Exploring Lake Ohrid by Boat: The Ultimate Budget Nomad Guide to Macedonia's Most Scenic Trip

By Budget Nomad

Have you ever been somewhere so beautiful that every few minutes you just stop and say, "Wow"? That was me on Lake Ohrid. After weeks of planning (and one failed attempt when the boat was completely empty!), I finally got to experience one of Macedonia's most iconic adventures — a boat trip across Lake Ohrid, visiting ancient monasteries, lakeside villages, and some of the clearest water in Europe.

If you're planning a trip to Ohrid, here's a complete guide — including what to expect, where to go, and how much it costs — from my own first-hand experience.

🗺️ About Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid sits on the border between North Macedonia and Albania, and it's one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes. Surrounded by steep mountains, historic churches, and charming lakeside towns, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site — and for good reason. The water is incredibly clear, constantly refreshed by natural underground springs.

Budget Context: North Macedonia remains one of Europe's most affordable destinations. Your money goes far here — expect to spend 50-70% less than Western Europe on most things.

💰 Complete Cost Breakdown

Boat Trip Costs

• Main Boat Tour: €20 per person (1,200 MKD)

• Tour Duration: 6 hours (10:30 AM to 4:30 PM)

• What's Included: Transportation, guide, monastery/museum stops

• What's NOT Included: Lunch, drinks, entrance fees (if any)

  
  

Additional Costs to Budget For

• Lunch at Saint Naum: €10-15 (I paid €13 for grilled fish, salad, and bread)

• Small Spring Boat Ride: €5-8 per person (optional, but worth it!)

• Drinks on Board: €1-3 for water or soft drinks

• Entrance Fees: Most churches are free, but some may request €1-2 donation

• Taxi Back to Ohrid: €10-15 if you don't return with the boat (some tours are one-way)

Total Budget: €30-40 for the full experience including lunch

Money-Saving Hacks

💡 Share a taxi to Saint Naum if you miss the boat or want to visit independently — it's about €15-20 split among 3-4 people, making it just €4-5 each

💡 Bring your own snacks and water — the boat doesn't stop at shops, and onboard prices can be higher

💡 Pack a lunch from local markets in Ohrid (fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes, and fruit cost under €5 total)

💡 Book directly with boat operators at the harbor rather than through hotels — you might save €2-5

🚤 The Boat Trip Begins

Last week, I tried to take this exact trip — and not a single person showed up. This week? Completely full. From one extreme to another!

We set off from Ohrid town in the late morning. The weather was perfect, the lake calm, and the view absolutely stunning. On the left, you can see the Presidential Palace of Yugoslavia, a relic from the Tito era, standing proudly by the water.

Where to Find Boats: Walk to the main harbor promenade in Ohrid Old Town. You'll see multiple operators with signs advertising "Saint Naum Boat Trip" or "Lake Ohrid Tour." Most depart between 10:00-11:00 AM.

Booking Tips:

• Tours run daily from May to September

• Weekends fill up fast — arrive 30 minutes early

• Some operators offer discounts for groups of 4+

• Off-season (April, October) prices may drop to €15

  
  

As we cruised south along the lake, we passed beach after beach — each one a little quieter and more beautiful than the last. If you're looking for a peaceful lakeside escape, you'll find several boutique hotels and hidden guesthouses further down the coast.

👉 Photography Tip: Stay on the left-hand side of the boat if you want the best photos and video shots. Trust me — I made the mistake of sitting on the right, and the lighting wasn't great for filming. The left side faces the monasteries and most scenic viewpoints.

⛰️ Stunning Scenery and Hidden History

As the boat glided along, the captain pointed out Mount Galicica, the massive peak overlooking the lake. At 2,500 meters high, it's taller than Cusco in Peru — and you can even go paragliding from the top!

Budget Adventure Add-On: Paragliding from Mount Galicica costs around €50-70 — pricey but unforgettable. Book in Ohrid town the day before.

Further down, we passed the Bay of Bones Museum — a reconstructed ancient village built on wooden stilts over the lake. It's closed on some days (the "Monday curse," as the locals say), but you can also reach it later by car or taxi from Ohrid. It's a must-see for anyone interested in archaeology or ancient history.

Bay of Bones Visit:

• Entrance: €3-4

• Getting there: Local bus €1, taxi €8-10, or bike rental €5/day

• Best time: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM-6 PM

  
  

⛪ Church of the Mother of God Zahumska

Our first stop was something truly special — the Church of the Mother of God Zahumska, a small monastery dating back to 1361. You can only reach it by boat, which makes the journey even more magical.

The church has been beautifully restored, with fresh stonework blending into the centuries-old walls. The guide spoke in Macedonian, but even without understanding every word, you can feel the history and spirituality of the place.

What to Know:

• Free to enter (donations welcome)

• Modest dress required (cover shoulders and knees)

• Photography allowed outside only

• Stop duration: 20-30 minutes

  
  

And that water — unbelievably clear. If you're a Christian looking for a baptism site, this would be the perfect place. The water comes straight down from the mountain, filters naturally underground, and stays ice-cold year-round — about 2–3°C. I could barely keep my hand in for more than a few seconds!

🏞️ Exploring the Monastery of Saint Naum

Our final stop was Saint Naum Monastery, one of Macedonia's most sacred sites.

Built in the 10th century, this monastery is famous for its Byzantine frescoes, peacocks wandering freely around the grounds, and peaceful gardens overlooking the lake. The inside of the church is decorated with soft pastel-coloured murals — you're not allowed to film inside, but trust me, it's breathtaking.

Monastery Details:

• Entrance: Free (€1-2 donation suggested)

• Open: 8 AM-7 PM daily

• Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour

• Peacock encounters: Free and Instagram-worthy!

  
  

Lunch at Saint Naum

After visiting the monastery, I stopped at a nearby restaurant for lunch — about €13 for a hearty meal with lake views.

Budget Lunch Options at Saint Naum:

• Local restaurants: €10-15 for mains (grilled fish, chicken, traditional Macedonian dishes)

• Cheaper option: Walk 5 minutes to smaller cafes outside the monastery complex — same food for €7-10

• Best value: Tavče gravče (baked beans) €4-5, Shopska salad €3-4, bread €1

• Drinks: Local beer €2, coffee €1.50, fresh juice €2-3

• Splurge meal: Fresh Ohrid trout €12-18 (totally worth it!)
  

What I Ordered: Grilled fish, mixed salad, bread, and a local beer = €13 total

From there, I took a short Dutch-style boat trip (yes, really!) around the nearby springs, where crystal-clear water bubbles up from underground caves. The guide explained that this is the natural spring that feeds Lake Ohrid — nature's perfect filtration system.

Spring Boat Ride:

• Cost: €5-8 per person

• Duration: 15-20 minutes

• Frequency: Every 30 minutes

• Worth it? Absolutely — the water is mesmerizing and it's a unique experience
  

🌅 Sunset at Saint John's Church

Back in Ohrid, I ended the day with a walk along the wooden boardwalk leading to Saint John at Kaneo, the most photographed spot in Macedonia.

The trail takes you past old Ottoman walls, cliffs, and dozens of "love locks" left by couples to symbolise eternal commitment. The church itself overlooks the lake from a rocky cliff, glowing in the sunset — the classic Google image of Ohrid, but even better in real life.

Getting There:

• Free walk from Ohrid Old Town (15-20 minutes)

• Follow signs from the main square

• Best time: Sunset (around 7:30-8:30 PM in summer)

• Bring a small flashlight for walking back after dark

  
  

Photography Gold: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to get your spot — it gets crowded!

🏨 Where to Stay in Ohrid (Budget Options)

Hostels: €8-15/night

• Sunny Lake Hostel (highly rated, lake views)

• Villa Lucija (family-run, excellent breakfast)

  
  

Budget Guesthouses: €15-25/night

• Look for "sobe" or "rooms" signs in Old Town

• Many include breakfast and kitchen access

  
  

Apartments: €20-40/night for entire place

• Best value for couples or small groups

• Check Booking.com or Airbnb for deals

  
  

Where I Stayed: Small guesthouse near the old bazaar — €18/night with breakfast included

🍽️ Daily Budget Breakdown in Ohrid

Shoestring Budget (€25-30/day)

• Accommodation: €10-15 (hostel dorm)

• Food: €8-12 (supermarket + one budget meal)

• Activities: €3-5 (church donations, bus fares)

  
  

Mid-Range Budget (€40-50/day)

• Accommodation: €20-25 (private room/guesthouse)

• Food: €15-20 (mix of restaurants and self-catering)

• Activities: €5-10 (museum entries, boat rides)

  
  

Comfortable Budget (€60-80/day)

• Accommodation: €30-40 (nice apartment/hotel)

• Food: €25-35 (restaurants for most meals)

• Activities: €10-15 (tours, experiences)

  
  

One-Week Budget: €280-560 depending on your style

💡 Essential Travel Tips for Budget Nomads

✅ Book ahead – Tours fill up fast on weekends. Message your operator a day before to confirm your seat

✅ Arrive early – The best seats (and camera angles) are on the left-hand side of the boat

✅ Bring cash – Many smaller boats and restaurants don't take cards. ATMs available in Ohrid town

✅ Wear layers – Even in summer, the breeze can get chilly on the lake. Bring a light jacket

✅ Plan weekday trips – Museums and attractions often close on Mondays

✅ Exchange money wisely – Use ATMs for best rates, avoid airport exchanges. Local currency is Macedonian Denar (MKD)

✅ Free walking tour – Ohrid offers free walking tours (tip-based) — great for orientation and meeting travelers

✅ Swim for free – Public beaches are everywhere. Skip expensive beach clubs unless you want loungers

✅ Market shopping – The outdoor market near the bus station has incredibly cheap fruits, vegetables, cheese, and bread

✅ SIM card – Local prepaid SIM with data costs €5-10 for the week — essential for maps and booking

🚌 Getting to Ohrid on a Budget

From Skopje:

• Bus: €7-10 (3 hours)

• Shared taxi: €10-12 per person (faster, 2.5 hours)
  

From Tirana, Albania:

• Bus: €15-20 (4-5 hours)

• Book through hostel or bus station
  

From Sofia, Bulgaria:

• Bus: €20-25 (8 hours, overnight option available)

  
  

Airport Transfer:

• Ohrid has a small airport (St. Paul the Apostle)

• Taxi to town: €8-10

• Some hostels offer free pickup with booking
  

📱 Practical Information

Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD)

• €1 = ~61 MKD

• Many places accept euros but give change in denars
  

Language: Macedonian (Cyrillic script)

• English widely spoken in tourist areas

• "Hvala" = Thank you, "Molam" = Please
  

WiFi: Available in most cafes, restaurants, and accommodations — usually free

Safety: Ohrid is very safe. Standard precautions apply.

Best Time to Visit:

• Peak season: June-August (warmest, busiest, highest prices)

• Shoulder season: May, September (best value, good weather)

• Off-season: October-April (cheapest, but some tours don't run)
  

💬 Final Thoughts

For just €20, this is one of the best experiences you can have in North Macedonia. The combination of stunning scenery, ancient history, and peaceful lake life makes it a must-do for any traveler. Whether you're a photographer, a history lover, or just someone who wants to relax, the Lake Ohrid boat trip truly captures the magic of the Balkans.

My Total Spend for the Day:

• Boat tour: €20

• Lunch at Saint Naum: €13

• Spring boat ride: €6

• Snacks and drinks: €5

• Grand Total: €44
  

That's less than a decent dinner in Western Europe, but this gave me a full day of incredible experiences, stunning scenery, and memories that will last a lifetime.

North Macedonia is proof that the best travel experiences don't have to break the bank. Come for the lake, stay for the hospitality, and leave with your wallet still reasonably full!

If you enjoyed this travel guide, don't forget to subscribe to Budget Nomad on YouTube for more budget-friendly travel adventures around the world. Drop a comment if you have questions about visiting Lake Ohrid — I read them all!