TaipeiAccommodation
Good · #24 of 62
7.8/10
Reasonable selection of airbnbs in the centre of the town. If visiting outside of the peak season you should have your pick of apartments at a very reasonable price.
North MacedoniaVisited Mar 2021 · 1 month
Ohrid
Mountains, lakes and a welcoming legion of stray dogs.
Would avoid
This guide was written 5 years ago
Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.
Nestled in North Macedonia, Ohrid is a city with a rich history and beautiful nature.
It's famed for its UNESCO-listed old town, the tranquility of the lake, and a wealth of historic churches, monasteries, and mosques.
If you're already in the Balkans, it's worth a week. Otherwise, it's too quiet to be worth traveling exclusively for.
At a glance
Coworking
Ok · #61 of 62
4.1/10
There's only one real option for coworking in the town at present, although there is a large range of cafes. If planning to work from home, I would not assume the internet would be of sufficient quality.
Value
Good · #38 of 62
7.5/10
Like the rest of North Macedonia, food and drink is very reasonable priced throughout, however compared to larger cities, there isn't an enormous selection of choice. Prices for local excursions and bicycle/car hire prove to be very good value.
Excitement
Ok · #58 of 62
4.1/10
As you would expect from what is essentially a large town, Ohrid isn’t the most dynamic place to spend your time, especially if visiting outside of peak season. The town centre can be walked in its entirety in under 10 minutes, and there is scant evidence of any meaningful nightlife.
Plan
Summary
North Macedonia was the starting point for a tour of the Balkans in 2021. Prior to the trip I would not have been able to locate the country on the map, but at the time of Covid it was one of the few countries allowing unrestricted access from the UK making it a useful destination to start travel from.
Cost of living
$690a month, before rent
Comfortable living costs, rent not included
Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.
Very Affordable- Meal in a casual restaurant$6.08
- Speciality coffee$2.03
- Pint of local beer$2.03
- Cocktail$4.05
- Taxi for 2 miles$3.04
- Men's haircut$8.11
- Women's haircut$20
- Gym membership, monthly$34
- Coworking, monthly$122
Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: low (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, vestbee.com. Always check locally before planning around them.
Duration & season
Early March was bitterly cold, with the surrounding mountain peaks covered in snow for the entirety of the month. Some sunnier days were had towards the end of the trip but I couldn't recommend arriving any earlier than April. The peak of summer is hot, with temperatures regularly up to 30 degrees,
By month
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain mm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 8 | 70 | |
| February | 2 | 10 | 15 | |
| March | 3 | 15 | 105 | wet month |
| April | 6 | 20 | 85 | |
| May | 10 | 20 | 93 | wet month |
| June | 17 | 30 | 14 | peak season |
| July | 19 | 32 | 12 | peak season |
| August | 18 | 32 | 33 | peak season |
| September | 13 | 27 | 61 | |
| October | 8 | 19 | 54 | |
| November | 4 | 15 | 146 | wet month |
| December | 3 | 9 | 71 |
Wettest months Peak season
Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.
- Visitors a year
- 216k2024
- Crowds
- Medium
- Peak season
- Jun–Aug
- Low season
- Nov–Mar
Remote work visa
No digital nomad visa
Working hours
North Macedonia operates on Central European Time (CET), aligning with Western Europe.
Live & work
Where to stay
Center
Recommendedif you are looking to be as close to the centre as possible, head for the "St Clement of Ohrid" Boulevard where you'll have the widest selection of choices on your doorstep.
Old Town
Only a 10 minute walk from the main boulevard, the raised areas of the old town offer some great views over the lake ahead.
Where to work
There's only one real option for coworking in the town at present, although there is a large range of cafes. If planning to work from home, I would not assume the internet would be of sufficient quality.
Food & drink
Coffee
Liquid Boutique Bar & Kitchen
Was the only place in Ohrid I could find a coffee with even a hint of acidity. Nice views by the water.
Food
Pod-Drum Ohrid
I ate numerous times at this well-priced family run establishment.
Drinks
Irish Pub Five
No frills irish bar, ideal for watching football and grabbing a burger. Plenty of screens.
Off the clock
Off work
Day trip to Skopje
The North Macedonian capital is well worth a visit in it's own right, known for its grand ornate statues and buildings. If in town for a few days, head to the Matka Canyon Trail.
Hike in Pellister National Park
An natural haven renowned for its diverse flora and fauna with numerous hiking trails and serene lakes, best accessed if visiting from the neighbouring town of Bitola. If visiting during the winter months, be prepared for intensely snowy conditions.
Visit the Holy Mother of God Zahumska
This church dedicated to St. Mary was built in 1299 and is located at Zaum on the eastern shore of the lake at the foot on Mount Galicia. Easily accessible via car or bike and some river boats run during more popular periods.
Exercise
Cycle
Trpejca
Peaceful cycle on the road which traces the base of the Galičica national park. Veer away from the lake for a decent climb up the mountain.
Walk
National Park Pellister
Situated just outside the neighbouring city of Bitola, the pine treed national park is a perfect place for brisk winter walks.
Cycle
Ohrid - Bitola
A scenic & relatively peaceful journey between the two cities aside from the occasional articulated lorry.
People
There is a small local population in the town, with high seasonal fluctuations over summer with holiday markers arriving from predominantly in neighbouring Balkan countries. During the month I was there I would be relatively confident I was the sole remote worker in town.
Local people were friendly and welcoming with English spoken in the majority of cafes and bars.
Notes
Positives
Amazing scenery.
The lake and neighbouring mountain ranges provide inspiring vistas.
Very peaceful.
Outside of the peak summer season, it is an area of much tranquility and seclusion.
Outside of the Schengen Zone.
If for whatever reason you have reached your limit of time available within the Schengen group of countries, North Macedonia is an alternative.
Cheap.
One of the least expensive countries in Europe.
Negatives
Super quiet.
If that is not explicitly what you are looking for, then you may be left dissapointed.
Not a great deal of international cuisine.
I enjoyed the local food, but don't expect too great of a variety apart from some burgers and Italian.
Really cold in winter.
Bitterly, bitterly cold. Even in March, it was prohibitively cold.
No remote worker community.
Very high chance that you may be the only person in town working remotely from there.
Tips
Arrive after April.
Whilst the snow makes it an incredibly scenic backdrop, it hampers your ability to properly enjoy hiking the mountains.
It would be a great day trip from Skopje.
There's no real reason to spend more than a couple of days here unless you're looking for some form of retreat and isolation.
Planning a trip to Ohrid?
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