Berat Guided tour: what to see in 2 hours

Berat what to see: the steps of this 2-hour tourMy Tour will take you to discover Berat, Albania and its perfectly preserved historic center, which is also included on the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Mangalem and Gorica are the two districts that make up the historic town of Berat. A city where Christians and Muslims have always lived in peace, preserving the Orthodox churches and mosques, buildings that are just a few tens of meters from each other. With this Berat walking tour you will visit the famous Berat Castle, dedicating yourselves to a close encounter with art at the Onufri Museum. Finally, taste the traditional desserts, have a coffee and enjoy stories with a local family.

Islamic religious architectureAfter meeting your guide at the hotel, the tour starts with a visit to the Islamic center and the King's Mosque (also called Sultan Mosque). It is one of Berat's oldest Islamic architectural structures, which dates back to the 15th century AD. You will continue through the testimonies of Islamic culture in Berat with a visit to the Helveti Tekke, the wonderful Sufi sanctuary famous for its wooden decorations.

The districts of Gorica and MangalemLeaving the sanctuary, a trip awaits you on both sides of the Osum River. On one side the Muslim quarter of Mangalem, with typical medieval houses. On the other, the Christian quarter of Gorica, also with its well-preserved architecture. You will walk through them, along its lanes and streets, marveling at the view of the internal gardens of the houses, you will enjoy an ever-changing panorama.

Visit Berat Castle After experiencing the ancient city of Berat from the point of view of the inhabitants and after a roundup of historic buildings and old houses, you will visit the Castle of Berat, a hill over 200 meters high.Despite what one might think, the castle is not a simple castle, but a real fortified citadel. Today, inside there are still inhabited houses, small restaurants, hostels, shops, remains of Orthodox churches and mosques. The sensation is that of a miniature village in which you can immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere. At the end of the visit you will go up to the towers of the castle, to enjoy a spectacular almost 360° panoramic view of Berat and its surroundings.

The Onufri Museum Inside a church dedicated to the Madonna is the Onufri National Iconographic Museum. The exhibition features about two hundred artworks, chosen from a collection of over a thousand pieces. Arranged inside a tall, multi-story building, the museum displays the masterpieces of the Albanian master Onufri and of the painters who worked in Albania after him from the 16th century A.D. Onufri son, Kostandin Shpataraku, Nikola, David Selenica, Gjergj and Johan Çetiri and many others. Onufri is famous for the realism of his scenes and for what is called Onufri red. A hot pink blending with red, a particular color pigment with a magnificent rendering, whose composition remains secret.

•Due the moderate amount of walking to reach the main attraction sites could be better to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

•We suggest this tour to customers who are able to climb and descend streets and stairs. 

•This tour is not suitable for customers in wheelchair. 

•In case of hot weather we suggest you to bring a cap with you.

•Reach the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time.