Peštani holidays

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Holidays to Peštani are ideal for a laidback trip to Lake Ohrid.

Laid-back days by the lake

Halfway down the eastern side of Lake Ohrid, the village of Peštani is a quiet spot with a chilled-out vibe. Pebble beaches line the shore, and there are a few hotels and restaurants too. Spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach, swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the lake and chatting with the friendly locals. It's easy to explore from here too, the national park is just behind you and there are signs with big maps pointing out the different trails you can take through the forest.

Historical hotspot

Peštani's a short drive from Ohrid, where there are lots of historical sites to see. Take the bus or a taxi into the centre to wander through cobbled streets, visit family-run shops and restaurants and snap pics of centuries-old buildings. To learn all about Ohrid's rich history you'll want to book on to a city tour – it'll start in St Clement's square by the harbour, where there's a statue of St Clement of Ohrid, founder of the Ohrid Literary School and the patron saint of North Macedonia. Stroll through the Old Town and hear stories of Ohrid's past, you'll see the Robev house – the only three-storey building in the city – as well as churches, the ancient theatre and the house the city's streetlamps are modelled after.

Day trips

One of the best bits about Lake Ohrid is that there are lots of different day trips you can do. Hop aboard a boat and sail down the lake to visit the Monastery of St Naum, where there are peacocks roaming the pretty manicured gardens, fab views over the lake and painted frescoes on the monastery's walls. Head across the border to the neighboring country of Albania, where you'll see the lake from the western side, visit the city of Pogradec and stop for lunch along the way. Or walk up into the hills of the Galičica National Park on a guided tour. You'll stop by the hillside towns of Konjsko and Elšani, have lunch at the Kaj Mestono restaurant and finish up at the Bay of Bones Museum, a re-creation of a Bronze Age settlement on the lake.

Popular hotels in Peštani

Top things to see and do in Peštani

Beaches

Local beaches

There are pebble beaches all the way along Peštani's shoreline, so it's easy to find somewhere to stop, flop and enjoy the sunshine. Lay out your towel on the beach near the Kaj Mestono restaurant for a central spot, there's a jetty where the boats dock and you'll have a fab across the lake towards the western shore. And you're close by to supermarkets and a few restaurants too, so when lunchtime rolls around you'll easily be able to pick up something to eat.

Gradište beach

Just a 10-minute drive away, Gradište beach is the place to be if you're looking for something lively. It's one of the most popular beaches in North Macedonia, and with everything you need at the tips of your fingers, it's not hard to see why. Hire a sunbed to lie back and enjoy the sun on the pebbles. There's music playing all day, and it's a good swimming spot too. There are pine trees providing a spot of shade when you need it, and you can grab food and drinks from the café, so when it's cocktail o'clock you're sorted.

Food & drink

Eating out

When it comes to mealtimes there are a few restaurants to pick from in Peštani. Try something more traditional, like pastermalija – the North Macedonian version of pizza – or selsko meso, which means village meat – a tasty pork and mushroom stew served in a traditional clay pot. And you're just a 15-minute taxi ride from Ohrid's centre, where there are lots of other restaurants to try.

Local eats at Restaurant Lipa

Right on the lakefront in Peštani, the outdoor terrace at Restaurant Lipa is the perfect spot to watch the sunset over your evening meal. It's got a laid-back feel, and you'll be able to try lots of authentic dishes here, like grilled fish and slow-cooked meat.

A family-run favourite

Just across the road from the beach is Pizza Bane, a family-run restaurant that's wallet-friendly, and it's got a varied menu too. Start your evening meal with fresh bread and dips, and then choose from a range of traditional dishes including selsko meso (a pork and mushroom stew), grilled fish and Macedonian salad. There's also pizza and pasta dishes on the menu, and the kitchen can cater for gluten-free and vegetarian diets too. With bottles of Macedonian Tikveš wine, this is a great option if you're looking for tasty food with an even better price tag.

Getting about

Buses

The local buses in Lake Ohrid are blue and white and are 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. For any more advise on how's best to get around, you can count on your hotel's TUI rep.

Ferries

Take a 20-minute taxi to Ohrid harbour and book a spot on the ferry to spend the day down at southern end of the lake. The local ferry leaves Ohrid every day at 10am. Wander through the Monastery of St Naum, originally built by Saint Naum of Ohrid in 905 BC, and through the gardens where you can spot peacocks, fountains and find plenty of photo opps 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

You can wander between the beaches on the lakefront here, or to the few restaurants and snack bars down the road. And the Galičica national park is just behind, so if you fancy a walk or a hike you're in a good spot. Just so you know, the forest in the national park is home to a number of animals, including bears.