. This guesthouse’s price point is on the cheaper end for it’s location in Berat and they provide complimentary breakfast.
Luxury Stays in Berat
You’ll find the ultimate 5 star experience in Berat at Hotel Colombo. Hotel Colombo offers the “epitome of class” as well as a delicious continental breakfast. Perks of Hotel Colombo include a large amount of amenities as well as a prime location near the Berat castle and Osumi River.
Cultural Stay in Berat
Hotel Mangalem is situated within the old Mangalem district. Here you can immerse yourself in the historic culture of Berat. You’ll be staying in an old stone building just steps from many museums, the Osumi River, and the Berat Castle.
Best places to stay for your Berat itinerary.
Things to do in Berat
These are the best things to do in Berat for every type of traveller.
ps – I’ve marked everything mentioned in this post in my Albania map.
Popular Albania Tours
From Berat: 4×4 tour: Mount Tomorr & Sotira Waterfall | Bogove Waterfall & Osumi Canyon | Osumi Canyon Rafting
From Permet: Benja Hot Springs & Lengarica Canyon | Horseback Riding | River Rafting
From Tirana: Gamti Mountain & Bovilla Lake Hiking Tour | Bike Tour | Traditional Cooking Class | Zipline
From Tirana or Shkoder: Day trip to the Blue Eye of Theth & Grunas Waterfall | Shala River Day Trip
From Vlora: Boat tour to Haxhi Ali Cave & Sazan Island – Karaburun | Snorkelling
From Saranda/Ksamil: Paddle boarding the Islands | Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle – 1 Day | Day Trip to Gjirokaster | Catamaran to Korez & Kokomo Beach
UNIQUE: Multi-day hiking tour: Peaks of the Balkans
You can find more Albania tours I recommend here
Stroll Through the Gorica and Mangalem Quarters
The Gorica and Mangalem Quarters of Berat refer to the two UNESCO neighbourhoods in the city. The structures and architecture of these neighbourhoods is from the Ottoman era.
The Mangalem quarter is located closer to the Berat Castle, whereas the Gorica quarter is across the river. Most of the hostels in town are located within the Gorica quarter whereas many of the hotels and restaurants are closer to the Mangalem Quarter.
Ensure you take the time to add a stroll through these two neighbourhoods to your Berat itinerary as they’re what make this city so special.
Raft or Hike Through the Osumi Canyon
The Osumi Canyon has been referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Albania.” In my opinion this is the coolest thing to do in Berat as going to the canyon combines epic views, canyoning, (optional) cliff jumping, rafting, etc.
There are multiple tours can you venture on to Osumi Canyon. I went with Berat Backpackers on a trip to the Bogove Waterfall followed up by a hiking/swimming trip through the canyon. If rafting is more your thing, there’s a local rafting tour for Osumi Canyon as well.
You can book the Osumi Canyon tours here
Visit Bogove Waterfall
The Bogove Waterfall is icy cold meaning you can polar dip even in the peak of the Mediterranean summer heat. The tour below includes a trip to both the Osumi Canyon and the Bogove Waterfall which is the perfect activity to add to your Berat itinerary.
You can book a tour to the Bogove Waterfall here
4×4 up Mount Tomorr to the Sotira Waterfall
To add to the list of the adventurous things to do in Berat, there’s a 4×4 tour up Mount Tomorr to the Sotira Waterfall.
Mount Tomorr is Berat’s closest and most famous mountain. It’s known as the “holy mountain” as it has important spiritual significance which you’ll learn all about on the tour linked below. The tour includes experienced guides, lunch, 4×4 transportation, a swim at the Lakes of Dardhes, entrance fees, and the possibility to customize the excursion.
You can book the Sotira Waterfall tour here
Albania Google Map – 200+ pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?
Then my Albania map is for you!
Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:
- Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
- Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
- Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
- Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details
Participate in the Free Walking Tour
Something I’d recommend doing in Berat is the free walking tour. The tour takes you to all the city’s attractions like the Gorica and Mangalem Quarters, the local churches, and the castle. There’s quite a few things to see in Berat so having a knowledgeable guide show you around and explain the historical significance of everything is very valuable.
The Berat walking tour typically runs once in the morning and once in the evening, but I’d check with your hoteliers/hostel employees for exact details as things change over time.
What I will recommend is doing the evening tour. The tour ends at the Berat Castle where you’ll get to watch a beautiful sunset over the city.
Visit the Berat Castle
The Berat Castle should be on your radar of things to do in Berat too. This castle is pretty enormous and for an entry fee of approx. 3 euros you can wander inside to check out the restaurants and souvenir shops.
Enjoy the view from the top as you can see all of Berat from up here.
Participate in Xhiro & Grab an Ice Cream
Xhiro – aka evening walk – is when travellers and locals alike emerge to enjoy the cooler evening temperatures. The Gorica Quarter, Mangalem Quarter, and Bulevardi Republika are prime places to go for a wander or grab a bite to eat once the sun goes down.
My favourite way to enjoy xhiro is to grab a 1 euro ice cream cone, then wander around with a little sweet treat. My favourite ice cream shop in all of Albania happens to be in Berat – Pasteceri Tori. Trust me when I say I’ve tried all the best ice cream shops around the country and this one is the winner.
Learn About Albanian History
If you’re hoping to explore Berat’s unique history there are a few museums and other historical places you can add to your Berat itinerary:
- Iconography Museum – dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography in Berat. The museum is located inside the Church of the Dormition of St Mary in the castle quarter Berat. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painting Headmaster of the 16th century
- The Holy Trinity Church – “Kisha e Shën Triadhës” in Albanian. It’s a medieval Byzantine-era Albanian Orthodox church which stands on a hill.
- Lead Mosque – aka the “Izgurli Mosque,” is a 16th-century historical mosque named for the lead coating of its sphere-shaped domes.
- National Ethnographic Museum – contains a diverse collection of everyday objects from Berat’s history; original furniture, a number of household objects, wooden cases, wall-closets, as well as chimneys and a well.
Things to do in Berat and Berat itineraries for travellers.
Wine Tasting
For the wine connoisseurs reading this post, consider adding this wine tour to your Berat itinerary. Berat’s surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards making Berat one of the best places to sample wine and raki in Albania.
Try the Traditional Foods of Berat
Albania’s cuisine is full of delicious Mediterranean flavours. I personally liked Eni’s Traditional Food in Berat for their decent prices and authentic dishes.
Homemade Food Lili is a popular choice as well, but requires advance reservations. The restaurant operates out of a family home in the city and all the food is cooked right there in the house. It’s about as traditional as it gets.
2 Day Berat Itinerary
This 2 day Berat itinerary is packed with the best activities in the city. I recommend spending at least 2 nights in Berat, however spending a third or fourth night here certainly wouldn’t disappoint.
Day 1 in Berat
Assuming you’ll arrive around midday in Berat I recommend checking into your accommodations, grabbing a bite to eat at Eni’s Traditional Food, then wandering around the Gorica and Mangalem Quarters.
In the evening take the free walking tour around the city, watch sunset from the castle, then grab dinner at Homemade Food Lili – advanced reservations required.
I recommend staying at Berat Backpackers (budget), Guest House Hava Baci (mid-range), Hotel Colombo (Luxury), or Hotel Mangalem (cultural experience).
This is the best Berat itinerary for backpackers.
Day 2 in Berat
Day 2 of this Berat itinerary is reserved for adventures. You can choose to either hike through Osumi Canyon and visit the Bogove Waterfall or go on a rafting tour.
I recommend packing a bag with sunscreen, snacks, and anything else you need for a comfortable day out in the sun. Also make sure you wear a bathing suit. This tour will take most of the day, so when you return to Berat go for an evening xhiro along Bulevardi Republika and grab dinner.
Don’t forget to grab a cone from Pasteceri Tori’s!
Optional: Day 3 in Berat
If you’re enjoying Berat you can opt to extend your stay one more day to do the following: wine tasting or Mount Tomorr/Sotira Waterfall tour.
You can book the wine tasting tour here or the Mount Tomorr tour here.
and that concludes my 2 day Berat itinerary. Enjoy!
Albania Google Map – 200+ pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?
Then my Albania map is for you!
Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:
- Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
- Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
- Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
- Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details
This is a Berat itinerary and the best things to do in Berat.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
