UNESCO Berat and Belsh Day Tour, from Tirana
Overview
Today you will learn about real Albania living in villages and also how they have lived centuries ago. Will head towards south-east of Albania, to Belsh, a small town which is the center of an area called Dumre plateau, known for more than 86 small karstic origin lakes.
Our day will continue heading south towards the 2000-year-old town of Berati, registered and protected by UNESCO as an important cultural heritage site since 2008. There we will visit the Berati fortress, one of the few fortresses in Albania that continue to be inhabited; it is set on a 187-meter-high hill, on the left side of the Osumi River slope.
Within the fortress, we will visit the Church of Saint Mary and the Onufri Museum within it, and a few byzantine churches. On the old quarter of Berat, coming down from the fortress, we will admire the characteristic architecture of the houses as well as the King Mosque, Bachelor’s Mosque, and Halvetie Teqe.
Our day will continue heading south towards the 2000-year-old town of Berati, registered and protected by UNESCO as an important cultural heritage site since 2008. There we will visit the Berati fortress, one of the few fortresses in Albania that continue to be inhabited; it is set on a 187-meter-high hill, on the left side of the Osumi River slope.
Within the fortress, we will visit the Church of Saint Mary and the Onufri Museum within it, and a few byzantine churches. On the old quarter of Berat, coming down from the fortress, we will admire the characteristic architecture of the houses as well as the King Mosque, Bachelor’s Mosque, and Halvetie Teqe.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Certified Guide
- Onufri Museum Ticket
- Entry/Admission - Berat Castle
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Belsh, Belsh, Elbasan County
At 8:30 am in the morning we will head towards the southeast of Albania, to Belsh, a small town which is the center of an area called Dumre plateau, known for more than 86 small karstic origin lakes. We will visit Belshi lake and enjoy a short walk on the town promenade. The whole area is known as the Tuscany of Albania
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
We will visit the Berati fortress, one of the few fortresses in Albania that continue to be inhabited; it is set on a 187-meter-high hill, on the left side of the Osumi River slope. Initially, a proto-urban settlement, in the 7th-5th century BC, as an important strategic point, it was converted into a fortress town with a length of up to 1, 400 meters and a surface area of
10 ha.
Within the fortress, we will visit the Church of Saint Mary and the Onufri Museum within it, and a few byzantine churches. Berat is a city registered and protected by UNESCO as an important cultural heritage since 2008.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
On the old quarter of Berat, coming down from the fortress, we will admire the characteristic architecture of the houses as well as the King Mosque, Bachelor’s Mosque, and Halvetie Teqe. Berat is also known for its good traditional cuisine.
Duration: 3 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Belsh, Belsh, Elbasan County
At 8:30 am in the morning we will head towards the southeast of Albania, to Belsh, a small town which is the center of an area called Dumre plateau, known for more than 86 small karstic origin lakes. We will visit Belshi lake and enjoy a short walk on the town promenade. The whole area is known as the Tuscany of Albania
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
We will visit the Berati fortress, one of the few fortresses in Albania that continue to be inhabited; it is set on a 187-meter-high hill, on the left side of the Osumi River slope. Initially, a proto-urban settlement, in the 7th-5th century BC, as an important strategic point, it was converted into a fortress town with a length of up to 1, 400 meters and a surface area of
10 ha.
Within the fortress, we will visit the Church of Saint Mary and the Onufri Museum within it, and a few byzantine churches. Berat is a city registered and protected by UNESCO as an important cultural heritage since 2008.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
On the old quarter of Berat, coming down from the fortress, we will admire the characteristic architecture of the houses as well as the King Mosque, Bachelor’s Mosque, and Halvetie Teqe. Berat is also known for its good traditional cuisine.
Duration: 3 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Ananya G
August 2022
Enjoyed a day trip from Tirana with a small group of five to UNESCO heritage site of Berat. Mr. Enri, the guide from Albania My Way was quite knowledgeable and helpful. The first stop during the tour was a stop at Belsh lake promenade where we enjoyed our coffee break. We visited the Berat castle...
Enjoyed a day trip from Tirana with a small group of five to UNESCO heritage site of Berat. Mr. Enri, the guide from Albania My Way was quite knowledgeable and helpful. The first stop during the tour was a stop at Belsh lake promenade where we enjoyed our coffee break. We visited the Berat castle, Onufri Museum as the highlights of the tour. Mr. Enri answered all our queries happily pertaining to the places of interest as well as Albanian culture to make it a memorable experience. Overall, the tour was well organised and enjoyable.ARINDAM_G
July 2022
A value for money day trip from Tirana to one of the UNESCO heritage sites of Albania. Our tour guide Enri was quite knowledgeable, helpful and always attentive to any needs of our small group tour party of 5 people. Berat visit started with visiting the castle and Onufri museum (the famous Icono...
A value for money day trip from Tirana to one of the UNESCO heritage sites of Albania. Our tour guide Enri was quite knowledgeable, helpful and always attentive to any needs of our small group tour party of 5 people. Berat visit started with visiting the castle and Onufri museum (the famous Iconography museum), followed by visiting the Mangalem & Gorica Quarters connected by the Old & the new bridges. However, Belsh visit just included a coffee break stop on the Belsh Lake promenade. Overall, it was a memorable trip, enjoyed by all.SuperPicnicWoman
May 2022
I picked this tour to Berat out of the many options because the addition of Belsh was unique. I was not disappointed. Belsh and the area around it certainly felt more traditional, something I hadn't seen before. Berat was awesome, and the Halveti Tekke and the church/museum inside the fortress we...
I picked this tour to Berat out of the many options because the addition of Belsh was unique. I was not disappointed. Belsh and the area around it certainly felt more traditional, something I hadn't seen before. Berat was awesome, and the Halveti Tekke and the church/museum inside the fortress were incredible. I am a person who researches absolutely everything about where I am going, and Eni was right there with me with knowledge of the layers of history, the many different ethnic groups, and the realities of life under communism and afterwards. I'd also like to note that in this region, it is normal to state your opinions about anything and everything. As a result, I've had several inappropriate (to me) and uncomfortable conversations during my trip. I appreciate that on this tour, Eni not only understood where to draw the line, but was also incredibly welcoming and hospitable, part of the reason I've fallen for this country.isabellearen
July 2022
Ce fut une journée très riche, bien organisée. Le guide Aldo est très professionnel et nous fait partager l histoire de son pays. J ai apprécié Berat et son château mais aussi Blesh avec son plan d'eau Nous avons pu déjeuner la cuisine typique Je recommande cette excursion
Ce fut une journée très riche, bien organisée. Le guide Aldo est très professionnel et nous fait partager l histoire de son pays. J ai apprécié Berat et son château mais aussi Blesh avec son plan d'eau Nous avons pu déjeuner la cuisine typique Je recommande cette excursionSimon_W
August 2022
The fort of Elbsan, the sights of Belsh, the history and architecture of Berat. The sights between locations. Aldo is extremely knowledgeable in the areas visited. Highly recommend!!!
The fort of Elbsan, the sights of Belsh, the history and architecture of Berat. The sights between locations. Aldo is extremely knowledgeable in the areas visited. Highly recommend!!!Krista_N
August 2022
This was an absolutely amazing and informative tour. Berat and Belsh are both beautiful towns not to be missed. Eni, the guide, was phenomenal with her knowledge and easy going demeanor. Would definitely recommend
This was an absolutely amazing and informative tour. Berat and Belsh are both beautiful towns not to be missed. Eni, the guide, was phenomenal with her knowledge and easy going demeanor. Would definitely recommend