Sveti Stefan holidays

Chapel of St Stefan, Sveti Stefan, North Macedonia

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A small place on the east shore of Lake Ohrid, holidays to Sveti Stefan are just the thing for a chilled-out beach break with a touch of history too.

Beach retreat

Looking to get away from it all and spend your week lounging and swimming? Well, the whole shore of Sveti is lined with stony beaches where you can find a spot to lay your towel, paddle in the water and doze in the shade. And of course, there’s a handful of beachfront bars and cafés so snack time and cocktail o’clock are sorted. Away from the lake, there’s a tiny 14^th-century chapel devoted to Saint Stefan where you can see religious artefacts and take in views across the lake.

Historical town trips

No trip to Lake Ohrid would be complete without a visit to its biggest town, Ohrid. It’s a 15-minute taxi hop up north and is bubbling over with historic hotspots. Don’t miss the clifftop Church of St John at Kaneo and the ancient theatre – and the views from there over the lake and town are seriously wow-worthy too. All that sightseeing rustling up an appetite? Wander through the cobbled streets and pick a family-run restaurant where you can fill up on fresh fish and meaty stews.

All aboard

At the other end of the lake are two of the region's must-visit sites. And you can see both by taking to the lake on on a boat. First up is the Bay of Bones Museum, a recreation of a Bronze Age settlement with huts built on stilts over the water. Then it’s on to the Monastery of St Naum, one of the country’s oldest churches, to see intricate frescoes and stroll around the gardens.

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
Ancient theatre
Archaeological site

Popular hotels in Sveti Stefan

Top things to see and do in Sveti Stefan

Beaches

Stony shores

Stony beaches line the whole lakeshore in Sveti Stefan. You can while away the day sunbathing, swimming in the clear water and grabbing drinks or lunch from one of the bars and cafés on the front.

Nemo Beach

Head just north of Sveti Stefan to lay out your towel and soak up the sun and views. You can also rent loungers and parasols, whizz down the twisty waterslide and pop to the bar for a cool drink.

Food & drink

Eating out

There isn’t a huge range of restaurants in this little village, but you can always find a spot for a simple, good-value meal. There’s a big Greek and Turkish influence so kebabs, fish, salads and slow-cooked stews are popular picks, as well as plenty of international favourites like pizza.

Aqualina Beach Restaurant

Right on the lakeshore, this restaurant at the Hotel Aqualina has a lively vibe at lunchtime. Break up your beach day by tucking into dishes of meat, rice and salad.

Grill & Pizza Boni

Craving a freshly cooked kebab or pizza? Look no further than this beachside snack spot, where you can eat overlooking the waves.

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. For any more advise on how's best to get around, you can count on your hotel's TUI rep.

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. 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 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

Sveti’s a small place and the promenade is flat so it's easy to get around on foot. The St Stefan chapel is up the hillside though, so exploring up there isn't ideal for anyone with walking difficulties.

Walking

On foot

Sveti Stefan is surrounded by the pine forests of the Galičica national park, so you can head up the hill on foot to explore, and get even better views over Lake Ohrid and the mountains. Just so you know, the forest in the national park is home to a number of animals, including bears.