48 Hours in Berat – 2 Day Itinerary

Berat, Albania is a small metropolis of simply over 65,000 residents however with a protracted, storied historical past. Its different titles are ‘The White Metropolis’ or ‘Museum Metropolis’ or, extra notably, ‘The Metropolis of a Thousand Home windows.’ Every of those names makes a reference to Berat’s signature model of structure; white homes with orange roofs with at the very least half a dozen home windows on all sides. These 18th or Nineteenth-century homes are an emblem of this usually ignored metropolis.

And whereas these homes are gorgeous (additionally they make up Berat’s UNESCO World Heritage Web site), there are such a lot of extra issues to do in Berat. And it’s solely 100km south of Albania’s capital of Tirana which is simply lower than two hours drive. Spending 48 hours in Berat is the perfect stopover between the capital and the Albanian Riviera on the southwest coast.

This 48 hours in Berat itinerary will present you tips on how to get round Berat, the most effective time to go to and the place to remain in Berat for each funds. It’ll checklist all the highest locations to go to in Berat, the most effective issues to do and the excursions you must e-book to have a incredible journey to Berat.

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The Greatest Time to Go to Berat

There’s a cause why Albania is marketed because the cheaper, less-crowded different to a journey to Greece. They’re next-door neighbours and have very related climates! Berat, which is within the south of Albania, has dry, sizzling summers and chilly, drizzly winters. July is the most well liked month with highs of 37°C (10°C) and January is the coldest with lows of -3°C (27°F). 

Few guests journey to town within the winter (November – February) so this isn’t the most effective time to go to Berat. Not all eating places will likely be open and also you won’t be capable to do a few of the outside actions. Lodging and flight costs in Albania keep pretty constant all through April – October and it by no means will get “over-crowded” in summer time like different vacationer hotspots. Nevertheless, keep away from travelling in July and August as a result of the hovering temperatures make exploring thirsty work.

The most effective time to go to Berat is within the shoulder seasons from April – June and September – October. The climate will likely be heat but not insufferable. Additionally, you will be capable to benefit from the annual multicultural competition in June and the wine competition in October.

How To Get Round Berat

Berat is a really small metropolis on the Osum River. You probably have no issue strolling, that is one of the simplest ways to get round throughout your 48 hrs in Berat. It takes half-hour to stroll from the hospital within the east of town to Berat Citadel within the northwest which is sort of your complete size of town. The New Bridge of Berat and the Gorica bridge help you cross the river simply and also you received’t should spend a penny.

Berat does have a bus route, however that’s ‘a’ bus route as a result of there’s just one. It begins at Berat Bus Terminal within the northeast and travels by the Outdated City, the Gorica Quarter throughout the bridge, and to the easternmost level of town. Taxis can be found from the bus station too and so they’re additionally in Iljaz Vrioni sq. if you wish to hail one.

In case you want personal transport, you may hire a motorcycle from 1001 Albanian Adventures or a automotive from Besmir Rental Vehicles. All sorts of transport are inexpensive however automobiles and bikes aren’t essential for many in a small metropolis like Berat.

The place To Keep in Berat

There are three major neighbourhoods you must think about staying in throughout your 48 hours in Berat: Mangalem Quarter, Gorica Quarter, and Kala. Mangalem is the Outdated City within the coronary heart of town, Kala is additional up the hill the place Berat Citadel is, and Gorica Quarter is simply throughout the river. All three supply a spread of nice worth hostels, guesthouses and motels.

Berat Backpackers – This hostel opened in 2009 and was the second hostel ever to open in Albania. It’s an establishment! Located within the Gorica Quarter, the hostel has a selection of dorms and personal rooms in a 300-year-old villa. Berat Backpackers’ charges begin at €20 (although they are often cheaper within the low season) and that features a free breakfast. And since it’s throughout the river, the hostel has beautiful views of Berat Outdated City.

Lodge Oda Tomori – Need one thing extra personal however don’t wish to blow your funds? Lodge Oda Tomori is a ravishing mid-range lodge with charges ranging from simply €40. It’s within the Kala neighbourhood solely a stone’s throw from Berat Citadel in a superbly renovated mansion that has retained its old-world allure however has all the trendy touches you want for a cushty keep. There’s a visitor lounge and so they even supply free breakfast.

Lodge Colombo Berat – Among the finest issues about travelling to someplace like Berat is forking out on a 4-star luxurious spa lodge however paying far lower than you’d elsewhere! Charges on the Lodge Colombo Berat begin from a discount €70 per evening with free breakfast. This elegant and fashionable lodge has an onsite restaurant and likewise presents free visitor parking. You’ll discover it within the east of town subsequent to the Lulishtja gardens.

Issues To Do in Berat

Style Conventional Albanian Delicacies

Conventional Albanian meals is underrated and sometimes overshadowed by different international locations. It’s just like Greek and Mediterranean meals in that it has a variety of seafood, nuts, garlic, greens and fruits. However Center Japanese dishes like baklava and moussaka are fairly frequent in Berat and different components of Albania too.

One of many solely methods you may actually expertise Albanian delicacies is to eat do-it-yourself meals. And that’s not as troublesome as you would possibly assume! Albanians are extraordinarily hospitable individuals and it’s frequent for them to ask travellers they’ve simply met over for dinner. Meals is commonly served with a cup of mountain tea (a kind of natural tea you’ll discover in Berat), a glass of wine, or extra doubtless some raki.

Witness Breathtaking Views of Berat

Berat is tremendous near Albania’s Tomorri Mountain Nationwide Park, so it’s not a flat metropolis. This implies there are many hills you may climb up for breathtaking views over Berat and the close by countryside. The Gorica Quarter has some nice viewpoints as a result of you may look again over the attractive Outdated City.

Locations to Go to in Berat

Berat Citadel

One of many high issues to do within the metropolis is to go to Berat Citadel. It’s an enormous complicated of a ruined Thirteenth-century fortress that sits on one of many highest hills within the metropolis. At one time, round 20 mosques and church buildings would have made up this spectacular fortress. One of many church buildings is the 14th-century Byzantine Holy Trinity Church which you’ll go to inside. The Ruins of the Crimson Mosque haven’t survived fairly as effectively however the web site continues to be price visiting. Muzeu Kombëtar Ikonografik Onufri is a museum housed inside one other of Berat Citadel’s previous church buildings. It shows spiritual relics and artwork that you simply would possibly discover attention-grabbing.

Berat Ethnographic Museum

Over the previous few centuries, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish individuals have all known as themselves residents of Berat. It’s an extremely multicultural metropolis with a various previous which is why visiting town’s Ethnographic Museum is such an insightful exercise. It shows many artefacts referring to Berat’s assorted historical past together with a mannequin of what Berat would have seemed like throughout medieval instances. 

The King Mosque

Relying on prayer instances, if you’re not Muslim you won’t give you the chance to take a look contained in the King Mosque. Nevertheless it’s price making an attempt! This historic mosque dates again to the fifteenth century when it was constructed by Sultan Bayezid II. Its prayer corridor has an intricately painted ceiling and script from the Quran surrounding the door frames and ceilings. 

In case you aren’t capable of go to the King Mosque, attempt the Lead Mosque simply down the road as a substitute. This one is extra generally open to guests and, although it doesn’t have an ornate inside just like the King Mosque, it’s a lot bigger. And it was constructed within the sixteenth century so there’s nonetheless a variety of historical past in these partitions.

Solomon Museum Barat

There aren’t any synagogues left in Berat as there sadly isn’t a lot of a Jewish group nonetheless residing within the metropolis. However if you happen to’re eager to know extra in regards to the historical past of Judaism in Berat then the Solomon Museum is the most effective place to go to. It’s not a big museum, but it surely’s fascinating. For instance, you may study tales about how the individuals of Berat tried to hide their Jewish neighbours throughout WWII.

Saint Demetrius Cathedral

Saint Demetrius Cathedral is the principle church in Berat. It’s a gorgeous, white-patterned church with two towers and an ornate picket altar. It’s a particularly fashionable church because it was solely constructed within the early Nineteen Nineties and consecrated in 2014. Although it’s nowhere close to as historic because the Holy Trinity Church, it’s very a lot nonetheless price visiting.

Excursions To Do in Berat

Outdated City Strolling Tour

You possibly can go to the museums and you may stroll across the ruins, however you received’t get to study a lot in regards to the tales and histories behind the artifacts and buildings. Most of the indicators aren’t in English and also you received’t discover a lot details about these historic websites on-line. That’s why taking a strolling tour with an area, educated information round this UNESCO World Heritage Web site is one of the simplest ways to see town.

Albanian Wine Tasting

Imagine it or not, Albania has an intensive wine area. You simply won’t have tried any or heard about it earlier than as a result of most of it stays within the nation and isn’t exported. E book a wine-tasting tour so you may pattern a few of Berat’s native grape varieties whilst you’re there. Most wine-tasting experiences are positioned at their vineyards and sometimes embody samplings of pink wine, white wine, and a few raki too.

Osumi River Canyon

In case you journey south down the River Osum that flows by Berat, you’ll finally attain a deep canyon known as the Osumi River Canyon. It’s solely 54km away so it’s an preferrred place for a day journey. You possibly can go swimming, rafting and climbing on this space. Bogovë Nature Park and its majestic waterfall are between Berat and Osumi so you may expertise each.

48 Hours in Berat

Day 1 in Berat

Start each of your days in Berat with a free breakfast at your lodging, as nearly all of hostels and motels embody it in your room price! Then, take a strolling tour of town. Most strolling excursions will embody Berat Citadel, the Holy Trinity Church, the Ruins of the Crimson Mosque, the King Mosque and the Outdated City space. Whenever you get hungry, head to Temi Albanian Meals which is a well-liked native lunch restaurant. You possibly can take pleasure in dishes like moussaka and stuffed peppers with fried potatoes and grilled greens.

After lunch, discover the religion buildings of the Lead Mosque and Saint Demetrius Cathedral. Take a stroll by the Lulishtja backyard whilst you’re over there earlier than heading to the Ethnographic Museum. Cross the attractive Gorica Bridge and, in case you have time, hike the brief Mali Partizan loop. After you’ve labored up an urge for food, head to dinner at Eni Conventional Meals Berat. Most wine tastings happen at evening in order that’s the right technique to spherical up your first day in Berat.

Day 2 in Berat

Take a day journey right down to the Osumi River Canyon and perhaps the Bogovë Nature Park and its waterfall in case you have time. Don’t neglect to dress in your swimming garments as there are not any altering rooms on the facet of the canyon! Most excursions present a lunch of untamed BBQ meat, greens and salad. 

Until you’re travelling in winter, try to be again in Berat simply in time to catch the sundown from the Berat Citadel or Gorica viewpoint. In case you’ve not managed to speak any locals into inviting you over to their home for dinner throughout your 48 hours in Berat, the subsequent smartest thing is to eat at Home made Meals Lili. It is a makeshift restaurant with a really restricted menu as a result of it’s actually run from an area girl named Lili’s home.

Really useful excursions in Berat

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