The complete travel guide for Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia!
Nestled away in south western part of North Macedonia on the border with Albania lies one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes. The crystal clear waters paired with the backdrop of snow-capped mountains make Lake Ohrid a destination that belongs on bucket lists!
The charming town of Ohrid is one of the oldest settlements in Europe and Lake Ohrid is one of its oldest and deepest lakes. Both have earned UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Lake Ohrid has something to offer.
In this Lake Ohrid travel guide, I’ll cover everything you need to plan your trip to Ohrid, North Macedonia. From accommodation, transport, top attractions and recommended restaurants, you’ll have all the details to make the most of your time in this enchanting little lakeside town!
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Why You Should Visit Ohrid, North Macedonia
Well to start, Lake Ohrid is absolutely gorgeous! Its pristine waters are so clear you’d be forgiven for thinking photos were AI generated. The snowy mountains, pebbled beaches and charming Old Town are picture perfect making it an ideal place to relax for a few days.
But it’s not all relaxing. With ancient churches, monasteries and archaeological sites, Ohrid has a long and interesting history to explore.
Compared with similar destinations in Europe, Lake Ohrid and North Macedonia in general are affordable places to travel to. You get high quality dining and accommodation without the western European price tag.
And those incredible lake views don’t hurt!
How to get to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
International travel to Ohrid North Macedonia
If you’re coming from abroad, you will likely fly into Skopje airport. Skopje International Airport has daily arrivals from major European cities. It is even serviced by budget airlines such as Wizz Air and Easyjet.
There are also international buses to Ohrid from Tirana and other major cities in Albania.
How to get to Ohrid from Skopje
To get from Skopje to Ohrid the easiest and cheapest way is to take a bus from Skopje Bus Station. Buses depart regularly throughout the day. The journey takes around 3 and a half hours and is a scenic and enjoyable ride.
Another great option is to rent a car to explore North Macedonia. Car rental is easy and affordable and there are so many beautiful parts of North Macedonia that you can explore when you have your own transport.
Read my One Week North Macedonia Road Trip Itinerary here.
Check rental car availability here.
The best time of year to visit Lake Ohrid
The best time to visit Lake Ohrid largely depends on what kind of experience you’re after.
Peak season to visit Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia is in summer, July to August. Temperatures can reach 30°C (86°F), and the lake is warm enough to swim and do other water sports. If your plan is to relax by the beach, summer is the best time to visit Ohrid. Being tourist season however, prices for accommodation and activities will be inflated and the beaches will be busier.
A nice alternative is to visit Ohrid in the shoulder season. April to June is spring, an ideal time to visit Ohrid with nice weather and blooming wildflowers. Autumn is a unique time to visit as you will get to enjoy the changing leaves around the lake and on the hillsides. Both autumn and spring have mild temperatures ranging from 15-25°C and fewer tourists than the busy summer months.
We visited Lake Ohrid and the rest of North Macedonia in April. We had lovely weather, perfect for outdoor activities and long lunches by the water. The only downside was that the lake was too cold for swimming!
Things to do in Ohrid, North Macedonia
Explore Ohrid Old Town
The town of Ohrid is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, dating back to the 4th Century BC.
Ohrid Old Town today is complere with cobblestoned streets and 18th and 19th Century traditional houses. On a walk through the Old Town you discover ancient churches, traditional houses, shops and restaurants.
The Ancient Theatre of Ohrid
Ohrid’s amphitheatre dates back to the Hellenistic period around 200 BC. The Romans held gladiator fights here and even used it for executing Christians later on.
These days it is squeezed in by houses nearby which takes away a bit from its historical vibe of the theatre. On the inverse, it does add an historical vibe to the town!
In the summer keep an eye out for sunset performances held at the theatre.
Visit the Church of St. John at Kaneo
Perched on a cliff overlooking the lake, this 13th-century church is one of the most photographed landmarks on Lake Ohrid.
Its picturesque setting and Byzantine architecture make it a must-visit. Seeing pictures of this church is what got me interested in visiting Lake Ohrid in the first place. It really is so, so beautiful!
Relax at one of Ohrid’s beaches
Lake Ohrid has some beautiful, clean beaches to enjoy. While the water is only warm enough to swim in the summer months, in spring and autumn it is still nice to check them out, sit with a book and relax.
Some of the best beaches in Lake Ohrid close to Ohrid town are Kaneo, Potpesh, and Labino. If you have a car, Gradishte, Trpejca and the beach at St Naum monastery are good options.
Rent a kayak
Renting a boat or kayak is a fantastic way to explore the lake. You can escape the crowds and visit secluded spots. You will feel like you have the lake entirely to yourself.
Kayaks can be rented from Jovanovic Kayaks near St Sophia church in the old town.
Enjoy the view from Samuel’s Fortress
Samuel’s Fortress in Ohrid sits up on a hill, looking over the city and Lake Ohrid.
It’s been around since the 10th century and was an important stronghold of the Bulgarian Empire. Nowadays, the best part of the visiting Samuel’s Fortress is the view. It’s a popular place to head for sunset as you have an uninterrupted vista over the glistening Lake Ohrid below.
Samuel’s Fortress was closed for renovations when we visited. I checked reviews and it has re-opened but people seem to think they went a little too far with the restorations and it has lost a bit of its authenticity. You be the judge. If nothing else, you will still get one of the best views of Lake Ohrid.
Try stand up paddle boarding
Stand up paddle boarding is a great way to get a close up of the lake. If you’ve never done it before, Lake Ohrid’s calm and still waters are the perfect place to learn. This tour is suitable for beginners and gives you a full 2 hours out on the water.
Go for a walk along the boardwalk
The boardwalk is a short but must-do walk at Lake Ohrid. It runs on top of the water linking the old town with St John at Kaneo church.
There’s a few places where you can sit down, admire the colour of the water and look for marine life. There are lots of fish and we even saw a small water snake. Don’t worry – I did some research and they are totally harmless!
Go SCUBA diving in Lake Ohrid
I’m still disappointed that I didn’t know SCUBA diving in Lake Ohrid was an option until too late. We didn’t have time to do a dive, but what better way to get a different perspective on the lake.
Amfora Diving Centre visit lots of different dive sites around the lake. They have dive tours for experienced divers, dive courses for those wanting to get certified and also snorkel tours.
Visit St Naum’s Monastery
Located about 30km south of Ohrid town, right down near the Albanian border is St Naum’s Monastery. St Naum was a Bulgarian writer and missionary who is credited with bringing Christianity to the Bulgarian Empire, of which Macedonia was a part of at the time.
The monastery grounds are really beautiful—you can spend hours wandering around, checking out the springs and trying to get a photo of the peacocks. You can even take a swim in the lake. The beach at the monastery is one of the best spots for a dip in Lake Ohrid.
To get to St Naum’s you can either drive yourself, catch a local bus or take a boat ride from Ohrid town. There are a few different boat companies that do the day trips. You can organise them from the port in the old town.
Visit the Bay of Bones museum
The Bay of Bones is an archaeological site and museum close to Peshtani along the Ohrid coast. The site features an authentic reconstruction of an ancient dwelling settlement built on stilts over the lake.
You can look inside the buildings and see their different functions and admire the crystal clear water from the decks.
It is a popular day trip and one of the most attractive destinations in Ohrid, North Macedonia. You need less than an hour to see everything but is a nice place to enjoy a picnic and sit for a while.
Bay of Bones is about 25 minutes drive from Ohrid old town.
Best restaurants around Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid has loads of nice restaurants to enjoy. I was really impressed with the quality of food all over North Macedonia and Ohrid was no exception.
Here are some of the best restaurants we tried in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
Restaurant Kajche
Restaurant Kajche was my favourite restaurant in Ohrid. The food and wine were amazing and you can sit on the deck that is literally over the water. Make sure you try the local Ohrid trout!
Kaneo Restaurant
Kaneo restaurant is another great restaurant located right on the water. They have a great wine list showcasing lots of local Macedonian wine. It is best visited at night when you get views of St John at Kaneo church all lit up and looking pretty!
Pizza Nemo
If you’re after a more casual meal, Pizza Nemo is a gem. I’m a big fan of the food in North Macedonia, and not just the local food. Macedonia does international food to a really high quality as well. There are a few highly-rated pizzerias in Ohrid town, but we tried and loved Pizza Nemo so didn’t bother with anywhere else!
Things to Know Before You Go
Money
The official currency in North Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar (MKD). While credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, it is still a good idea to carry cash for small purchases.
There are plenty of ATMs in Ohrid, some of which don’t charge withdrawal fees. NLB Bank and Halkbank were both free for me to use with a foreign Visa and Mastercard.
Safety
Ohrid is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, it’s always wise to take standard precautions such as keeping an eye on your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.
Where to stay at Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
There’s no shortage of great accommodation options in Ohrid town and around other parts of the lake. Here are some of the best places to stay in Ohrid.
Budget – If you’re after a cheap place to lay your head, you can’t go past Old Town Hostel Ohrid. It is the best hostel style accommodation located in the old town of Ohrid. Some rooms even have a lake view. The hostel is spotlessly clean with comfortable beds. It’s a great place to make friends as they organise a lot of activities and events.
Mid-range – On my visit to Ohrid I stayed at Villa Kale. It has everything you need, the location is unbeatable and breath-taking views from the apartments. It’s a great option if you want lake views without the hefty price tag of other options.
High-end – If lounging by the pool with a cocktail is your thing, check out Vila Bisera. You will actually have 3 pools to choose from!
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