Berat Day Tour: Explore Albania’s UNESCO City from Durres
Description
This journey is unique in the same way that the city is unique in terms of architecture, history, culture, tradition, and dramatic mountain beauty. It's no surprise that Berat was designated a museum city by the Albanian government in 1961 and a Unesco World Heritage site in 2008.You will learn about how people have lived in the castle from the 4th century BC and how they still do now. Visit their home and sample their handmade sweets and fresh fruits from the garden. See the Holy Trinity Church, followed by the Onufri Iconography Museum, which is housed within the Castle. On this journey, you will be able to sample regional delicacies and wines as well as see picture-perfect scenery.
Tour Options
Itinerary
From antiquity to the present, a living castle This castle is the city of Berat's pride and joy. Its courtyard gives beautiful views of the city and the valley below, and you're sure to be welcomed warmly by the castle's inhabitants.
His name is inscribed on the National Iconographic Museum in Berat, which is housed in the Dormition of St. Mary Cathedral. The Byzantine church is highlighted by an iconostasis carved on walnut wood, gold-plated, and surrounded by other exquisite works of medieval art. The museum's collection, which totals 173 chosen works, also comprises the majority of Onufri's oeuvre. The famous Onufri's post-Byzantine art works were thereafter continued by his students, including his own son, Nikolla. All of the icons in this museum were painted between the 16th and 20th century by Albanian iconographic painters.
Built in the centre of the city of Berat, the grandiose Bridge of Gorica is one of the most beautiful Ottoman bridges in the Balkan region, and connects the city with the neighborhood of the same name. This object owes much of its beauty to its very gradual arch, 10m tall, and elegantly extending 130m over across both sides of the Osumi riverbed. It is composed of a total of seven arches, wooden railings, and several small “windows,” which give the arches whimsical facial features, making this bridge a rare sight indeed. Once spotted, you’ll find it hard not to stop your car by the side of the road in order to admire its beauty close up.
Berat, one of Albania's most ancient and oldest cities, will occupy your entire day with breathtaking scenery as well as its rich history and tradition. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is divided into three big neighborhoods: Mangalem and Gorica, separated by the Osum River, and the medieval castle, which is still inhabited. Remember that the city's famed windows will accompany you wherever you go!
Gorica neighborhood. Similar to Mangalem, the best way to see the latter is to freely stroll along its roads, discovering spectacular traditional houses at every step.
This little yet eye-catching 14th-century church conceals numerous stunning frescoes within its medieval walls, making it one of the greatest specimens of Byzantine architecture in Albania. Holy Trinity Church is one of Berat's oldest churches. The church is located in Berat's old Mangalem quarter, on the southern side of the Berat Castle. The castle boasts a stunning panoramic perspective of the medieval Gorica area, the Osumi River, and the contemporary Berat Promenade, otherwise known as the famous UNESCO-protected harmonic ensemble that is Berat.
Bachelors' Mosque is a prominent landmark of the neighborhood of Mangalem, which is a part of the city of Berat in Albania. The spectacular edifice was designed and constructed circa 1828, and at present, is an important heritage structure of the city. It is noted for its architectural and cultural significance, and was once one of the principal religious sites of the city. It features a magnificent minaret, and its interiors are adorned with vibrant and colorful paintings. The esteemed Ministry of Culture of Albania has designated this mosque as a 'Cultural Monument'. Don't give this place a miss at any cost!
This is a really nice long broad boulevard is lined by cafes and restaurants on one side and the Lulishtja park on the other. In the evenings it becomes absolutely full of people and has a wonderful atmosphere to it. There is a stunning backdrop of The Tomorr Mountain in one direction and the citadel in the other.
Optional Wine Tasting/ You will have the opportunity to taste four different types of wine, carefully selected by the winery. To enhance your wine-tasting experience, you will also sample one type of raki, a traditional Albanian brandy, and local snacks that perfectly complement the wine.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please, get ready 10 minutes in advance before pick up time! We can pick up & Drop-off also at Hotel Continental,Pelpa Durrës.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(27)
Best trip ever! Our guide, Eri, was patient, respectful, and incredibly helpful. He showed us around Berat and the fortress, making sure we were comfortable every step of the way. I would highly recommend this experience 💯
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on the Berat day trip and that the tour exceeded your expectations. It’s great to know that the guidance throughout Berat and the fortress was helpful, respectful, and ensured your comfort at every step. Thank you for your strong recommendation and for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future
Ani is such an amazing guide! He is a professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly guide. Berat was stunning; a lovely walk around the castle, stopping at numerous sites. We learnt a lot of things during our trip: we ate great food, drank great wines, strong raki, and learnt a lot about Albanian culture and tradition. Like how to drink raki with a family or group of friends. Best day tour option to book if you are coming to visit Albania!
I don’t often write a review but Mario really deserves one. His tour was nothing short of brilliant and I’m already recommending it to others. From when Mario picked us up (on time and in a clean car) he chatted sharing his knowledge of the country and some personal stories too. He answered pretty much all our questions and made us feel at ease. The tour itself to Berat was great (you can ready about the place elsewhere). Mario took us around the castle showing us the best view points, chatting about the history and introducing us to residents as we went. After lunch we visited the towns either side of the river. We requested lunch and Mario took us to a beautiful local restaurant with the most amazing views. Everything on the tour was about giving us the absolute best experience. After lunch we headed to Cobo vineyard for wine tasting. Another great experience where Mario could share more stories and his local knowledge while we drank wine. Then back to the hotel! Throughout it all Mario also took photos of us (both posed and ones we didn’t know were happening). He’s a brilliant photographer! It wasn’t cringy (I generally hate my photo being taken!) and now we have so many photographic memories of the day along. I can’t recommend Mario enough. I’ve heard great things about the other tours too and I only wish we’d known about Tok tours earlier.
This was one of the best tours I've ever had. Andi was the perfect guide, answering any questions that we had and telling us everything we wanted to know about Berat as well as Albania. Unfortunately, it was very hot, but he always made sure to talk with us in the shadows so we wouldn't burn. He was a smooth driver while giving tips and history about each area we passed by. It was an amazing tour, and I highly recommend it for anyone traveling to Albania.
Excellent trip, tour guide Mario had great knowledge of the history of the area, and was an excellent driver. We got good information and our guide was polite, professional and helpful, offered good comfort breaks. Berat an amazing place to visit. Trip was tailor made I would recommend this trip to any visitor
Me and my mum took the tour to berat and berat Castle with Mario and it was amazing! Mario was very informative, professional and friendly and took us to see so much! Offered plenty of stops on the drive to berat and when we got to berat he took us everywhere and showed us everything. We even got to meet the oldest lady living in Berat and have tea with her and talk to her! He had lots of information and history of the place. Fantastic tour and an even more amazing tour guide!
The trip to Berat was a lot of fun! Great day out with Andi! He is hilarious, incredibly knowledgeable, and obviously loves Albania. I definitely recommend taking this tour to discover this fascinating city! Thank you very much.
A very interesting excursion. A very friendly guide, who adapted to my very poor English. Honestly, I advise.
I had a great time in Berat. The tour is very interesting; there are many things to see and visit. The guide was excellent and we had a great time. Wine tasting is a must. The place is great and the wines are delicious. I highly recommend booking this tour when you are in Albania.
We had a really great time on the tour with our guide. He showed us all the good spots and took all the time we needed! I recommend this experience to everyone, especially if Adi is your tour guide!!
