Day Trips

From Tirana: Berat UNESCO Heritage & Belshi Lake Day Trip

4.5/5(140)

Noelia H

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

Dennis was a fantastic guide, very friendly and attentive. He explained everything clearly in English, and even though the tour was in English, he also made an effort to speak some Spanish with us. He regularly checked in with each small group individually to make sure everyone was enjoying the tour. Highly recommended!

Fatih E

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Our guide Klajdi informed us perfectly on our way to Berat and we enjoyed a great day in a historical city called city of a thousand windows, the transportation was also well organized, comfy and punctual.

Maria C

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

An interesting tour; the city of Berat is very charming and definitely worth a visit. The guide was very knowledgeable—we highly recommend taking this tour.

Arjan L

Group

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Our tour guide, Fjona, gave a wonderful and insightful tour on the rich history of Berat and surrounding areas! I highly recommend the tour to any visitor.

Jonathan B

Solo

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Many had told me before I came to Albania not to miss out on Berat. And they were proved right as I remained impressed with the beauty Albania has to offer in terms of landscapes and sights and Berat truly deserves to be one of the Unesco List. To start with, the stop at the lake kicked off the tour in a relaxed peaceful manner. Though it was hot, visit to Berat Castle was all.worthed especially for the panoramic view from top of the tower. Ervin, the guide deserves full marks for his commentary pace, knowledge and passion for his role.I walked through both neighbourhoods which looked.like fairy tale houses.A tour not to be missed by anybody visiting Albania for the first time

Ayub M

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

We had a great time with Smart Tours Albania especially our guide Denis. He was very knowledgeable and kept our group well informed with facts throughout our journey to Berat and Belshi lake. The timing was perfect and Denis made sure that everyone was catered for and every part of the journey was kept on time so our group arrived back in Tirana on time. The journey was perfectly planned and adhered to by Denis. Denis did a draw for a free tour and I won but unfortunately I couldn't take up the offer as our flight to UK was leaving the same evening..... What a shame. Lol. Really enjoyed the tour with Denis. Thanks

Set off from Tirana with AC transfers and easy pickup. Explore Berat Castle, Ottoman-era neighborhoods, Gorica Bridge, and the peaceful Belshi Lake.

Travel with an English-speaking guide who stays with you throughout the day, offering cultural insights and context at each stop. Entry to Berat Castle is included in your ticket.

Climb the hilltop Berat Castle to explore its churches, stone alleys, and incredible panoramic views, with your guide sharing stories behind this living fortress.

Wander the historic Mangalemi and Gorica neighborhoods, known for their Ottoman architecture, and cross the scenic Gorica Bridge for memorable photo stops.

Pause at Belshi Lake to enjoy the natural setting, take photos, and rest before returning to Tirana.

Full-day tour of Berat Castle, Mangalemi and Gorica neighborhoods, and Gorica Bridge

Round-trip transportation from Tirana

Hotel pickup and drop-off from your accommodation or 7 designated locations in Tirana

Entry ticket to Berat Castle

Visits to Mangalemi and Gorica neighborhoods

Visit to the historic Gorica Bridge

Expert English-speaking guide

Snacks and drinks

Onufri Museum ticket (optional at €5 per person)

TOTAL DURATION9 hours - 9 hours 30 minutes
Timeline
Map
Start point
Tirana City
2 hr
60 km
1. Belshi Lake
Tickets included
1 hr 30 min
Take a peaceful stroll along the shores of Belshi Lake and escape into a landscape of rolling hills and local charm. Keep an eye out for local anglers quietly fishing its tranquil waters, and take a moment to enjoy the breeze that carries the simple joys of countryside life.
2. Berat Castle
Tickets included
2 hr
3. Mangalemi neighbourhood
Free Admission
1 hr
4. Gorica neighbourhood
Free Admission
1 hr
3 hr
End point
Tirana City
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

140 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and over 14 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Fatih E
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Our guide Klajdi informed us perfectly on our way to Berat and we enjoyed a great day in a historical city called city of a thousand windows, the transportation was also well organized, comfy and punctual.
Noelia H
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
Dennis was a fantastic guide, very friendly and attentive. He explained everything clearly in English, and even though the tour was in English, he also made an effort to speak some Spanish with us. He regularly checked in with each small group individually to make sure everyone was enjoying the tour. Highly recommended!
Eliyahu T
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The trip was pleasant, the guide was courteous and professional, the route had beautiful scenery, and there was a village just as we wanted. Thank you.
Maria C
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
An interesting tour; the city of Berat is very charming and definitely worth a visit. The guide was very knowledgeable—we highly recommend taking this tour.
Arjan L
Group
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Our tour guide, Fjona, gave a wonderful and insightful tour on the rich history of Berat and surrounding areas! I highly recommend the tour to any visitor.

Experience the rich history of Berat, explore its hilltop castle, and relax by the peaceful Belshi Lake on this full-day tour from Tirana.

Getting started:

Meet your guide at the hotel you selected while booking. After a quick round of introductions, hop into the comfortable transport arranged for a full day of sightseeing ahead.

Belshi Lake:

Pause for a relaxing break at this serene glacial lake, surrounded by gentle hills—perfect for a breath of fresh air before continuing on to Berat.

Berat Castle:

Step into one of Europe's few inhabited castles, where stone walls still echo with daily life. Admire views of Berat city and enhance your experience with a visit to the Onufri Museum, home to religious icons and frescoes by Albanian painter Onufri.

Mangalemi & Gorica Neighbourhoods:

Wander through these charming Ottoman-era districts on either side of the Osumi River. Cross the iconic Gorica Bridge as your guide shares the rich cultural and religious history of the “City of a Thousand Windows.”

What to bring

Ensure your entry tickets are on hand for a smooth experience.

What’s not allowed

For safety reasons, guests under the age of 1 year are not allowed on this experience.

Wearing modest attire is recommended at religious or heritage places.

Drones, alcohol, sharp metallic tools or objects, food & beverages large bags are not permitted on this experience.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible to wheelchair and pram/stroller users.

For your convenience, accessible parking and public transportation are readily available at the stops.

Safety first! This experience is restricted to people with back issues, cardiac issues and pregnant people.

Additional information

Hotel transfers are applicable to all hotels in Tirana city only. Make sure to specify the name and address of your hotel.

Ensure you arrive at your hotel lobby 10–15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure on the day of the tour.

Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 30 participants for a more comfortable experience.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the pickup point.

Hotel transfers

This ticket includes hotel pickups and drop-offs.

In the next step of booking, please specify the name and address of your hotel.

This is applicable to select hotels in Tirana city.

On the day of your tour, please report at your hotel lobby 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.

If your hotel does not have a lobby, please wait at the entrance of the hotel.