Ohrid Landmarks: St Sophia, Plaosnik and Kaneo
The main landmarks of Ohrid run from a Hellenistic theatre of about 200 BC to churches of the 11th and 13th centuries, and they sit within walking distance of each other. The whole region is a UNESCO World Heritage property. UNESCO has voiced concern over illegal construction and pollution, yet Ohrid is not on the Danger list. Fees below are in Macedonian denars (MKD), at about 61.5 MKD to the euro.
| Landmark | Period | Entry about |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Theatre | about 200 BC | Normally free to view |
| Plaosnik | 5th century basilica | Small fee |
| St Sophia | 11th century | 100 to 150 MKD |
| Samuel’s Fortress | Medieval | 60 to 150 MKD |
| St John at Kaneo | 13th century | Grounds free, interior about 150 MKD or a donation |
Churches that are still in use
Kaneo, St Sophia and Plaosnik are places of worship. Plaosnik is the working church of St Clement and Panteleimon, and access can be limited during services. St Sophia is a museum and concert venue that is still treated with reverence. Dress modestly, speak quietly, skip the flash on frescoes and ask before you photograph inside.
St John at Kaneo
The cross-in-square church on its cliff has a free viewpoint and open grounds around the clock, according to Nomads Travel Guide . Fee reports for the interior are mixed, so carry a few notes.
St Sophia
Byzantine frescoes decorate the interior of this cathedral. The ticket is about 100 to 150 MKD, though a few listings say there is no charge.
Plaosnik
The site combines 5th-century basilica mosaics with the reconstructed church of St Clement and Panteleimon.
Samuel’s Fortress
The ramparts stand on the hilltop. Autumn hours finish around 16:00 to 17:00, so plan to arrive before mid-afternoon.
Ancient Theatre
Hellenistic in origin, it later hosted Roman gladiatorial events, and now it is used for summer festival events.
Icon Gallery
The Church of the Virgin Peribleptos houses an icon gallery with its own ticket. It is reported closed on Mondays, which makes it a useful stop on other days.
Hours
Hours drop from October to March. Tourism Attractions lists the current general schedule, and the UNESCO property page describes the World Heritage listing.
Read more: Walking tours in Ohrid shows how to link the landmarks in one route.
Booking help
Guided sightseeing tours can be browsed on Viator .