VISIT AROUND LAKE OHRID

PLACES TO VISIT ST. NAUM MONASTERY & AROUND LAKE OHRI

We have found it appropriate to collect a few settlements other than Ohrid and Struga cities under this heading. If you have come across this page for the first time, please take a look at our Ohrid guide to get detailed information about Ohrid and to make a correct time planning.

OHRID

The most important settlement you should see after Ohrid is St. Naum Monastery, which belongs to the Ljubanishta settlement. The most important of these is St. Naum Monastery, which belongs to the Ljubanishta settlement. It is the most important settlement to be included except Ohrid. So much so that if I had to make a choice between the city of Struga, where you have to spend half a day, I would definitely choose the monastery without hesitation. However, this should not make you think of Struga as a city that is not worth visiting.

If you want, you can browse Struga by clicking on the link below and make the final decision for your trip planning.

STRUGA

The monastery will cost you about half a day. However, assuming that you will have more time, we aimed to enrich your trip by suggesting a few more routes from the places we visited. However, for the National park "Galičica", which we recommend in number 5, you need to add half a day in addition to all these locations. In other words, if you are going to visit all of these locations, assuming that you have a private or rental car, you will need one full day in total.

Finally, if you have time left after completing your trip around the lake, here are our alternatives:

By continuing on the Gallicica National Park road number 5, which we have marked on the map, you can stay around Prespa Lake for one night and the next day you can visit Prespa lake completely.

VISIT AROUND LAKE PRESPA

You can cross into the country of Albania at the border crossing near St. Naum Monastery.

ARNAVATUGALIA - TIRANA

If you are thinking of travelling to Albania, be sure to check out these articles! Which of the two alternative routes around Lake Ohrid will you choose to enter the Country of Albania?

ROUTE SELECTION AROUND LAKE OHRID

What you need to know about car hire and green insurance before you change countries!

RENT A CAR

Nevertheless, if you have any questions about all this, you can send us an e-mail from the "contact" section.

I hope this whole article will be helpful in giving you an idea for your trip planning.

Place to Visit

1) SVETI STEFAN - Sveti Stefan Monastery

Located just above the village of Sveti Stefan, the church is a picturesque church built in a cave. It is estimated that the cave was built in the 13th century. The interior of the cave church has marvellous frescoes, which unfortunately have been significantly damaged. You can get there on foot or by car. The entrance fee is 100 MKD.

Since there is nothing worth seeing in Dolno Konjsko, Lagadin, Peshtani settlements after this settlement, pass these three points directly. Number 1 on the map

LOCATION

2) PESHTANI - Museum ”The Bay of Bones“

After driving 1.9mile (or 3km) from the centre of Pesthani, you will reach the Museum "The Bay of Bones"

The Bay of Bones Museum is a unique archaeological centre that sheds light on the history of the region.

In 1997, during excavations and research, traces of the civilisation that lived on the lake between 1200 and 700 BC were found. It is assumed that the people living at that time built the structure in this way to protect themselves from wild animals and enemies in the past. The reconstruction of the village and the museum were created in 2005.

The current surface area of the area is approximately 8500m2. However, the original settlement was approximately 3 times larger than the current museum. Number 2 on the map

LOCATION

3) TRPEJCA - St. Nikola Church

St. Nikola Church is not actually a historical church, but since it is located right on the road, it is an alternative area that can be preferred for a short break and rest. Since it is not a touristic area, there is no car park but there is space for 3-4 vehicles. We stopped because it attracted our attention on the road and parked our car next to the oak tree. Number 3 on the map

LOCATION

4) LJUBANISHTA - St. Naum Monastery

Ohrid is the only place you must visit after visiting the centre. Look, if you don't see this place, there is no point in coming to Ohrid. You can plan all the other locations we recommend according to your time and situation, but be sure to include this place in your plan. Think of a food menu. In this menu, if Ohrid is a delicious main menu, think of this monastery as the most delicious dessert you have ever eaten in your life. We are not exaggerating because this is a corner of paradise. It was our favourite place in Macedonia.

St. Naum Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery in Northern Macedonia. The monastery was founded in 905 in the Bulgarian Empire by St Naum of Ohrid and named after St Naum, the medieval Bulgarian writer who founded it. His tomb is located in this monastery.

The road from Ohrid is a bit rough and winding. However, the view of the road is quite pleasant. You can reach the monastery after a journey of about 40 minutes from Ohrid.

There is a car park for vehicles and the fee is around 100MKD. After parking your car, you can reach the monastery with a long walking path from the lakeside. Entrance to the monastery area is free of charge.

The monastery is built on a very large area. It is a very impressive and well preserved place. Everything is lush, clean, birds chirping and peacocks wandering everywhere. It is a marvellous place with its natural beauties and architecture.

When you first enter, there are stalls selling souvenirs on the left side along the road. Entrance into the church is 150MKD per person. The small chapels below are free of charge. You can take a rowing boat tour in Crn Drin, the river in the region. You can get on boats for 10 people for 350MKD per person or you can get on a private boat for a total of 1750MKD. Be sure to take a boat tour. It has a really beautiful nature.

You can come from Ohrid centre by minibuses for 300MKD and by taxi for 400MKD per person. You can also come here by boat tours from Ohrid centre. We are sure that you will feel peaceful and enchanted after you leave here. Number 4 on the map

LOCATION

5) National Park "Galičica"

Galicicia is actually a mountain on the border between Albania and North Macedonia. The national park on this mountain is on the North Macedonian side of the mountain. Galicica national park with steep hiking and cycling paths overlooking 2 large lakes, Ohrid and Prespa. Whichever way you choose, either from the Lake Ohrid side or the Lake Prespa side, there are excellent panoramic viewpoints on the way. We took this road from Lake Prespa to Lake Ohrid and visited the "Galičica" park. We also witnessed these magnificent lake views by stopping at the viewpoints on the way.

If you have the chance of such a rotation, be sure to visit this place in the evening. I'm sure the view will be even more beautiful at sunset. You will not regret it. We spent a short time here, but it would normally take at least half a day just to visit this place. There is an asphalt road leading to the park and viewing points. In general, the condition of the roads is not good. The roads are generally bad in all Balkan countries. Park officials charge an entrance fee of 200MKD before entry. There are areas where you can barbecue inside. Payment is accepted by credit card. Number 5 on the map

LOCATION

What is famous in Prilep for Food&Drink?

Macedonian cuisine is an intersection of Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman cuisines.

Pastries: Pastrmayliya, Burek, Pogacha, Prženi lepčinja
Desserts: Tulumba, Sutlijash, Ravanija, Tufakia
Main Dishes: Tavče Gravče, Ćevapi (called Kebab), Čvarci, Sarma, Moussaka, Turli Tava
Alcohol Beverage:

Rakija (made from plums, not grapes, and served in shot glasses)
Wine Imperator (wine made from Macedonian grapes) The producers have products from various grapes suitable for different palates and budgets. Another of their famous wines is the "Tikves Alexandria Cuvee" series. It is available in red, rosé and white

You can try Kashkaval cheese for tasting with the wine.

3. Beer (Skopsko, Krali Marko, Zlaten Dab, Gorsko, Bitolsko, Kenbach, Starogradsko, Nashe Makedonsko

4. Mastika (Mastic liquor or Chewing gum liquor)

Sauce:

Avjar (A sauce made from roasted red pepper, roasted aubergine, garlic, spices)
Pindjur (A sauce made from roasted red pepper, tomato, garlic, spices)
Lutenitsa (A sauce made from roasted red pepper, tomato, garlic, spices - *The use of ingredients is different. Also, we did not come across it, but it can also be made with hot chillies.)
Malidzano (A sauce made from roasted aubergine, roasted green pepper, garlic, walnut, mustard)

Salad: Chopsko Salad

Places to Food & Drink

1) Restaurant "Kaj Mestono"

Restaurant with a marvellous view on the shores of Lake Ohrid. It is situated approximately between Ohrid and the Monastery of St Naum. You can have a nice meal with lake fish accompanied by local beer or raki. Alternatively, you can also taste traditional dishes. If you visit at sunset, you may enjoy it more.

I'll give you a rough idea of the prices: starter menus and salads 200-300MKD, pasta 350MKD, meat menus 400MKD, beefsteak 1200MKD, fish 1kg 1500-2500MKD. Number 1 on the map

LOCATION

2) Ostrovo Restaurant

This is a restaurant with an excellent atmosphere located in the St Naum Monastery and on the river. We only had coffee here. Two coffees 300MKD, the price is very reasonable for such a place. Even if you don't eat here, be sure to have a beer, coffee, etc. There are not enough words to describe the peace and magic of the atmosphere. It is a great place to enjoy the nature accompanied by bird sounds.

The prices are roughly 300MKD for starters and salads, 400MKD for meat, 3000MKD for fish 1kg, 200MKD for desserts. Number 2 on the map

LOCATION

PLACES TO VISIT ST. NAUM MONASTERY & AROUND LAKE OHRI

Where Should You Visit?

Orange Number List

List 1 to 5

Purple Number List

List 1 to 2