Macedonia and the Prespa Ohrid Region

Macedonia is a small land locked country in the hear of the Balkans. It borders, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece, so any trip to south eastern Europe should take you through Macedonia. And if you are visiting Macedonia, Ohrid is the must see destination. Ohrid city, is located in the Prespa Ohrid region border both Greece and Albania and is very easy to get around.

Money. While in Macedonia, you will be spending the Macedonian Denar (MKD).  There are many change office in Ohrid.

Phone. The country extension for Macedonia is +389. In Macedonia, mobile phone numbers start with 07-something, and fixed lines have a different extension based on your location. In and around Ohrid, it will be 046 or 047.

If you go to a restaurant you are likely to find fish, grilled meat, and various salads. There is a surprising variety of those items. If you are a vegitarian, tavche gravche is a bean dish that is usually meatless. Ajvar (red pepper spread) and sirenje (soft white cheese) are some Macedonians specialities you shouldn’t miss. Like every- one where else in the Balkans, you can get burek (meat of cheese filled flaky pasty) for a cheap and quick meal, and in the summer there are outside grilled meat stands where you can grab something quick. 

It’s hard to argue that Ohrid isn’t the must see destination for visitors to Macedonia. Ohrid is the biggest tourist town in Macedonia, and it shows. From the moment you arrive, you’ll know you are somewhere different. And once you make your way to the lake, you’ll realize what all of the hype is about. Ohrid is the biggest city in the Prespa-Ohrid region (which is named for the lakes, not the city) and is usually the first, if not only, place visitors to the region go. In itself, Ohrid is an unforgettable experience. From its amazing architecture, countless churches, and all night parties, a trip to Macedonia isn’t complete without a visit to Ohrid.

Ohrid is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid. East of Ohrid is Galichica National Park and Lake Prespa. South of Ohrid are beaches, villages, and eventually the Albanian border. The monastery Sveti Naum is situated right before the border and is one of the regions most popular tourist attractions. What to do For a small city, there is a lot to see and do in Ohrid.

An easy walking tour of the city takes you around most of the sights in 3 to 4 hours. Start in the center, walk into the old town, follow the cliffs to the fishing village Kaneo, up the hill to King Samuel’s fortress, and down through the old town to the antique theater. Ohrid is often called the Macedonian Jerusalem because at one point the city was home to 365 churches. While the number is now somewhat less, if you are interested in Orthodox architecture and want to see some beautifully preserved frescos, you’ll be in for a treat. The highlights are Sveti Sofia, Sveti Jovan Kaneo and Sveti Bogorodica Perivlepta.

The old bazaar, or stara charsija, is an interesting look back into Ohrid’s Turkish past. A number of the remaining mosques in Ohrid are here as well as a famous 100-year-old tree. This is also where the green market is located, so if you want to pick up something to eat or some cheap souvenirs, check this area out. The walking street that runs through Ohrid is called the charsija (as opposed to the stara charsija). When people in Ohrid go out for coffee, shopping or just for a stroll, they usually say they are going na charsija. One great way to spend an afternoon: browse the shops, drink a coffee, eat some ice cream and people watch in the charsija. If you are in Ohrid in July or August, you might be able to get tickets to the Ohrid Summer Festival, an annual music and drama festival. Most performances are held in Ohrid’s antique Roman theater, so the festival can be historical experience.

By the lake, there are lots of boat drivers, and who will solicit boat trips in a kajche (small boat). This is a good opportunity to see the town from the lake, and some good photo opportunities are guaranteed. For a longer trip, larger boats leave for the Monastery Sveti Naum at 11:00 and return later in the afternoon. Also, some of the boat companies offer night cruises. To experience Ohrid’s nightlife, there are lots of options. Young stylish Macedonians crowd the café bars Kadmo, Liquid and Jazz Inn, all located along the lake in the old town. A more mature crowd can be found in the Duck café or Irish pub, both located along the lake.

You can get more information about several destinations inside North Macedonia Here ¡