On this tour of Berat, we'll discover the castle and the oldest quarters of the city while discovering its fascinating history and mix of cultures. Don't miss out!
Tour Details
At the indicated time, we'll meet at Saint Demetrius Orthodox Cathedral and, once we're all there, we'll begin this guided tour of Berat, also known as the 'city of a thousand windows'. Its nickname comes from the cluster of white-fronted houses on the hill on which the town is located.
After some introductory details, we'll get into a car and drive to Berat Castle, which is perched on top of a mountain 200 metres (656 ft) above sea level. This building was once the ancient city of Berat, while today it is a walled quarter.
Did you know that it's one of the largest inhabited fortresses in the Balkans? More than 500 people currently live in its 120 medieval houses. We'll walk through its streets to learn about the past of this place, and we'll enter its essential points, such as St. Mary of Blachernae Church, the church of St. Nicholas, the Acropolis and the White and Red Mosques. Of course, we won't forget to stop at the castle's viewpoint for unforgettable scenic views.
After this journey through history, we'll get back in the vehicle and this time, we'll take you to visit the other two districts of Berat, the Gorica district and the Mangalem district. In the first one, we'll cross Gorica Bridge, which was once crucial for the development of the city. We'll also see its typical houses.
We'll continue the tour across the suspension bridge to Mangalem. With its steep cobbled streets and long vertical houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, this quarter has become the symbol of Berat. There, we'll stroll through the medieval quarter, which houses the Helveti Tekke and the King Mosque. Inside both, we'll discover more about the city's Muslim past.
Afterwards, we'll pass through Berat's liveliest street, Republika Boulevard, and conclude the guided tour after 2.5 to 3 hours back at the starting point.