Ohrid holidays

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 blends continental, Mediterranean and Oriental influences and is packed with flavour - think freshly caught fish and slow-cooked dishes like traditional bean stew cooked in a clay pot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.