Beautiful city that’s like a mini Lake Como in Europe’s ‘least visited’ country

Ohrid, in North Macedonia is an increasingly popular destination and has been rated one of the best places to go in The Balkans.

The city is located at the edge of Lake Ohrid, which is widely known to be the oldest lake in Europe, dating back around three million years. The lake is located between the borders of North Macedonia and Albania. 

It has a one of a kind ecosystem and is home to endemic species (species only located in this lake). 

One of the most well known spots on Ohrid is the Church of St. John at Kaneo which overlooks the lake. The 13th-century church is set on a cliff over the lake and is around a 15-minute walk west of Ohrid’s port area. Ohrid was once home to 365 churches, one for every day of the year.

In the city, you’ll find an atmospheric old quarter featuring beautiful churches. Traditional restaurants and lakeside cafes create a bustle along the cobblestone streets, which in high summer can get very busy. 

The Bay of the Bones museum is a unique place to visit. This open-air museum is built on water and is a reconstruction of a prehistoric dwelling settlement.

For those seeking adventure, you can scuba dive to the underwater archeological site of the original settlement.

For dinner, head to Kaneo, this restaurant offers European cuisine, seafood and Mediterranean dishes and is situated right next to the lake for enjoyable dinner views. One diner said: “We ate here on the first and last nights of our one week Lake Ohrid stay. The staff were professional and the restaurant was great with mouthwatering food and a wonderful ambiance.

“The ‘trout in prison’ is the best pasta dish I have tasted in such a long time! Excellent prices. A beautiful location and a lovely stroll through the old town to get to it.”

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, Hotel & Spa Tino Sveti Stefan is the perfect hotel to explore the area from. One guest said: “The restaurant had several options available and it was nice to try different delicious dishes, including the local trout and wines. The two pools make it fun for children if you have them, and they are nice for swimming. The waiters were very nice and helpful. There are great lakeside views.”