Panoramic Old Town Boat Ride

Overview

This is a one hour ride on Lake Ohrid that takes in a string of the Old Town's landmarks from the water, without any walking involved. The boat leaves from the quay in front of restaurant Belvedere Saint Sophia on Kej Makedonija 2 and returns to the same spot. In between, it passes close to the shore below the Church of St. Sophia, the cliffside church of St. Jovan Kaneo, the archaeological site of Plaoshnik, and Tsar Samuel's Fortress on the hill above it.

The operator, B and F Cruise Ohrid, takes a maximum of 11 travellers, and a crew member talks through the history of the town and the lake as you go. A bottle of water comes with the ticket. Reviewers regularly praise the commentary, several mentioning that they learned a good deal about Ohrid, the wider Balkans, and the lake's ecology in a short time.

It suits anyone who wants the classic postcard angles of Ohrid, the churches stacked above the water, from the water itself. It does not suit wheelchair users, and the listing flags it as a poor choice for people with back problems. Infants can come but must sit on laps.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on the quayMeet at Kej Makedonija 2, in front of restaurant Belvedere Saint Sophia. There is no pickup service, so travellers make their own way there.
2. Pass the Church of St. SophiaA pass by or short stop at the church, a medieval monument with important frescoes, founded in the 9th century and rebuilt in its present form in the 11th century.
3. Pass St. Jovan KaneoA pass by or short stop at the Macedonian Orthodox church on the cliff above Kaneo Beach, dedicated to John of Patmos.
4. Pass PlaoshnikA pass by or short stop at the archaeological and holy site below Samuil's Fortress, home to the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon.
5. Pass Tsar Samuel's FortressA pass by or short stop at the fortress, one of the largest medieval fortifications in Macedonia and the symbol of the city.
6. Cruise Lake OhridTime on the lake itself, which sits on the border between North Macedonia and Albania and is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with a distinctive ecosystem.
7. Return to the quayThe ride ends where it started, at Kej Makedonija 2.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from the hour on the water.

• Getting there. There is no pickup or drop off service, so plan to walk to the quay by restaurant Belvedere Saint Sophia yourself.
• Group feel. The boat takes a maximum of 11 travellers. Reviewers describe attentive guides who answer questions and even recommend restaurants for later.
• Commentary. Historical and cultural information is included in the ride. Several travellers singled out the guide's knowledge, covering Ohrid's history, the Balkans more broadly, and the lake's ecology.
• Drinks. Bottled water is included, and one reviewer mentioned free drinks being offered. Anything beyond that should not be counted on, and tips are not included in the ticket.
• Weather. The experience requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
• Photography. One reviewer highlighted the excellent views of Ohrid from the boat, and the route passes the Church of St. Sophia, St. Jovan Kaneo, Plaoshnik and Tsar Samuel's Fortress. Bring a camera or phone with charge to spare.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and the listing advises against it for travellers with back problems. Infants must sit on laps. Weather matters a lot here: the operator can cancel for poor conditions, though one reviewer said a substitute boat was arranged rather than a cancellation. No pickup service is provided, so anyone staying far from the centre needs to arrange their own transport to the quay. Tips are not included.

Common Questions