Ohrid, known as The Jerusalem of the Balkans, is home to one of the oldest lakes in the world. Centered in The Republic of North Macedonia, the crystalline lake is believed to reach depths of 288 meters. Lake Ohrid is famed for once having 365 churches - one for every day of the year.
In the modern day, several churches remain preserved in Ohrid Old Town and are open to tourists for a small fee. In the summer, locals and tourists alike laze the afternoon heat away on boats and rocky beaches.
Read on to discover the best way to experience this unique and under-touristed hidden gem!
While I would recommend staying in Ohrid for two to three days to properly relax on the waters, it is possible to have a swim, explore the Old Town sights, and catch a beautiful sunset all in one day!
Suggested: Read how to travel to Ohrid from Albania here
Most supermarkets accept credit cards, but cash is preferred by most business owners. The local currency is Denar. Approximately 60 denar = 1 Euro. There are ATMs scattered around the city to withdraw money.
For data, I used Airalo for a few days of data. Some hotels and hostels have spotty Wi-Fi, so the data came in handy!
Ohrid is a relatively affordable city. Hostel bunks are around 11 Euros a night and nicer hotels can go up to 40 Euros a night. I went in the middle of September and stayed at Old Town Hostel. It was centrally located, well kept, and had a nice social atmosphere.
Ohrid has two parts: New Town and Old Town. For a leisurely stay, pick accommodation in Old Town.
I first left my hostel at 10:30 AM. The streets were relatively empty, save for a few people sipping an espresso on main street. This is where you'll find a cozy cafe near the water to have breakfast.
Around 9:30-10 AM, finish up your breakfast and walk towards The Church of St. Sophia.
Along the way, you'll spot stands selling local Ohrid pearls. These are not regular pearls - they are local family secrets largely produced by grinding shells and forming them into balls.
At least eight coats of secret emulsion are used to give them their characteristic shine.
Spend your time admiring The Church of St. Sophia, then walk up the nearby hill to The Ancient Macedonian Theater of Ohrid.
The Hellenistic theater, originally built in 200 BC, is well preserved. Find a crack in the wall to see an ancient tomb!
Following the ancient theater, head upwards to the Old Town entrance. From here you will see signs guiding you to the rest of the Old Town.
I recommend first going to The Church of Holy Mother of God PERIBLEPTOS. This is a Byzantine church known for its wall murals. From here you can get a great view of the fortress.
After, visit the Church of Saints Clement and Pantaleimon - a picturesque church overlooking Lake Ohrid.
There is a small entrance fee to go inside the church grounds. Here, you'll explore ruins and gaze at aged murals inside the church itself.
From the church, walk a little bit uphill to Samuel’s Fortress.
This was once the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire during Tsar Samuel’s rule in the 11th century. Today, it towers over Ohrid with a grand Macedonian flag waving in the wind.
Note: The fortress is closed on Mondays!
Right next to Samuel’s Fortress is the quaint, cozy Fort Cafe. Expect to pay around 7 Euros for a drink and a meal - comparable to less picturesque restaurants around.
This is your time to enjoy the waters just at the heat of the day.
There are a few docks and different points for jumping into the water. Be mindful of nearby boats.
Look for stands advertising stand-up paddling, kayaking, and paragliding. Boat tours are also popular!
After a long afternoon on the lake, indulge in a meal by the water.
If you're a backpacker looking for a budget eat, I recommend Mr. Papo for takeout gyros.
Finish your meal just before sunset to ensure that you arrive at The Church of St. John on time.
What I recommend is first, stop by the small pier to watch the first part of sunset. Then, walk ten minutes uphill to catch the rest of the colors at the cliff above the church.
After a long day, relax at one of the several rooftop bars.
Try out Skopsko, The Republic of North Macedonia’s most popular beer!
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