Walking Ohrid: Old Town, Bazaar and Boardwalk

Ohrid has three walks worth planning around: the Old Town loop, the Old Bazaar and the lakefront boardwalk. They can be done on separate days or strung together. Entry fees on the way are in Macedonian denars (MKD), at about 61.5 MKD to the euro, so carry cash.

Walk 1: the Old Town loop

The full circuit is about 3 to 4 km and takes 2.5 to 3 hours with stops. It runs from the Upper Gate area to the Ancient Theatre, Samuel’s Fortress, Plaosnik, Kaneo and St Sophia, and ends at the lake pier.

  • Ancient Theatre: Hellenistic, about 200 BC, normally free to view.
  • Samuel’s Fortress: about 60 to 150 MKD, closing around 16:00 to 17:00 in autumn.
  • Plaosnik: basilica mosaics from the 5th century and the reconstructed church of St Clement and Panteleimon.
  • Kaneo: the cross-in-square church above the lake. The grounds are free.
  • St Sophia: an 11th-century cathedral with Byzantine frescoes, about 100 to 150 MKD.

Behaviour at the churches

Plaosnik, St John at Kaneo and St Sophia are active places of worship. Wear modest clothes, keep quiet, do not use flash on frescoes and ask before photographing inside. Plaosnik may restrict entry during services, so be ready to come back.

Walk 2: the Old Bazaar

The Old Bazaar, known as Carsija, is part of the Old Town route, together with an old plane tree that is centuries old. Robevci House, part of the City Museum, is on the same route. If you want an Ohrid pearl, buy only from the Talev or Filev shops in the Old Town, and ask where the piece was made. A certificate alone proves nothing.

Walk 3: the lakefront boardwalk

A wooden boardwalk follows the shore from the Sarajiste and Kaneo area to Kaneo beach. If you swim at the beach in July or August, remember that the shore is steep and most free beaches have no reliable lifeguard.

Budget and pacing

Carry cash in denars for the fortress, St Sophia and Plaosnik, since small entry fees may apply at each. The loop alone takes 2.5 to 3 hours, so if you also want the Old Bazaar and the boardwalk, spread them over two days or accept a long day on your feet.

Timing and hours

From October to March, opening hours shrink, and the Icon Gallery is reported closed on Mondays. Start early so that you reach the fortress before it closes. Tourism Attractions lists general hours, and Nomads Travel Guide covers Kaneo.

Read more: Sightseeing in Ohrid describes each stop in more detail.

Booking help

Guided walks can be browsed on Viator .