Lake Ohrid, Macedonia - Martina Repíková

Lake Ohrid lies on the border between Albania and Macedonia. It is one the oldest and deepest lakes and it has been declared the World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. The lake spreads over 350 km2, it is surrounded by mountains with peaks reaching 2000 meters above the sea level and it is 288 meters deep. Its waters are extremely clear with a sea-blue colour offering beautiful reflections of the sun.

The location is a good spot for a day trip or as a base for a week-long holiday with day trip around the region. Parts of the shores are remodeled to beaches and with allocated seats, umbrellas, bars, restaurants and water sport service shops look similar to “normal” seaside resorts. For the more active active, you can rent a water equipment or even try diving in the lake. There is also a nearby Galicica national park which offers a variety of hiking routes.

Worth a visit is also a historical city of the same name, Ohrid, on the north eastern shore of the lake. It offers nice relaxing atmosphere with small cobbled streets, a harbour, cafes with outside terraces and several historical sites like and amphitheater, Samuel’s fortress and others. The view of the lake from the Samuel’s fortress is magnifique.

Going south from Ohrid city towards Albania, a Monastery of St Naum is worth a stop. (You can read more about it here.)

On the Albanian side, the city of Pogradec offers different picturesque views of the lake.