Pestani Holidays

Life about town

Halfway down the eastern side of Lake Ohrid, the village of Peštani is a quiet spot with a laidback vibe. There are pebble beaches along the shoreline, and a handful of hotels and restaurants overlooking the lake. Make the most of that summer sun with a beach day, swim in the lake and chat with friendly locals. And the national park is just behind the village too, so you can easily explore the different trails through the forest and up to the peaks. For something a little busier, head into Ohrid, it's just a 15-minute taxi ride up the road.

Historical hotspot

Take the bus or a taxi into the centre of Ohrid to stroll down cobbled streets, visit family-run shops and restaurants and pose for pics in front of centuries-old buildings. To really learn about local history and hear the city's stories, book on to a city-tour. Starting in St Clement's square by the statue of St Clement of Ohrid, the patron saint of North Macedonia, you'll wander through the Old Town and hear stories of Ohrid's past. The tour covers the best historical sites, and you'll see the Robev house – the only three-storey building in the Old Town – as well as churches, the ancient theatre and the house the city's streetlamps are modelled on.

Day trips

One of Lake Ohrid's best bits are the different day trips you can do. Sail down the lake on a boat trip to visit the Monastery of St Naum, you'll see manicured gardens with free-roaming peacocks, painted frescoes on the monastery's walls and fab views of the lake too. Cross the border into Albania for a day trip to see the lake from the western side, stop for lunch along the way and visit the city of Pogradec too. Or head into the hills of the Galičica national park on a guided tour. Visit the hillside town of Elšani, tuck into a tasty lunch at the Kaj Mestono restaurant and finish up with a trip to the Bay of Bones museum, a replica of a Bronze Age settlement on Lake Ohrid.