Gorica Bridge

Join a guided tour of Kruja city to explore all its iconic attractions. Visit Kruja Castle, Skanderbeg’s Museum, the Old Bazaar, and Sari Salltik mountain. We will pick you up from the hotel and start the tour to Kruja city. After around one hour driving you are in Kruja and we continue the first visit (walking guided tour) inside the Castle of Kruja, which houses Skanderbeg’s Museum. It was the epicenter of the legendary Albanian resistance to the Ottomans, led by national hero Skanderbeg in the 15th century. See a copy of the helmet and the sword of Scanderbeg in the main hall, the flags and stems of prominent families of that time who supported the national hero and a lot of the history telling by the guide. The Ethnographic Museum (optional), recently renovated and now open for visits, is housed in an old Ottoman-era residence. This museum offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the region during that historical period After soaking in the culture and history, you will have 40 minutes free time to discover the current arts and crafts in the Old Bazaar. Look for souvenirs, including intricate local handicrafts. Finally, driving by car on a panoramic mountain road to visit the holy site of Sari Salltik and to learn more about Bektashi religion. Head to this cave located on the edge of a mountain 1176 meters high and also enjoy the amazing view from the top of the mountain. Afterward, head back to Tirana. NOTE: During the visit to the Sari Salltik cave, it is possible (though rare) to encounter local religious rituals involving animal sacrifices; if this is a concern, please inform your tour guide in advance.

Embark on an unforgettable day tour from Tirana, Durres, and Golem to Berat City and Belshi Lake. Your adventure begins with convenient hotel pickup at 08:00 in Golem, 08:20 in Durres, and 09:00 in Tirana. As we journey through Albania, soak in the scenic beauty and learn about the country's rich history and culture. Our first stop is Berat City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "City of a Thousand Windows." Explore the charming Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods, known for their well-preserved Ottoman architecture and stunning views of the Osumi River. Marvel at the iconic Gorica Bridge, a symbol of Berat's heritage. Next, visit the historic Bachelors Mosque, an architectural gem dating back to the 16th century. Learn about its significance and admire its intricate design. Then, ascend to Berat Castle, one of the oldest and most impressive castles in Albania. Explore its ancient walls, towers, and churches while soaking in panoramic views of the city below. On our way back, we'll make a memorable stop at Belshi Lake, where you can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. Take in the tranquil waters and picturesque landscapes before we conclude our tour. We'll drop you off at your hotel or preferred location, leaving you with cherished memories of Albania's cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Begin your tour with a pickup from your hotel in Golem or Durres. Travel to Berat in an air-conditioned vehicle, admiring the views of the countryside, with a stop at Belshi Lake along the way. Upon arrival, head to the city’s Mangalam Quarter. See major landmarks such as the Bachelors Mosque. Continue to the historic Gorica Bridge, an Ottoman stone bridge that crosses the Osum River and connects the two parts of the city. Next, cross the bridge and make your way to Berat Castle. Explore the 13th-century landmark, learn about its history from your guide, and admire spectacular views of the city. Then, visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum (ticket not included) to discover more about Albanian culture. After marveling at the collection of icons and religious art, return to Durres or Golem.

Discover the best of Albania on a private or shared day trip to Berat from Tirana. Visit the picturesque Lake Belshi on the way, then explore Berat’s highlights, including Gorica Bridge, Berat Castle, and the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Begin your tour at the meeting point with the shared tour option, or enjoy a hotel pickup if you opt for the private tour. Then, travel to Berat in an air-conditioned vehicle, admiring the views of the countryside, with a stop at Belshi Lake along the way. Upon arrival, head to the city’s Mangalam Quarter and see its landmarks, such as the Bachelors Mosque. Continue to the historic Gorica Bridge, an Ottoman stone bridge that crosses the Osum River and connects the two parts of the city. Next, cross the bridge and make your way to Berat Castle. Explore the 13th-century landmark, learn about its history from your guide, and admire spectacular views of the city. Visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum (ticket not included) to discover more about Albanian culture. After marveling at the collection of icons and religious art, return to Tirana.

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. We will reach Tirana by 6:00 p.m.

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.

Begin your tour with a pickup from your hotel in Golem or Durres. Travel to Berat in an air-conditioned vehicle, admiring the views of the countryside, with a stop at Belshi Lake along the way. Upon arrival, head to the city’s Mangalam Quarter. See major landmarks such as the Bachelors Mosque. Continue to the historic Gorica Bridge, an Ottoman stone bridge that crosses the Osum River and connects the two parts of the city. Next, cross the bridge and make your way to Berat Castle. Explore the 13th-century landmark, learn about its history from your guide, and admire spectacular views of the city. Then, visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum (ticket not included) to discover more about Albanian culture. After marveling at the collection of icons and religious art, return to Durres or Golem.

Embark on a cultural and artistic pilgrimage. See master painter Onufri's work in the churches of Berat. Visit Berat Castle, Onufri Museum, Mangalemi & 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. 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.

Discover the best of Albania on a private or shared day trip to Berat from Tirana. Visit the picturesque Lake Belshi on the way, then explore Berat’s highlights, including Gorica Bridge, Berat Castle, and the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Begin your tour at the meeting point with the shared tour option, or enjoy a hotel pickup if you opt for the private tour. Then, travel to Berat in an air-conditioned vehicle, admiring the views of the countryside, with a stop at Belshi Lake along the way. Upon arrival, head to the city’s Mangalam Quarter and see its landmarks, such as the Bachelors Mosque. Continue to the historic Gorica Bridge, an Ottoman stone bridge that crosses the Osum River and connects the two parts of the city. Next, cross the bridge and make your way to Berat Castle. Explore the 13th-century landmark, learn about its history from your guide, and admire spectacular views of the city. Visit the Onufri Iconographic Museum (ticket not included) to discover more about Albanian culture. After marveling at the collection of icons and religious art, return to Tirana.

Departure from Tirana (we will meet at Kaba Travel & Tours) The drive to Kruja is around 1-1.5 hours from Tirana. Visit Kruja Castle: Explore the medieval castle that was the center of Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire. Old Bazaar: Stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Old Bazaar, where they can find traditional Albanian crafts and souvenirs. Ethnographic Museum Learn about Albanian culture and history through various exhibits. The journey from Kruja to Berat takes around 2.5-3 hours. Known as the "City of a Thousand Windows," Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Berat Castle: Explore the hilltop castle, which offers stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains. Walk through the castle grounds, where people still live and work. Mangalem and Gorica Neighborhoods: Visit these picturesque neighborhoods, characterized by their distinctive Ottoman architecture. Cross the Gorica Bridge for great photo opportunities. Drive to Belsh Walking to see the quiet and peaceful city of Belsh Coffe at the lake side Drive Back to Tirana We will head back to the meeting point, the travel agency.