Embark on a cultural and artistic pilgrimage. See master painter Onufri's work in the churches of Berat. Visit Berat Castle, Onufri Museum, Mangalemi and Gorica neighborhoods, and Gorica bridge. Meet your guide at your hotel and start the tour of Berat city. Berat is one of the most visited and characteristic towns in Albania. It is under the protection of UNESCO and considered a World Heritage site due to its unique architecture. Visit Berat Castle and the Onufri Museum. The Berat castle is of particular interest because people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, just like their ancestors did for centuries. Explore this fortress overlooking the town of Berat and its many Byzantine churches. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain today, including the Church of the Dormition of St Mary. The latter was converted into Onufri Museum, honoring the 16th-century Albanian master painter who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. Witness some of the most beautiful shades of red and gold you have ever laid eyes on in the museum. Then, continue to your next stop in the old quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica that connect with each other by the Gorica Bridge over the Osumi River. On the way back you will visit Belshi, a very small town, with a small lake in front of the buildings.

Immerse yourself in a unique culinary experience by joining our cooking class hosted by an Albanian family living inside the historic Berat Castle. Step into the enchanting world of Albanian cuisine as you embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Our exclusive cooking class offers a rare opportunity to learn traditional recipes handed down through generations while enjoying the warm hospitality of a local family. We will meet at our office which is located close to the old town then proceed on our journey to Berat castle. Under the guidance of your hosts, who are passionate about preserving their culinary heritage, you'll get hands-on experience preparing authentic Albanian dishes. The dishes you’ll prepare might include local specialties such as Tave Kosi (a lamb and yogurt casserole), and Fërgesë (a traditional Albanian dish made with peppers, tomatoes, and cheese). The dishes are subject to availability we will inform you before about the dishes.At the end of the class, you’ll have the chance to sit down and enjoy the meal you’ve prepared, along with a glass of local wine or raki Beyond the cooking itself, this experience goes beyond the kitchen. Engage in delightful conversations with your hosts, who will eagerly share stories about their family, culture, and the history of Berat Castle. You'll gain insight into the local way of life, customs, and traditions, creating memories that extend beyond the taste buds. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Berat Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cooking class offers a truly immersive and authentic Albanian experience. Join us for a day of culinary exploration, cultural exchange, and warm hospitality that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions of Albania.

We will depart from Tirana or Durres at 8:00 am. First, we will visit Durres Castle and the Amphitheater of Durres. Durrës Castle walls are the fortified part of the old city of Durrës. The city walls were built in the late 5th century, and repaired and reinforced in the Middle Ages. The Amphitheater of Durres, is surely one of the greatest pieces of ancient architecture in Albania, if not the Balkans. It was built in 100AD by Hadrian and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. It was used for about 300 years and back then it could have as many as 18,000 spectators. Next, we will visit Berat City, Gorica Bridge, and Mangalem Quarter, from where you will pass by the Gate of Pasha, The King Mosque, The Helvetia Tekke, and the Inn. For those who feel fit well to walk on the cobbled narrow streets of the town, the Castle of Berat, apart from being one of the biggest inhabited in Albania, represents a unique combination of different styles and epochs, such as Roman, Byzantine, Albanian, and Ottoman. At the end, we will go and visit Elbasan's historical sights, its ancient Castle and Basilica. Elbasan city community took part in the spread of Christianity along the Via Egnatia, which used to connect Rome with Constantinople, had a bishop, cathedral, and basilicas as early as the fifth century. You will learn more during the sightseeing... We will reach Tirana by 6:00 p.m.

Walk through the historic city of Berat and discover its rich culture and architecture on this illuminating 2-3 hour tour. After a short introduction from your guide, you will proceed to Berat's new bridge from there you will enjoy the views of the ancient quarters of Mangalam and Gorica. Travel back in time as you stroll through the meandering streets, home to the Ottomans in the 15th century, and learn more about the architecture of this "town of a thousand windows". Visit the iconic Medieval. Discover more about the relationship between Albania's religious groups. Climb up to the magnificent Castle of Berat. Marvel at the fort and witness the monuments and treasures inside.

Depart for Berat at 9:00 am and you will be transferred to this beautiful city for around 2 hours. First we will start the tour with the castle area, and we will be piercing through old stones houses on a nice walk on a cobbled path, until we reach “Onufri” iconographic museum. The Cathedral of Shën Mëria houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri, and his son, Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display. We will continue walking in the narrow cobbled paths, and do a quick stop for a coffee in one of the old houses and interact with locals. We will continue our walk with beautiful sightseeing of old churches and mosques accompanying us. We will reach the view-point, where you can see clearly the two other neighborhoods: Mangalem and Gorica from the top view, the beautiful Osumi river piercing through and the high mighty mountains. After the fortress we will go on the old Mangalem neighborhood, until we reach the old plaza of the city. We will continue our walk by the river towards the Gorica bridge, and have an amazing view of Gorica neighborhood. This will be the end of the city tour, and there will be an optional lunch in a restaurant with traditional cuisine. Afterwards we will drive to “Cobo” winery, one of the best wineries in Albania where you will have a wine tasting of their finest wines with appetizers. After the wine tour, we will start heading back to Tirana.

Berat is today one of the main cultural centers in Albania, protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 This tour takes you to the most important spots in the city. You will start your tour by visiting the city center. Then you will move forward to the top of the hill at “Kalaja e Beratit” or the castle of Berat. This castle has been the fortress that overlooked the city for more than 2000 years. Your guide will tell you all about the ancient city of Berat. The tour will continue with a visit to Onufri Museum where you will find old icons, paintings, and documents that date way back in time. After the museum, you will visit the Ottoman Bridge that is built over the Osum river and connects two parts of the city. Before returning to Tirana you will visit some neighbors of Gorrica and Mangalem.

This magnificent 2400-year-old city is the pride of Albanian Architecture and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Berat has been influenced by both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its influences from the Eastern & Western empires can be seen through their costumes, traditions and outlooks. Berat is a treasure-trove for Albanian history & culture, and it is a testament of the country’s tradition of religious harmony and tolerance. The city’s life began in the 5th-6th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Even today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. The three main neighborhoods of the old city are Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala, the latter being where the castle itself is located. In Mangalemi, below the castle, you can see the famous view of the facades of the houses, with windows that seem to stand above each other. With its houses built along the steep hill, the view of Mangalemi is the reason that another name for Berat is the City of the Floating Windows. Across the Osum River lies the Gorica neighborhood, whose houses face those of Mangalemi. The arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780, is a beautiful architectural monument constructed to link Gorica with Mangalemi. Its rugged mountain setting is particularly evocative when the clouds swirl around the tops of the minarets or break up to show the icy peak of Mt Tomorri. The old stone houses that have been loyally accompanying each other for centuries,stand up proudly and do not show their age on their snow-white facades. Depart from Tirana for Berat at 9:00 am and you will be transferred to this beautiful city for around 2 hours. First we will start the tour with the castle area,and we will be piercing through old stone houses on a nice walk on the cobbled paths until we reach “Onufri” iconographic museum. The Cathedral of Shën Mëria houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri, and his son, Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display. We will continue walking on the narrow cobbled paths and make a quick stop for a coffee in one of the old houses while interacting with locals. We will continue our walk with beautiful sightseeing of the old churches and mosques that will be accompanying us. We will reach the view point,where you can clearly see the two other neighborhoods from above- Mangalem and Gorica. You will also see the beautiful Osumi river piercing through the city and view the High-Mighty mountains. After touring the fortress, we will continue onto the old Mangalem neighborhood where we will reach the old plaza of the city. We will continue our walk alongside the river towards the Gorica bridge where we will have an amazing view of the Gorica neighborhood. This will be the end of the city tour, and of course there will be an optional lunch in a traditional Albanian restaurant with traditional cuisine.

Explore Albania's top attractions in the hands of an expert tour director during a 4-day, 3-night sightseeing tour. Sample authentic Albanian food and visit Unesco World Heritage Sites such as Berat, Gjirokastra, and Butrint. Day 1: Sightseeing tour of Berat via Durres Travel to Berat, stopping in Durres for a short walking tour of the City Walls, Byzantine Forum, Roman Thermal Baths, the Venetian Tower, and the Amphitheater. Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees. Then, get settled in the hotel and head out for a guided tour admiring the citadel/castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret, and the many Byzantine Churches like the Holy Trinity Church and the St. George Church. Finally, step inside a local home inside the castle of Berat for a coffee, raki, and dessert break. Enjoy the rest of the day wandering in the two main districts of Mangalam and Gorica. Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Gjirokastra After breakfast, admire small villages during your transfer to Gjirokaster. Once you arrive in this “city of a thousand steps,” settle into your hotel before soaking up the rich history of the castle and enjoying the view of the “city of stone” from above. Next, see the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses. Visit the Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there. Next, stop for lunch in a small local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes. Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house, and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of the Skenduli family. Spend a relaxing evening in the streets of Gjirokaster. Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Butrint & the Blue Eye spring Travel to the “Blue Eye” spring. Admire the shades of blue and surrounding nature before heading to Butrint. There, marvel at 2,500 years of history on a guided tour with a local guide. See the highlights, such as the amphitheater, castle, churches, and Lion Gate. Drive to Ksamil and enjoy lunch by the lake at the Mussel House. Spend your afternoon in Ksamil before heading to Saranda via Lekursi Castle, which overlooks the city. Day 4: Tirana via Vlore and Riviera Road En route to the city of Vlore via the scenic Riviera road, and explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director. First, head to the Llogara “balcony” for a stunning view of the South Coast beaches before indulging in lunch at Llogara National. Next, visit a park surrounded by pine trees and a fresh mountain breeze. Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who built it, Ali Pashe Tepelena. Then, stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river. After lunch, visit the city of Vlore, the hometown of the National Independence movement. visit Flag Square with its Independence Monument in the center, the Muradie Mosque, and Vlore Lungomare. Transfer to Tirana. (Hotel accommodation in Tirana is not included on the tour).

Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees. Set out on a guided tour admiring the citadel / castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret, and the many Byzantine Churches like the Holy Trinity Church and the St. George Church. Enjoy a coffee and raki break inside the castle of Berat and head for the Ethnographic Museum to discover the interesting and rich traditions of the area. The King Mosque, the Halveti Tekke and the arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780 are the other attractions that await you in the Medieval Center of Berat after the Castle visit. Transfer to the scenic and family-owned Alpeta Agrotourism & Winery located among the rolling hills that surround the city. Tour the facilities for a complete view of the process of vinification, its cellar and vineyard. After the visit, enjoy lunch with their seasonal home-grown and locally sourced organic delights and their fine wine. Return to Tirana and drop off at your hotel or anywhere in the city.

The city of Berat is an old city and rich in history. You will learn in this 2-hour walking tour the main historical places and will enjoy a wonderful time accompanied by your professional guide. The first stop will be at King’s Mosque, one of the oldest Islamic architecture in Berat, dating back to 15th century AD. Your visit will continue to the Halveti Tekke, a cultural monument built-in 1782. The tour will be followed with the visit to both sides of the Osum river, known as the Muslim quarter of Mangalem and Christian quarter of Gorica. Berat Castle will be included too as one of the main stops where you will enjoy a 360 ° panoramic view of Berat.