The Best Things to do in Ohrid, North Macedonia
There are many incredible things to do in Ohrid, North Macedonia. This historic city sits on the banks of a vast, ancient lake providing some of the most diverse nature in Europe. Ohrid is also a culturally significant city containing ruins dating back to 200BC.
Where is Ohrid
The city sits on the shores of the ancient lake of the same name. Lake Ohrid spans the border of Albania and North Macedonia, but the city of Ohrid belongs to the latter.
How to get there
Most visitors travel from Saranda in Albania or Skopje, North Macedonia. There are a few options for travel around this part of the Balkans.
Drive
Many people choose to hire a car to give flexibility and independence. However, driving in the Balkans can be a hair-raising experience, even for seasoned drivers. It is advisable to take out full insurance and plan your route in advance. Remember, you will need your passport and travel documents for border crossings.
Bus
You can take the bus from Skopje (North Macedonia) to Ohrid, from Saranda (Albania) to Ohrid and from Tirana (Albania) to Ohrid.
Fly
The nearest airport is the Ohrid St John the Apostle Airport. There are very few flights per day to and from here – most are from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. However, it’s always worth checking as it is very conveniently located for exploring the best things to do in Ohrid.
Skopje or Tirana both have larger airports with many international flights daily.
Train
There is no train station in Ohrid. The nearest is in Bitola which is over an hours drive away. However, this line is well connected to the capital city, Skopje.
Is Ohrid worth Visiting?
So, is the city of Ohrid worth visiting? Yes absolutely! This ancient city is full of character and charm and surrounded by mesmerizing nature. Ohrid is worth visiting if you want to combine a trip to one of the oldest human settlements in Europe with some incredible hiking, camping and lake swimming opportunities all in one weekend.
Things to Do in Ohrid
That’s all great, but let’s talk specifics. What, exactly makes Ohrid worth visiting? Firstly, there are so many amazing things to do in Ohrid.
Explore Lake Ohrid
Let’s begin with the obvious… Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. It is also a place of astounding natural beauty. The serene lake is home to over 200 species of plants and animals unique to the area and is now the most densely biodiverse lake in the world! Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the European Galapagos.
However, this natural wonder is at risk of being added to UNESCO’s list of endangered sites. UNESCO claims this is due to “unrestrained development, lack of response to illegal construction, and the destruction of nature and the ecosystem”
So, when you visit, please remember to respect the beauty and wildlife of the area. Take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.
Go Hiking in Ohrid
Ohrid is really worth visiting if you enjoy hiking, nature and phenomenal views.
For beautiful hiking with phenomenal views across the lake, head out to National Park Galicia. Great if you like to experience untouched nature and authentic, rural North Macedonia. There are signed routes but the signs are not easy to find or follow. If you’re not confident, it might be a good idea to hire a guide. Hikes in NP Galacia with Free Pass Ohrid start from €28.
Discover the Old Bazaar
One of the best things to do in Ohrid is to explore the Old Bazaar. This street goes back to roughly the 9th century and gives visitors a good feel for the cultural importance of the city. The large tree in the centre of the ancient square claims to have been there since the beginning – making it around a thousand years old!
During the day, the streets are bustling with shoppers and hungry tourists. Many stores sell pearls from the lake, others sell delicious barbequed meats, burek and ice cream (not together…). The architecture is really interesting as it beautifully reflects the Ottoman period.
Take a wander down the ancient streets and sample some fare. There is a really fun and vibrant atmosphere here in the summer, especially on market days.
St Clement of Ohrid, Ohrid 6000, North Macedonia
Marvel at the Beautiful Churches and Mosques
The town of Ohrid is something of a spiritual hub. There are many churches, monasteries and mosques dotted around the old city. Apparently there are 365 churches in total, but we didn’t keep count.
The Church of St Jovan at Kaneo is built on a cliff overlooking the lake. If you only visit one church in North Macedonia, this is it!
Around 30% of the town’s population is muslin, so there are many beautiful mosques in Ohrid. The largest and most central is the Mosque of Ali Pasha. However, we found the most charming to be the Haji Durgut Mosque – constructed in 1466.
The Eastern Orthodox Monastery of Saint Naum is also worth a visit. It is a 45 minute drive south of the town. However the road follows the lake shoreline and the views are impressive.
Perform at the Greek Amphitheatre
The Greek Amphitheatre was built in 200BC. Initially used as a stage for Greek performing art, it was also later used by the Romans for gladiatorial duals. The amphitheater was only rediscovered in the 1980s – by accident – when houses were being built in the area.
To this day, plays, ballets and other performances are held here during the Ohrid Summer Festival. No sign of any gladiators fortunately
Ilindenska, Ohrid 6000, North Macedonia
Take in some History at Samoil’s Fortress
Samoil’s (or Samuel’s) Fortress is a medieval fortress with great lake views. Ohrid was the capital of the first Bulgarian Empire in the 11th century when Tsar Samuel had the castle constructed. However, it is thought the present fortress was built on top of an older fortification which can be dated back to the 4th century BC.
The fortress was restored in 2003 and you can explore the whole thing and enjoy the incredible views across the lake and the ancient town. Entrance is 80 Denara (about €1.50) per person – bring cash!
Kuzman Kapidan, Ohrid 6000, North Macedonia
Where to eat in Ohrid
Another reason to visit Ohrid? The amazing places to eat and drink! There are many great culinary options available.
Before we could even check in to our accommodation, we had to get food! In the main square in the old town (next to the ancient tree) is Pizzeria & Restaurant Luna. We stopped here for a quick bite. The place was very busy but we were served pretty quickly and the food was decent and relatively cheap. As we were starving, it might not be the most accurate review. However, make sure you sit outside as customers inside are still allowed to smoke.
Dimche Malenko, Ohrid, North Macedonia
For the best quality food in town, Kaneo is tough to beat. This family run restaurant serves plenty of fresh seafood and the view across the lake is unforgettable. The prices are a little higher than normal, but it’s worth it for the location.
MK, Kocho Racin 43, Ohrid 6000, North Macedonia
The next day, we stopped at Fruit Box for a refreshing morning smoothie. Definitely recommended as they have many great flavor options and the icy drinks taste great in the baking heat.
St. Clement of Ohrid, St Clement of Ohrid, Ohrid 6000
For amazing burek, dont miss the Ohrid City Bakery. They also serve decent coffee here.
Boulevard Turistichka 47, Ohrid 6000
La Terrasse Cafe is a nice spot to relax with a coffee. It is near the old Bazaar so its great for watching the world go by.
St Clement of Ohrid, Ohrid, North Macedonia
For an evening cocktail, Shilla has a great menu with reasonable prices. They also serve nice coffee during the day and have decent WIFI.
St Clement of Ohrid Letnica Complex, Ohrid 6000
When to visit Ohrid
The best time to visit Ohrid is between April and June and September and November. The summer – particularly August – can get incredibly hot and very dry (over 40°C or 104°F). This can attract crowds of people to the lake’s shores, all trying to escape the heat.
If you visit in the summer months, pack sunscreen, keep in the shade and drink plenty of fluids. The spring and autumn months are very pleasant weather wise.
Ohrid is quiet and cold between the months of November to March. If that’s what you’re looking for, then these months are perfect.
Where to stay in Ohrid
There are many great places to spend the night in Ohrid.
Budget – Old Town Hostel. Perfect for a quick stop in the city. It’s cheap and cheerful and has private rooms.
Mid-Range – Boutique Villa Arte is conveniently located, serves a delicious breakfast and has underground parking. there are also amazing views from the balcony.
Luxury – Hotel and Spa Tino is perfect for a little R&R. This spa hotel looks out over the lake so you can enjoy they serene views as well as the hammam.
Traditional – The Villa Flora Apartments are quaint and quirky. There are beautiful gardens, bike rentals and the apartments are pet friendly.
How long to stay in the “Pearl of the Balkans”
If you would like to experience everything that Ohrid has to offer, you will probably need 2 or 3 days. However, it is definitely possible to stop over for a night while passing by en route to another location. It is an ideal stopping point when travelling from southern Albania to Skopje.
How expensive is Ohrid
Ohrid, and North Macedonia in general, is very cheap compared to western countries.
A substantial meal will cost between €5 and €20 and accommodation between €10 and €100 per night. It is perfectly possible to do this trip on a strict budget but there are luxury options as well.
Is Ohrid Safe?
Yes! Ohrid is a very safe and welcoming city. We found people to be very friendly and helpful and even curious about our visit to their country. We had the same experience across North Macedonia.
One thing to look out for is taxi scams. Make sure you call for a taxi where possible. If you are not in a position to do so, ensure you only use registered cabs. These will have a plate on the top with the name of the company or they will have a ‘taxi’ sign and the name of the company on the doors. A registered driver will also show their license in the right bottom corner of the windshield and have a taximeter and radio station in the car.
Try Taxi Global +38970515180 when booking a cab. They will hang up and call you back, send an SMS with the cab number and also let you know how many minutes the car will be.
What to Pack for a Trip to Ohrid
We have put together a simple yet convenient packing list for your trip to Ohrid
- Passport and travel docs
- Cash (Macedonian Denar MKD can also be withdrawn from ATMs locally)
- Printed travel tickets (if using public transport)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Snacks
- Book/audiobook/music for travelling
- Water bottle
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone/charger/power bank
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
The Language in North Macedonia
There are two official languages spoken in North Macedonia – Macedonian and Albanian. Many Macedonians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases. Macedonian is an Eastern South Slavic language and is therefore not easy for English speakers. However, any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
Hello – Zdravo (ZDRA-voh)
Please – Molam (MOW-lahm)
Thank you – Blagodaram (blaag-OH-Daar-ahm)
Yes – Da (DUH)
No – Ne (NEH)
Goodbye – Dogledanje (dough-GLAD-anye)
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling from Ohrid to Skopje? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful North Macedonia.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited North Macedonia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
I loved this & brought back lovely memories of a few days spent in Ohrid a couple of years ago. I enjoyed the boat trip to St Naum, running around the lake & of course those views out of the lake behind St Jovan.
It’s surreal that grandiose amphitheaters like this are still being discovered so recently! The Baltics are high on my travel wish list, thanks for introducing me to a beautiful new place.
How amazing does the Greek amphitheatre and that fortress look?! Ohrid isn’t somewhere I had heard about before, but it’s now going on my list because of the historic sites you can see there!