32 Enchanting Medieval Towns That Feel Frozen in Time

29. Berat, Albania

Known as the "City of a Thousand Windows," Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Albania, where white Ottoman-era houses with numerous windows seem to cascade down a hillside. Crowned by a vast 13th-century castle still inhabited by residents, Berat offers a unique blend of medieval Albanian and Ottoman architecture. Explore its narrow cobbled streets, visit Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, and climb to the fortress for breathtaking views. It's a living museum of Balkan history, relatively undiscovered by mass tourism.