Unveiling the Sensational Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid, a sparkling gem nestled between the mountains of North Macedonia and Albania, boasts an impressive resume. Considered one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, it’s a haven for endemic aquatic life and boasts breathtaking scenery. Buckle up for a journey to discover the natural wonders and cultural riches that await at Lake Ohrid.
I travelled by bus from Skopje, the Macedonian capital, it took about 3 and a half hours and cost €9 one way! The bus station is on the outskirts of Ohrid, and it took me about 30 minutes to walk to my hotel. I stayed at Hotel Villa Jordan and it cost €122 for 3 nights. It’s ridiculously cheap here for pretty good quality.
Grabbing some snacks and Skopsko beers along the way I checked into my hotel. I still had a fair bit of the day left so I decided to take a stroll along Ohrid’s scenic boardwalk. This lively path, lined with cafes, shops, and street performers, offers stunning lake views and a vibrant atmosphere. There are great views over the lake which are just incredible. I walked, sat and just relaxed in the calm environment, taking it all in.
Once you get to the far end, you’re greeted with some really interesting buildings, and wind your way through this old quarter to find a boardwalk heading around some cliffs towards the Church of St John the Theologian. There are a couple of cute little beaches here too.
The 14th-century church, perched on a rocky outcrop, is a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture. Step inside to admire the frescoes depicting biblical scenes and marvel at the intricate stonework.
The church’s location provides panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, making it a perfect spot for a photo opportunity. It’s an incredible spot, and one I spent a long time just sitting and enjoying the views over the lake.
Since I didn’t have much planned for today, I decided to keep following the path around the peninsula. It’s a beautiful walk through woodland with constant views of the lake. I spotted a path down to the shore, and found this beautiful tree lined beach. I had to get in the water, it was cold but refreshing, and I enjoyed a good paddle around, watching the gentle waves lap the shore.
One thing I learned on this trip, the weather in Ohrid can change rapidly. This was my first experience of it, and grey clouds suddenly rolled in from the West. I dried off and wandered back along the path, past the church and towards the town. Just as I got to the first houses the heavens absolutely opened up above me, and the blue sunny day suddenly turned to grey.
I jumped into the nearest restaurant, and sat on the terrace with a Macedonian wine and delicious fried cheese salad. It was pretty cool watching the rain pour down onto the lake, I had the best seat in the house! The rain soon subsided, the wine and salad had also disappeared, so it was time to get moving.
I’d seen on Google maps there was an old theatre, so I headed that way, and it’s pretty cool. It was built in 200BC and only the lower part remains, but you can still watch concerts there to this day! Travelling in the shoulder season meant all these places were pretty quiet, and it was nice to have them to myself.
After the theatre, it’s a short walk to the main high street. So I had a little wander around, there are loads of shops and fast food places along here. Ohrid is a pretty quiet town, or seemed to be, so I walked back along the lake shore for an early night.
The next day looked hit and miss weather wise, my plan had been to hike up into the National Park ‘Galicica’ but with thunderstorms forecast I decided it was better to explore the lake coastline instead. So I headed south, in the opposite direction to the day before.
It was a cute walk, through a nice park and then along a pathway through some fields. It’s definitely not as popular as the regular route. I found a great beach, and it looked like people were setting up ready for summer and busier months.
I carried on walking and found a great spot, looking out over the lake from the top of some small cliffs, perfect for lunch. So I sat and watched the most fish I’ve ever seen in a lake. It had been a glorious day, and I started to regret not risking it in the hills. Just as I was thinking whether to head up there anyway, the clouds rolled in again.
I packed up and walked back to the hotel, just as the rain started coming down. I relaxed in the hotel for a few hours, and went out for tea, including some great Macedonian red wine. After dinner I sat and watched a cloudy sunset, beautiful and dramatic over the lake. Tomorrow I’ll be taking a boat trip around the lake, super excited!
ALWAYSANOVICE 