☑Ohrid city tours through the perspective of Ohrid Tourist Guide

If you choose Ohrid tours and you like to go on tour of Ohrid with Ohrid tourist guide we will show you the most beautiful places and monuments for Ohrid travel that are worth visiting on day tour during your stay in Macedonia. Sightseeing tours in Ohrid with Ohrid tourist guide is the best way to know for the rich history of the town of Ohrid and to feel and see the most beautiful places in Ohrid and Ohrid surroundings. One of the most wanted Macedonia tours is the city of Ohrid and Lake Ohrid.

The ancient city of Ohrid, situated on the shore of lake Ohrid, has for many years been a center and a true pearl of Macedonia's tourism and has gathered more than a thousand tourists. Because of the large number of churches it is called European Jerusalem, the christianity dates back from the time of Saint Paul, St Paul came in Macedonia to spread the chrisitanity and the first women that take christianity was called Lidija. Ohrid and Ohrid Lake are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a monument of culture and nature and its one of the most visited Macedonia sightseeing places.

Ohrid Lake represents one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans, the largest depth of 286 meters is measured between the villages Pestani and Trpejca, about 5 km from the lake shore. The lake is located at an altitude of 695 meters, the maximum water transparency is about 22 meters, that its very appealing for every tourist group that goes on balkan tour and likes scuba diving. Lake Ohrid is located in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. Ohrid lake its divided between 2 countries: Albania Macedonia, Macedonia cost and part its bigger than Albanian part. This lake fills part of the Ohrid-Struga valley which is extended around the mountain chains of Mokra mountain, Jablanica, Karaorman, Ilinska, Plakenska mountain, Petrina and Galichica. Ussualy in summer time there is boat line on Lake Ohrid from Ohrid port to Saint Naum that every tourist need to take, because without it you will not get the full impression of the Ohrid tour, also with Ohrid guide you will know more details for Ohrid Lake and national park Galichica.

☑Short video presentation of Ohrid with Gjoko Kostoski - tourist guide and owner of Kostoski tourist bureau, filmed by German TV "Deutsche Welle". Click twice on the video.👇

1. The old town of Ohrid

We start with all Ohrid tours from the old town of Ohrid which is called Varos by the people from Ohrid, there are many roads, but all roads lead you to the Ohrid pearls which you can not miss and you will hear more information from the Ohrid tour guide how they are produced and which 2 families produce the original Ohrid Pearls, also near you can find the national workshop for handmade paper, where you can see how handmade paper was produced in the middle century. Continuing with the Ohrid tour, walking the streets of the town of Ohrid you can enjoy traditional Ohrid architecture. Ohrid is a city that has many cultural and historical monuments, narrow streets, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and top hotels. Apart from the historical-cultural core, you can enjoy many cultural events and festivals throughout the year or relax with coffee somewhere on Ohrid lake's shore.

The ancient name of Ohrid is “Lychnidos”, that in translation means the city of light, by the telling of Ohrid guides and Macedonian history, the town of Ohrid is one of the few cities in the Balkans whose continuity and traces of existence have been followed for two and a half millennia, but there are also foundings of ancient prehistoric habitats where people live on the lake shore 7000 years ago. Near ohrid you can find the Museum on water “Bay of Bones” which is Reconstruction of the prehistoric settlement that existed 1200 BC, almost every Ohrid tourist guide will recommend you to visit the museum "Bay of Bones" on your Ohrid tours. At 6 century there was strong earthquake that destroyed the city and with the arrival of the Slavs at 6-7 century the city change its name from Lychnidos to Ohrid and keep this name till now.

2. Church of Saint Sophia

If you go through the center of the city, you will first reach the Church of Saint Sophia, one of the oldest church in the city, St Sophia has beautiful frescoes and is characterized by its special acoustics for which it is a favorite place for concerts of classical music in Ohrid. Church of saint Sophia was cathedral church of the Ohrid Archbishopric, your Ohrid guide will tell you more for its history, there are 3 assumptions when the church was built, the first assumption its that was built in 9 century, the second assumption its that was built in 10 century in the time of king Samuel’s and the third assumption its that was built in 11 century, we can say that at least its from 11 century because of the found old frescoes that date from that time. You should continue with the Ohrid sightseeing inside the church St Sophia, because it’s the biggest and oldest church in Ohrid and on your tours in Ohrid, the Ohrid guide will show you the beautiful frescoes.

3. Ancient Theatre of Ohrid

Together with your Ohrid tourist guide If you go a little further on the tours in Ohrid, you will reach the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid which was built more than 2000 years ago. Take a little rest from the Ohrid sightseeing tour, sit on its walls and enjoy the acoustics it provides. The Ancient Theatre is located at the foot of the eastern slope of the higher Ohrid, near the theater it’s the Upper Gate which is one of the entrances of the fortification of the city and near the theatre it’s the Samuel's Fortress. Almost all groups that go on Ohrid tours visit the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid.

4. Samuel's fortress

A minute walk further on your Ohrid travel adventure, the street will bring you to the impressive Tsar Samuels Fortress that gives you an unforgettable view of the whole city and the beautiful lake. The Ohrid fortress dates back to the 4th century BC, it was erected by Philip II of Macedonia, and carries its name by tsar Samuel who ruled the Samuel's kingdom from Ohrid.

When you will go inside tsar Samuels Fortress on your Ohrid tour, you just hear the history for this incredible fortress by your Macedonia guide. The kingdom of Samuel was formed by tsar Samuel and his three brothers David, Moses and Aron in 969, initially the capital of the kingdom was in Prespa, and after Prespa the capital was the city of Ohrid. Two of his brothers, David and Moses, were killed in battle, while Aron was killed by order of Tsar Samuel. Tsar Samuel possessed extraordinary military and state abilities, in a short time he managed to liberate all of Macedonia (except Solun) and began to conquer territories outside the borders of Macedonia. The Ohrid guide will also tell you that after losing the battle with Basil II at Mountain Belasica, Tsar Samuel managed to escape, but his army was captured, about 14000 soldiers were blinded, and on every 100-th soldier one eye was left to lead the soldiers to Tsar Samuel, when Tsar Samuel saw the sight, he died in 1014, probably of a heart attack. Samuel's kingdom existed until 1018, when Macedonia came under Byzantine rule.

5. Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon

We continue with the Ohrid city tour, when you go downhill from the Ohrid fortress you will reach the church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon. The church was built around 9th century, it is interesting to note that on this place was the first Ohrid Literary School of the famous Saint Clement of Ohrid and that church was his last resting place. The Ohrid Literary School was of great importance for the spread of Slavic literacy, as well as for the preparation of priests in the service of the Slavic language. St Clement, as a teacher, was able to teach, how to write and read, about 3500 students in the Slavic language, in addition he translated church books and wrote many literary works in the Slavic language. The Ohrid School became the center of Slavic writing and culture, opening Slavic schools in other cities and building churches and monasteries. You will also hear about the most important fact from your Ohrid tourist guide, St. Clement in honor of his teacher St Cyril invented the Cyrillic alphabet, which is still used today in Macedonia and other countries. When St Clement became bishop, his teaching position was taken by St Naum, who continued his missionary and enlightening activities.

6. Church of Saint John Theologian - Kaneo

From Saint Clement's Church we continue with Ohrid Sightseeing tour to the church of Saint John theologian -Kaneo, which is located on breath taking place. That small church of st john at kaneo (macedonian - st jovan kaneo) is on small hill from which you can enjoy the view of the Ohrid Lake and make a photo for memories. By climbing down the stairs you will return to the shores of Lake Ohrid and into the city center, continuing on your Ohrid sightseeing tour you will find the monument of Saint Clement on the square who greets you.

7. Biljana's Springs

From the main square of Ohrid, 15-20 minutes walking beside the shores of Lake Ohrid we continue with the tour of Ohrid to the famous Biljana's Springs, which are the most famous springs in Macedonia, your Ohrid guide will tell you for the legend of Biljana and her springs, there is also song for this springs that is called "Biljana platno beleshe" which its very famous in Macedonia and balkans. Near Biljanas springs are the biggest pumps of the town of Ohrid for Ohrid citizens who drink the tap water.

8. Monastery of Saint Naum

Also every group that goes on Ohrid Sightseeing, continues to go to the monastery of Saint Naum, which you can find on every Ohrid travel program, that means that you will go on full day tour, because half day tour is enough only for Ohrid. The monastery of Saint Naum it's approximately 29 kilometers from Ohrid, that you can visit taking a Ship on Lake Ohrid or take a bus from bus station and almost every tourist that visited Macedonia, visits this monastery near Ohrid. The church was built by Saint Naum at the begining of 10th century, approximetly 900 or 905 year. There you can find the Saint Naum Springs, which are very beautiful with pure water that fills Lake Ohrid and very beautiful nature of Galichica National Park and few restorants where you can taste macedonian cuisine. If you go with tourist guide on Ohrid sightseeing tour also you will hear the legend for the building of Naum monastery and St Clement Church, that is interesting.

For Ohrid Sightseeing tour, you should not miss:

☑Struga and Vevchani Tours

Struga is a town along the Ohrid Lake in the southwest of the Republic of Macedonia, which is increasingly developing in a tourist direction, despite if you are going in tourist group or on Macedonia private tours, usually we start the tour from Ohrid, because Struga its very close to Ohrid and its nice place for Macedonia travel adventure. The city it lies on the plane of Struga field, and through it flows the river Crni Drim. Struga is the birthplace of Macedonian poets Konstantin and Dimitrija Miladinov. The ancient name of Struga is “Enhalon” that in transaltion means eel, with the coming of the slavs at 6-7 century the city change it name to todays name Struga. If you visit the town on half day tour with tourist guide you will hear more information for the church St. George, that its church from 13 century and you can find this church in the center of Struga

>Also on your day trip, few kilometers from the town on the shore of the lake, there is a monastery of the Holy Mother of God, dating from the 14th century, with particularly beautiful frescoes dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, located inside the monastery church (partially built in the rock). In the monastery there is new church that is dedicated to St Virgin Mary and also inside this church you can find the icon of Black Virgin Mary.

Struga poetry evenings - are one of the oldest and most important poetry events in Southeast Europe, held since 1962 in Struga. Since 1966, the festival has evolved into an international poet's world-wide encounter, where the winner of the encounter, a poet who deserves it with his total opus by the opinion of the jury is awarded with Golden Wreath of Poetry, which became a highly appreciated prize.

Vevchani is traditional Macedonian village located near Struga that you need to visit on your day tour, together with group or maybe on private tours. Vevchani is most know by its carnival that its held every year, its good destination for day trip with tourist guide despite the rest of the Macedonian tours. We can start the tour from Ohrid or Struga or meet in the village and start with walking tours. The Carnival of Vevchani is carnival that existed for over 1 400 years. It is held every year on 13-th January and there are different masks that people wear, but the most common are masks of musicians, grooms, brides and August the Stupid. On 14 january every year this carnival ends with the burning of the masks, the people of vevchani plan 365 days before the carnival which mask they will wear. Vevcani carnival its member of the world federation of carnival cities. Vevchani springs are springs that flow through the village of Vevcani, the approximate sea level altitude is 900 meters, and you can find this springs on the eastern slope of Jablanica mountain. They are one of the most beautiful springs on mountain Jablanica that you need to visit with tourist guide, the water flow of vevchani springs is approximetly 1500 litres per second in Spring, in other periods like summer its little smaller.

For Struga and Vevchani Sightseeing tour, you should not miss: