North Macedonia: Everything to See, Eat + Do at Lake Ohrid

EuropeTravel Guide

Oct 11

Despite being Europe's oldest Lake, Ohrid doesn't get nearly as much attention from the travel guides as the ever-popular Lake Como, Garda or Geneva. Stretched between the borders of southwestern North Macedonia and eastern Albania Ohrid is surrounded by mountainous scenery and is overlooked by the beautiful church of Saint John the Theologian, a Macedonian Orthodox church. A relatively undeveloped area the small town of Ohrid is home to cobblestone streets, medieval churches, monasteries, historic ruins and traditional red-tiled roofs houses waiting to be explored.

To See

**Samuel’s Fortress** - Samuel's Fortress sits above the old town of Ohrid and was built at the turn of the 11th century with 18 towers and four gates remaining today. With its strategic location overlooking the town and lake, it provides a perfect place for taking in the whole panorama of Ohrid and the surrounding areas as you walk along the remaining walls.
Entrance Fee: 150MKD/£2.20
**Take a self-guided walking tour** - Once known as the 'Jerusalem of the Balkans' the lake used to be home to 365 churches with the town of Ohrid still home to many beautifully maintained Orthodox Christian churches. There are 7 key sites all located within the old town and are within an easy 1.7 mile walking distance in total between each. We decided to walk at our own pace using this map and information, my favourite being St John at Kaneo. There is also an option for a more in-depth group-guided tours here.
Fee: Free - £40 (1/2 Day Tour)
**The Bay of Bones** - If you have more than one day, the open-air museum 'The Bay of Bones' is an important cultural and historical landmark of North Macedonia. The site gets its name for the massive amounts of animal bones found buried in the lake bed underwater which was discovered during the archaeological dig in 1997. The settlement includes 24 replicas of prehistoric houses showing the everyday life between 1500 to 700 BC. This can be researched by car, boat or local bus from the town of Ohrid.
Entrance Fee: 100MKD/£1.50

Monastery of Saint Naum - The Monastery of St. Naum is an impressive complex located 18 miles south of Ohrid town and close to the Albanian border. Originally built in 905 by Saint Naum the 'miracle worker' who was known for healing the mind, providing speech to the mute and helping physically disabled people walk again. The monastery complex is full of lush gardens, fountain streams, colourful peacocks, churches and homes which can be visited.

Entrance Fee: 150MKD/£2.20

To Eat

**Kaneo** - Perfectly situated next to the waters edge restaurant Kaneo is the ideal spot for alfresco dining or a late afternoon glass of wine with uninterrupted views. You will find Mediterranean dishes such as grilled fish and meats using fresh ingredients.
**Otto sushi** - A very large amount of food at lake Ohrid are Kebabs and Gyros which are great for some on-the-go lunch options but if you're looking for something a little different in the evening Otto Sushi is the place to go. It's a small self-service spot that offers eat-in or takeaway for freshly made sushi with all the classic options and their own creation of sushi wraps.
**Capone Pizza** - A lot of restaurants serve pizza in Ohrid but these tend to be cooked from frozen with no fresh toppings. Carbon Pizza is the only place in town serving up Italian-style pizzas out of a wood oven and is run by a super friendly biker who turns up to work on a Harley.
**Drop** - Limited restaurants and cafes sell fresh food around the lake however Drop is the perfect place for a protein smoothie, salad or speciality coffee. A great place for on-the-go lunches or early morning matcha runs.

To Do

**Water Sports** - If you are looking for something more active than a boat ride SUP and Kayak hire is available in Ohrid old town at Jovanovic Kayaks and SUP who offer tours or hourly rates if you want to head out alone.
**Scuba Dive or Snorkle** - With such clear waters it is also possible to scuba dive below The Bay of Bone and swim through the supporting beams of the city. Divers can also visit Plocha Michov Grad which is an ongoing underwater excavation site where they are uncovering pottery shards, stone, flint objects and animal bones.
Fee: £35
**Boat Trip** - The most exciting way to get around the lake is by boat and there are multiple options available from 6 hours down to just 30 minutes departing throughout the day from Ohrid pier. Being out on the water adds a whole new perspective to the dramatic scenery and red-roofed old town that overlooks the water. We went with Ohrid Lake Cruises for the 30-minute tour option to see the highlights of the town that included Samuel’s Fortress, Saint John at Kaneo and Beach Labino. We had one of the most enthusiastic tour guides who even let us drive the boat, played classic Italian music and was adamant about directing a couples photoshoot.
Tours: €25-€500

Take a Dip - Lake Ohrid is Europe's oldest lake with fresh clear water perfect for an afternoon dip. During the summer some boats can take you further out onto the water for day trips or a nearby spot is Beach Saraiste. This is a small man made spot filled with locals having a chat and a coffee which is close to the shore and has steps into the water.