As menacing as the Bay of Bones sounds, the replicated floating village is far from it. While once an ancient settlement, its current state is a combination of beauty and history in the form of an open-air museum.
Like an aquatic bird sitting on the surface of the spectacular Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, the maze of stilted homes shows you a glimpse of what life was like so many years ago.
After crossing the boardwalk onto the ‘island’ you’ll have the chance to explore the model prehistoric homes, with their thatched roofs and simple layout. Along the shore a building with primitive tools, and (of course) broken bones shares the findings from previous excavations.
The Bay of Bones Museum
Everything I’ve mentioned is part of the Bay of Bones Museum as a whole. There’s a modest fee to enter, which allows you to see the village and connected museum.
The goal of the Bay of Bones conservation is to recreate a portion of the original settlement from 3000 years ago. Back in the day, when the lake was much shallower, the safety of floating homes was much needed. It also aims to preserve excavated materials and find artifacts from the archaeological site. Most of which can be seen within the museum.
Museum Entry | Entry into the Bay of Bones is 150 MKD (under 3 USD) for adults and 60 MKD for children. Be aware that it’s closed on Mondays year-round and the operating hours are from 9:00-16:00. Although, there’s a chance that it closes early in the winter and stays open later during the peak summer season.
SOME OTHER ACTIVITIES AROUND LAKE OHRID
Expect a trip around the settlement to take anywhere from half an hour to two hours. It’s far from time-consuming, making it a perfect place to add to a full-day itinerary. About halfway to the Sveti Naum by boat, it is often used as a stopping point for skippers taking groups to the monastery.
Roads also connect to the Bay of Bones, so if you’re heading to some of the southern beaches or across the border to Albania it’s a great addition to your trip. You’ll also find nearby hiking spots in Galicica National Park and on the way to Lake Prespa.
Tour Options | While you can get to the Bay of Bones by car, the most popular option is by boat tour. This can either be done by hiring a private pontoon boat at the Ohrid harbor or by getting on the “big boat” that does a basic tour of Lake Ohrid and the Monastery of Saint Naum.
If you want peace of mind, you can also book a combination tour in advance. Here are some options to look into:
Looking to stay in the cool waters instead of on top? The crystal clear bay around the underwater archaeological site makes scuba diving a great option. In Ohrid, you can find a diving center (Amfora) offering different excursions under the lake. You can find out more about their diving and snorkeling options here on their website.
HOW TO GET TO THE BAY OF BONES
I personally went to the Bay of Bones as part of a Monastery of Saint Naum tour. While they rushed through it a bit, I felt like I had enough time to see the floating village. If you want to see everything the museum has to offer though, I suggest planning a private trip there or heading by car.
As I mentioned before, boats will leave from the Ohrid town harbor. Expect prices to start at around 10 euros.
The other way to get to the museum is by road. It’s located around 10 miles from Ohrid and driving is straightforward. Just head south along P1301/P501 towards Albania. Getting a taxi to take you there is quite easy, but expect to pay a similar price to a boat trip.
I’ve found online that buses head to the Bay of Bones, however, when I was in Ohrid they weren’t running. It’s worth asking your accommodation though, as prices are said to be around 1 USD.
When you find yourself in Ohrid, don’t forget to stop by the Bay of Bones. Its uniqueness and captivating history make it a truly special destination.
