Beyond Tirana · Beyond Tirana
Berat Castle (Kala)
Still lived in
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Berat Castle (Kala)
Berat’s castle, the Kala, is not a ruin but a living quarter on the hilltop, 214 metres above the Osum river. Dating mainly from the 13th century, it still shelters families in old stone houses, along with Byzantine churches, the ruined Red Mosque and the Onufri Museum. Walk the cobbled lanes to viewpoints over the valley and the town of a thousand windows below. Go early in summer, wear good shoes for the steep climb, and stay for sunset over the Tomorr mountain.
Why it's on our list
- Inhabited castle
- Byzantine churches
- Valley views
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Berat Castle (Kala) before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Berat Castle (Kala) are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Rruga Mihal Komena600 m8 min walk