What to Do in Ohrid in One Day (2023)

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Wondering what you can do in Ohrid on a day trip? I’ve got you covered. Ohrid is a wonderful gem in North Macedonia, home to stunning orthodox churches, impressive ancient ruins, and beautiful lake views. Keep reading to find 18 things to see and do in the charming lakeside city.

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Ohrid is the largest city on Lake Ohrid, which straddles North Macedonia and Albania. I visited the beautiful city on a short trip to North Macedonia from Albania and was surprised by how much this lesser-known area can offer.

Lake Ohrid is a peaceful lake, and the towns on its shores maintain their authenticity and charm. Although Ohrid is one of North Macedonia’s tourist hotspots, it didn’t feel as overwhelming as many other places in Europe. If you’re looking for a city with plenty of attractions but not too popular, I believe Ohrid is perfect.

Both the lake and the city of Ohrid are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city has ancient origins, as you can see from the archaeological areas and ancient Greek theater. But the most remarkable sites are the impressive Byzantine churches.

The list below is enough for two days in Ohrid if you want to take it slow, visit all the museums and enter every church. If you only have one day, you can skip some museums and avoid entering all the churches. I had less than a full day, so I didn’t visit each place, but I did manage to walk everywhere. Below you can find a map of the spots I mention. Now, without further ado, here is what you can see in Ohrid in one day.

1. Visit the Plaosnik Archaeological Area

This is one of the must-see spots in Ohrid, so add it to the top of your list. The Plaošnik archaeological area features ruins of ancient buildings of which you can only see a few remains, but the most notable is the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon.

The 9th-century church built by St. Clement stands on the foundations of an earlier Christian Basilica. During the Ottoman Empire, the church was converted into a mosque, which was torn down in 2000. There is a small entry fee of under 2€ (100 Denars) to access the archaeological site.

2. Check out the Church of Saint John the Theologian

Another beautiful Byzantine church worth checking out is the Church of Saint John the Theologian, also known as Saint John at Kaneo. The church stands on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid, and dates to the 13th century.

You can visit the church for free and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake. For a stunning view of the church from above, head to the Kaneo viewpoint.

3. Discover ancient frescos in the Church of Saint Sophia

The church of Saint Sophia is among the most important religious monuments in North Macedonia and a must-see place in Ohrid. The church, built in the 9th century in Byzantine style, features well-preserved frescoes dating to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Like many churches in Ohrid, the Church of Saint Sophia was also converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. You can enter the church courtyard for free but must pay a small fee to visit the interior.

4. Visit the Robev Family House

The Robev Family House, or Robevi House, is a 19th-century house representing a typical example of Ohrid traditional architecture. After the renovation in the 1990s, the house opened as a museum, housing archaeological findings dating to ancient and medieval times, along with objects that belonged to the Robev family.

5. Wonder at the Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid

Ohrid is home to a well-preserved Greek amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The impressive structure is in such good condition that it’s still used as a performance venue. In summer, you can attend the Ohrid Summer Festival here.

As was often the case with Greek theaters, during the Roman times, the Ancient Macedonian Theatre served as the stage for gladiator fights. Later on, it took on a much more macabre role as the site of Christians’ executions by the Romans. The result of this usage was that locals started hating the place so much that they slowly buried it, allowing its preservation. 

6. Explore the trails above Labino Beach

In the eastern part of Ohrid, just above Labino Beach, you can explore a few easy walking trails offering beautiful lake views. The trails connect the beach to Samuel’s Fortress, the Plaošnik Archaeological Area, and the Kaneo viewpoint, providing a peaceful setting for a pleasant walk.

7. Explore Samuel’s Fortress

Samuel’s Fortress towers over Ohrid from the top of a hill, providing stunning panoramic views of the city and lake. The fortress was built in the 10th century, during the reign of Samuel, the Tsar of the First Bulgarian Empire. Back then, Ohrid was the capital of the Bulgarian Empire.

The fortress was renovated in 2003, and now it’s one of the city’s main tourist attractions. The entry fee is just 1€, so it’s a bargain for the spectacular views you get to experience.

8. Check out religious art at the Icons Gallery

Next to the Church of Holy Mary Peryvleptos, you can also visit the Icons Gallery, another important attraction in Ohrid. The art museum features a rich collection of icons dating as far back as the 11th century.

This small museum is worth checking out if you like religious art. The entry fee is the standard 100 Denars, so less than 2€.

9. Visit the Church of Holy Mary Peryvleptos

The Church of Holy Mary Peryvleptos, though smaller than the other churches mentioned in this guide, is definitely worth a visit. Built in the late 13th century, this is among the oldest churches in Ohrid. The interior is beautifully decorated with elaborate frescoes.

The exterior of the church is also gorgeous, featuring typical Byzantine elements. However, the main reason to visit is to see the beautiful frescoes. There is a small entrance fee of 100 Denars (less than €2).

10. Discover the Ohrid City Wall

One of the best things to do in Ohrid, if you ask me, is to simply wander around the Old Town and the ancient city walls. Although a great part of the walls was destroyed, you can still see portions of it in various spots around town, including ancient city gates. 

11. Stroll around the Ohrid City Park

If you’re tired of visiting churches and ancient ruins, go for a stroll around the charming Ohrid City Park. The green area extends along the lake shore just outside the old city walls, offering beautiful lake views and shady spots to enjoy a break on a warm day.

12. Walk along the Bridge of Wishes

Another lovely and free thing to do in Ohrid is to walk on the footbridge that connects the center of Ohrid to the Church of Saint John at Kaneo. The footbridge, known as the Bridge of Wishes, was built to shorten the way to the church. Instead of walking uphill through the Old Town, visitors can simply walk the 140-meter footbridge.

13. Relax on Beach Potpesh

In summer, one of the best things to do in Ohrid is to relax on one of the beaches on the lakeshore. Potpesh is a charming pebble beach near the Church of Saint John at Kaneo. You can even rent sunbeds and spend a few hours sunbathing and swimming in the lake.

14. Go shopping on Old Bazaar Street

No trip to Ohrid would be complete without checking out the shops selling traditional items and souvenirs on Old Bazaar Street. The buzzing street is lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops of all kinds, selling clothes, souvenirs, jewels, and much more.

Enjoy a coffee while people-watching, grab some traditional baked goods, and check out the souvenir stores.

15. Visit the Mosque of Ali Pasha

Halfway along Old Bazaar Street, you can stop to visit the Mosque of Ali Pasha. The white mosque dates to the 16th century and features a tall minaret, which was recently reconstructed after being destroyed over a century ago.

16. Have lunch with a lake view

While you’re in Ohrid, you must, of course, stop for a traditional Macedonian lunch. The city offers a great variety of restaurants. If you want to enjoy lunch with a view, you can find a few charming places, like Restaurant Kajče or Kaj Kanevche. The first option is great for local fish dishes, while the latter is ideal if you’re looking for vegetarian options.

17. Join a winery tour

North Macedonia has three wine regions, and one of these is around Lake Ohrid. If you like wine, a great thing to do in Ohrid is to join a winery tour with local wine tasting. This Monastery Winery Tour is a three-hour activity allowing you to explore a winery in a valley near Ohrid, visit a monastery, and sample five different wines and two brandies paired with local products.

18. Hop on a boat for a panoramic cruise

Another great activity to try in Ohrid is to join a boat cruise on the lake. This Old Town Panoramic Boat Cruise lasts roughly half an hour, which is great if you’re short on time. From the Ohrid central port, you’ll sail along the shore and admire the city’s landmarks from a different perspective.

How to get to Ohrid

There are many ways to reach Ohrid, depending on where you come from. I traveled to North Macedonia from Tirana, Albania, by bus. The ride took roughly 3.5 hours, and I stopped in Struga, another town on Lake Ohrid. From Struga, I took a local bus to Ohrid and a taxi back, as I spent the night there.

I got my bus tickets directly at the bus stations in Tirana and Struga. To my knowledge, the only booking platform offering bus rides in this area is getbybus, but you will probably get better deals if you buy locally. You can also reach Ohrid by bus from Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. The bus ride takes roughly three hours.

Another option is to join a day tour to Ohrid from either Tirana or Skopje. This simplifies the whole trip as you don’t have to plan anything. This option is also great if you want to meet other travelers. You can check out this Ohrid day trip from Tirana or this one from Skopje.

To find cheap flights to Tirana or Skopje, I recommend Skyscanner. I have been using the platform for years now, and I can always find the best deals.

Where to stay in Ohrid

Ohrid offers plenty of accommodation options for every budget, from hostel beds to apartments and hotels. I usually book my accommodation on Booking.com. Here you can check out the availability in Ohrid.

Booking.com

As I mentioned, during my trip, I spent the night in Struga, which is a cheaper option and very close to Ohrid. If you only have one day, I highly recommend staying in Ohrid.

Ohrid and North Macedonia quick facts and tips

Before concluding this guide, I want to leave you with a few tips. I had a couple of cultural shocks in North Macedonia, so I hope these are useful.

Language

As you can imagine, the local language is Macedonian, but Albanian is a co-official language. People may also speak Turkish, Serbian, Bosnian, and a few other languages. You will find people speaking English in popular tourist spots like museums and restaurants. However, I found that locals usually don’t speak English. I experienced this first-hand with my accommodation host. I was lucky that their 9-year-old spoke English and translated everything for me.

Currency

The local currency is the Macedonian Denar. One euro is worth roughly 61 Denars, while 1 US dollar equals around 56 Denars. You can withdraw Denars directly from local ATMs, although some have withdrawal fees. I use Revolut whenever I travel, as I find it has really good conversion rates, and I can easily find ATMs with low or even no withdrawal fees.

When not to visit

Many museums and landmarks are closed on Monday, so if you only plan on spending on the in the city, pick any other day of the week.

Border controls

If you travel to Ohrid from Albania, expect border controls. I mean, aside from having your passport checked, you may get stopped for baggage checks. This happened to me, and I was a little confused since they made us drive into a big deposit, and we all had to get out while officers were checking everyone’s bags. It’s standard practice, so don’t worry about it, but of course, don’t bring anything illegal.

Shared taxis

So, it turns out that public transportation around Lake Ohrid is not exactly top-notch. I managed to catch a bus from Struga to Ohrid, but while waiting for my bus, I kept seeing people wave at cars already half full and get in. In the beginning, I thought they might know each other, but it turns out these are shared taxis.

What they do is get as many people as the car fits and ask for a very low fee. I ended up taking one of these taxis to go back from Ohrid to Struga and paid the same price as the bus ticket, which is very convenient. I was reluctant when the driver came to me at the bus stop to offer his service, but I decided to trust him because I was tired of waiting for the bus. Just be sure to agree on the price beforehand.

This is pretty much it! Although I only spent two days in North Macedonia, it’s one of those extremely underrated countries, so I would love to go back. I hope this guide will help you make the most of your trip to Ohrid and that you’ll love it as much as I did. Feel free to share your thoughts or favorite places in the comments.

Also, if you’re planning a bigger trip in the Balkans, check out also my article on the best things to do in Kotor Bay and on Pltivice vs. Krka in Croatia.