Lake Ohrid in a Day: Group Tour to the UNESCO City from Skopje
Description
This group full-day trip to the pearl on Macedonian crown, Ohrid, is a must do once you are in Macedonia! In only just about two and a half hours drive from Skopje, grab the chance to visit the town and lake of Ohrid, both preserved by UNESCO as places of environmental, historical and cultural significance. Get to see the many churches and archeological sites, witness some of the most beautiful and well preserved Byzantine frescoes and icons, relax and have some tasty bites in one of the charming local restaurants and cafes by the crystal clear waters of Ohrid lake!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the enchanting city of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its stunning lakeside views, ancient churches, and rich cultural history, Ohrid is a perfect blend of natural beauty and historical charm.
Experience the serene beauty of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. Surrounded by lush landscapes and dotted with ancient monasteries, it’s a tranquil escape steeped in history and natural wonder.
Visit the stunning St. Sofija Church in Ohrid, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Known for its impressive frescoes and rich history, it stands as a testament to the region's cultural and religious heritage.
Discover the Robevci House in Ohrid, a beautifully preserved 19th-century mansion. A prime example of Ottoman-era architecture, it offers a glimpse into the region’s history and the lifestyle of its former elite.
Visit the Church of St. Bogorodica Perivleptos in Ohrid, renowned for its stunning frescoes and Byzantine architecture. A key historical and spiritual site, it offers a glimpse into the artistic and religious heritage of the region.
Explore the Gallery of Icons in Ohrid, home to a remarkable collection of Byzantine and medieval Orthodox icons. This museum showcases the rich spiritual and artistic heritage of the region, offering a deep dive into its religious history
Discover Samoil’s Fortress in Ohrid, an ancient stronghold offering panoramic views of the city and Lake Ohrid. Steeped in history, it was once the seat of the medieval kingdom of Samoil, a key landmark of the region.
Visit the Church of Saints Clement & Panteleimon in Ohrid, a historic site known for its beautiful frescoes and significance in the development of Christianity in the Balkans. Set on a hill with stunning views, it’s a peaceful and spiritual destination
Visit the Church of Saint John the Theologian in Ohrid, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid. Known for its picturesque setting and historical significance, it’s one of the most iconic churches in the region.
Discover the Chinar Tree in Ohrid, a centuries-old natural monument located in the city center. Its massive trunk and wide canopy provide a peaceful spot to relax, offering a unique connection to the region’s cultural and historical heritage.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(21)
We had Smile as our guide and he was fantastic! He was early and patient enough to wait for everyone to arrive at the meet up point. He’s knowledgeable, a safe driver and an excellent tour guide! He also shared with me and another solo traveller that I met on the trip that he’s an artist. He explained the church frescos beautifully to someone who isn’t very familiar with them. He also gave us enough time to shop for pearl souvenirs as Ohrid is very well known for them and he recommended an authentic and reasonably priced local shop. The restaurant he recommended to us had 10/10 views, authentic food and excellent service. Overall, I highly recommend this tour and give high praises to Smile.
I don’t write a lot of reviews but there are those trips that stand from the others. With only two days in Skopje, I chose to do the Lake Ohrid and Matka Canyon morning tour with Skopje Daily Tours. It turned out to be such an amazing experience! As someone with lung issues, I pick my tours very carefully but especially here because Lake Ohrid is very hilly. I chose this tour because it starts at the top and is a gentle pace with several stops down to the lakeshore (which was appreciated for those on the tour with difficulty downhill). The first few minutes of the tour is a challenge as there is a bit of a climb to the fortress. Even though I was behind the others, everyone was inside exploring the fortress on their own. Giving me time to catch my breath on a bench waiting for others to visit the fortress. Allowing everyone to do their own thing. The churches are the highlight's. It feels like we are visiting modern and ancient versions of the same church! The blue colours on both church frescos are stunning. Equally stunning is the blue of Lake Ohrid. You would swear it’s the Mediterranean. Leisurely walking down to the beautiful lakeshore stopping at key sites in this area’s incredible history and being with such a genuinely nice group of fellow travellers was just what the doctor ordered. Through it all, Slavko made sure we were well looked after as he effortlessly moved us as a group. A truly special guide. Slavko did everything possible to make this trip so special and brought such great energy to the group. It was like you were instant friends! We then went on a boat trip to the city of Ohrid. We were all blown away by how fresh, clean and clear the lake was. Once in the city, we had more than enough time for lunch and time to enjoy the city. Word of advice: compare restaurants as the lakeshore ones are overpriced and not good. The Matka Canyon Tour was also amazing. Olivia had equally positive energy: another instant friend! For us with mobility issues, this tour has a bit more ups and downs but nothing too steep. Since everyone is surrounded by nature, everyone wants to take it slow and no one minds stops along the way to pause for pictures of the beautiful river flowing beside us. The blue colour of the river is just as beautiful as at Ohrid but now with the added green of the forest, turning it almost into an emerald colour This tour has more walking than Lake Ohrid. There is a bit of a climb up some steps but with Olivia’s advice on where to pause to enjoy a view, it was effortless and I had plenty of time to explore the cave. If you have the time, both tours feel like two incredible days in nature with a night stay in Skopje. Such a great way to distress and breathe in all that matters. Cheers Slavko, Olivia and Skopje Daily Tours!
This was such a great trip with an amazing tour guide (Goldie) full of knowledge, passion and experience. It was a long day with a lot of driving to endure but it was worth the distance as Lake Ohrid is stunning. I was lucky to have a sunny day but generally worth while. 5 🌟
Vlad was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable and was well informed on Ohrid. He answered all our questions and gave us time to explore the area at the end of the walking tour. Would recommend if you are short of time and want to explore the lake.
We had a day trip to Ohrid lake and got to see the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis as a bonus (we paid extra to see it), lastly we were in downtown Bitola, it was absolutely amazing. Our guide Tony told us everything about the local history of Macedonia, which made the otherwise long trip to Ohrid/Bitola seem very short. All around a perfect day.
The tour with Elena and two other guides was not as organized as other tours with a large group and only one guide - We were with 3 vehicles, 3 guides and max. 8 TN per guide on the way. This allowed all wishes and needs to be met. It was adapted individually and spontaneously. All questions were addressed. The tour should be seen more as a teaser for the region, as much more would be possible here and with one day simply lacks time.
Ohrid is well worth a visit. Though the drive is long - 3&1/4 hrs with a 20min comfort stop - the beautyof the area & Lake is worth it. Our guide - Goldie - was very knowledgeable & helpful and made the day an enjoyable experience, with many recommendations and friendly chat.
Our guide Elena was so passionate and positive during our entire trip. She has a great sense of humour and deep knowledge about Ohrid. All of us were so grateful that we spent a wonderful long day in the beautiful country.
We spent an absolutely exceptional day at Lake Ohrid. Everything was there to live a memorable experience: the incredible beauty of the site, the serenity of the lake, the villages full of history... but above all the quality of our guide. Zlatko was outstanding from start to finish. Attentive, passionate, always available to answer our questions, he knew how to make every step lively and rewarding. His explanations were clear, interesting, and always adapted to our pace. We particularly appreciated our exchanges with him: warm, authentic, and deeply human. The service was impeccable, the organization fluid, and we felt kindly accompanied throughout the day. In short: everything was perfect. We also thank Filip of the agency "SKOPJE Daily Tours" for his wise advice. We recommend this visit without any hesitation. Thanks again to Zlatko for this wonderful discovery.
The trip to Ohrid was beyond spectacular — truly the highlight of my entire stay in Macedonia! The views were absolutely beautiful, and the people were amazing. Our guide, Vladimir, was exceptionally good — so kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He made the whole experience so special and memorable. I highly recommend this tour and hope to come again in the future, hopefully bringing more people with me!
