Ohrid Lake travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Lake Ohrid is the largest of Macedonia’s three tectonic lakes, and the second largest in the Balkan Peninsula. The lake straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern region of the Republic of Macedonia and eastern Albania. It lies at an altitude of 693m, with a total area of 349 sq. km and it entails a water temperature of around 24°C in summer. Lake Ohrid is the deepest on the Balkan Peninsula with a depth of 289 meters. Ohrid Lake is one of the oldest lakes in the world with very special and interesting flora and fauna. Only Lake Ohrid, Lake Tanganyka, Lake Caspi, and Lake Baikal are believed to have been formed during the Tertiary Period some 2-4 million years ago. Ohrid Lake was proclaimed as World’s natural and cultural heritage in 1980 by UNESCO.

The lake is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe and possessing unique flora and fauna. There are 18 different types of fish that are found in the lake. One of the well known one’s and the most delicious amongst the people is the Ohridska pastrmka (Ohrid trout). The lake also is home to a fish, called Alcoran (a kind of trout, unique in this lake). Other types of fish to be found are the eel and the white fish.

Most popular Lake Ohrid excursion is to the 10th Century monastery of Sveti Baum on the lakeshore about 18 miles (29 km) from town. The monastery is right next to the white markers and guardhouses that designate the Albanian border. Sailing on Ohrid Lake has been a tradition for around 60 years.