Located in Southern Albania, Berat County is home to some of the country’s most unique cultural and natural attractions. Aside from Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed, Ottoman-era city known for its white-painted stone houses, there’s scenic Osum Canyon and Bogovë Waterfall, the peaks and meadows of Tomorr Mountain National Park, and vineyards and traditional cuisine in Roshnik Village. From climbing the ruins of Berat Castle to wine tastings and hiking excursions, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Berat County.
Weather-wise, the best windows for visiting Albania are the shoulder seasons of spring (roughly April through June) and fall (September through late October). That’s when you’ll find the most pleasant temperatures. Aim for the summer months if you’d like to combine a visit to Berat County with a stop on the Albanian Riviera—but be warned that July and August can get uncomfortably hot.
Berat is reachable from Tirana, the capital of Albania, in just a few hours by bus or around two hours by taxi or private car. You can also drive from Gjirokastër in about 2.5 hours (bus service is available, but timings can be limited). For exploring other destinations in Berat County, a rental car is best, as public transportation options are limited. There are also hiking and sightseeing excursions from Berat that include round-trip transportation.
Berat is an excellent place to dine on authentic Albanian cuisine, with local dishes fusing the best of the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Don’t miss trying specialties such as fërgëse—a hearty stew made from roasted peppers, tomatoes, feta cheese, and yogurt—and tavë kosi, a baked lamb casserole served with rice. You’ll find plenty of family-operated restaurants scattered around the city with traditional menus.
