Day Trips

From Tirana: Berat UNESCO Heritage & Belshi Lake Day Trip

Young woman overlooking the historic cityscape of Berat, Albania.

Boat on the shore of Belshi Lake with hills in the background.

Guest walking along stone path inside Berat Castle, Albania.

Berat Castle stone walls and archway under a clear blue sky in Albania.

Duration

9 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers included

Hotel pickup

4.4/5

(109)

Yara

Aug 2025

Verified Partner Review

5/5

Honestly didn’t expect to learn so much about Berat! Our guide (Noel? I think?) was super patient with my million questions. Loved the castle views—totally EPIC. The group was a bit big but everyone was chill. Aircon on the bus was a life saver, trust me, Albania in August is no joke.

Lila

Aug 2025

Verified Partner Review

5/5

Went solo and was a bit nervous but everyone was super friendly. Loved all the stories about the city and the history, especially the bit about the castle being lived in. Our guide even helped me get some pics since I was alone. 100% recommend for solo travelers.

Sven

Aug 2025

Verified Partner Review

4/5

Pretty good day overall. Pick up was on time, comfy bus, and our guide knew a LOT. Castle was cool but ngl, it got sooo hot walking up that hill. Bring water. The little snack stop by the river was a nice touch. Would’ve liked more free time in the old town, tho.

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
FIRST DEPARTUREBelshi Lake
LAST DEPARTUREBelshi Lake
Timeline
Map
Start point
Tirana City
2 hr
60 km
1. Belshi Lake
Tickets included
90 min
2. Berat Castle
Tickets included
2 hr
3. Mangalemi neighbourhood
Free Admission
60 min
4. Gorica neighbourhood
Free Admission
60 min
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.

4.4
109 ratings
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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What our guests say
Yara
Aug 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
Honestly didn’t expect to learn so much about Berat! Our guide (Noel? I think?) was super patient with my million questions. Loved the castle views—totally EPIC. The group was a bit big but everyone was chill. Aircon on the bus was a life saver, trust me, Albania in August is no joke.
Sven
Aug 2025
Verified Partner Review
4/5
Pretty good day overall. Pick up was on time, comfy bus, and our guide knew a LOT. Castle was cool but ngl, it got sooo hot walking up that hill. Bring water. The little snack stop by the river was a nice touch. Would’ve liked more free time in the old town, tho.
Oskar
Aug 2025
Verified Partner Review
3/5
Berat is beautiful but the tour felt a bit rushed in parts. Wish we could’ve spent more time at the churches. Guide was nice, though, and the driver handled those twisty roads like a pro.
Lila
Aug 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
Went solo and was a bit nervous but everyone was super friendly. Loved all the stories about the city and the history, especially the bit about the castle being lived in. Our guide even helped me get some pics since I was alone. 100% recommend for solo travelers.
Eleni
Aug 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
Did this with my husband and two kids (age 9 and 12). Kids adored the castle and running around the ramparts. Guide kept them entertained with stories about old kings and battles. Only downside: not much shade, so hats are a must.

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.