How to get out Ohrid
Nearby Cities
Struga, just 15km away, is a nice place to enjoy a coffee or a base to visit one of the cave churches and monasteries.
Buses travel to Tirana in Albania daily from the Struga bus station (09:30, 12:30, 22:30, 23:00) ticket prices 10-13 Euros. Taxi to Struga from Ohrid costs around 5-7 Euros, or minibuses leave the Ohrid bus station for Struga approximately every 20 minutes, tickets for these cost only 40 Denars.
Pogradec, a small city in Albania is just on the other side of the lake, and worth a visit for those with extra time in Ohrid.
East coast of Lake Ohrid:
Summer afternoons, view from St.Stephan village
The east coast is the most beautiful part of Ohrid Lake. It is part of Galičica National Park and it is protected by UNESCO along with the lake for its natural values. The first part of the east coast is less interesting, the road goes along the lake and is lined with hotels, tourist settlements and organized beaches.
Gorica Hotel beach – this is maybe the most beautiful beach on the coast, its covered with small pebbles and it is cut between deep rocks. Unfortunately it can get very crowded, so come here in early morning or late afternoon. If you visit Ohrid off-season this is the place to come and enjoy a great swim. There is a small cafe on the beach where one might also get some snacks and ice cream or rent beach beds. Walking along the cost from the city center to this beach is scenic, even more past it, and takes about 1.5 hrs. The presidential Villa Ohrid, where the Balkan's Peace Framework was signed, is in the woods near there too.
St.Stefan Cave church 14th c. If you have time take the scenic walk, up to 1 hr, along the coast from Gorica Hotel beach.
Elshani village Elsani is the perfect place to relax and recharge. Just sitting on the terrace of a guesthouse, drinking a coffee and enjoying the view of the lake is an experience in itself, but when it's time to get up and stretch your legs, there is plenty to do. This village is a great place to enjoy walking in the mountain, and it's a perfect starting point for a number of hiking trails for all ages and skill levels. While any guesthouse can point guests in the right direction or even arrange a guide for longer hikes, trails on hikers can follow trails on either the north or south end of the village to the nearby villages Konjsko or Pestani. The windy, hilly streets of the village also provide an unforgettable place to explore.
Peštani village – this once quiet fishing village has given up to tourism, with almost every house renting rooms and many restaurants and cafes. Desaret hotel has a good organized beach. If you don’t like camping but like to enjoy the great beaches and parties in Gradishte you can stay here.
From here on the coast becomes more wild and beautiful with stunning views over the lake.
Gradište camping site – It’s beach is renowned as the most beautiful one on Ohrid Lake. The camping has couple of beaches. The main one is wide and fairly long with small pebbles. If you follow the bridge along the rocks you’ll reach the second and third beach which are favored by young people as they have cafes and bars, and quite often there are day and night parties organized here. The second beach has the small St.Bogorodica cave church 14th c.
Ohrid Lake at Trpejca village
Trpejca village – due to the its setting between the rocks this small fishing village has managed to preserve its charm and escape the overgrow of tourism. It has a great long but narrow beach with the cleanest waters on the lake. It has couple of good small lakeside fish and barbecue restaurants and a bar on the left side of the beach. If you don’t like the beach or it seems crowded take one of the small boats and ask to be taken to one of the isolated beaches around the village and enjoy the lake by yourself, the boat will came back for you at arranged time (50-100 denars).
St.Bogorodica (Zaum) church – the church can be reached only by boat from Trpejca or Ljubaništa villages. Ask on the beach or in one of the restaurants. It was built on a stunning location among the rocks on a small beach by the lake in 1361. The architecture is exquisite, but the main reason to come here is to see the fresco of St.Anna breastfeeding Virgin Mary.
Ljubaništa village – Many people seem to like it, probably because of the long,sandy beach. There is camping here. Beautiful nature and its the perfect family place to be during your summer vacation. In the camp you can take a trailer for usually 4 people, a bungalow or you can take a place to put a tent. There is no night life in this place. After 10:00 PM loud music is forbidden.
St.Naum monastery – At the other end of the lake and is accessible by bus, taxi or boat. It is on the Albanian border so make sure you don't wander off into the military zone. If you take a taxi, it may be worth asking the driver to veer off into one of the picturesque mountain villages overlooking the lake to stop for a cheap lunch of grilled meat and cheese. One of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia and an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galičica mountain towering from behind. It was founded in the 910 by St.Naum, but the present-day church was built in the 16th c. Of the original church just the side chapel with the grave of St.Naum still stands. The frescoes were painted in 1806 (the side chapel frescoes depict the life and miracles of St.Naum); in the first chamber of the church look for the fresco of St.Cyril and Methody and their students including St.Klement and St.Naum. The icon screen was made in 1711 and it is the oldest completely preserved wooden high icon screen in Macedonia. In the side chamber it is popular to get down on your knees and try to listen the heart of St.Naum. Around the church look for the peacocks including a rare albino one. Bigger part of the dormitories of the monastery are turned into a hotel now. Near the monastery there is a chapel with holy water and before are the big springs with a lovely cafe on a small island inside the springs. It is possible (and a great experience) to take a boat tour of the springs (available only in summer) 50 denars, but skip the short boat tour offered to see the monastery from the water. Next to the monastery the river enters the lake. Around the monastery there is a pleasant sandy beach.
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The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Ohrid
