2 Day Tour from Saranda to Berat
2 Day Tour from Saranda to Berat
Treat yourself to the tale of an Albanian adventure involving cobblestone streets, sunset selfies, and suspiciously addictive byrek. 2 Day Tour from Saranda to Berat is really worth it!
Day 1: Saranda Says Goodbye, Berat Rolls Out the Red Carpet
When you leave Saranda, that dreamy Albanian Riviera town with its turquoise waves and beachy vibes, you don’t just hop in a van—you time travel. One minute it’s all sun lotion and sea breeze, and the next, bam—Ottoman architecture, winding hills, and a town that looks like it was carved straight out of a storybook.
That’s Berat for you. Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” (which, frankly, sounds like either a charming nickname or a nightmare for glass cleaners), this UNESCO World Heritage site is basically an open-air museum—except with way better food and actual beds.
The ride from Saranda is scenic enough to convince you to finally delete that photo of Santorini from your screensaver. Rolling hills, olive groves, and villages that look like they still think Enver Hoxha is in charge. Authenticity? Through the roof.
Welcome to Berat: Where the Windows Judge You Kindly
By late afternoon, you roll into Berat’s old town and it’s hard not to be smitten. There’s something about those tiered white Ottoman houses climbing up the hillside, each window silently observing your every move. But don’t worry—they’re friendly windows. Judgment-free.
Check-in at the charming local guesthouse is smooth. Think stone walls, wooden beams, and the kind of hospitality that includes a glass of rakija before you’ve even removed your shoes. That’s Albanian for “Hello, now let’s get slightly tipsy before dinner.”
Dinner itself? Oh. Ohhh. We’re talking slow-cooked meats, fluffy bread, tangy cheeses, roasted veggies straight from someone’s adorable backyard, and yes—byrek so buttery it might make you question your life choices. Even the pickiest eater (we’re looking at you, guy who “doesn’t like spices”) will be in culinary heaven.
Day 2: Castles, Cuddly Cats, and That One Photo Everyone Takes
Morning in Berat smells like fresh bread, strong coffee, and maybe just a hint of medieval mystery. After a traditional Albanian breakfast (translation: everything fried and delicious), it’s castle time.
The Berat Castle isn’t just a fortress—it’s a full-on ancient neighborhood. People still live inside its walls. That’s right. There are old ladies hanging laundry next to Byzantine churches while cats sunbathe on 13th-century stones like they invented the place. The views? Utterly majestic. Expect your camera roll to multiply like a tourist’s appetite at a buffet.
Your guide—who may or may not be a stand-up comedian on the weekends—drops historical gems with just enough sass to keep everyone awake. You’ll learn about Ottoman baths, hidden churches, and secret escape tunnels, all while trying not to trip on cobblestones that clearly haven’t been renovated since the Crusades.
The Ride Back: Full Bellies, Full Hearts, Full SD Cards
As the van cruises back to Saranda, there’s a universal sense of “Wait… did we just time warp?” One part of you wants the beach again, sure—but another part, the deeper, hummus-fed part, is already Googling “how to buy a house in Berat.”
This 2-day tour? It’s more than just sightseeing. It’s a beautiful, bizarre, delicious crash course in Albanian culture, history, and hospitality. From beach town bliss to hilltop heritage, with a whole lot of cheese in between—Saranda to Berat is one ride you won’t forget.
Pack elastic-waist pants. You’ve been warned.
