Ohrid and St Naum Day Trip from Tirana

Ohrid Old Town

Ohrid sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the lake. It is often described as the Jerusalem of the Balkans because of the many churches, traditionally counted as 365, that reflect Byzantine, Bulgarian and Ottoman influence. A day trip from Tirana to Ohrid takes about two and a half hours each way.

Your guide leads a walking tour through the cobbled lanes, past Samuel's Fortress, the ancient theatre and the churches of the hill, with time to see the old bazaar and the lake promenade. Free time follows, when you can eat at a lakeside taverna or swim if the weather allows. Is Ohrid worth visiting from Albania? Yes, for the setting and the atmosphere, and it is easy to reach in a single day.

The Church of St John at Kaneo

The Church of St John at Kaneo is the most photographed sight in North Macedonia, a small medieval church of the thirteenth century that stands on a cliff above the lake. The building's stone and brick walls and central dome make a striking silhouette against the water.

Your guide will point the way along the lakeshore path, and photographs from the cliff edge and from the small beach nearby are what most visitors remember from Ohrid. The best time for light on the church is the afternoon. Comfortable shoes are useful because the paths are stony.

St Naum Monastery and the Bay of Bones

St Naum Monastery stands on a hillside at the southern end of Lake Ohrid, close to the Albanian border. It was founded in the early tenth century by St Naum, a disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and the church contains his tomb. Peacocks walk in the courtyard, and the clear springs of the lake rise nearby.

On the way you stop at the Bay of Bones, a reconstruction of a Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement built on the water, with a small museum on the shore. Both stops are short but memorable, and it is worth asking your guide about the history of the two sites. Church visits inside Ohrid are optional and paid separately in your free time.

Crossing the border and planning the day

The border crossing between Albania and North Macedonia is included in the tour, and the border crossing tax is covered. A valid passport is required for everyone, and you must check the entry requirements for your nationality before you book. If you are refused entry because of missing documents, the tour continues without you.

Pickup in Tirana is between 6:45 and 7:15 and in Durres or Golem between 6:15 and 6:45. The day lasts about eleven hours and returns to Albania via the mountain road past Lin, where the village and lake can be photographed. Lunch is not included, so bring cash in euros or local currency.