Bitola – Hotel Molika (Pelister National Park) – Ohrid – Struga – Radozda – Bitola

The Ohrid–Struga Lakeside Gems tour is a ten-hour journey designed for travelers who want to experience North Macedonia’s most iconic lakeside sites, combined with a relaxed pace and scenic variety.

The day begins with a panoramic and walking tour of Bitola, covering its most important landmarks. Visitors explore the Clock Tower, Isak Çelebi Mosque, Bezisten, and the Old Bazaar, then continue to the Yeni Mosque and the richly decorated St. Demetrius Church. Shirok Sokak, with its neoclassical buildings and café culture, leads to the Catholic Church, the Heart of Jesus monument, and the House of the Army. Guests also visit the National Museum, where a room is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and stop at the ancient site of Heraclea Lyncestis. A short drive rounds out the Bitola visit with views of the city’s Jewish, French, and German cemeteries.

Before continuing toward the lake, guests enjoy a morning coffee at Hotel Molika, located inside Pelister National Park. Surrounded by mountain pines, it’s a quiet break before descending toward Ohrid. A brief photo stop near the summit of Galichica National Park offers wide views of both Prespa and Ohrid Lakes.

The main part of the day is spent in Ohrid, where guests walk through the UNESCO-listed old town and visit key landmarks such as the Filevi Pearl Workshop, Robevi House, the Handmade Paper Workshop, Church of St. Sophia, the ancient theatre, St. Mary Peribleptos, Samuel’s Fortress, Plaoshnik, and the postcard-perfect Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking the lake.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to Struga, a town where the Black Drim River flows from Lake Ohrid. A walk over the famous poetry bridge and a visit to the lakeside village of Radožda, home to a cliffside cave church, complete this relaxed and rewarding day trip.