Experience Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park in Berat, Albania

One of the most beautiful and oldest cities in the Balkans is Berat – a city in central Albania. A city on the Osumi River, it is known for its white Ottoman houses. As one of two UNESCO-listed historic centers in Albania, Berat is a must-see for history and culture buffs. 

Recently, I stayed at a castle-like hotel on a hilltop in Berat, Albania called Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park. With amazing views of Tomor Mountain and traditional Albanian cuisine, the Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park offers guests a unique experience. As an added bonus, The Castle Park Berat offers cultural experiences as well as outdoor excursions that are suitable for everyone. 

So when you’re in Berat and want the ultimate one-stop-shop experience, Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park is the place to stay. While staying at the Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park, here are some top experiences you can book.

Discover Traditional Albanian Dishes through a Cooking Class

For local and foreign tourists who are passionate about cooking and good food, Hotel Castle Park Berat offers a cooking class where you can learn to prepare some classic authentic Berati recipes. In this class, you will not only learn how to cook traditional Albanian dishes but also learn about the ingredients they buy from local farmers. 

Additionally, you can enjoy drinks, wine, and cheeses while cooking a four-course meal that includes:

• Kulaci – a traditional Albanian house bread served mainly during special holidays. 
• A traditional main course – Japrak (made from fresh grape leaves stuffed with either rice or meat), stuffed pumpkin, etc.
• Berati Vejnez (Beef) – stuffed with cheese and nuts, this dish is a Berat specialty.
• Berati Katmari – a traditional cake of Berat. Made with nuts and is delicious.

After the cooking class, everyone will enjoy the cooked meals in the Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park’s traditional restaurant. It’s truly an authentic Albanian experience that you can enjoy with friends and family! 

Hiking the Sacred Mount Tomor

Did you know that Mount Tomor is the most unique mountain in all of Albania? Making it a MUST add to visit while in Albania. At Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park, you can easily cross it off of your bucket list by booking their Albania Hiking Tour to Mount Tomor.

What makes this mountain so special, you ask? Mount Tomor is one of the most revered and respected mountains in Albania because it served as a residence for the Pelasgian-Illyrian gods since ancient times. Tomor is considered to be the house of the gods, which is why it is called the “Holy Mountain,” as a mountain with supernatural powers. This is why locals go up to the top of the mountain to pray and meditate.

This popular 6-hour Albania Hiking Tour takes you up Mount Tomor (with the option of riding a mule), and includes a picnic lunch. It’s the perfect way to explore the sacred mountain while taking in the spectacular mountain scenery!

Experience Wine Tasting 

When you think of wine tasting you might not think of Berat, Albania – but believe it or not, Berat has become a great destination where locals and tourists can enjoy some of the best wine in the country. 

So if you’re a wine lover like me, you’re in luck. A half-day wine tasting tour is offered by Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park in Berat, where guests visit a popular nearby winery called Cobo Winery. The tasting includes four types of wine, homemade bread, cheese, and olives. The experience is definitely a must-do for all wine enthusiasts!

Rafting in the Vjosa River

If you’re into the outdoors and love a good adrenaline adventure, here’s something for you. One of the must-see attractions in Berat, Albania is the Vjosa River. A great way to see and experience it is by booking the Albania Adventure Tour through Castle Park Hotel & Restaurant.

The team of professionals at Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park will take you on a water adventure like no other! In this rafting adventure, you will spend about two hours and have an unforgettable experience.

Hydrospeed in the Vjosa River

Another adrenaline adventure to consider is the Hydrospeed in the Vjosa River. On this Hydrospeed Albania Adventure Tour, you can enjoy the great outdoors, while also experiencing an adrenaline-fueled adventure.

Hydrospeed is a medium-difficulty activity and does not require much strength. You just need to follow the flow of the Vjosa River and the instructions of the professional guide. So if you are up for the challenge, highly recommend trying out this Hydrospeed Albania Adventure! 

Kayaking in the Vjosa River

You can also enjoy the beautiful Vjosa River by kayak, which is another offered tour at Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park. Enjoy a Kayak Tour in the Vjosa River while relaxing and having fun at the same time.

During this 2 and a half hour kayaking trip, you’ll start from Kelcyra’s Gorge in southern Albania, near the town of Kelcyre. This is an experience you don’t want to miss!

Whether you enjoy cultural experiences or are an adrenaline junkie, the Hotel & Restaurant Castle Park is a great option to consider when visiting Berat, Albania. The Castle Park Berat offers a place to stay and a wide selection of experiences such as those listed above and more, that are sure to please the whole family or group of friends.