The best hotels in Berat
From the cobbled streets of Mangalem and Gorica to the scenic banks of the Osumi River, Berat offers visitors a unique blend of heritage, stunning architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. Choosing where to stay in Berat can turn your visit into an unforgettable experience, with options ranging from family-run guesthouses in historic buildings to boutique winery-hotels surrounded by vineyards and nature. Each property captures the spirit of the city in its own way, combining authentic Albanian hospitality, traditional design, and farm-to-table cuisine that highlights the region’s culinary heritage.
HANI I XHEBLATIT
Hani i Xheblatit is a charming family-owned guesthouse nestled in the historic heart of Mangalem, Berat’s most iconic district. The property occupies a beautifully preserved historic building within the UNESCO World Heritage old town. Stepping inside feels like entering another time: solid stone walls, carved wooden doors, antique furnishings and clocks, vibrant woven rugs, vintage lamps, and a peaceful courtyard terrace, all complemented by sweeping views of the town and the Osumi River. The guesthouse features 4 individually styled rooms, each offering a private bathroom and large windows overlooking the surrounding landscape. Interiors showcase authentic wooden furniture, decorative chandeliers, handcrafted curtains, exposed wooden beams, and traditional Albanian carpets. Breakfast is served in Hani i Xheblatit’s private terrace: a selection of fresh fruit, local yoghurt, handmade jams, byrek, fresh vegetables and fruit juices. Guests can also enjoy attentive hospitality, with a 24-hour reception, air conditioning in all rooms, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.
HOTEL ANSEL
Nestled in a traditional stone house in Berat, overlooking the city and the surrounding mountains, each of the 7 rooms of Hotel Ansel offers its own quiet charm. Three of them are heritage rooms, resembling small museums and preserving original architectural details. Mornings at Hotel Ansel begin with birdsong and the soft whisper of the wind drifting through the silent alleyways of the UNESCO-listed city. The design honours the property’s history, featuring traditional wooden shutters, exposed beam ceilings, stone elements, and a palette of earthy, natural tones accented with subtle touches of colour. The in-house restaurant offers a true farm-to-table dining experience. Hotel Ansel’s owners run a small farm in the countryside surrounding Berat, which supplies most of the fresh ingredients used in the kitchen. The menu showcases some of Albania’s finest traditional dishes, including byrek, stuffed aubergines and peppers, grilled meats, shepherd cheeses, aromatic herbs, and pispili. Breakfast is equally memorable, featuring a generous Albanian spread with fresh fruit juices, petulla, local shepherd cheese, compotes, local honey, homemade yoghurt, freshly baked bread, and the freshest seasonal fruit.
TRADITA E BERATIT
Tradita e Beratit, a boutique stay located in Gorica neighborhood, is a 350-year old property used once as an inn. The rooms here are thoughtfully designed down to the smallest details. Each of the 6 bedrooms features unique antiques, heritage furniture, and collectibles that reflect the owners’ passion for traditional art, while celebrating the history and culture of the region. The property also offers a suite, Oda e Madhe, boasting the finest view of Berat: from its windows, guests can admire the Gorica Bridge, the Osumi River, and the castle. Surrounded by historic buildings and hidden gardens that gently slope down to the riverbank, the guesthouse offers a truly enchanting setting. The on-site farm-to-table restaurant is the cherry on top at Tradita e Beratit. The kitchen is run by the owners’ mother, who prepares family and traditional recipes using only fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from Berat’s farmers. The menu showcases the best of Albanian cuisine, from vegetable byrek, fërgëse with ricotta, tomatoes, and peppers, and stuffed peppers with rice, to stuffed aubergines, traditional Berat-style beef with cheese, and homemade meatballs. Pair your meal with a bottle of local wine or ask the owners for their uncle’s homemade vintage.
KANTINA PUPA
Kantina Pupa, scenically located between Berat and sacred Mount Tomorr, at an altitude of 500-700 meters above sea level, is the ideal base for a relaxing weekend getaway surrounded by vineyards, nature and great food. It is a family-run agrotourism and winery located in Fushë-Peshtan, a village in the outskirts of Berat. This rustic boutique retreat is managed by the Pupa family who developed the property with vineyards, green spaces and buildings that perfectly reproduce Berat’s traditional and distinctive architecture. The 15 comfortable rooms feature spacious, light-filled interiors, adorned with traditional elements such as handmade curtains and wooden ceilings. Kantina Pupa’s restaurant is the perfect place to taste the authentic cuisine of Berat. The kitchen team prepares traditional dishes such as byrek with spinach or cheese, grilled meats, spicy meatballs, fresh vegetables, stuffed peppers, table olives, homemade bread, and jufka pasta with chicken, among others. The drinks menu features a carefully selected range of Kantina Pupa red, white, and rosé wines.
