Berat

Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows, is Albania’s 9th largest city known for its brilliant Ottoman architecture, a wealth of cultural interest, and its traditional take on Albanian cuisine. There is a wealth of things to do in Berat. Dubbed the City of a Thousand Windows, the architecture of Berat looks upon you with the grand majesty of the Ottoman architects that designed the windows of the houses along Berats notable hills, justifying it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best place to view this would have to be from Berat’s Old Town. Cobblestone paths lining this district bring you to a place where you can truly take in the medieval era architecture that crawls up the hills, as mentioned earlier. Carry on a little further to the Gorica Bridge for not only the best view of the old town but also a look at one of the most stunning Ottoman bridges still standing.

Map of Berat

Things to Do in Berat

What would an Eastern European countryside trip be without visiting a castle? Berat Castle stands as a magnificent display of history, one that is thousands of years in the making. This fortress contains a multitude of buildings inside, ranging from beautiful early age Christian churches to restaurants and shops that are sure to delight and wonder.

Berat is known for its incredible display of religious sites. The architecture of numerous historical churches and mosques, such as The Church of the Holy Trinity and The King Mosque, is simply breathtaking and is a must-see. Another absolutely cannot miss experience in Berat is a visit to The Ethnographic Museum. A collection of everyday objects from Berat’s storied history provides a rare view into the changes that have occurred throughout the many years of this stunning city’s past.

All of this sightseeing would surely weather the most experienced traveler, so make sure to recharge with some of the area’s phenomenal local cuisine. Lili Homemade Food stands as one of the best representations of Berat’s traditional cuisine. Lili provides such a welcoming experience to all, including knowing English which is undoubtedly a relief to many an English-speaking traveler. But the story that he tells with this restaurant and its food is truly the star here.

Nightlife

Wind down your day like a local with an xhiro or evening walk. Bulevardi Republika is the place to be to experience Berat’s calm nightlife. The cities main pedestrian street is the primary source of late-night entertainment for locals as it has an array of cafes to serve you your beverage of choice.

All in all, Berat remains a shining jewel of Ottoman architecture and cultural importance. Anyone making their way through Europe would be doing themselves quite a disservice if they did not add Berat as a stop on that Journey.