Bay of Bones Museum

Discover Europe's second oldest lake that borders the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania. Drive along Lake Ohrid which inspired NASA in 2010 to name Titan's lakes after it, and its unforgettable serenity no matter what season you book your tour! One of Balkan's best kept secrets maintains its picturesque identity thanks to being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, with its Albanian side also being designated world heritage status in 2019. We will depart from your Tirana hotel early in the morning with an air-conditioned vehicle, tracing the same itinerary as the Romans did, when they traveled towards the Constandinopole. We will have a quick coffee break by the Shkumbin River (15 minutes), prior to reaching the Albanian-North Macedonia border - two hours after leaving the capital of Tirana. In our full-day tour we will first visit the Ohrid city once known as "Jerusalem of the Balkans" for having 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Tourism is predominant in this pristine old town which is one of only 28 sites worldwide that is part of UNESCO's World Heritage as both a Cultural and Natural site. The first mention of Ohrid was 2,400 years before the new era, when the town was called Lychnidos, probably meaning "city of light" or literally "a precious stone that emits light". We will walk were Via Egnatia road once passed - the most significant Roman traffic route of the Balkans, and visit the Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid, the Church of Saint John the Theologian, and the Byzantine Church of Holy Mary Perybleptos build in 1295 and renown for its elaborate wall murals. There will also be a chance to find among the well preserved cable stones windy roads, original freshwater pearls jewelry that are locally made - a perfect gift for your loved ones. In those three hours, there will be pleanty of time to explore the Old Town and take in its breathtaking panoramas. You will also have the chance to take fantastic photos and enjoy local food and free time, prior to heading to the quiet and magnificent Saint Naum Monastery. We can stop briefly at the Bay of Bones Museum - a reconstructed village of stilt houses that displays Bronze & Iron Age items recovered from Lake Ohrid. You can take photos, and if you wish to visit it - there will be 30 minutes time, but tickets are not included. Then we will have one hour time to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of The Monastery of Saint Naum, an Eastern Orthodox monastery named after the medieval Bulgarian writer and enlightener Saint Naum, who founded it in 905. St. Naum of Ohrid who is buried in the church was one of the Seven Apostles of the First Bulgarian Empire, and is associated with the creation of the Cyrillic script. Following the visit to this iconic destination that still operates as a school, we will head back to the Albanian border in late afternoon, and then you will be dropped off in the Tirana hotel that you were picked up from.

**Departure from Tirana** Start early in the morning for a full day of exploration. The drive from Tirana to Saint Naum Monastery takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, passing through picturesque countryside. As you approach Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of its crystal-clear waters. After crossing the Albania-North Macedonia border, continue along the lake’s shoreline toward your first stop. **Stop 1: Saint Naum Monastery** The **Saint Naum Monastery**, founded in the 10th century, is one of the region’s most spiritual and historical sites. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid, the monastery is surrounded by peaceful gardens, with peacocks roaming freely. Inside the main church, beautiful frescoes adorn the walls, and the tomb of Saint Naum is a revered pilgrimage site. Legend says that by placing your ear on the tombstone, you can hear the saint’s heartbeat. Take a short walk to the **springs of the Black Drim River**, where crystal-clear waters flow into Lake Ohrid. For a more serene experience, take a boat ride around the springs, enjoying the peaceful natural beauty before continuing to your next destination. **Drive to the Bay of Bones** After exploring Saint Naum, head toward the **Bay of Bones Museum**, about 30 minutes away. This open-air museum is a reconstruction of a prehistoric settlement, dating back to 1200–700 BC, built on stilts over Lake Ohrid. **Stop 2: Bay of Bones Museum** Explore the reconstructed huts at the Bay of Bones, filled with ancient tools, pottery, and fishing gear, offering insight into how people lived thousands of years ago. The wooden piers provide spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. After visiting the museum, you can stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant and sample Macedonian dishes like grilled meats and fresh lake fish. **Drive to Ohrid City** From the Bay of Bones, continue north to **Ohrid City**, a 30-minute drive along the scenic lake. **Stop 3: Ohrid City** Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history and charm. Begin by visiting the **Church of St. John at Kaneo**, perched on a cliff with breathtaking views of Lake Ohrid. Then, explore the **Ancient Theatre of Ohrid**, a Hellenistic amphitheater still used for performances today. Continue to **Samoil’s Fortress**, a 10th-century structure offering panoramic views of the city and lake. Wander through Ohrid’s old town, with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses. Be sure to visit the **Church of St. Sophia**, a medieval masterpiece with stunning frescoes. Take some time to relax at a local café, trying traditional sweets like **baklava** or **tulumbe**. **Return to Tirana** After a day of exploration, drive back to Tirana, retracing your scenic lakeside route. The return trip takes about 4 hours, and you’ll arrive in the evening, reflecting on the rich history, culture, and beauty you experienced at Lake Ohrid.

Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are the main tourist spots in Macedonia. Due to the large number of churches and monasteries, the city is known as the Balkan and European Jerusalem. Ohrid is also known as the "city of light" which is a literal translation of its old name, Lychnid. The Ohrid region is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modern Ohrid is the successor of the ancient Lychnid. After we meet on the agreed spot, the transfer to Ohrid lasts about 3 hours. During the trip we shall pass through the National Park of Mavrovo and Make a stop in the 1000 years old monastery St. Jovan Bigorski and see its famous wood carving. The road will bring us in the most beautiful part of the country, along the river Radika, called “Macedonian Switzerland”, because of its beautiful nature, colours and villages all over the massifs of Korab and Bistra mountains. After we arrive in Ohrid we shall go through the Gorna Porta, the gate to enter the ancient walls of the Fortress of Ohrid. The first attraction we visit is the Church of Holy Mary Peryvleptos, from the 13th century, with its unique fresco painting. From there we will see the Ancient Theater, a roman theater from the 3rd century BC and then the Fortress of Samuel, an ancient construction and then the capitol of the Kingdom of King Samuel. From here, we shall visit Plaoshnik, archaeological site and holy place, where the church of St. Clement was built, in 893, on the foundation of an earlier Christian basilica. The cobblestone shall bring us to the St. Jovan Kaneo, a church from the 13 century, with the most magnificent view. The most famous view from the postcards from Ohrid! The path will bring us to the lake, where we could make a short break for coffee or beer, on the very popular beach Potpesh. Going back through the typical houses of the Old Town we shall make a stop to visit the tremendous St. Sofija Church, with housing architecture and art from the Middle Ages. The current church was built on the foundations of a metropolitan cathedral demolished in the first decade of the 6th century. After the tour we shall sit down in a very traditional Ohrid ethno restaurant, with nice hosts, who love to tell stories. They give the customers sometimes something to draw for them for memory and remembrance. The last part of the tour begins with the visit of the Bay of Bones, the museum on water, an archeological complex and an authentic reconstruction of the pile dwelling settlement, dating back between 1200 and 700 BC. From here we will make a visit of the Sveti Naum Monastery, a place with beautiful fresco painting, rare beauty and tradition from the 9th century. The monastery is on the border with Albania, so we shall have a possibility to take a look at the Albanian town Pogradec. This will be the perfect ending of this beautiful tour and we will head back to Skopje later in the afternoon. This tour will bring you closer to our culture, history and religion. Let’s meet Ohrid!