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.

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.

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.

We will depart from Tirana at 8:00 am. First, we will visit Durres Castle and the Amphitheater of Durres. Durrës Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Durrësit) is the fortified part of the old city of Durrës. It is enclosed by city walls built in the late 5th century, and repaired and reinforced in the Middle Ages and early modern periods. the Amphitheater of Durres, surely one of the greatest pieces of ancient architecture in Albania, if not the Balkans, the Durres Amphitheatre 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 as many as 20,000 spectators. Next, we will visit Berat Castle, the National Iconographic Museum "Onufri", Located in the Inner Part of Saint Mary Church in Berat Castel. Later we will visit Solomon Museum, The King Mosque, Tekke, and the Inn. Berat Castle, apart from being one of the biggest inhabited in Albania, also represents a unique combination of different styles and epochs, such as Roman, Byzantine, Albanian, and Ottoman. The National Iconographic Museum "Onufri" holds 200 artwork objects, icons and liturgical items dated from the 16th century to the 20th, brought together from several churches and monasteries of the region. The “Solomoni” Museum in Berat is dedicated to the city’s extensive Jewish history and the coexistence between Jews, Muslims, Orthodox, and Catholic inhabitants over the last 500 years. The King Mosque, also known as the Sultan's Mosque (Xhamia e Sulltanit) or Sultan Bayezid Mosque, is a mosque and a Cultural Monument. At the end, we will take sightseeing in Elbasan historical sight, its ancient Castle and Basilica. Elbasan city community took part in the spread of Christianity along the Via Egnatia, and had a bishop, cathedral and basilicas as early as the fifth century. You will learn more during the sightseeing... We will reach Tirana by 5:00 pm.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the MYSTIC destinations of 3 Albanian UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this unforgettable journey. We start from Berat, with its remarkable architecture known as the "City of a Thousand Windows" and after that we will be heading to "Stone City", Gjirokastra nestled in the hillside, where each building, squares and also castle shows the magical aura. The enchanting Blue Eye's turquoise waters offer a refreshing escape, beautiful views and place where your spirit find peace. Saranda's vibrant coastal atmosphere beckons with its stunning crystal clear beaches. Conclude your adventure in Butrint, where ancient ruins reveal the secrets of the past. Embrace the mystique of Albania's heritage and natural wonders on this remarkable expedition. The trip takes place at 06:00 am in Tirana, drive to Berat, a captivating town known for its well-preserved architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Once in Berat, explore the iconic Berat Castle, where ancient walls and churches tell tales of the past. Next, head to Ura Gorices, a picturesque bridge that spans the Osum River, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Indulge in a delightful brunch at one of the local eateries in Berat, savoring traditional Albanian dishes and local flavors. After brunch, continue your journey to Gjirokaster. Accommodaton in Gjirokaster. The second day begin in Gjirokaster with a delicious breakfast in the charming city before heading to Gjirokaster Castle, a magnificent fortress perched atop a hill. Explore the castle's rich history and captivating architecture while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Afterward, venture to Qafa e Pazarit, Traditional road where shops and traditional souvenirs will be there to speak in their own for the history and culture of their beautiful city. For brunch we will visit the Blue Eye, a stunning natural spring with mesmerizing turquoise waters.One of the largest water springs in Balkan. Continue your trip to Saranda. Accommodation in Saranda. Third day starts in Saranda with beautiful views of Ionian Sea and the sea Breeze. Its a chill day, time for swiming and enjoying the magical crystal water of Albanian Riviera. At the evening we will enjoy one of the most memorable sunsets throught Lekursi Castle. Amazing View of all Saranda Coast. Its time for BUTRINT NATIONAL PARK. We will start with exploring the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders of Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Butrint is the largest Site in Albania, with more than 3 million visitors per year makes it unique and one of the most amazing Ancient Cities in Balkan. After immersing yourself in history, we can enjoy beaches of Ksamil or we can head to the charming town of Tepelene, nestled in the Albanian countryside. While we coming back through our road we will have the Vjosa River, the last free Flowing River in Europe. Some needed stops and coming back to Tirana. End of the Journey.

You will meet your guide at the hotel and you will start your tour firstly to Berat Castle. Going up to the Castle you will admire the spectacular view of the city. The entrance to the castle is so impressive,a large gate built on giant rocks, it's the first thing you will see. This characteristic Albanian area has one more striking thing, unlike any other ancient castle, and you will see that it is still inhabited by residents. Inside the Castle walls, you will immerse yourself with the Onufri Museum, which is dedicated to one of the most important painters in the history of Albanian art. This museum of Medieval Art was built at the end of the 18th century. After admiring this art you will be able to enjoy some typical Albanian food in a local family who lives right inside the walls of the Castle. Right after the delicious food is prepared for a walk to the center of Berat, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Join us in exploring the city of “one above the other windows", also home to a UNESCO heritage site. Berat is famous for its well-preserved architectural style that combines Byzantine, Ottoman, and Albanian elements. The Castle of Berat is the highlight of the town, a massive fortress that dates back to the 4th century BC, which offers stunning views and home to several churches, museums, and galleries. The trip also includes a traditional authentic Albanian lunch among the vineyards, where wine lovers can also choose to partecipate in a wine tasting event. ITINERARY Pick-up from hotel Visit Berat Castle Visit Museum of Iconography Onufri Free time to shop souvenirs and stroll through the quarters of Gorica and Mangalem Traditional Lunch in a local winery Head back to Durres in the late afternoon Extra Activities You can request to book the following experience: Wine tasting experience at a local winery Choose Green Our company is committed to promote sustainability and reduce the impact of our services on the environment. One of our initiatives involves encouraging our visitors to travel in a group (up to 15 people) rather than on a private tour, for day trips outside the town, in order to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation. Why embark on our organized daily tours? Guaranteed departure Competitive pricing Support local and sustainable tourism Share your experience with your fellow travellers and maybe develop new friendships