Nestled in the heart of Albania in Southeastern Europe, Berat is often referred to as the hidden gem of the country. But with its white Ottoman houses, hilltop castle, delicious food and hospitable people, it’s only a matter of time before this gem is a secret no longer. Read on for the top five reasons to make Berat your next holiday getaway.
- All the things you can eat!
Albania, and Berat in particular, is known for its delicious food. The area has very fertile soil, which means fresh and local produce are used in almost all of the dishes in the city. The owner of Castle Park Hotel, Alma Sparthara, is also the President of Slow Food Berat, and knows countless traditional Albanian recipes, passed onto her from her mother and her mother's mother, which she and the chefs make daily at Castle Park Hotel. The most popular products are the olives and olive oil, local cheeses, homemade bread, fruit jams and honey, and fruit and vegetables. Some crowd favourite dishes include stuffed pumpkin, dolma japrak (stuffed vine leaves), beef steaks, local pizza and seasonal soups. Castle Park Hotel also holds the Albanian Cuisine Award for preserving over 2,000 years of food heritage, and are known for respecting gastronomical traditions and protecting and promoting local food and farmers. So come and share a meal with us soon!
- Nature and breath-taking views
Berat is a 2,400-year-old UNESCO heritage listed town. It’s often described as ‘the town of 1000 windows’ because of the beautiful white Ottoman houses built on the hill which make for a perfect backdrop to the city. The Gorica bridge is another ancient monument, where tourists stop by to take photos with the river and mountains in the background. The town, located in the south of the country, is surrounded by mountains, with the Tomorri Mountain and national park on the east, and the Osum river running through the middle of the town. Castle Park Hotel is located on one of the mountains surrounding the town and is nestled in the pine tree forest – when you wake up in the morning, you can see the sun rising above the Tomorri Mountain. Albania legend says the Tomorr Mountain was originally a giant, who fought with another giant called Shpirag over their love for a woman. They killed each other and were turned into mountains, and the woman’s tears became the Osum river.
- So many activities
You’ll never get bored when you’re in Berat! Castle Park Hotel offers a range of tours and activities, including wine tasting tours in the local vineyards, traditional Albanian cooking classes, hiking excursions in the nearby mountain ranges, water sport adventures including rafting, river hiking, canyoning, kayaking and hydrospeeding in both the Osumi and Vjosa rivers, and ebike tours of Berat! When you’ve had enough adrenaline for one day, you can also visit the Byzantine era churches in town, such as the Church of St Mary of Blaherna, the Bachelor’s Mosque, the National Ethnographic Museum, and Sultan Mosque and the Leaden Mosque.
- The culture
With such rich history, it’s an absolute must to talk to the people of Berat and soak up the unique culture of this beautiful country. There are several cultural and religious holidays celebrated in Albania, with Independence Day on November 28 being one of the largest celebrations – on this day, various ceremonies and festivals will take place across the country, so it’s a great time to visit and really immerse yourself in the culture. Another important day is Dita e Veres on March 14, celebrated to acknowledge the end of winter and the rejuvenation of the country and the spirit of the people. Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the most popular religions in Berat, and all thrive harmoniously – religious tolerance is one of the main characteristics of the Albanian people, and you can see the evidence of this through the various mosques, churches and religious gathering places throughout the town with ancient murals and frescos. Berat is unique in this way, so it’s great to venture around the town and see all of the cultural and religious monuments!
- Berat Castle
One of the most popular things for tourists to do in Berat is to visit the famous castle. Built on a rocky hill at 214 metres tall, the castle contains Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, along with modern day restaurants and cafes where you can have a bite to eat in the ancient fortress while overlooking the town of Berat and the Osum river. The original castle was burnt down by the Romans in 200 BC, and then rebuilt in the 5th century, and then again in the 6th century by the cousin of the Byzantine Emperor. The buildings inside the fortress, including the churches, were built in the 13th century and subsequently preserved as cultural monuments. It is believed at one time there were as many as 20 churches and one mosque inside the fortress, although many have been damaged over time and only a few remain. If you’re in Berat, it’s certainly worth the 20-minute walk to the top of the castle for incredible views of the city and to learn about the history of the town.
