6 Free Things To Do In Berat, Albania (2024)
Out of everything to do in Berat, the coolest things are mostly free! Here’s my list of free things to do in Berat during your trip.
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Free Things To Do In Berat
Backpacking in Berat is amazing. It’s got a whole lot, packed into a tiny place! From the incredible Berat Castle, to the historic Gorica and Mangalem Quarters. The charming Byzantine and Ottoman architecture characterises the city, with fantastic nature just a few steps away.
One of the biggest problems I run into when travelling on a budget is finding things to do on a budget. Maybe you have the same problem, which is why you’re here – looking for free things to do in Berat.
I spent a few days in Berat, and let me tell you – Berat is worth visiting. Most of the best things to do in Berat, are free anyway! Unlike some places in the world, you won’t miss out on cool things because you want to save some money.
So, without further ado, here’s my list of free things to do in Berat!
6 Best Things To Do In Berat On A Budget
1. Sunset at Berat Castle
One of the best free things to do in Berat, is none other than Berat Castle! There’s no better time to come up here than sunset (obviously, because it’s pretty), but it also means it’ll be free!
From 9am-6pm, you’ll need a ticket to enter which costs 300 LEK (5 AUD, 3 EUR). But, as the castle is open 24/7 – entering outside of these hours means you can get in at no cost.
Why Visit Berat Castle?
The coolest part about Berat Castle is the fact that life continues there to this day! Inside the castle walls, you can find houses, cafes, restaurants and shops. I found that it was much more authentic than other castles in the country that are purely a tourist attraction.
I loved walking around and seeing groups of kids playing football and flying kites, friends and family dining at restaurants. It was really wholesome 🙂
Berat Castle is one of the biggest in the country. Allow yourself a couple of hours to explore the best views of the city, the textile stalls and churches.
Then, sunset! Berat Castle is without a doubt the best place to watch the sunset in the city. Here, you can climb up on the city walls and see the sun fall below the horizon. Afterwards, you can spend the money you saved on some tasty and affordable food at Temi Albanian Food.
Make sure you’re put this on your Berat itinerary!
2. Wander Around The Mangalem Quarter
Beneath Berat Castle, you’ll find the historic Mangalem Quarter. Wandering around this area is one of the coolest free things to do in Berat. You might even stumble over here without realising, as there are a few good hostels located here!
Berat is a city that’s divided in half, and on one side you have the Mangalem Quarter. In the past, the Mangalem Quarter was traditionally the Ottoman side of town which can be seen everywhere.
Here, you can get lost in the countless cobblestone alleyways admiring the unique Ottoman houses and check out the few mosques dotted around. If you’ve been to Gjirokaster, it’s similar in a way. The main mosques you can check out are the Sultan’s Mosque, the Bachelor’s Mosque and the Lead Mosque.
If you’re into travel photography like me, the Mangalem Quarter is the best place in the city for it. It’s easy to lose track of time as you find new photo opportunities around every corner!
3. Explore The Gorica Quarter
On the other side of the river, you’ve got the Gorica Quarter! In contrast to the Mangalem Quarter, it was traditionally the Christian area – thanks to its influence from the Byzantine Empire.
Here, it’s a lot quieter than the Mangalem Quarter as it’s mostly a residential area. But, it’s equally as impressive to walk around and taking photos. The houses are still jaw-dropping and the alleyways are just as tight. The main difference is that you’ll find Byzantine churches instead of mosques.
I believe the best thing you can do is to wander around and see what you find. A lot of the old homes here are landmarks and even have information signs where you can find out more about them.
See my full, in-depth guide to backpacking Berat
4. Hike Up To Gorica Hill
I think that one of the best free things to do in Berat (and anywhere, really) is finding a great view! Aside from Berat Castle, Gorica Hill offers the best view in the city – where you can see the Mangalem Quarter!
You’ll likely be one of the only ones up here, no matter what time of day you arrive. This means you can relax and take in the view without any distractions.
The best thing you can do, is download Maps.me and download the directions, so you don’t get lost!
Planning a trip to Berat?
5. Xhiro On Boulevard Republika
“What’s a xhiro?” you ask. Simply put, xhiro translates to walk! Albanians however, have mastered the art of an evening xhiro.
As the sun begins to go down, and everyone finishes work for the day, hoards of friends and families take to the streets. Every Albanian city has a spot, and in Berat it’s Boulevard Republika.
People catch up in the cafes and restaurants lining the street, kids kick footballs around in the adjacent parks and families unite walking to the river. It’s an amazing tradition, I loved seeing the community spirit of Berat in front of me!
My favourite memories of my travels include walking around with no plan and seeing how the locals go about their lives. That’s why I see it as one of the best free things to do in Berat, as this is where everyone goes!
6. Climb Up To St Michael’s Church
Out of all the free things to do in Berat, you might have to pay something to come here. I get it, I just contradicted myself in the same sentence!
But, hear me out for a second. Entering St Michael’s Church should be free, however, sometimes there is someone there requesting a donation. I entered for free, but from people i’ve met – they said that the person requesting the money doesn’t seem to be a part of the church.
So, it’s a bit suss. But there’s only one way to find out! Add it to your list of free things to do in Berat.
How Long Do You Need In Berat?
When I visited Berat – I stayed for 3 days. I’m very much a slow traveller, so I didn’t rush to see all the sights in one day. I think that there are enough things to do in Berat to keep you fairly busy for a couple of days. However, the amount of time you spend in Berat depends on the type of traveller you are!
Luckily, I’ve got a guide about this. I go in-depth about how many days different types of people would need in Berat!
Where To Stay In Berat
There are some pretty good hostels in Berat to pick from for your time in Berat – with most being in the Gorica Quarter.
When travellers come to Berat, they usually stay at either Maya Hostel or Berat Backpackers (both owned by the same people). Berat Backpackers was the first hostel to open in the city, but recently it’s gone a little downhill.
I tried out a brand new hostel (at the time) that literally had 2 reviews – Hanna’s Hostel. I really liked it!
It’s on the castle side of town, the owners were nice, it was super clean, had a awesome kitchen (one of the first things I search for when booking hostels) and they cooked up an impeccable free brekky each morning.
The only downside is that it attracts a few less people than the other main hostels, so it can be a hit or a miss with meeting people depending on when you stay.
So during your one day in Berat itinerary, I definitely recommend staying at either Maya Hostel or Hanna’s Hostel.
If you can’t book either of these hostels, check out my guide on how to find the best hostel.
Where To Eat In Berat: Best Restaurants in Berat For Those A Budget
When I’m travelling through Europe, I tend to try out local food only once or twice in each country. This is so I can stick to my budget, as well as getting a taste for local cuisine!
Temi Albanian Food
In Berat, I made sure that the one time I ate out, it was within the castle grounds! Surprisingly, it was still very affordable and so delicious!
One of the best things to do in Berat is getting a taste of some local food. Arguably the best restaurant in Berat for budget travellers is Temi Albanian Food. It’s a family-run restaurant with traditional Albanian food that will make your mouth water. I had the meatballs and it was incredible.
I had a wholesome moment here with the family who ran the place. When I was paying for my meal, I wanted to learn a couple of Albanian words so the two daughters helped me with it.
Then, they refused to let me leave without some fresh fruit! I’ll always remember their hospitality.
Berat Travel Tips
- Bring shoes you’re fine with walking between the free things to do in Berat
- A consequence of Berat’s beautiful architecture is that the ground is mostly uneven cobblestone. It looks so cool, but can get a bit hard on the ol’ stompers (especially up towards the castle)
- Search for ATMs with low withdrawal fees
- Withdrawal fees add up! When I visited Albania in June 2023, Credins Bank charged no fees – but have since added a 600 LEK withdrawal fee. They appear to still charge the least out of all banks
- Visit Berat Castle before 9am or after 6pm
- As I mentioned earlier, visiting outside the normal hours means you can enter without paying for a ticket
Check out my post on things you need to know about backpacking in Albania
Where To Go After Berat
Berat is in a good spot. It’s centrally located so it can fit into almost any Albania itinerary. Here are some ideas on where to go after Berat (whilst staying in the country).
- If you haven’t been yet, head north and spend 2 days in Tirana
- Spend a couple of days in Gjirokaster, the other city apart of the same UNESCO site
- Head even further south, towards the Albanian Riviera. Places like Himare, Sarande and Ksamil are worth visiting.
Free Things To Do In Berat: Final Thoughts
So there you have it! That’s my list of free things to do in Berat. There’s definitely a good amount to keep you busy for a couple of days.
Often, you have to pay an arm and a leg to get access to attractions. Not in Berat, the best things to do in Berat are also free!
Enjoy!
Book Your Trip With My Favourite Resources:
Cheap Flights: I always use Skyscanner to browse for cheap flights. It offers so many options to help you find a good deal! It even allows you to search for “anywhere” if you haven’t decided where to go yet!
Accommodation: I start my hostel search with Hostelworld. Most hostels are now on this platform making it the place to find the best hostel for you.
Travel Insurance: If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It is so important to have when travelling as it will save you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations! I always use Worldnomads when travelling on a budget as they have the best deals for me.