How to Spend Three Days in Ohrid and Around

Ohrid suits a stay of two or three days, and there is no need to move hotels in that time. The plans below keep one base and add outings by boat, bus or car. Prices are in Macedonian denars (MKD), at about 61.5 MKD to the euro.

Getting there

Ohrid airport (OHD) is about 9 to 10 km from the Old Town. From Skopje, buses take around 3 hours for about 170 km, at roughly 460 to 490 MKD one way on aggregator sites from operators such as Galeb, Delfina Tours and Classic Company. Operators in Ohrid do not all use the same station.

A three-day plan

Day 1, the Old Town. Walk the Ancient Theatre, Samuel’s Fortress, Plaosnik, Kaneo and St Sophia, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours with stops. Remember that Kaneo, Plaosnik and St Sophia are active places of worship, so dress modestly and keep voices low.

Day 2, the southern shore. Take the lake boat from the main pier at about 10:00, stop at the Bay of Bones, continue to St Naum and return by about 15:30 to 16:00. The round trip is about EUR 10 on a large boat. Details are on Sailing Stone Travel .

Day 3, your choice. Fly tandem from the Galicica ridge, swim at Gradiste or Labino in July and August, or visit one of the Talev or Filev pearl shops in the Old Town.

Extras for a fourth day

  • Struga and Vevcani. Struga lies about 14 km northwest of Ohrid, and Vevcani is another 14 km from Struga. Vevcani holds its carnival on 13 and 14 January.
  • Galicica to Prespa and Bitola. The park road crosses the ridge to Lake Prespa, and from there you can continue to Bitola and the Heraclea Lyncestis site.
  • Albania. The St Naum border post leads to Pogradec. Bring your passport and check the rules for your nationality before you set off.
  • Skopje. A day in Skopje before or after the lake makes a three-day pairing, with the bus as day two.

Seasonal planning

From October to March, hours are shorter and some sites close on Mondays. Samuel’s Fortress shuts around 16:00 to 17:00 in autumn. Swimming is best from about late June to mid-September. The US State Department lists North Macedonia at Level 1, exercise normal precautions.

Accommodation

Hotels, guesthouses and apartments can be compared on Booking.com .

Read more: Day trips from Ohrid gives distances and fees for each outing.