How to Visit Berat Castle: Complete Guide (2025)
Berat Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in Albania and the most visited place in Berat, so you should add it to your Albania Itinerary. During your visit, you can learn more about the history of the castle and enjoy a unique view of the city.
Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the castle, enjoy the landscape from the viewpoints, find the best photo spots, try traditional Albanian food, and buy some souvenirs.
This ultimate guide to visiting Berat Castle includes the best time to visit, how to get there, practical information, and what to expect on your visit.
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Best Time to Visit Berat
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Berat is from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing and exploring the nearby attractions. The hottest months are July and August. The average annual temperature in Berat is 23°C.
The summer months are the peak season in Albania when hotel prices are higher and attractions are busier. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance! We visited Berat at the end of May and had fantastic weather.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Berat
How to Get to Berat Castle
It is situated on top of a rocky hill in Berat, also known as the City of a Thousand Windows. The distance between Berat and Tirana is about 130 km, which is 2-3 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. You can easily get to Berat by taxi, bus, and rental car or join an organized tour that includes transport.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Tirana to Berat with all the information you need.
You can get to the castle from Berat by car, bus, taxi or on foot. The road to the castle is quite steep, about 1 km and 15-20 minutes walk from the city, so it is not recommended on a hot day. Wear comfortable shoes as the road is cobbled.
Buses depart from the bus terminal on the other side of the city. However, we couldn’t find any official information on bus timetables or prices so we recommend asking the locals how to get there by public transport.
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Car Rental in Albania
The best way to get around Albania is by car, as you can easily reach the best places and hidden gems. We did our Albania Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. Once you arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car.
Buy an eSIM and data package for Albania.
The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Albania in high season (June to September) or low season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute. You will spend around 30-50 EUR daily for a standard car with full coverage.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
Berat Castle Parking
We arrived in Berat by car from Tirana. So the next day, we visited the castle. It is safe to drive to the castle. There are many parking spaces, and you can park right in front of the castle.
Parking is free. However, parking is difficult to find during peak season or at weekends, so we recommend arriving as early as possible.
Tirana to Berat Day Trip
If you don’t want to worry about how to get from one city to another, join a guided tour of Berat City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic neighborhoods of Mangalemi and Gorica. Visit the castle, Onufri Museum, Gorica Bridge, and Belsh Lake.
Group tours usually depart at 9 AM. The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, an English-speaking tour guide, entrance fees, and transportation by air-conditioned car/van.
Book this excellent day tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Alternatively, book a full-day private tour to visit the city of Berat and the Apollonia Archaeological Park.
Berat Castle Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
It’s open 24 hours a day and is free to visit.
As this is a popular attraction, we recommend avoiding weekends. Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon.
Berat Castle History
The castle is an ancient fortress that was started to be built in the 4th century BC. Despite centuries of foreign invasions and military incursions, life in the castle has not ceased.
The castle covers an area of over 9 hectares and is still mostly inhabited by the local population. Learn about the castle’s more than 2,000 years of history, and see the Ottoman houses, the Red Mosque, and Byzantine churches.
How to Visit Berat Castle
After arriving at the gate of the castle, you can immediately enjoy fantastic photo opportunities and a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Walk along the castle walls, but be careful, as there are no handrails everywhere.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot. After you have taken enough photos, walk towards the Onufri Museum.
The entrance fee to the Onufri Museum is 400 LEK (4 EUR) per person. The Onufri Museum is usually open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Good to know
Within the castle walls are cafés, restaurants, bazaars, and guest houses.
Read our → Ultimate Albania Itinerary
After visiting the museum, walk to the Church of the Holy Trinity and take a break at the nearby café. On the way, you can see the giant head sculpture of Constantine the Great.
Then, walk to the viewpoint at the end of the castle, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city, the mountains, and the meandering Osum River. On the way, you will pass the Red Mosque, which is also beautiful.
Then, walk back to the castle entrance, where you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, and fresh fruit. With plenty of vendors around the castle, it’s a fantastic opportunity to talk to friendly locals.
Are you hungry? You’ll find some great restaurants, such as Temi Albanian Food or Antipatrea Traditional Restaurant & Cocktails. Don’t miss tasting traditional Albanian dishes like Moussaka, Byrek, Village Salad, and Fergese.
We enjoyed visiting the Citadel of Berat. We recommend at least 2-3 hours to explore the castle at a comfortable pace and enjoy the fantastic viewpoints & best photo spots.
TIP
If you want to see more impressive castles in Albania, we recommend Himara, Krujë, Porto Palermo, and Gjirokastra Castle.
Where to Stay in Berat
For the best experience, stay at Berati Castle Hotel or Hotel Klea. Berat does not have luxury hotels, but you can stay in boutique hotels or charming traditional accommodations. These are our recommendations.
But if you want to dive into where to stay in Albania, read our post.
Best hotels in Berat
- Mid-Range: Hotel Colombo or Tradita e Beratit
- Budget: Hotel Orestiada or Hotel Ajka
We hope you found our guide to Berat Castle useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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