How many days in Ohrid? 3 days, the old town, the lake and St Naum
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Ohrid is an old town on a hill above one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, shared between North Macedonia and Albania and listed by UNESCO for both its nature and its culture. Medieval churches with fresco cycles from the 11th to 14th centuries are scattered through the lanes, and the town was a major centre of Slavic literacy linked with St Clement and St Naum. Give it three days: one for the old town on foot, one along the south shore to St Naum and the springs, and one up Galičica for the view over two lakes, or a slow day on the water.
Short answer
Two days covers the old town, St John at Kaneo, Samuel's Fortress and a trip to St Naum. The third day adds Galičica National Park, the Bay of Bones and time to swim.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The old town, Kaneo and Samuel's Fortress
Morning. Start early at the Upper Gate and walk up to Samuel's Fortress, the medieval walls on the hilltop, for views over the lake (entry roughly MKD 300; check on the day). Walk down past the ancient theatre, a Hellenistic theatre still used for summer concerts, to Plaošnik, where the church of St Clement and St Panteleimon was rebuilt in 2002 on the foundations of the monastery associated with St Clement.
Afternoon. Follow the path through the pines down to St John at Kaneo, the small 13th-century church on a rock above the water, the classic image of Ohrid (entry about MKD 100-150). Then return along the wooden boardwalk that runs at water level under the cliffs towards the old town.
Evening. Visit St Sophia, with frescoes from the 11th century, if it is still open, then walk the Čaršija, the old bazaar area by the harbour. Dinner at a lakeside restaurant costs about MKD 800-1,500 per person.
Many churches have short opening hours and close for lunch or on certain days. Carry small denar notes for the tickets, and cover shoulders and knees.
Day 2: Boat to St Naum and the Bay of Bones
Morning. Take a boat from the old harbour to St Naum, about 1h30-2 hours along the eastern shore (roughly MKD 600-1,000 return; daily boats in summer), or a bus or taxi, about 45 minutes and 29 km. The monastery stands on a headland near the Albanian border; its church holds the tomb of St Naum, and peacocks walk the courtyard.
Afternoon. Hire a rowing boat with a boatman (about MKD 600-1,000 per boat) to glide through the springs of the Black Drim, where clear cold water rises into a lagoon below the monastery. On the way back, stop at the Bay of Bones at Gradište, a reconstructed prehistoric settlement on stilts over the water, with a small museum (about MKD 100-200).
Evening. Return to Ohrid and try local fish such as belvica or trout. Note that the native Ohrid trout is protected and restaurants often serve farmed fish; ask what you are getting.
Boats to St Naum depend on wind and season. In spring and autumn they may not run; the bus or a taxi is reliable year-round.
Day 3: Galičica National Park and the lakeshore
Morning. Drive or take a tour up the road into Galičica National Park, the mountain between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. From the pass and the nearby ridge you see both lakes on either side; the walk up to the summit area takes about 1-2 hours. A small park fee may be charged at the entrance.
Afternoon. Come down to swim at the beaches along the south-east shore, such as Lagadin or the coves around Peštani and Trpejca, a small fishing village with a pebbly bay. Sunbeds cost a few hundred denars in summer.
Evening. Back in Ohrid, look for Ohrid pearls, a local craft made with a coating from fish scales, in the family workshops in the old town (genuine pieces come with a certificate). End with a drink by the harbour.
If you are in Ohrid in July or August, check the programme of the Ohrid Summer Festival, with concerts and theatre in the ancient theatre and the churches.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Day 1 as written and combine St Naum and the springs with a quick stop at the Bay of Bones on Day 2. You lose Galičica and the beach day.
Got extra days?
Extra days can go to Struga, 15 km away, where the Black Drim leaves the lake; to the mountain village of Vevčani; to the lakes and monasteries around Prespa; or across the border to Pogradec and Korçë in Albania.
Where to stay in Ohrid
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Guesthouses below the old town | Family rooms and small apartments, 5-10 minutes from the harbour. | MKD 1,800-3,000 |
| Mid-range | Old town (Varoš) | Stone houses on the hill, walk to the churches, Kaneo and the fortress. | MKD 3,500-6,000 |
| Mid-range | Lakefront towards the town beach | Flat walk to restaurants, sunsets over the water. | MKD 3,000-5,500 |
| Comfort | South shore resorts | Larger hotels with private beaches on the road to St Naum; a car or taxi is needed. | MKD 7,000-14,000 |
Getting around
The old town is compact but steep, with cobbled lanes; good shoes matter. Taxis inside Ohrid are cheap, usually a few hundred denars. Buses from Skopje take about 3 hours (roughly MKD 600-700), and there are buses to Struga every 30-60 minutes. St Paul the Apostle Airport is about 10 km north, with mainly seasonal flights; a taxi costs about MKD 600-800. For Galičica and the south shore, a rental car, tour or taxi is easiest. Albania's Pogradec is about 30 minutes from St Naum by road.
What to eat in Ohrid
Macedonian food is generous and cheap. Order tavče gravče, beans baked in a clay pot; šopska salad with grated white cheese; ajvar, a red pepper relish, with bread; and pastrmajlija, a long bread with meat. Grilled sausages and ćevapi come in portions of five or ten. Local fish includes belvica and carp. Drink rakija or local wine from the Tikveš region, such as Vranec. A full meal with wine costs MKD 700-1,500 per person, a coffee about MKD 80-120. Cash is still used in small places.
Best time to visit
June and September are best, with warm lake water and highs of 25-30°C. July and August are the busiest months, with many visitors from the region, festival nights and higher prices. May and October are good for walking and churches, but the lake is cold for swimming. Winter is quiet and chilly, around 5-10°C, and many lakeside places close.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | MKD 1,200 | MKD 2,300 | MKD 5,000 |
| Food & drink | MKD 1,000 | MKD 1,800 | MKD 3,500 |
| Sights & tickets | MKD 300 | MKD 700 | MKD 1,500 |
| Local transport | MKD 200 | MKD 600 | MKD 1,800 |
| Total per person, per day | about MKD 2,700 | about MKD 5,400 | about MKD 11,800 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Macedonian denars (MKD; roughly 61 to the euro). A small tourist tax per person per night is usually added to accommodation bills.
Before you go
Common questions
Can I pay in euros in Ohrid?
Some hotels and tour agencies quote and accept euros, but the currency is the Macedonian denar, and you will get better prices paying in denars. Cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, while small churches, boat owners and bakeries usually want cash. There are ATMs and exchange offices in the town centre and near the harbour.
Can I swim in Lake Ohrid?
Yes. The water is very clear, and swimming season runs from about June to September, with the warmest water in August. There are small beaches below the old town, around the town centre and along the south-east shore towards St Naum. The bottom is often pebbly, so water shoes help. Avoid swimming near the busy harbour and boat lanes.
How many churches should I visit?
For a first visit, St John at Kaneo, St Sophia, the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos with its icon gallery, and the rebuilt church at Plaošnik give a good picture. Each takes 20-40 minutes. Opening hours change and some churches charge a small fee. If you love frescoes, ask locally which smaller churches are open that day.
Is it easy to combine Ohrid with Albania?
Yes. From St Naum, the border crossing is a few minutes away, and Pogradec on the Albanian side of the lake is about 30 minutes by car. Buses and shared taxis link Ohrid and Struga with Tirana in about 4-5 hours. Check whether your rental car can cross borders, as some companies charge extra or do not allow it.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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