Bitola – Debar Thermal Bath (one hour) – Radika River – Mavrovo National Park – Galichnik – Lazaropole – Ohrid – Bitola

The Thermal Baths to Village Peaks tour is a fourteen-hour journey that combines highland tradition, natural wellness, and lakeside heritage.

The day begins with a scenic drive from Bitola to Debar, where guests enjoy a one-hour soak in the town’s natural thermal baths. The mineral-rich waters are known for their soothing properties, offering a calm and refreshing start to the day.

From Debar, the road winds along the Radika River, climbing into the forested slopes of Mavrovo National Park. The tour continues to Galichnik, one of North Macedonia’s most iconic mountain villages, known for its alpine architecture, stone roofs, and rich folk traditions. Guests explore the village on foot and learn about its wedding customs, pastures, and proud heritage. A traditional lunch follows in nearby Lazaropole, where specialties like kačamak with cheese and local mountain honey are served in a rustic setting, often surrounded by meadows and pine trees.

In the afternoon, the journey leads south toward the shores of Lake Ohrid. Arriving in the UNESCO-protected old town, guests enjoy a walking tour that includes the Filevi Pearl Workshop, Robevi House, and the National Workshop for Handmade Paper. Highlights continue with visits to the Church of St. Sophia, the ancient theatre, St. Mary Peribleptos, Samuel’s Fortress, and Plaoshnik Archaeological Park. The day ends at the Church of St. John at Kaneo, perched above the lake with one of the most recognizable views in the Balkans, perfect for sunset photos.

This tour is ideal for those who enjoy light hiking, traditional food, and quiet mountain landscapes, followed by an evening surrounded by the architectural and cultural richness of Ohrid. With a mix of nature, history, and local life, it’s a full but rewarding day for the curious traveler.