Want to explore beyond the norm this summer? National Geographic is hyping up Europe’s ‘final frontier’.
Rather than settle as another face in a row of Parisian sidewalk cafes or dodging water guns in Spain’s constant protests, why not venture off to the Balkans, a sprawling region of lesser-known destinations without sacrificing beauty, cuisine, and experiences?
Albania has arguably become the trendiest Balkan nation, but next door lies North Macedonia, clinging to “hidden gem” status except for digital nomads in the know living their best life.
Still largely unexplored by mainstream travelers, scraping the bottom of the ranks in terms of Europe’s least visited countries, North Macedonia is home to one of Europe’s prettiest towns and just so happens to be one of my favorite discoveries in all my travels.
Let’s dive into why Nat Geo is finally giving this underrated lake town the recognition it deserves.
Unveiling Europe’s Dreamiest Lake Town
Can you think of a dreamier lake town than Lake Como?
I can because I’ve been, and was blown away by how this undiscovered paradise has fallen through the cracks of guidebook authors for far too long.
At first glance, crossing the Albania-North Macedonia border is nothing to shake a stick at, and I’ve shaken many sticks in my day growing up in the Texas countryside.
But once you pass the rugged roads of stray dogs and beat-up cars, you quickly realize Ohrid is truly a diamond in the rough.
Not only is this Macedonian gem equally stunning as places like Lake Como, but it’s far cheaper. In fact, it doesn’t even come close. I remember having a feast of moussaka, grilled veggies, and a round of beers without hitting double digits.
Of course, service was interrupted by constant smoke breaks, but hey, Europe gonna Europe, ya know?
Nat Geo highlights Ohrid mainly because of its phenomenal food, and they’re not wrong. But Ohrid’s appeal goes way beyond a foodie destination; the architecture is astounding, the locals are welcoming, wandering at all hours is safe, and yes, it’s impossible to dent your bank account here.
Hotels? Don’t sweat that either. Easily find charming boutique stays and low-cost luxury under $60.
But the real draw is Lake Ohrid itself. Europe’s deepest lake beams of crystal-clear water like a warm drawn bath and a serene setting with epic sunsets, where locals gather in the timeless Old Town district to witness the red-tiled townscape glow orange.
Every Day Is Sunday In Ohrid
In case you haven’t noticed, the world is full of chaos at the moment. No matter where you are in the world, a common way to alleviate the anxiety of constant negative headlines is go to church.
Well, Ohrid is known for once having 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Though there’s no word on what locals did on Leap Day — Rock, Paper, Scissors?
Many of these centuries-old churches still remain and are well-preserved. You don’t even need to go on an official tour to find them; simply wander the winding maze of cobbled streets and you’ll stumble upon them in no time as well as a beautiful mosque anchoring Old Town, as there is a strong diversity of traditions and culture here displayed in religion, lifestyle, and cuisine hence the ‘moussaka’ reference earlier, a common Greek staple with Arab roots.
While Ohrid’s religious institutions are marvels in their own right, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t pack your walking shoes and hike uphill to Samuel’s Fortress, where you can reward yourself with a scenic patio seat at Fort Cafe.
A tour of the fortress is recommended.
Nat Geo Hyped Food, So Let’s Talk Food!
Wandering Ohrid, you’ll find quintessential sidewalk cafes we’ve all grown to love across Europe, but you’ll also find an array of cuisine from neighboring countries.
When I visited, I felt like I was in Athens or Istanbul when scouring restaurant menus, though my favorite meal was at Damar with a breezy hilltop patio offering unmatched views of the city.
I ordered Brown Trout straight from, you guessed it, Lake Ohrid. It couldn’t have been better prepared.
While I opted for cheap local beer over the hard stuff, Nat Geo also hypes up mastika, a Macedonian liquor made of tree resin, and local wines sourced in the country’s lesser-known wine region outside the capital city, Skopje.
Can You Swim In Lake Ohrid?
There’s nothing more inviting than pristine waters on sun-drenched shores, especially with splendid temperatures in the mid-80s throughout summer.
North Macedonia may be a landlocked nation, but you won’t be wishing you’re in Santorini or neighboring Albania’s paradisal coast when you see how pristine Lake Ohrid’s waters really are.
There are small beaches dotting the lake on both the Macedonia and Albania sides, but if you want in on a secret, make sure you take the hidden boardwalk lining the lake to avoid the treacherous hills.
Ultimately, you will reach a quieter side of town with secluded beaches like Beach Labino and Beach Potpesh.
There are also frequent boat tours, but the most popular are sunset cruises, so make sure to book early!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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