CITY
Berat, a city of a thousand windows, is one of Albania’s most enchanting sights. It is a 2400-year-old museum city and the pride of Albanian architecture. Since 2008 this cultural city has remained under UNESCO’s protection leaving them as a world heritage site. They are best known for the Ottoman houses that cascade down both sides of its gentle valley.
Found in the heart of Albania, this picturesque city from the 1960s till date has been protected. Governing bodies have strived to maintain its historic look. Even under communist rule, nothing of its architecture was tampered with.
Even today, there are no concrete buildings or modern-day architecture. The Berat settlement of the present day consists of Byzantine, Roman, Jews, and Ottoman.
What makes Berat city one of the most sought after? This is a reoccurring question, and the answer is everything. There are lots of amazing things that make it stand out. One of them is the wonderful carved-out labyrinth of streets painted in white with windows on frames. You can view the endless beautifully arranged streets divided into two beautiful halves: Mangalam and Gorica. Not only that but mountains with angelic views during the day and night.
Berat is an amazingly beautiful city. There are a lot of things to do in Berat, let’s find out some of them:
Berat Castle, also known as Kala, is the city’s main attraction. Since 300, there has been a fortress, but today the castle dates back to 1200 AC. The castle lies at the summit of a steep hill, and the walk up there is very strenuous. However, once you reach the top, you will have an incredible view of the entire city.
Next to the Boulevard in Berat is Bërati Republika includes another major tourist attraction:
Boulevard on the Mangalem side, this pedestrian street runs parallel to the Osum River. You have the park and river on your right, while stores, bars and tables outside restaurants border the left side. It’s an excellent spot for shopping or a drink.
Although they are relatively small, these waterfalls tend to vanish into and out of the rocks from a distance. They have a rare beauty, and make an excellent day trip from Berat. Swimming is allow in the turquoise pools at the base of the falls, but the water is ice cold even in the summer.
Onufri is one of the most notable figures in Berat’s history. The painter is well known for the unique pink dye that became the trademark of his signature. Nobody knows the secret recipe of his dye, as he kept it as a secret even on his deathbed. Although we cannot imitate the pink dye, we can see them at this museum, as the museum showcase the works of Baret’s renowned painter.
You can easily visit Berat in a day, but we recommend to stay at least one or two nights to immerse yourself in the region fully. This extra time helps you experience all the fun stuff you can do in Berat without getting tired. Renting a car and driving around Albania is an excellent way to see areas that are a little less well-known.
