Full-Day Tour of Ohrid N Macedonia and St Naum From Tirana: A Traveler’s Review

Thinking about visiting Ohrid and St Naum on a day trip from Tirana? Well, you are in luck. A full-day tour from Tirana is, it seems, a fantastic option for folks wanting to experience North Macedonia’s gem, like, even if you’re short on time. You get a taste of the history and scenery of Ohrid and the spiritual vibe of St Naum. But is it worth your time and money? Let’s get into the experience, looking closely at the highlights, the things that are pretty good, and what you should keep an eye on.

Across the Border: The Start of the Ohrid Adventure

So, the tour usually begins super early, too it’s almost like 6:00 AM, because, you know, Ohrid is a fair distance from Tirana. Expect, maybe, around a three-hour drive or even four, depending on the traffic and the border crossing. This bit is probably a good time to take a nap. That first part of the day is a bit of a blur, and you might be a little bit sleepy as you pass through the Albanian countryside before the landscape begins to shift as you get to the border.

Crossing the border itself can, arguably, be a bit slow. Is that what you thought too? Border control guys tend to, typically, be very careful, and depending on the season, queues can get a bit long. Your tour guide should, very, very likely, assist with the process, like, ensuring everyone has their documents ready and that the whole thing goes without problems. That said, patience is super important here, so just take it easy, like your granny always says. The anticipation builds, doesn’t it, that, of finally stepping into North Macedonia, of discovering the appeal of Ohrid and St Naum.

First Stop: The Marvelous Ohrid City

Once you’re in Ohrid, oh boy, what a cool place. The city sits on the shores of the crystal-clear Lake Ohrid and, in some respects, has this super rich history just bursting out of everywhere, it seems. The old town is where most tours kick off, as I was saying, with its ancient streets and classic architecture. You’ll get to see neat places, just a little like the Church of Saint Sophia, which shows Byzantine art in a wonderful, wonderful way, in some respects. Then there is the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, and very, very probably, that is like going back to Roman times. Oh wow!

Now, often, the tour allows you time to walk around yourself a little, which is very neat, and you can explore local shops or taste some Macedonian dishes, right? I am sure you thought so too! Ohrid is fairly famous for its pearls, made in a special way by only a couple of families, and trust me, the sweets here are truly awesome. The lake is kind of what makes Ohrid so charming. It’s one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. What!! That sounds fairly amazing, so the waters shine beautifully in the sunlight, reflecting the houses and hills, and you’ll possibly get to take super memorable pictures from here.

A Spiritual Escape to St Naum Monastery

Next up is, like, usually the Monastery of St Naum, a really special site found on the shores of Lake Ohrid near the Albanian border. You, kind of, get there by a beautiful drive along the lake, and this gives, you know, some fantastic views. I want to tell you though that, you might like to snap a heap of photos, that, from a professional point of view, is a once-in-a-lifetime deal!

The monastery is very cool, and in a way it’s decorated with detailed frescoes, with St Naum’s tomb right inside the church. You will, most definitely, hear the story of St Naum and his awesome things, like, his impact on the area. The location, basically, is absolutely unreal – peacocks walk freely in the gardens, which are all neat, while the sound of the lake, it seems, adds to the calm atmosphere, as I was saying, a place where many folks find tranquility. You know? It is almost like the sound of ocean.

Things to Consider: Length and Comfort

Now, a super important thing is that a full-day tour can arguably be really long, because you are traveling lots of time. The time spent traveling on the bus could, potentially, be tiring, particularly, specifically, if you’re not a fan of long drives. Those seats that are uncomfortable won’t help you very much either. This also suggests that, basically, you are only going to get a little amount of time at each site. So, if you are someone who would rather really look at every single place completely, it could, possibly, feel a bit rushed. Yet, that could also feel pretty neat because the most important places are visited.

Lunch is normally part of the tour, and in short that is often at a traditional Macedonian restaurant. That means that you could, possibly, try some local cuisine. However, food quality and options might vary, so just think about, that, like, if you have any food restrictions, ensure you speak to the tour guide when you’re booking.

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

So, is the full-day tour of Ohrid and St Naum from Tirana a worthwhile experience? What did you think of this idea too? Here’s the thing; when you’ve only got limited time, or for example, do not want to handle the stress of renting a car and going over the border yourself, the tour gives an efficient way to see those top locations. You’ll probably get guidance from a tour leader, easy transport, plus, also, the safety of being in a group.

But if you want to really dive into North Macedonia deeply, you might find that a day isn’t enough, basically, you should think about a longer trip to properly understand the location and its people. But as a teaser, you’ll love it.

To be absolutely honest, I found it to be a bit much for a day trip. I wouldn’t trade it, that is for sure, yet I would rather explore North Macedonia again some day.