PortAventura
Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. To find out more, please read our Cookie Notice. Close
from £ 399 pp
View All DealsA 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.
Looking to get away from it all and spend your days sunbathing 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 14th-century chapel devoted to St Stefan where you can see religious artefacts and take in views across the lake.
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 amphitheatre where gladiators once battled it out – 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Craving a freshly cooked kebab or pizza? Look no further than this beachside snack spot, where you can eat overlooking the waves.
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.
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 €10 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 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 30 minutes until around midnight, but after that you'll need to take a taxi.
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.
Our top deals tailored to you, straight to your inbox Sign up for offers
Holiday Types
Popular Destinations
Mid/Long haul
Short Haul
Flights To
Cruise
Hotels
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.
See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel - for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.
See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice - for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.
Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.
See Travel Aware page - for travel advice from TUI.
See travelhealthpro.org.uk - for current travel health news.
The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
All the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Some of the flights on this website are also financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL protection does not apply to all flights. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each flight before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. ATOL protection does not apply to the other holiday and travel services listed on this website.