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No chain restaurant eyesores, no glitzy name-brand resorts, and certainly no curated nonsense taking away from its red-tiled townscape’s authentic charm and immaculate scenery.
It’s rare to find a true hidden gem anymore, but that’s what I found in 2023 as I galavanted around Europe with no clear plans.
Hearing the hype of Albania through social media, the neighboring country of North Macedonia, was a throw-in after I ate my way through Tirana.
Seeing a bus ride to Ohrid was only a couple of hours and cost a little more than my daily coffee budget, I decided to venture off to a town I’d never heard of — Ohrid.
It’s one of the best travel decisions I’ve ever made, and not one of the typical “I could live here” spur of the moment impulses we all have.
No. I could really live here. And so could other travel experts, who recently claimed Ohrid as one of Europe’s top spring getaways.
It is stunningly beautiful, very affordable, and crowd-free, minus a select few expats from neighboring countries.
Having yet to reach mainstream status, this serene lake town is still a secret to most. If you’re looking for an unexpected paradise, you’ve found it in one of Europe’s least visited countries, but that’s all part of the appeal.
No Crowds & Pure Serenity In The Balkan’s Prettiest Lake Town
I’ve never been to Lake Como, but I’d bet a spicy meatball 🤌 Ohrid is prettier. There’s no way there’s any body of water more mesmerizing in the Balkans; that’s for sure.
When I arrived, the first thing I did was put my backpack up and walk through town, and I couldn’t believe how open the timeless cobbled streets and maze of alleyways were.
Having just left Albania, I thought to myself, “people pick that over this?!”.
This way under-hyped city stands as a time capsule, including interactions with locals, where baristas might need to finish their smoke break before taking your order (#priorities) and the cab driver (no Uber here) might have a few paragraphs left in the newspaper before starting the meter.
Somehow, even as a spoiled American, neither of these instances bothered me. It was actually kind of refreshing in a way; a small reminder to enjoy the little things.
Old Town is the highlight of town as far as the urban attractions go and there’s no better place to watch the sunset than sitting lakeside on the pier, or a sidewalk cafe near the water. as the whole town of red-tiled buildings illuminates an orange glow across the vast hills you won’t mind traversing when you see what’s in store.
365 Churches: One For Each Day Of The Year
If I have one piece of advice visiting Ohrid, it’s to pack comfortable walking shoes.
Perusing Old Town is no issue, but once you turn the corners and venture uphill, your midday stroll certainly turns into a full-on hike.
Samuel’s Fortress is undoubtedly worth the trek, especially if you reward yourself at the cozy cafe outside the entrance.
The views are incredible from here and so is the craftsmanship of the fortress itself, still holding strong from its inception in the 11th Century.
History runs deep in this town and you can’t miss it. There were once 365 churches and the ones that remain today are mostly well-preserved, some are set cliffside making more amazing photo-ops.
On the flip side of the same coin, there are also grand mosques.
Lake Ohrid: Maldives-Like Water Conditions
Lake Ohrid is one of the most beautiful bodies of water I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I live in San Diego!
The waters are crystal clear up close, but the shade of blue it takes on from afar is so unique and inviting, Crayola should name a color after it.
Its only knock is there’s a bit of controversy on if it’s same to swim. When I was there in 2023, there were a few swimmers, and the internet’s general consensus seems to agree it’s safe, but just know it is one of Europe’s deepest lakes.
Another great way to enjoy the lake is by booking a boat tour, such as top-rated Lake Ohrid Cruises, starting out at $26.
Whatever you do, don’t skip the secret boardwalk to bypass some hills. You’ll thank me later!
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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