When you think of travelling to North Macedonia, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the deep blue waters of Lake Ohrid. But Ohrid itself has far more to offer than you might expect – from its UNESCO-listed Old Town and cliffside churches to its proximity to Sveti Naum Monastery and Mavrovo National Park. There is surprisingly much to see and do in just two days. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make the most of 48 hours in Ohrid – including a day trip to the monastery and into the mountains:

• Day 1 – Old Town, Churches & Sveti Naum Monastery
• Day 2 – Mavrovo National Park
• Ohrid Travel Tips – Accommodation, Tours & Getting Around
• All Highlights at a Glance – Google My Map

Day 1 – Old Town, Churches & Sveti Naum Monastery

9:00 AM – Start at the Promenade and Visit St. Sophia Church

Start your day along the Ohrid waterfront. From here, make your way to St. Sophia Church (Sveta Sofija) – one of the city’s most important churches and one of the oldest surviving buildings on the shores of Lake Ohrid.

10:00 AM – Walk Past Potpesh Beach to St. John at Kaneo

Continue along the waterfront past Potpesh Beach towards the Church of St. John at Kaneo – probably the most photographed landmark in Ohrid. Dramatically perched on a cliff above the lake, the church offers one of the most iconic views in the city. From here, you’ll already get a great first impression of Ohrid and its spectacular setting.

11:00 AM – Optional: Plaošnik & Samuel’s Fortress

If you still have some time and energy, continue from Kaneo to Plaošnik, an archaeological site home to the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon. From there, make your way uphill to Samuel’s Fortress, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across Ohrid and Lake Ohrid.

12:30 PM – Head Back Through the Old Town

On your way back, wander through the charming streets of Ohrid’s Old Town. Pass through the city square and along Old Bazaar Street, where small shops and cafés make for a pleasant break from sightseeing.

1:00 PM – Quick Lunch to Go

2:00 PM – Drive to Sveti Naum Monastery

In the afternoon, pick up your rental car and drive south to Sveti Naum Monastery. Spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening exploring the monastery grounds, admiring the turquoise spring and enjoying a short boat ride. For all the details on how to get there, what to see and our best insider tips, check out our detailed Sveti Naum guide.

7:30 PM – Dinner in Ohrid

Day 2 – Mavrovo National Park

8:30 AM – Drive to Mavrovo National Park

Day two takes you into the mountains. Pick up your rental car and head towards Mavrovo National Park. After around two hours of driving, you’ll reach the first highlights of the day.

10:30 AM – Lake Mavrovo & St. Nicholas Leten Church

Located directly on the shores of Lake Mavrovo is the new Church of St. Nicholas, as well as the old Church of St. Nicholas Leten (Св. Никола Летен). When the water level is high, the small church appears to stand in the middle of the lake, surrounded by grazing horses – one of the most unusual and photogenic sights of the entire trip.

12:00 PM – Radika River & Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery

Continue along the scenic Radika River towards Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery. Take some time to walk through the monastery grounds, explore the complex and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere behind its ancient walls.

1:30 PM – Rostuša & Hike to Duf Waterfall

Make a short detour to the nearby village of Rostuša. Park at the starting point for the Duf Waterfall hike and follow the trail into the surrounding landscape. Allow around 1.5 hours for the hike and your time at the waterfall.

3:30 PM – Optional: Galičnik Village

If you still have enough time and energy, continue to the mountain village of Galičnik, famous for its distinctive traditional architecture and centuries-old customs.

5:00 PM – Drive Back to Ohrid

In the late afternoon, start your drive back to Ohrid, following the route past the Black Drin River.

7:30 PM – Dinner at Fisherman’s House Kaneo

9:00 PM – Ice Cream at Nocciolino

Before calling it a night, grab an ice cream at Nocciolino, located right by the city square.

Ohrid Travel Tips – Accommodation, Tours & Getting Around

To make your 48 hours in Ohrid as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here are the most important practical tips for accommodation, tours, transportation and local infrastructure:

Accommodation: Villa Elena

For your stay in Ohrid, Villa Elena is a convenient choice right in the city centre. Most of the highlights in this itinerary are within walking distance. At the same time, free parking is available directly at the property – particularly useful if, like us, you are exploring North Macedonia by rental car.

Guided Tours – Are They Worth It?

Besides exploring Ohrid independently, there are several guided experiences that can easily be incorporated into your itinerary:

• City of Ohrid Sightseeing Tour: A local guide takes you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, passing the monument to St. Clement, the 13th-century St. Sophia Church and the ancient amphitheatre before continuing to the Church of St. John at Kaneo.
  • Daily at 9:30 am, lasting 2–3 hours
  • Meeting point: St. Clement of Ohrid City Square
  • At the end of the tour, there is an option to return by boat
• Ohrid Cooking Class: Learn how to prepare traditional burek and komat in a cosy village house, followed by a homemade main course of stuffed peppers and a glass of Macedonian wine. It’s a lovely way to slow down and learn more about the local cuisine.
  • Monday to Saturday, 12:30–7:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am–7:00 pm, lasting approx. 3.5 hours

Getting Around & Practical Infrastructure in Ohrid

• Airport: Ohrid Airport (OHD) is located just outside the city centre. Several rental car companies operate directly at the airport, and you can easily compare and book rental cars through Check24. We paid €78 for two days.
• Fuel: Petrol stations in North Macedonia are generally open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, while stations along major transit routes are often open 24/7. Credit cards are only accepted at some stations, so it is worth carrying some cash in denars or euros. Motorways also charge tolls based on the distance travelled. The costs are split between several toll stations and can be paid either in cash or by card. If you want to avoid tolls, the easiest option is to plan your route using Google Maps.
• Supermarkets: The Kipper supermarket chain can be found throughout the country and is useful for picking up fruit, vegetables and snacks for the road. One local product worth trying is kiselo mleko, a traditional Macedonian yoghurt with a creamy, slightly tangy flavour – delicious on its own or as a base for dips. Boza, a sweet, lightly fermented cereal drink, is another local speciality worth sampling.
• Bakeries: Small bakeries are called pekara and almost always have fresh byrek available – definitely give it a try.
• Arriving or continuing by FlixBus & other long-distance buses: The bus terminal for FlixBus and other long-distance services is located at Delfina Turs (Avtobuska Ohrid / Bus Station).

All Highlights at a Glance – Google My Map

To make planning your trip easier, we’ve collected all the places mentioned in this guide in our personal Google My Map. It’s perfect for navigating directly from your phone – from churches and restaurants to your accommodation and practical stops along the way:

Our conclusion: Between cliffside churches, charming Old Town streets and a day trip to Sveti Naum Monastery, Ohrid is surprisingly easy to explore in just 48 hours. Even with only two days, you can experience the city’s most iconic sights, escape into the mountains and discover some of the most beautiful landscapes around Lake Ohrid.

Have you visited Sveti Naum Monastery, or are you currently planning your trip to North Macedonia?
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