One Day in Ohrid, North Macedonia

If you’ve only got one day in Ohrid, North Macedonia, you can still get the best out of this beautiful lakeside town. Here is a guide to the best things to do in Ohrid, plus some extra tips to help you enjoy your trip.

Contents

Things to Do

Logistics: Getting around and Budgeting

Things to Do

Ohrid Boardwalk

This is a very short little boardwalk right next to the lake which is lovely to walk along. I’d recommend going in the morning when it’s peaceful. However, it does take you past lots of small beaches where you can sit and swim. There are also cafés and restaurants a bit further along.

Church of Saint John the Theologian at Kaneo

This church provides one of the most iconic views in Ohrid. It is incredibly picturesque and you get great views of it with the lake in the background from the hill behind it. If you want to enter, it costs 150 denars (approx. £2.05). 

Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos

This is another beautiful church nearby worth a visit. Entering also costs 150 denar (approx. £2.05) and it features some stunning paintings.

Samuel’s Fortress

This fortress is a big part of Ohrid’s skyline and also gives you the best view of the town and lake from above. You can walk along the walls which is a really cool experience. If you arrive before 9am, it is likely that you’ll be able to get in for free - I just opened the gate and walked in. As we were leaving, they did start to charge people coming in. It was 50 denar (approx. 68p).

Old Town and Bazaar Street

Walking around the Ohrid old town and bazaar street gives you the best feel for the town itself. There are some pretty streets with old houses, as well as the main shopping street. It’s not a big old town but is still worth exploring, and you’ll end up on the Bazaar Street at some point anyway!

Ancient Theatre of Ohrid

This is an old amphitheatre which is a landmark in Ohrid. It’s free to enter and walk around the seats and even down to the stage.

Paragliding

Paragliding is a really popular activity in Ohrid. We booked a paragliding flight over the hills and lake, which provided some incredible scenery. The company picked us up and drove us up a mountain, and then we took off for a 15 minute flight. The landing was also really smooth and I felt safe the entire time.

We booked on Viator, and it cost €69 (approx. £58) which included everything (plus paddle boarding!) and was the cheapest we found. Prices range from €69 to €89 (approx. £58-75) depending on the operator and any extras. I would highly recommend this experience if you can!

Paddle boarding

Our paragliding tour included an hour on a stand up paddle board on the lake. If the weather is good, the lake is very calm and it’s a beautiful experience. 

Logistics: Getting around and Budgeting

North Macedonia is not an expensive country, which makes it budget-friendly. Accommodation in hostels ranges from £8-£15 per night for a dorm bed. You can eat cheap food for around £3 per meal, and grocery stores are very affordable if you have cooking facilities at your disposal. There are obviously also nicer restaurants if that’s what you are looking for. 

Most places are cash only. Some will take card, but don’t expect it. Euros are accepted everywhere, as well as the local denar.

The whole city is very walkable, especially if you only have a day. There are steps and hills to get up to viewpoints, but nothing is more than a 20 minute walk from the city centre, so you can see a lot in a short space of time!

I hope this is a useful guide for visiting Ohrid. It is a great place to spend a few days and relax by the lake, but luckily most of the sights are visitable in a day. As always, please look after the places you go, take nothing with you and leave only your footprints behind :)