Of all the many places I have visited, Lake Ohrid ranks right up towards the top. The beautiful lake is lined with a wooden boardwalk, ideal for admiring the lake on a sunset stroll. Tumbling down the hillside are the quaint, cobbled streets of Ohrid old town. All topped with a spectacular fortress with equally spectacular views. Definitely one for the bucket list…
How to get to Ohrid
We drove to Ohrid from the North Macedonian capital, Skopje, which is 106 miles away. It’s an easy drive (pretty much just one road). There are also several companies offering a bus service following a similar route, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours. Fares are in the region of £10.
From Ohrid, we crossed over the border to Albania. To reach the border crossing it is a 27 mile drive round the shores of Lake Ohrid. The border was very quick and easy to cross. By bus, Flixbus provides a twice daily service to Tirana. Fares cost around £15.
Getting Around Ohrid
Despite what Google Maps might tell your, the old town of Ohrid, with its narrow cobbled streets, is most definitely best explored on foot. If you are driving, there is a car park at the entrance to the old town, close to the marina. Don’t do like we did and try and drive into the old town!
Where to Stay in Ohrid
We stayed at the Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment; a villa in the heart of the old town, which also has its own winery. The villa is a beautiful old building, perched on the hillside overlooking the lake. Note: The hotel is reached via cobbled steps – probably not the best place to stay if you have restricted mobility (or a lot of luggage).
Ohrid in 2 Days Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Ohrid Accommodation – Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment Lake Ohrid Dinner at Restoran Cun Lake Ohrid Boardwalk Sveta Sofija Cathedral Sveti Jovan at Kaneo Drinks at Mal Sveti Kliment |
| Day 2 | Ohrid City Park Amphitheatre Tsar Samuel’s Fortress Gorna Porta |
Each day of my itinerary covers around 2.5 km ( a little more for Day 2, if you include a walk round the castle ramparts), with some elevation.
Ohrid Day 1
Drive to Ohrid
This morning, we pick up our hire car in Skopje and set off on the 106 mile drive to Ohrid. It’s a scenic drive through the mountains, but takes longer than expected, due to a succession of roadworks and contraflows.
Accommodation – Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment
Our accommodation tonight, Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment, is, as the name suggests, part hotel and part winery. To reach the villa requires a bit of a trek up the hillside, but it’s worth it for the views from this beautiful old building.
Once settled in, we wander back down the cobbled hill to explore the quaint, streets of Ohrid Old Town and purchase a few souvenirs.
Lake Ohrid
Ohrid is a pretty town, however the star of the show is the stunning Lake Ohrid; beautiful by day and even more beautiful at sunset.
Dinner at Restoran Cun
We’re tired and hungry after our long drive, so we choose a lakeside restaurant, Restoran Cun, which has tables right next to the lake. Here, we can unwind over dinner and a beer whilst taking in the wonderful view.
Lake Ohrid Boardwalk
Refreshed, we walk along the over-water Boardwalk as the sun sets, which turns the lake a shade of lavender.
Sveta Sofija Cathedral
We stop at Sveta Sofija Cathedral, which has its origins back to the 11th century. Inside, the church is decorated with Byzantine frescoes dating from the 11th to 14th Centuries.
Outside is a pretty garden, where you might spot a tortoise.
The cathedral is open daily, from 9 am until 6 pm. Entry costs MKD 100 (around £1.40).
Sveti Jovan at Kaneo
Then, we climb to Sveti Jovan at Kaneo; a 13th century church perched on the cliff top overlooking the lake.
The view is spectacular, even though it is almost dark by the time we arrive!
The church is open daily from 9 am until 6 pm. Entry costs MKD 100 (around £1.40). During the day, it is possible to catch a boat between the church and the old town (around MKD 300).
Drinks at Mal Sveti Kliment
We walk back to our accommodation and round off the evening with a glass of wine from our hotel/winery. Ohrid is rapidly becoming one of my all time favourite places.
Ohrid Day 2
First, the slightly surreal experience of breakfast in a wine cellar. The lack of natural light causes me to mistake jam for chutney and smother it all over my cheese and sausage. It tastes surprisingly good.
Ohrid City Park
We take a last wander along the shores of Lake Ohrid, stopping to admire the floral displays in the lakeside Ohrid City Park.
Amphitheatre
Then, we head for the fortress on the hillside. On our way up, we pass the Amphitheatre. This ancient hillside stadium was build in the 3rd Century BC. A century later, the Romans arrived and added seating (and removed a few rows to fit in gladiators). Parts of the theatre have been reconstructed and can seat 1700 people for outdoor performances.
Tsar Samuel’s Fortress
Built in the 10th Century, the huge Tsar Samuel’s Fortress sits overlooking the lake.
You can walk along the ramparts and admire the ancient fortifications and the lake glistening down below.
The Fortress is open daily except Monday from 9 am until 3.30 pm. Entry costs MKD 150 (around £2).
Gorna Porta
We depart the city via Gorna Porta, the ancient Upper Gate, and set off on our drive to Albania.
- Trip Taken: September 2018
- Updated: August 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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