Berati Travel Guide

Travel to Berati - City of a Thousand Windows

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The ‘Town of one Thousand Windows’ is most famous for its white-washed houses which with their many windows seem to have been built on top of each other. Built almost all in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible.

Established in the 3rd century B.C. by an Illyrian tribe from central Albania who built a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Turks who built several mosques in the area below the town’s old castle.

Attractions in Berati

The old town of Berati retains a unique style of architecture with its narrow and stone paved streets – ideal for exploration on foot. The castle is the only one in Albania (and perhaps one of the few in the world) that still has houses and inhabitants within its walls, each going about their daily life in exactly the same way that their predecessors did centuries ago.

Within the castle one can visit Byzantine churches built as early as the 13th century A.D. Berati also offers a mixture of Christian and Islamic places of worship including several churches and mosques.

Activities in Berati

Not far away from Berati – the Tomorri mountains offer many possibilities for some wonderful walking and mountain-biking. Rafting on the Osumi River, white-water kayaking, ski-touring and climbing can also be arranged.

Relaxing

Across the bridge leading from the old town, on the opposite side of the river in Gorica, is a uniquely situated restaurant, the ‘Ajka’ – a great place to relax, to enjoy the view overlooking the river and old town, and to perhaps enjoy a meal.

Getting Around

The majority of Berati’s attractions are within easy walking distance from the hotels. A drivable road leads up to the castle gates which takes around 20 minutes to walk, Alternatively a trail winds its way up the mountainside.

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