Ohrid And St Naum Day Trip

A 11-hour tour, rated 4.8 across 2,078 traveller reviews.

Overview

This day trip packs a second country into a single outing. Albania Inbound runs it from Tirana or Durrës, with pickups between 06:35 and 07:10, a start around 07:10 to 07:30, and a return to the same cities by early evening. Eleven hours door to door, with an English or Italian speaking tour leader and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The border crossing tax is already covered in the price.

The first half of the day belongs to Ohrid. A Macedonian local guide walks the Old Town, a city known for its churches layered with Roman and Ottoman influence, before free time by the lake and the old bazaar for a swim or lunch at a tavern. The drive then continues along the lake with a short stop at the Bay of Bones to learn about the history of the site, before reaching Saint Naum Monastery, a Byzantine complex that has stood for well over a thousand years. Peacocks wander the grounds and the monastery offers a picturesque view over the lake.

The route home re-enters Albania along the lake, passing Lin Village near Mount Qafe Thana for a short photo stop. Reviewers repeatedly praise the guides and the smooth border logistics, and several wish for more time in Ohrid, so expect a full but tightly scheduled day.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup in Tirana or DurrësHotel pickup runs between 06:35 and 07:10, with the tour departing between 07:10 and 07:30. Drop-off returns to both cities.
2. Drive to OhridVan transfer of 2.5 hours toward the North Macedonian border and Lake Ohrid.
3. Ohrid Old TownAround 3.5 hours in Ohrid, with a guided walking tour, a photo stop at the Church of Saint John, and free time for swimming or lunch at local taverns. Church visits beyond the walking tour are optional and paid on your own.
4. Bay of BonesA 15-minute stop with a museum visit, sightseeing and a pass by the site, where the tour leader covers its history. Entrance is not listed among inclusions.
5. Saint Naum MonasteryRoughly one hour at the monastery, which has stood for over 1200 years, including a guided visit, the central church and lake views from the grounds.
6. Lin Village photo stopAn optional 5-minute pass by the village near Mount Qafe Thana for photographs over the lake, then a 2-hour drive back.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the long day easier, from border documents to how the time is split.

• Bring your passport. A passport is the safe choice, and some travellers may need a visa. EU and Schengen nationals can enter with an ID card, but e-visas are not accepted. You are responsible for your own documents; if entry is denied, the tour continues and you arrange your own way back.
• Early start. Pickups begin at 06:35, so this is an early morning. Several reviewers note the day runs on schedule and prompt timing matters, especially in a large group. The return lands in Tirana or Durrës between 06:30 and 07:00 PM.
• Pace and walking. Expect a guided walking tour in Ohrid plus walking at the monastery, so comfortable shoes help. Reviewers describe a tight schedule and some wish for more time at the stops. Free time in Ohrid gives you a window to sit down and rest.
• Food and water. Lunch is not included. The listing points to free time at local taverns by the lake in Ohrid, where you can eat during the stop. Carry water for the warm parts of the day.
• Swim and boat options. There is free time to swim in Lake Ohrid after the walking tour, so bring a suit and towel if that appeals. One reviewer recommends the optional boat tour, which is not part of the listed inclusions.
• Group size. This can be a large group; one review mentions a coach of 32 people and another refers to 48. Guides work hard to keep everyone together, but reviewers note that punctuality at meeting points matters more in bigger groups.

Common issues. The schedule is tight, and more than one reviewer wished for extra time in Ohrid or at the monastery rather than moving on to the next stop. Group sizes can run large, which some travellers found demanding when it came to keeping everyone on time. Lunch, personal expenses and optional church visits during free time are not covered, and entry to the Bay of Bones site is not listed as included. One reviewer noted that heavy traffic or events in Albania, such as protests, can affect drop-off arrangements, though the operator adapted on that occasion.

Common Questions