Tourism in Berat Surges as International Visitors Flock to Albania’s Historic City

Published on November 25, 2025

With its beautiful landscapes and picturesque scenery, Berat, known as the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’, has quickly become one of the most popular destinations in Albania, especially considering how well preserved the Ottoman buildings are, and the rich history that the town holds. In a period of ten months, the city of Berat has attracted 750,000 international and local tourists, and as a result, has significantly increased the economic activity of the town and the surrounding area as many local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and tour companies are reaping the benefits from the tourists.

Why People Visit Berat

Visitors to Berat appreciate its rich history and architecture. The medieval castle (Kalaja) dominating the town skyline is a marvellous piece of history and architecture. The castle offers visitors a great view of the more recent historical architecture of the town and the beautiful landscape of the region. The castle has subordinate architectural pieces, which include a chapel and a mosque, and reflect some of the region’s cultural and religious diversity.

Visitors also appreciate the regions of Mangalem and Gorica with their historical importance and narrow cobblestoned streets. Here too, visitors will find beautiful monuments of architecture from the Ottoman era. The town’s souvenir and craft shops sell Albanian products.

A big part of what draws visitors to the town are its monuments and its architecture. The cultural heritage of the town, its museums and its history also attract to visitors. The Ethnological Museum, located in the former governor’s house, has a rich collection of historical artifacts that portray traditions from Berat, while the Iconography Museum houses Byzantine and religious artworks.

The expanding tourist economy in Berat is assisting in the growth and diversification of the town’s service sector. The increased volume of bookings has spurred hotels, guesthouses and boutique accommodations to expand their service offerings. The diverse influx of international tourists has made its way to the old town of Berat and has benefited the several outposts in the old town that serve international tourists with Albanian dishes such as byrek, lamb tava e kosit and local wines. The increased tourist eatery outposts helped expand several restaurants and cafes.

The increase in tourists to the town also benefits craft shops, souvenir vendors, and the small businesses that sell the traditional handicrafts. The handwoven textiles, copper goods, and pottery are often sought-after tourist purchases. The increase in tourists to the town has enabled these businesses to expand, increase job opportunities, and strengthen the local economy.

The expansion of tour operators offering travel, guiding, and cultural activities have also flourished. Visitors benefit from organized trips to appreciate and understand the cultural heritage of Berat and employ local guides who tell the stories of the town’s history, architecture, and traditions. There is an influx of tourists to the town who are interested in the stories and history of Berat’s famous landmarks. This industry is growing with tourists dominant in the market who develop an understanding of history and culture to these sites.

UNESCO Heritage and Its Role in Tourism

The fact that Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has contributed greatly to its growing popularity as a tourist destination. The town’s history, architecture, and culture are extraordinary and has enabled the town to become one of the most protected heritage sites across the globe. UNESCO not only protected the town, and brought the town to the international stage, but encouraged the town to practice sustainable tourism. This allows the town to preserve both the natural and cultural components of the town.

Berat’s World Heritage designation helps to expand its promotion and tourism potential as Albania’s awarded town. Gjirokastër, another awarded town, is known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and is conveniently located for day visitors. The combined UNESCO town offerings bolster tourism in the region, giving Berat a prominent position on the cultural tourism map of Albania.

Albania’s Increasing International Appeal

Among international tourists, Albania is becoming a popular travel destination with Berat as one of its attractions. The growing popularity of Albania for its offerings, and more specifically the town of Berat, is attributed to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and growing tourism infrastructure. The town’s remarkable blend of historical charm and modern tourism is a pull factor for travelers in search of authentic cultural experiences.

Among international tourists visiting Berat, travelers from Europe and especially neighboring Italy, Greece, and Germany are the most frequent. However, the town is gaining a good reputation and is attracting tourists from the more distant United States, Canada, and Australia. Its proximity and good transport links to the capital Tirana, and other major cities of Albania adds to the town’s growing reputation and accessibility.

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Growth for Berat’s Tourism Sector

There is a focus on Sustainable Growth and the management of the concerned parties. The more complex and concerned the growth the more complex the management of the parties involved. The growth of tourism on diverse levels is a positive and growth-building. Of concern of the impact of tourism on the town is the town’s rural (countryside) architecture. There has to be more (advanced) infra and better transport and accommodation systems. In the positive tourism, positive Ecotourism systems. This is positive tourism on a rural architecture and countryside and rural architecture and culture.

There has to be cooperation of the parties concerned to construct (modern) amenities and services. The positive Eco advises tourism systems. Eco advises that systems are not the focus. Work on the focus of of the tourism systems, positive and eco positive tourism. The systems which positive eco tourism to the users. Work on the rural architecture and rural culture. Eco advise tourism work the rural architecture. Balance the eco advise and tourism wor the rural architecture. It is advised work the systems rural architecture cluster and nature. This is a top for tourism travel. The positive is work the systems architecture and culture eco tourism and positive systems.

Conclusion

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This is a top for tourism travel. The positive is work the systems architecture and culture eco tourism and positive systems. The top destinations is work, eco advice and positive tourism. The top positive eco tourism travel (uto) architecture and culture.close culture and nature. This is a top for tourism travel. The positive is work the systems architecture and culture eco tourism and positive systems. The top destination is work eco advise and positive tourism. The top positive eco tourism travel (uto) architecture and culture.close culture and nature.