Ohrid holidays

Church of St John at Kaneo, Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

Ohrid Old Town, Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

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Centuries-old historical sites and churches sit side-by-side with lake beaches and the Old Town – there's heaps to discover on holidays to Ohrid (pronounced Ock-rid).

Cobbles, cafés and culture

Spend the day wandering the cobbled streets of Ohrid's Old Town, down hidden pathways and through stone archways. And don't forget to look up as well as around you – the terracotta roof tiles and brightly coloured flowers on the balconies are a pop of colour against the white and stone buildings. Stop for a coffee and sweet treat at one of the local bakeries near St Clement square, and chat to the friendly locals. Choose one of the family-run restaurants or cafés for lunch, and tuck into regional specialities like fish soup or fresh bread with makalo, a tasty garlic dip.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ohrid was once home to an impressive number of churches – 365 in total. Nowadays, it doesn't have quite so many, but its churches are still historically and culturally significant, and they even helped the city to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It's also one of Europe's oldest human settlements, dating back to the 3rd century BC, and is the largest city on Lake Ohrid's shoreline. Visit the 13th-century Church of St John at Kaneo – it's set high on the cliff edge so you'll get the best view over Lake Ohrid from up here – or the ancient Church of St Clement, with rounded turrets and patterned towers that make it look like a castle.

Take it to the lake

Whether you swim, sail or wander along the promenade, the lake is front and centre in Ohrid. It's one of Europe's oldest lakes and, thanks to its biodiversity and the huge range of wildlife, it's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the shore near the Old Town with a stroll along the water's edge, then find your favourite beach spot to soak up the sun. There are beaches in both directions – head right from the Old Town along the wooden promenade to find the closest ones, small pebble beaches tucked against the cliff edge. Hop aboard a boat to take a tour of the lake, or set sail on a sunset cruise to watch the evening roll in and the sky turn from blue to pink.

Good to know

Please be aware that in North Macedonia, smoking is permitted on balconies and on terraces at bars and restaurants.

Out and about

Lakeside promenade
Boat trips
Wildlife spotting
Beaches
Lake bathing
National park
Walking tours
Hiking
Paragliding
Old Town
Local history museum
Market
Churches
Monastery
Fortress
Roman theatre
Archaeological site

Popular hotels in Ohrid

Top things to see and do in Ohrid

Beaches

Saraiste beach

Just a short stroll from Ohrid's Old Town and port is the small and pebbly Saraiste beach. Steps lead down into the water from the sunbathing area, and the beach looks out across the lake and towards the mountains. It's a great spot to chill out with a drink and admire the view, and there are restaurants right next to the beach so you can easily grab a bite to eat too.

Potpesh beach

Walk along the lakefront promenade from Ohrid's Old Town to get to Potpesh beach, a small stretch of pebble shoreline with sun loungers for hire and a great view of the lake. Soak up the summer sun on the beach, lounge in the shade under the trees, or wade out into the water for a swim. There's a restaurant just behind the beach with tables looking out over the water.

Kaneo beach

A 15-minute stroll away, tucked just below the cliff edge is Kaneo beach, a tiny rocky shoreline with sun loungers and a floating pontoon. The views of the lake and surrounding mountains are lovely, and if you look up to your right you can see the tip of the Church of St John at Kaneo too.

Shopping

Bargain buys

In the Old Town, the Old Bazaar's lively market is a great place to pick up tasty treats and handmade souvenirs. Starting by the 1,000-year-old tree in the centre of the main square, wander through the indoor farmers' market and along the pedestrianised street with stalls selling clothing, bags, sunglasses and toys.

Mid-range buys

There are lots of clothing, souvenir and jewellery shops in Ohrid's Old Town. For something special, make sure to look out for shops selling traditional North Macedonian embroidery, and keep your eyes peeled for the Ohrid pearl jewellery shops.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Stroll through the Old Town in the evening to take a look in the shops or pick up an ice-cream after dinner. Grab a drink at one of the bars in the harbour, or wander along the wooden promenade that stretches towards Potpesh beach before turning in for the evening.

Lively evenings

There are some lively bars in the Old Town and some have live music. Another spot to head out to is St Clement square with a terrace that overlooks the lake, and there are nightclubs at the harbour.

Food & drink

North Macedonian flavours

Lots of the restaurants are along the lakefront with views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and some of them are even built over the water. Your taste buds are in for a treat as North Macedonian food has strong Greek and Turkish influences and is full of flavour - think freshly caught fish and slow-cooked dishes like traditional bean stew cooked in a clay pot.

Lakeside dining

On the lakefront. you'll find restaurants with a front-row seat of Lake Ohrid and the Church of St John at Kaneo. Eat al fresco and tuck into tasty North Macedonian specials - fish caught right from the lake next to you may even be on the menu.

Eat by the church

You'll find places to eat up by the Church of Saint Sophia in the centre of Ohrid's Old Town. It's a great spot to embrace the local culture and rich history of Ohrid, with a lovely view of the church.

Getting about

Buses

The local buses in Lake Ohrid are blue and white and run by the Galeb bus company. Ask at your hotel reception for the nearest stop and a timetable, and look out for yellow markings on the road to see where to wait. Buses generally run every hour until around midnight, but after that you'll need to take a taxi.

Ferries

Book a spot on the ferry from Ohrid harbour to spend the day down at southern end of the lake. The local ferry leaves Ohrid every day at 10am, and tickets are around €15 per person. Wander through the Monastery of St Naum, originally built by Saint Naum of Ohrid in 905 BC, or through the gardens where you can spot peacocks, fountains and plenty of photo ops before grabbing a bite to eat at the restaurant. And you can take a boat ride at the nearby springs of the Black Drim river that connect Lake Ohrid with Lake Prespa too, it'll last around 20 minutes and is a great way to see local wildlife.

On foot

The best way to explore Ohrid's Old Town is on foot, so much so that some of the beaches and lakefront restaurants aren't accessible by road. Explore the city with a walking tour to hear about local history and see all the best sights, from the Church of St John at Kaneo to the House of Robev, the only house in Ohrid that's got three storeys.