Ohrid is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Macedonia. This city is located at the edge of Lake Ohrid, and makes a perfect base for exploring the lake! Lake Ohrid is 35km long and forms the border between North Macedonia and Albania. This is now definitely one of my favorite places in the Balkans! The lake is so beautiful, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. While I still think Skopje is definitely worth a visit, I absolutely loved Ohrid. Here is my guide for exploring Lake Ohrid!

What to See in Ohrid

Ohrid doesn’t have a huge amount of tourist attractions—besides the lake, of course. But there are quite a few things to check out while you’re there!

Church of St. Jovan Kaneo

This is one of the most picturesque locations and one of the most photographed churches in Ohrid, in North Macedonia, and in the Balkans in general. Perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid is this gorgeous church. It dates back to the 13^th-century. There is an entry fee (200 denari) to visit the inside of the church, but you can walk around the outside for the views for free.

Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon

While it’s not quite as photogenic as the Church of St. Jovan Kaneo, the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon is also a beautiful historic church. The interior is understated, but the brickwork of the exterior is gorgeous. You can also walk around the ruins of the former basilica that was in this area. This church also has an entry fee (100 denari for adults, 30 denari for students).

Amphitheater

North Macedonia has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Ohrid is no exception! If you’re in town, definitely make the trek up to the amphitheater. While it no longer plays host to gladiators, there are events throughout the year that take place here. The amphitheater is best combined with a visit to the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon and the fortress, so that you don’t have to walk up the big hill more than you need to! There’s no entry fee for the amphitheater

Fortress

If you’re looking for one of the best views of Ohrid, the fortress should be your first stop. While today it’s mainly a shell with very little information inside, climb up the towers and enjoy the views over both the city of Ohrid, and the lake itself. If you time it right (depending on opening times and the time of year), you can catch a beautiful sunset from here. The fortress costs 60 denari.

Ohrid Waterfront

Ohrid is the busiest town on Lake Ohrid (at least on the Macedonian side!). The waterfront is buzzing in the evening, with lots of different restaurants, cafes, bars, souvenir shops, etc. The main pedestrian street in town is Bulevar Makedonski Prosvetiteli, which goes right to the lake. If you want to be right in the hustle and bustle, head down here in the early evening!

Swimming!

Of course, Lake Ohrid has some amazing places for swimming. When you get to the waterfront in town, simply turn right and follow the streets along! Eventually you’ll walk out along the wooden plank walkway, and then you’ll pass quite a few swimming areas with loungers. My favorite swimming spot in Ohrid was a little area about 15 minutes past the Church of St. Jovan Kaneo. You’ll see it down below as you walk along the path. It is pretty rocky here to get in and out of the water, but it’s gorgeous and much quieter than the main swimming areas closer to town!

Sveti Naum

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Ohrid was to go to Sveti Naum Monastery. This complex now includes not just the monastery, but a hotel, restaurant, and shop as well! The monastery was established in 905 AD and St. Naum (who founded the monastery) is buried here. It’s a stunning place, and there are great views of Lake Ohrid from here!

There are loads of different shops, souvenir stalls, cafes, and restaurants in Sveti Naum now. You can also take a 30-minute boat trip out to see the Sveti Naum springs. There’s also a beach here for swimming! The best way to get here is on a boat trip from Ohrid. It costs €10 and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I took the boat that left at 10:00am, we had several hours to explore and swim, and then our boat left at 3:00pm and got back to Ohrid just about 4:30pm. Most of the people around the main waterfront area in Ohrid are working for this company and will be able to give you a reservation ticket—you pay (cash only) when you board the boat.

Our boat also stopped by the Bay of Bones on Lake Ohrid on the way to Sventi Naum. This is a museum that you can visit. This place is now one of the best diving spots on Lake Ohrid if you’re brave enough!

The Basics

Ohrid is a small town, but as the main tourist destination in North Macedonia it will probably feel very busy! The population of North Macedonia is just over 2 million, and the 2002 census has Ohrid’s population as about 42,000 (although I suspect it’s jumped up quite a bit). North Macedonia changed its name in 2019 due to a long-standing dispute with Greece—it was formerly known as Macedonia, or FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). North Macedonia is not in the European Union, and the official currency is Macedonian denar. The language is Macedonian, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

Getting Around Ohrid

The town of Ohrid itself isn’t very big. It’s a 20-minute walk from the main bus station to the waterfront and the Old Town. Ohrid is best explored on foot—traffic can be heavy, and many of the destinations in the Old Town/center don’t have vehicle access for anyone besides local residents. The (mainly residential) areas away from the waterfront are mainly accessed by cobbled streets and steep hills. There are buses that go from Ohrid to other destinations around the lake.

Where I Stayed

I stayed at Sunny Lake Hostel for my two nights in Ohrid. This is one of the only hostels in Ohrid, and I stayed in a private room. While it was obviously peak tourist season when I visited, the hostel was very busy—and very noisy in the evenings on the terrace. The wifi barely worked, and the bathrooms were small and a bit tired. That being said, if I was looking for a cheap and comfy bed in a dorm, this would be one of the only options in Ohrid on a budget. The free breakfast was really nice though! I’d stay here again if I was planning on a dorm, otherwise I’d pay a bit more for a private room somewhere quieter.

Planning Your Trip

Ohrid is one of the most popular destinations in the Balkans. If you’re visiting North Macedonia, chances are you’ll be visiting Ohrid! Ohrid has its own airport now, although there isn’t a huge range of airlines and flights. You can also fly into Skopje Airport, and get a bus to Ohrid from the bus station in Skopje. I always find the best deals for flights on Skyscanner.

You can search for hostels in Ohrid here, and for hotels here! You can also sign up to and search accommodation on Airbnb here. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Lake Ohrid is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in the Balkans. There’s plenty to see, and hanging out at the lake is the perfect way to while away time in the Balkans. I wish I had had more time in Ohrid to swim and relax! Don’t miss this Macedonian gem on a trip in the Balkans.

Have you been to Lake Ohrid before? Share your experiences in the comments below!

You might also like my other posts on North Macedonia!

What To Do In Skopje, North Macedonia’s Funky Capital

Matka Canyon: The Perfect Daytrip From Skopje

Hostel Review: Shanti Hostel, Skopje

How Much Does it Cost to Travel the Balkans For 2.5 Weeks?

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