The town of Berat is located just over 60 miles south of the Albanian capital Tirana. This is a very historic and picturesque town, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site! While I was planning my trip to Albania, I knew I wanted to squeeze in a trip to Berat. I ended up visiting as a daytrip from Tirana. While it’s a long day, it can certainly be done! Here’s how everything you need to know about visiting Berat as a daytrip from Tirana!

Getting to Berat From Tirana

Buses to Berat leave Tirana from the South Bus Station (Shqiponi roundabout), and go about every half hour. The bus costs 400 lek—you pay on board (cash only) once you set off. Bus stations in Albania can be a bit intimidating, since as soon as you get there you’ll have guys shouting destinations all around you. But don’t worry—just ask for your destination and they’ll point you in the right direction for the bus to Berat. The bus takes almost exactly 2 hours. I got a bus at 8:45am, and we arrived in Berat at 10:50.

I’d advise getting an early start to make the most of the daytrip. It is a long day, and you’ll spend a lot of time on buses. Try to get a bus by mid-morning, just so you can have enough time to make the daytrip worth it.

The center of Berat is a 40-minute walk from the bus station. Berat has city buses that run from the bus station into town. The local bus in Berat costs 30 lek and it’s less than 10 minutes from the station to the center.

What to See in Berat

Berat is a small town. One of the most popular sights are the houses in the historic area, which almost seem to be built into the cliff wall! You can also wander around both the Old Town and the medieval area of town.

Berat Fortress is the main reason I wanted to visit Berat. Unlike the fortresses I visited in Skopje and Ohrid, Berat Fortress actually has quite a bit inside to see. It costs 100 lek to visit the castle. Unfortunately, I made the very poor decision of deciding to hike up to the fortress in 100˚F+ heat, which was unbearable. I was very hot and very sweaty!

The views from the fortress are phenomenal though. There are also two different churches you can visit in the complex of the castle. One of them is a basilica, and the interior is closed to the public.

The other was a church, turned into a restaurant, and turned back into a church. Definitely give yourself some time to wander around and explore the different castle bits and take lots of photos!

I’m sure you could find more to fill your time in Berat, but with the extreme heat I decided to take refuge with a cold drink indoors for the rest of my visit.

Getting From Berat Back to Tirana

Any of the buses from the historic center of Berat will go back to the bus station. From there, you can take a bus or a minibus back to Tirana. I took a minibus and waited about 25 minutes for it to fill up before we went. It was the same price as before, 400 lek. This journey was slightly faster, and took 1 hour and 45 minutes. There were a few people standing in the aisle of the minibus, so if the next bus to Tirana is a minibus don’t be afraid to get on early and make sure you get a seat. The final stop is again the South Bus Station (Shqiponi).

Planning Your Trip

I based myself in Tirana and made a daytrip to Berat from there. You can definitely stay in Berat itself if you’re looking for a more low-key, local experience than in Tirana. Tirana Airport is the only airport in Albania, so chances are you’ll be flying through there. I always use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights.

I stayed at Tirana Backpackers during my three nights in Tirana. You can search for hostels here, and for hotels here! You can also sign up to and search accommodation on Airbnb here.

Booking.com

 

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Berat was a beautiful town, and I’m really glad that I made the effort to get there on this trip to Albania! It is definitely possible to visit Berat as a daytrip from Tirana, although it will be a long day. There are frequent buses and it’s not too expensive. If you have an extra day in Tirana, I’d definitely recommend getting out of the city and visiting Berat!

Have you been to Berat, or another daytrip from Tirana? Share your experience in the comments below!

You might like my other Albania posts:

13 Things You Must See In Tirana, Albania

8 Of The Best Bars In Tirana, Albania

Hostel Review: Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Tirana

Why You Should Visit Shkoder, Albania

A Daytrip From Shkoder To Lake Koman And Blini Park: The Craziest Day In Albania!

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