Lake Ohrid is one of Macedonia’s true natural gems. The lake was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 – the lake itself is visually stunning but then you add a historical town such as the old city of Ohrid perched on hills and cliffs overlooking the lake, along with its picturesque architecture and you have a recipe for a truly beautiful spot.
Small rocky beaches dot the edges of the cliffs – the old city of Ohrid boasts of a number of historical churches none more perfectly placed than St. John on top of a cliff overlooking most of the lake. Small secluded cafes and bars line part of the old cities’ shoreline – accessible only by walking or boating in.
There is much history in the town of Ohrid – it is where the Cyrillic alphabet was invented – used in Russia, a number of Eastern European countries and even in countries further to the east. This was also home to Europe’s first university.
The town of Struga is only 15km from the town of Ohrid – good for an afternoon visit. While not nearly as picturesque as Ohrid- it has its own charm and relaxed atmosphere. In the summer, watch children jump in to the fast flowing River Drim which goes right through town or enjoy a cafe where the river leaves the lake. Or hire a boatman to take you to the fishing village of Kalista to see the ancient St. Atanasius Cave Church.
But with Ohrid, as always – the lake is the main attraction and one never gets tired of soaking up these incredible views – especially on warm clear summer days.
For more information visit: www.ohrid.org.mk/eng
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