In the morning, Simon and I had a quick breakfast, then went on a day trip to Ohrid Town. Meanwhile, Ana and Tim decided to spend a lazy day by the lake, in Lagadin.
The buses come quite frequently and on time on the shore of Lake Ohrid. You pay the fare with the driver. Therefore it’s all very simple and easy, should you decide to travel this way.
About Ohrid Town
The town of Ohrid is a historic and cultural center located in North Macedonia, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. It’s famous for its beautiful setting, with the lake on one side and the towering Galicica mountain range on the other.
Ohrid is one of the oldest towns in Europe and has a rich history dating back to the 4th century BC. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many important cultural and historical sites, including the medieval fortress of Tsar Samoil and the Church of St. John at Kaneo.
The town is also a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and boating.
Our day trip to Ohrid
In Ohrid, we mostly wandered through the old, narrow, cobble-stoned streets, then took a walk on the docks and visited the Byzantium Church of Saint Sophia.
Here are some images, to get an idea of what you can see in Ohrid Town:
What to see on Ohrid day trip
Byzantium Church of Saint Sophia
The Byzantium Church of Saint Sophia in Ohrid is one of Macedonia’s most important monuments. Built in the 11th century, the Church of St. Sophia is an important example of Byzantine architecture in the region. It enchants visitors with its beautiful frescoes and mosaics, which depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints.
The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the most important cultural and historical landmarks in North Macedonia. Today, the Church of Saint Sophia is a popular tourist attraction and is visited by thousands of people each year.
We found its interior frescoes absolutely stunning. And while the feeling of the passing of time can become quite overwhelming as you try to take everything in, you’ll come back to your senses in the church’s green courtyard.
The medieval fortress of Tsar Samoil
The medieval fortress of Tsar Samoil is a castle built in the 10th century.
Once the seat of the medieval kingdom of Tsar Samoil, the fortress is a stunning example of medieval architecture and offers beautiful views of the town and the surrounding area. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the most important cultural and historical landmarks in North Macedonia, so you should also add it to your Ohrid day trip itinerary.
The Church of St. John at Kaneo
The Church of St. John at Kaneo is a Byzantine-style church, built in the 11th century. A is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s an important example of Byzantine architecture in the region.
This church is located on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid and offers beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Inside, it has several frescoes and mosaics with various Bible scenes.
More things to see and do in Ohrid town
Ohrid town is also home to many museums, galleries, and cultural centers, where you can learn about the history and culture of the region. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to discover everything during our day trip to Ohrid Town.
Instead, we finished our Ohrid day trip with some shopping: Simon needed swimming trunks. While he was checking stuff out, I acquired some water goggles and chatted with the shop assistant. She said that we were very lucky to stay in Lagadin, as it is one of the nicest and most peaceful places by Lake Ohrid, and that it’s not your go-to tourist location.
The town is known for its traditional food and crafts, so be sure to try some of the local specialties and pick up some souvenirs during your day trip to Ohrid.
Swimming and snorkeling in Lagadin
When we returned to Lagadin, we spent the rest of the day on the beach, went swimming in the lake, and did a bit of snorkeling, as it’s quite populated with fish.
Mirela Letailleur is a Romanian travel blogger living in the South of France. She writes on The Travel Bunny travel blog about affordable travel in Europe, creator of unique free travel guides, local travel expert. Problem solver. Wannabe coffee guru.
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