expedia
Skip to main content
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in

Berat and Belshi Lake Day Tour from Durres and Golem

By Albanian Tours
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$50 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
Overview

What makes this tour unique is the contrast it offers in a single day — living history, UNESCO heritage, and rare inland nature, all without rushing.

You move from the inhabited citadel of Berat Castle, where people still live behind medieval walls, down into the iconic Ottoman streets of Mangalem Quarter, famous for its “thousand windows” architecture and authentic local life. This isn’t a staged old town — it’s real, layered history still in use today.

The tour then shifts completely in mood as you cross the Dumre plateau to reach Belshi Lake, a calm karst lake landscape almost unknown to international tourists. Here, nature replaces monuments, crowds disappear, and you experience a side of Albania that most visitors never see.

The uniqueness lies in this balance: culture + nature, famous + hidden, vibrant city + quiet countryside — all within a short distance, making the tour rich, diverse, and genuinely memorable rather than repetitive.

Activity location
  • Berat Castle
    • Rruga Mihal Komnena,
    • 5001, Berat, Albania
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • Berat Castle
    • Rruga Mihal Komnena,
    • 5001, Berat, Albania

Check availability

Berat and Belshi Lake Day Tour from Durres and Golem
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$49.78 x 1 AdultAU$49.78
Total
Price is AU$49.78

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Castle entrance
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Entrance fee
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Lunch

Know before you book

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Berat Castle
  • 1h 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Berat Castle is one of the oldest and most impressive inhabited castles in the Balkans, rising above the city of Berat with panoramic views of the Osum River and the famous “city of a thousand windows.” Unlike most castles, this one is still alive — people live inside its stone walls, in traditional houses that have stood for centuries. Why it’s special Origins from the 4th century BC, fortified mainly in the 13th century Inhabited citadel with narrow stone streets and old homes ⛪ Dozens of Byzantine churches and Ottoman-era monuments A rare example where churches and mosques coexist inside the same fortress What you’ll see inside The Church of St. Mary of Blachernae (famous frescoes) Traditional houses, ruins, viewpoints, and craft shops Best visited late afternoon for views and light Berat Castle isn’t just a monument — it’s a living piece of history, and one of the highlights of any visit to southern Albania.
Belsh
  • 40m
Belshi Lake is one of the most picturesque natural attractions of central Albania, located in the heart of the Dumre Plateau, a unique karst area famous for its dozens of lakes formed by geological collapse. The lake lies next to the town of Belsh and is surrounded by gentle hills, farmland, and quiet rural landscapes, creating a peaceful and authentic atmosphere far from mass tourism. With calm waters that reflect the sky and surrounding greenery, Belshi Lake is ideal for relaxing walks, photography, and short stops during a journey between Berat and Elbasan. A scenic promenade lines part of the shoreline, where cafés and small restaurants offer local food and traditional Albanian hospitality. The area is especially beautiful in spring and autumn, when colours change and temperatures are mild.
Quarter Of Mangalem
  • 1h
The Mangalem Quarter is the most iconic historic area of Berat and a key reason the city is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows.” Located on the left bank of the Osum River, directly below Berat Castle, Mangalem is famous for its steep rows of white Ottoman houses with large windows stacked one above another, creating a unique architectural panorama. Dating mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, the quarter reflects traditional Ottoman urban life, with narrow cobblestone streets, stone stairways, and closely built homes adapted to the hillside terrain. Mangalem was historically a Muslim quarter and is home to important monuments such as the King Mosque and the Helveti Tekke.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Berat Castle
    • Rruga Mihal Komnena,
    • 5001, Berat, Albania
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Berat Castle
    • Rruga Mihal Komnena,
    • 5001, Berat, Albania

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Berat your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Berat

With so many activities in Berat, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Berat. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Berat to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.