Top 15 Things to Do in Ohrid for First-Time Visitors, Ohrid, North Macedonia

So—you’re thinking about Ohrid? Yes, go. Just go. You arrive expecting a small lakeside town—and you leave wondering why you didn’t stay longer. There’s history layered into every stone, views that make you pause mid-step, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that makes your brain actually go quiet for once.

Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, stretching about 30 kilometers long and it’s shared between Macedonia and Albania. 

If you’re planning your first trip, here are the 15 things I think you really shouldn’t miss, plus a 3-day itinerary that combines history, nature, food, and just enough downtime for lakeside lounging and lazy coffee breaks.

Drop your bags and go straight to the Old Town. You’ll pass pearl shops (yes, Ohrid pearls are a thing), small churches, and wooden balconies that look like they’ve been quietly observing the world for a few centuries.

Tip: Grab a coffee at one of the cafes near the lake and just sit. Watch. Listen. It’s the perfect intro to Ohrid’s slow magic. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).