13 Incredible Things To Do Around Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

lake ohrid

Lake Ohrid is among the most visited places in North Macedonia, and for good reason. It’s unbelievably beautiful, from the bustling town of Ohrid to the magnificently blue waters of the lake itself. 

As one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, it’s hard not to feel the influence of the lake on the surrounding area. With a unique ecosystem, impressive Byzantine churches, and UNESCO status it’s one of the Balkans true highlights.

I found everything about the lake to be captivating. But, I guess I’m not the only one. In 2010, NASA even named one of Titan’s lakes after Ohrid. I figure if it’s special enough to be the inspiration for a lake on Saturn’s largest moon, then it must be pretty darn cool.

Now that I’m done fanboying, I’ll get to what you came for. Here are 13 incredible things to do around Lake Ohrid!

Swim in the lake and see the beautiful beaches

The beach just before arriving at Sveti Naum.

Crystal clear and ultra fresh, a swim in Lake Ohrid is highly invigorating. It honestly felt like they had a filter hidden somewhere in the depths. Either that or a full time pool boy to rake out the leaves.

Kidding aside, in the summer months you’ll find yourself jumping in multiple times per day. There are a number of beaches to choose from exactly for this purpose. Along the eastern shore of the lake you have beautiful spots all the way down to the border of Albania. 

Just south of Ohrid, there’s Golden and Nemo Beach, followed by the popular Lagadin. Further south you have Gradishte, Trpejca, Ljubanista, and finally the busy Sveti Naum Beach. There really isn’t a bad choice amongst these. Some are a little more wild, but they all have similar features.

lake ohrid
There is a boardwalk that takes you from old town to Potpesh Beach.

If you want to stay in Ohrid, both Potpesh and Kaneo are great places to spend an afternoon. Each one has shade, wonderful views, and restaurants nearby. They also take the least effort to get to.

Looking for something a little different? You can always hit up the beaches in Struga. It’s northwest of Ohrid and is another popular destination along the lakefront.

The clean waters are a treat almost everywhere in Lake Ohrid, so make sure you don’t skip out on summertime swimming!

Hop On A Boat Cruise

The best way of seeing Lake Ohrid is by simply cruising on its tranquil waters. There are a lot of wonderful things hiding along the lake’s inlets and edges, more than just beaches and summer houses. If you want to discover them, take a boat tour.

You’ll catch glimpses of Vila Biljana, which was once the former Yugoslavian president Tito’s estate. Further along you’ll have a chance to stop at a recreated floating village and pass by the serene Holy Mother of God Zahumska Church. Finally you’ll end at the magnificent Monastery of St. Naum. There’s a ton of things to do around the Sveti Naum complex, as you’ll find out later. Just about every boat trip ends up at this port for a few hours.

The big boat that leaves from Ohrid's pier.

There’s several options for the boat cruise to Sveti Naum. You can take a smaller boat with a more personal feel. The captains are usually less time dependent and will stay at places a bit longer. It’s really up to what the passengers want from their experience. But, that also means that you’ll pay a bit more for their time.

My personal suggestion is to take the big boat across the lake. This is how I found out about Tito’s retreat and some of the more unique beaches. It costs 10 euros and you’ll get a sort of summarized history lesson. We also stopped over at the aforementioned floating village, known as the Bay of Bones.

The big boat leaves from the pier and most others from along the Ohrid lakefront. Make sure you bring some sunscreen and lots of water. It’s a long day, but more than worth the price!

Visit The Bay Of Bones

The Bay of Bones floating village is stunning.

The sinister sounding Bay of Bones isn’t quite as scary as you’d think. However, it does give off some serious Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. 

It’s a recreation of a prehistoric settlement on the water. The site is home to a museum and dozens of rebuilt homes. You’ll find some of the excavated items at the museum that gave the Bay of Bones its name. This includes well preserved vessels and the remains of animals. 

The floating homes on top of crystal clear waters is a sight to behold. The boat to Sveti Naum only stopped for about 30 minutes, so if this sounds interesting to you, make sure to make it a separate day trip. Entry costs 100 MKD (just under 2 euros) and gives you access to the museum and the floating village. 

If you are up for some underwater exploring, there’s also a possibility to hire local guides for diving.

Spend Some Time At Sveti Naum

You’ll hear the words Sveti Naum being flung around in Ohrid a lot. It’s the name used for the Monastery of St. Naum and its surrounding area. If you walk along the promenade there are numerous people looking to take you to the monastery on their pontoon boats. 

The Monastery of Saint Naum

I think the main difference between Sveti Naum and other monasteries is the sheer amount of things to do around the facilities. The monastery itself is both appealing and historic with gorgeous views of Lake Ohrid. But, there’s also relaxing gardens with peacocks roaming around and fountains with soothing streams of water.

Outside the complex walls, you’ll find a walking street with memorabilia shops and open air eateries. Behind them you can hop on row boats that glide across a crisp natural spring. 

On the opposite side of the street you’ll find a long rock beach with cool clear waters and colorful stones. It’s a place where hours feel like minutes and calm washes over you.

Another church at the Saint Naum complex and the springs just outside.

Trek Up To Tsar Samuel's Fortress

Standing on a hill above the town of Ohrid, Tsar Samuel’s Fortress has panoramic views of Lake Ohrid. While there isn’t much to see within the walls themselves, wandering across the stone barriers was a real treat. You can see just about everything in the town from them.

lake ohrid
Tsar Samuel's Fortress

The location of the fortress itself was said to hold fortifications as far back as 4 B.C. However, it wasn’t until the 900’s that Czar Samuel restored the grounds into a more medieval type stronghold. At the same time the city of Ohrid was known as the capital of the Bulgarian Empire. It’s crazy to think how many different empires came through the region.

If you’re looking for a great vantage point of Lake Ohrid and a brief summarized history of the area, this is a good place to start. 

Entry will cost you 80 MKD (about 1.5 euro).

Check Out The Famous Church Of Saint John At Kaneo

If you look up Lake Ohrid…scratch that. 

If you look up North Macedonia, the most famous picture you’ll find is the Church of Saint John at Kaneo overlooking the dramatic blue waters of Lake Ohrid.

Also known as the Church of Saint John the Theologian, it’s indeed worth the visit. The church itself is dedicated to John of Patmos (possibly John the Apostle), the author of the Book of Revelation.

lake ohrid
The beautiful Church of Saint John at Kaneo

I actually found there to be less people than the Monastery of Sveti Naum. Maybe it was just dumb luck, or perhaps the blazing temperatures. Either way, there were only a few other onlookers. Even if you run into crowds, you’re bound to find a relaxing spot to enjoy the breathtaking sight.

I suggest heading up the hill behind the church to find some shade amongst the airy pine forest. You can even get there by heading down a trail from Samuel’s Fortress. When you’re done admiring the fine architecture, pop down to the neighboring Kaneo Beach for a cooldown.

Explore The Churches In Old Town Ohrid

Some of the many churches in Ohrid’s old town.

The Church of Saint John isn’t the only church worth a visit in Ohrid. There are more than a dozen within a short distance of each other. Most of them were constructed during the Byzantine era and are Orthodox.

I won’t mention them all here, but Kamensko Church and the Church of Saint Sophia are very beautiful buildings. Kamensko Church has a magnificent golden dome that glimmers in the sunlight. The Church of Saint Sophia is in the heart of the old town and has a peaceful (and impossibly green) garden. 

There is just so much history throughout the old town and it is often directly related to the churches. Take a few hours to explore the cobbled streets and admire the uniqueness of each one.

Admire The Ancient Theatre of Ohrid

They hold concerts and other events at the Ohrid Theatre now.

If you happen to be wandering up the hillside of Ohrid, you’ll find yourself face to face with an ancient theatre. 

Unlike many of the old theatre’s found around North Macedonia, the one in Ohrid was built during the Hellenistic period. That means it was first constructed while Greece had influence in the area, while the others are from the more recent Roman times.

During their rule, the Romans were said to use the theatre for gladiator fights. Although, there were also many executions held there, which made it a detested site by the locals. You won’t see much of the original architecture, however there’s still a small section. I think it’s a perfect place to stop for a break on your way up to Czar Samuel’s Fortress.

Have An Evening Stroll Along Lake Ohrid's Waterfront

The lakeside in Ohrid is stunning! Every night I found myself gravitating towards the edge of the water for sunset. 

From the end of the old town towards the southern beaches, a walkway lines the lake. People gather here for an afternoon stroll and a bit of exercise. It reminded me of the Albanian tradition of xhiro.

The sun shines golden in the sky as night approaches. A dark silhouette of the fortress and hilltop houses appears in view, and the temperature becomes bearable in summer.

lake ohrid
The promenade is a perfect place for an evening walk!

During the warmer seasons, the street perpendicular to the promenade starts getting busy at dusk. Hundreds of people gather to play the popup boardwalk games, talk, and spend the evening laughing with friends. Rows of food stands draw you in with the smell of fresh donuts, corn on the cob and grilled meat. You can shop for souvenirs or relax at lounge bars. 

After a day in the sun, this is the area that will give you a boost. The buzzing energy and carnival type feel is an experience you’ll want to soak up!

Hit The Bazaar At Night

Once dinner approaches, the bazaar gets lively.

Where the promenade ends, the bazaar begins. At night, it’s the heartbeat of Lake Ohrid. Colorful shops, bustling bars, and delightful scents mix together. Everybody who spent the day on the lake inevitably ends up here for a night cap. 

As you walk the streets, especially Goce Delchev, you’ll find it difficult not to stop at one of the many restaurants. The open air seating and slow roasting meats appear every few feet. Some places that stood out to me were Brioni 2008 and Vkusno Salim Usta

Brioni has a relaxed feel with great prices, tasty goulash, and friendly servers. Vkusno is a frantically busy Turkish restaurant that does tasty grilled meats. 

Afterwards you can grab some gelato on your way towards the water. At the end of the bazaar you’ll also find many bars and cafes. The UEFA Euros were going on while I was there and it was crowded. Everywhere had outdoor TV’s and hundreds of spectators. If you are looking for the lively part of town, head to the bazaar at night.

Enjoy A Lakeside Lunch

The bazaar is full of great restaurants, but it’s hard to beat an amazing lunch on the lakeside. The atmosphere is relaxing, the food delicious, and the view…postcard worthy! There are two spots that are stuck in my memory. They are almost right next to each other and are located between Kaneo Beach and Potpesh Beach.

The first is the aptly named Kaneo Restaurant, which is just below the Church of Saint John the Theologian at Kaneo Beach.

The second is Kaj Kanevche, which is a little further along. I spent hours at this restaurant, eating a delectable Macedonian tasting platter and sipping on cool beverages. The setting was just extremely welcoming, a table right on the water, a cool breeze stifling the summer heat, and Galicica mountain in the distance.

lake ohrid
The view from Kaj Kanevche.

The pair of restaurants have beautiful terraces, reasonable prices, and are ideal for a bite to eat in between swimming.

Visit Galicica National Park

If you want some spectacular views and a change of scenery, you can head to Galicica National Park. Parts of the lake belong to it, as does the area between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.

There is supposed to be a large amount of different flora and fauna, and some really nice hiking. You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to visit, while I’m not sure the exact amount, it’s supposed to be relatively cheap.

Head Over The Border To Albania

I can’t talk about Lake Ohrid without also mentioning Albania. It would just be wrong. After all, the lake is located smack between Albania and North Macedonia. If you’ve read the blog before, you know that I love the Balkan country!

Any time I have the chance, I try to talk people into visiting the land of bunkers. It just so happens that Lake Ohrid is a great place to make this trip from. If you’re long term travelling, Albania is a great next destination. It has amazing beach towns, unreal mountain treks, and super friendly people. 

If you just want a quick look, that’s possible too. Albania has a city that’s located on the lake as well – Pogradec. There are a few beaches there and the pretty Driloni National Park.

Getting to Pogradec can be a bit tricky if you don’t find a cab driver with a card that designates them to enter and exit Albania. However, there are alternatives. You can exit a cab just before the border, walk through, and then find a cab or walk the rest of the way to Pogradec.

How To get to Lake ohrid?

Most cities from within North Macedonia will have bus routes heading to Lake Ohrid. Make sure to check with the bus station for exact times. I found the majority of sites online either missed routes or weren’t completely accurate. Maybe it’s better now, but not when I visited (summer 2021). However, the ticket attendants were both helpful and friendly.

lake ohrid
Buses will take you to the town of Ohrid.

Buses from Tirana, Albania leave daily. There are supposed to be a couple different companies that leave from the international bus station. I personally used FlixBus which I find really trustworthy.

After my trip to Lake Ohrid, I realized it’s a place that should be on everyone’s travel list. There’s a spectacular mix of worthwhile activities and historic sites. It will draw you in, mesmerize, and leave you with a feeling of true wanderlust!

Hey There!

I’m Dominic aka Sandal Tan Man. I’ve been wandering the globe the past decade (mostly in sandals) in search of the world’s hidden gems. Here is where I share my travel stories, tips, and favorite places.

Subscribe

Join to receive my bi-weekly newsletter and stay up to date with the blog’s most recent articles!

Places

Check out some of the spots I’ve enjoyed the most.

Presently in: Turkey

We use cookies on our website in order to give you our best experience. Learn more about what cookies we use, or turn them off in your settings.