Stunning Old-World Cities That Still Feel Frozen in Time

33. Berat, Albania: The "City of a Thousand Windows"

Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Albania, is truly a sight to behold, nicknamed the "City of a Thousand Windows" for its unique Ottoman-era houses cascading down a hillside, seemingly stacked atop each other. Above them looms a magnificent 13th-century citadel, still inhabited today. Exploring its ancient cobbled streets, visiting its Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, and admiring its unique architectural style feels like stepping into a forgotten corner of history, offering a rare and authentic glimpse into Balkan heritage.