Vacation Packages to Ohrid

Ohrid Information

Ohrid is a town in southwestern North Macedonia, located on the shore of Lake Ohrid. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its cultural and historical importance.

The city of Ohrid has a rich history, dating back to Roman and Byzantine times. The city has been an important religious and cultural center and boasts numerous historical and religious sites.

In addition to its cultural heritage, Ohrid is also known for its beautiful beaches and Lake Ohrid, which is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. The lake is a popular tourist destination and offers a wide range of water activities.

The city of Ohrid has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants and is one of the main tourist destinations in North Macedonia. 

History of Ohrid

Ohrid's history dates to Roman times, although it is believed that the region was inhabited by Illyrian tribes long before the arrival of the Romans. During Roman times, Ohrid was known as Lychnidos and was an important commercial and cultural center.

In the Middle Ages, Ohrid became an important religious and cultural center of the Byzantine Empire. During this period, the city experienced a great cultural boom, with the construction of numerous churches and monasteries. The city became the seat of the Orthodox archbishopric of Ohrid, which gave it great religious prestige.

In the 10th century, the Bulgarian King Simeon the Great conquered Ohrid and made it the capital of his empire. During Bulgarian rule, the city experienced a great architectural and cultural boom, with the construction of numerous churches and monasteries.

In the 14th century, Ohrid was conquered by the Serbs, who made it the capital of their kingdom. During this period, the city became an important religious and cultural center of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

In the 15th century, Ohrid was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, which turned it into an important commercial and military city. During this period, the city experienced a great architectural and cultural boom, with the construction of numerous mosques, Turkish baths, and other buildings.

In 1912, Ohrid was conquered by the Kingdom of Serbia and became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia after the First World War. 

After World War II, Ohrid became part of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, which was part of Yugoslavia until its dissolution in 1991. Since then, Ohrid has been part of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Ohrid Tourist Attractions

Ohrid is a culturally and historically rich city and has numerous sites of interest for tourists and visitors. Some of the most outstanding places are:

Ohrid Old Town is the historic center of the city and features numerous narrow cobblestone streets, old houses, and historic buildings.

The church of St. Sophia is one of the oldest churches in the city, built in the 11th century in Byzantine style and noted for its frescoes and architecture. While the church of St. John in Kaneo is located on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid.

The monastery of St. Naum is an Orthodox monastery located on the shore of Lake Ohrid, about 30 kilometers from the city, and is famous for its frescoes and natural beauty.

The ancient theater is a Roman theater from the 2nd century BC, located in the center of the city, and is one of the few Roman theaters still in use in Europe. The Ohrid Fortress is located on a hill above the city. It offers breathtaking views of Lake Ohrid and the city.

The Ohrid museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the city and the region.

The city also has numerous beaches along the shore of Lake Ohrid, which are ideal for swimming, windsurfing, and other water activities.

Culture of Ohrid

Festivals in Ohrid

Ohrid is known for its festivals and cultural events, which attract visitors from all over the world. Some of the most important and popular festivals are:

The Summer Festival is one of the largest festivals in the city and is held every year in July and August. It includes a wide variety of events, such as classical and modern music concerts, plays, dances, and open-air cinema.

The Ohridski Trubaduri is a pop music festival held every year in August. It attracts many young people from all over North Macedonia and the Balkans.

St. Clement's Day is a religious and cultural festival held on July 23 in honor of St. Clement of Ohrid, the patron saint of the city. It includes religious processions, music, dances, and traditional food.

The International Folklore Festival is a festival of folk dance and music held every year in September. Folk groups from all over the world participate and offer a unique experience for visitors.

The Film Festival is held every year in September. It includes screenings of films and documentaries from around the world, as well as panel discussions and workshops on the film industry.

What to Eat in Ohrid

Ohrid's gastronomy is rich in flavors and varieties and has a strong influence on Balkan and Mediterranean cuisine. We recommend some of its best dishes:

Lake Ohrid fish is fresh and delicious, especially trout, carp, and perch. They are prepared in various ways, from grilled to stews and soups.

Tavche Gravche is one of Macedonia's most traditional dishes, made from white beans cooked in a clay oven with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices. Ajvar consists of a paste made with roasted peppers, garlic, and olive oil, it is used as an accompaniment to many dishes and as a sauce for bread.

Kebapi is skewers of minced meat (usually pork or lamb) served with flatbread, onions, and peppers. While turlitava is a stew made with a mixture of vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, tomato, bell pepper), minced meat, and spices.

Rakija is a fruit brandy produced in Macedonia and is very popular in the region and is made from a variety of fruits, such as plum, grape, and peach.

The Ohrid region is known for its high-quality wines, especially the white wine made from the Smederevka grape.

How to Get to Ohrid

Some of the options to get to Ohrid:

1. Airplane as the nearest airport to Ohrid is Ohrid International Airport "St. Paul the Apostle", which is located about 10 km north of the city. 
2. Bus, you will find regular bus connections from the main cities of North Macedonia, such as Skopje, Bitola, and Prilep.
3. Car, you can reach Ohrid via the E65 road, which connects the city with Skopje and the Albanian border.
4. Cab, you can also reach Ohrid by cab from other cities in North Macedonia or Albania. Be sure to agree on the price before taking the cab to avoid unpleasant surprises.

What to See and Do in Ohrid

Ohrid is diverse and unique in terms of history and culture and boasts a deep, ancient lake and stunning mountains to see.

Located close to other destinations of interest such as Greece and Montenegro, you'll find these destinations in the various travel packages we offer to Ohrid. 

Are you looking to visit one of the oldest cities in Europe? Are you looking to delight yourself with its delicious traditional dishes? Do you want to be impressed by its beautiful landscapes? Do you want to visit places full of history and culture?

If your answer is "yes", in Greca we offer you tour packages to the city of Ohrid, which you will be able to adapt to your needs and time.

What are you waiting for to find the trip of your dreams? Find the tour package that best suits you!