Are you dreaming of a European lake getaway but you don’t want the crowds of Lake Como or Lake Geneva? Macedonia has your back with it’s pristine Lake Ohrid.
But it’s way more than just a pretty lake – it has a great display of Macedonian culture, and archaeologists claim that Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. That, along with its picturesque villages, lakeside restaurants, and beautiful architecture make Lake Ohrid a relaxing weekend getaway packed with fascinating things to see and do.
Here is my Lake Ohrid travel guide, including practical information to plan your stay + all the best things to do in Ohrid. Whether you’re a history buff type of traveler or a nature lover, there’s a reason for everyone to fall in love with Ohrid!
A brief history of Ohrid
Like I said earlier, Ohrid is one of the oldest known human settlements in the whole of Europe, dating back to the 2nd century (100-200 AD)! During this time, it was an important stopping point on the Via Egnatia, the ancient Roman road that connected Rome to Constantinople.
A devastating earthquake hit Ohrid in the year 526 and was later rebuilt by the Romans. So much of the old, impressive architecture you see in Ohrid (like the Ancient Theatre) is from this time period forward.
Lake Ohrid sitting next to the town is one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe with a maximum depth of 945 feet (288 meters) and an age of around 3 million years (!!!). When taking its surface area into account, Lake Ohrid is actually one of the most diverse ancient lakes in the world because of the high amount of endemic species (these are species that are unique to a certain geological area).
Because of its extraordinary history and biodiversity, the entire city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
How to get to Ohrid
By bus:
Macedonia’s natural wonder is easily reachable by bus from nearby Balkan destinations. A bus from Skopje (the capital) to Ohrid takes around 3 and a half hours and costs 520-750 Macedonian denars (roughly $10-12 USD) depending on the season. There is also a bus from Tirana to a Macedonian town called Struga, where you can take a really quick, cheap taxi to Ohrid for around 300 Macedonian denars ($5 USD).
If you’re coming from other cities in the Balkans, the best bet is to connect through Skopje. For example, I was traveling from Sofia, Bulgaria to Ohrid, and instead of a direct bus, I had a stopover in Skopje.
The bus station is about a 30-minute pleasant walk outside of the city center, or a $2 taxi ride. Be wary that taxi drivers may try to upcharge you (I don’t blame them – I’d want to get paid more than $2 for a ride!) so agree on a price before getting in the car!
By air:
Ohrid has a small international airport called St. Paul the Apostle, which is only 7 km away from the city. It would be convenient to fly in, but very limited cities in Europe fly there. You’re in luck if you’re coming from Amsterdam, Belgrade, Brussels, Tel Aviv, Zurch, and London as they do fly to Ohrid. If you’re arriving from elsewhere, you can always fly into Skopje (a much bigger and more-serviced airport) and take the bus ride to Ohrid.
Many people also visit Lake Ohrid as part of a day tour from Skopje, so transportation is set up in advance. Here’s a list of tour providers if you’re interested in such a tour. But, I hope I can convince you by the end of this article that Ohrid deserves at least a few nights’ stay!
Where to stay in Ohrid
As a pretty under-the-radar destination, it’s really easy to find places to stay in Ohrid that fit lower budgets (perfect for backpackers!). There are also some more upscale places to stay for a high-end trip.
It’s best to base yourself in the Old Town or as close to it as possible.
Best hostels in Ohrid:
I stayed at Sunny Lakes Hostelwhich is very well-located for exploring the city and the nearby lake. It was pretty clean and comfortable for Balkans hostel standards.
There is also the option of Old Town Hostel. Both are around the $15 mark for a dorm bed. There’s no glitz or glamour to these hostels (not like that one time I slept in a converted 747 airplane hostel) but they do the trick!
Best mid-range hotels in Ohrid
Villa Varosh is a well-rated lakefront guesthouse with beautiful balcony views for only around $40 per night. I would honestly look no further for a mid-range property – this is the best in town.
Villa St. Sofija is another option, though it’s more understated than Villa Varosh. $44 per night.
Best luxury hotels in Ohrid
You’re not going to get peak luxury like you could in Miami or London for example, but Ohrid does have some more upscale places to stay. Bonus: they’re CHEAP!
Aleksander Villa & Spa Ohridis a beautiful resort located just 500 meters away (1/4 of a mile) from the crystal clear waters of the lake. And it only costs around $100 a night!
Another option is Villa Bisera, a stunning property with updated, lake-view rooms, but without the luxurious price-tag. It’s only around $85 a night! Gotta love the Balkans, you can find such nice properties for such a cheap price.
Things to do in Ohrid
There are a couple specific things to do in Ohrid that should be on everyone’s to-do list. They appeal to all types of travelers too, whether you want to do cultural activities, be lazy by the water, or be active in nature.
1. Church of St. John at Kaneo (aka St. John the Theologian)
This picturesque Byzantine church from the 13th century is a must-see in Ohrid. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the lake, it’s the quintessential postcard image for Macedonia and one of the top photographed places in the country. Entrance is free!
To get there, all you have to do is walk from Old Town toward the lake and turn right along the boardwalk path. After about a 15 minute pleasant walk (and a bit of a hill climb), the church is there. Put “St. John the Theologian” in your Google Maps to find it.
2. Tsar Samuel’s Fortress (aka Samoil’s Fortress)
My personal favorite thing to do in Ohrid was the fortress, boasting massive fortified walls. It’s always fun to explore fortresses, but the real treat here is the view from the top. Almost 360-degree views of the blue-green lake and cute town can be seen from atop the fortress walls.
To get there is about a 20-minute walk through winding streets from Ohrid Old Town. You can take a cheap taxi (expect a fee of less than $5), or put “Samuil Fortress” in your Google Maps and enjoy the walk! The fortress is only 120 Macedonian denars to enter (about $2).
3. See the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid
Less than a 10-minute walk from the fortress is the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid. History buffs will especially love this. It’s a Hellenistic (aka Greek cultural influence) theatre built in 200 B.C. 200 B.C.!!!! How many times in your life can you say you explored a structure from 200 B.C?!
Once the Romans came to Ohrid a few hundred years later, they started using the theatre for gladiator fights. But then they decided to use it as an execution site for Christians, which made it an unpopular location. The theatre was eventually abandoned as a result.
Fun fact: When the Roman Empire fell, the locals of Ohrid buried the theatre I guess because they wanted to reject Roman influence. It remained buried like that all the way until the 1980s when it was accidentally uncovered. Because it was buried for so long, it was able to stay super well-preserved.
4. Marvel at the beauty of the Church of St. Sophia (aka Sveti Sofia)
The Byzantine-style church was built in the 9th century. Today, it’s considered one of the most important monuments in the entire country. Particularly because the inside has frescoes from the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries that represent very significant achievements of the Byzantine times.
To get there, face the lake with the old town behind you and walk about 5 minutes to the right. There are street signs leading the way as well. It’s a must-see in Ohrid if you’re into religious history!
5. Visit St. Clement Church
A lot of churches on this list, I know! But did you know Ohrid has 365 churches in the small town alone, one for every day of the year?
St. Clement Church was constructed in the 13th century has the Byzantine-style architecture that is widespread in Macedonia and the rest of the Balkans. The inside has a nice collection of medieval frescoes.
To get here, it’s a windy 15-minute walk through Ohrid town. Use Google Maps so you don’t get lost. Honestly though, if you’re short on time I’d say you can skip this church. St. John at Kaneo and the Church of St. Sophia are more impressive.
6. Hike at the National Park Galičica
By now, you’ve seen a lot of impressive Macedonian architecture. If you want to get out in nature, don’t worry, there’s a lot of that here too!
National Park Galičica is a mountain area that separates Lake Ohrid from Lake Prespa. So when you hike up, you get panoramic, breathtaking lake views in any direction you look.
There are several hiking routes to choose from. I recommend either getting yourself a tourist map with a detailed depiction of the trails, or arrange your hike with a tour agency. Here are a few that do hikes up to National Park Galčica.
If you happen to rent a car, you can also enjoy the views by driving up the mountainous area to several different viewpoints. In any case, to get here, you’ll need to drive or take a taxi. It’s about an hour drive away from Ohrid town.
7. Hit the beach!
The best beaches in Ohrid are:
- Cuba Libre Beach. Located very close to the city center so it’s a popular, lively beach atmosphere. There’s a fun bar here too, right on the beach.
- Potpesh Beach. This is a little further out from the Old Town (near St. John at Kaneo Church) so it’s more secluded. It’s small, private, and beautiful here.
- Gradiste Beach. This beach has got the reputation of being the party, hippie beach. People sometimes camp out here for the entire summer. There’s DJs, bars, and restaurants – it’s a lot of fun! You have to drive here since it’s not located within walking distance from Ohrid town.
8. Water sports + activities
In the heart of Ohrid town, you’ll find lots of tour agencies advertising all sorts of water activities. You can take a boat tour around the lake, go paragliding over it, kayaking and canoeing, scuba diving and snorkeling – you name it, they’ve got it here.
No need to book anything in advance, just head to the tour agencies and see what they’re offering!
9. Take a day trip to the Monastery of Saint Naum (aka Sveti Naum)
Situated 30 km (18 miles) away from Ohrid, this Eastern Orthodox monastery is a popular spot to take a day trip from Ohrid. It was built in the 10th century during Bulgarian rule in Macedonia.
Here you can enjoy both religious heritage and nature. The monastery is situated right on a cliffside with sweeping views of the lake.
You can get here by boat from Ohrid’s harbor. It takes an hour and a half each way and costs around $12 USD for a return ticket. Or you could get a taxi, which takes around half an hour and should cost somewhere under the $20 mark.
10. Tour the Robevci Family House Museum
Last but not least, this structure is a great example of 19th-century traditional Macedonian architecture. It was originally built for the wealthy Robevci family. It’s lavish, intricately detailed both on the outside and inside, and an interesting look into how the wealthy lived in Macedonia in the 1800s.
To get here, it’s just a 4-minute walk from the main street in Ohrid Old Town. Follow the signs, ask a local how to get there, or input it into your Google Maps.
Where to eat in Ohrid
Your trip to Ohrid wouldn’t be complete without enjoying yummy Macedonian dishes with the beautiful atmosphere of Lake Ohrid around you. Here are my recommendations on where to eat in Ohrid.
- Letna Bavča Kaneo. Considered by many as the best restaurant in the Ohrid region. It overlooks the crystal clear waters of the lake and has a wonderful selection of traditional Macedonian food. Order the Polneti Piperki (stuffed bell peppers).
- Restoran Čun. Located in a traditional house right in the heart of Ohrid town. They have outdoor seating right next to the lake in the summer season. Lots of traditional food here as well, especially good is the fish.
- Terrazza Aquarius. If you’re looking for the best coffee in Ohrid, this is your place! It’s atmospheric as well, with views overlooking the lake.
- Taverna Momir. If you’ve already tried all the Macedonian food you wanted to, head to Taverna Momir for Mediterranean fare. They’re known for being quite creative with their dishes.
- The Gladiator. While you’re at the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, this restaurant next door is the perfect place to stop for food and an interesting view. The same family has owned this restaurant for hundreds of years.
Food is CHEAP in Macedonia! I believe I paid around $6 for each very filling dish at a sit-down restaurant.
Don’t forget to try the local Macedonian beers, too ;). The most popular are Vergina (huh, funny name :P), Zlaten Dab, and Skopsko.
FOR TIPPING: rounding up the bill is common practice. In nicer restaurants, you should tip 10-15%.
Conclusion
The best part about Ohrid is that you get to enjoy all of the above with relatively few people. Lake Ohrid still remains off the general Europe-travelers’ radar. It’s got all the makings of a mega tourist destination, though: beautiful nature, ancient architecture, and cultural sights to marvel at. Don’t make a trip to the Balkans without visiting Ohrid!
I thank you if you’ve read this far, and I sure hope this travel guide to Ohrid helped you plan your visit there!
