Is Ohrid expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Ohrid is cheap by European standards — much cheaper than Greece, Croatia or Western Europe, and among the better-value lake and heritage towns in the Balkans. Expect about MKD 2,700 (about €45) a day per person on a budget, about MKD 5,400 mid-range and MKD 11,800 or more for comfort. Most of the money goes on rooms and meals; church and fortress tickets cost only a few hundred denars.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | MKD1,200 | MKD2,300 | MKD5,000 |
| Food & drink | MKD1,000 | MKD1,800 | MKD3,500 |
| Sights & tickets | MKD300 | MKD700 | MKD1,500 |
| Local transport | MKD200 | MKD600 | MKD1,800 |
| Per person, per day | MKD2,700 | MKD5,400 | MKD11,800 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Ohrid day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about MKD 80–120 |
| Burek with yoghurt for breakfast | MKD 80–150 |
| Tavče gravče (baked beans) | MKD 200–350 |
| Portion of kebapi | MKD 250–450 |
| Glass of Vranec red wine | MKD 150–300 |
| Lakeside dinner per person | about MKD 800–1,500 |
| Samuel's Fortress entry | roughly MKD 300 |
| Boat from the harbour to St Naum (return) | roughly MKD 600–1,000 |
| Bus from Skopje | roughly MKD 600–700 |
| Mid-range room in the old town (Varoš) | MKD 3,500–6,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost but still modest: family guesthouses below the old town cost about MKD 1,800–3,000 a night for a room, stone houses in the old town MKD 3,500–6,000, and south-shore resort hotels MKD 7,000–14,000. Food is cheap — a full meal with wine is MKD 700–1,500 — though lakeside terraces charge more than places a few streets back. Sights are inexpensive, at MKD 100–300 for most churches and the fortress. Transport only adds up if you take taxis or tours to St Naum and Galičica.
When it is cheaper
Outside July and August, when many visitors from the region arrive, rooms are usually noticeably cheaper, and from November to March prices drop further. The trade-off in winter is chilly weather and many lakeside restaurants and boats closing.
How to spend less
- Pay in denars rather than euros; prices quoted in euros often use a poor rate.
- Withdraw denars from bank ATMs rather than using exchange kiosks with poor rates.
- Take the bus or a shared taxi to St Naum instead of a private tour.
- Eat a few streets back from the lakeside promenade, where prices are lower.
- Carry small denar notes for church tickets, boatmen and bakeries.
- Visit in June or September for summer weather without July–August prices.
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Common questions
Is Ohrid expensive?
No. It is cheap by European standards. Plan on about MKD 2,700 (about €45) a day on a budget, MKD 5,400 mid-range and MKD 11,800 for comfort.
Can I pay in euros in Ohrid?
Some hotels and agencies accept euros, but prices are better in denars. Small churches, boatmen and bakeries usually want cash in denars.
How much is a meal in Ohrid?
A full meal with wine costs about MKD 700–1,500 per person. Burek for breakfast is about MKD 80–150.