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Tirana to Ohrid Private Tour: UNESCO Oldest Human Settlement in Europe
5.0
58 Ratings
Tirana
Embark on a private tour from Tirana to Ohrid, the UNESCO oldest human settlement in Europe. Explore the historic town and its 365 churches, known as the 'Jerusalem of the Balkan'.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Tirana - Hotel Pick Up
- St. Jovan Kaneo - Perched atop a cliff above Kaneo Beach, this church gazes out upon Lake Ohrid in Ohrid, North Macedonia. It is a shrine to John of Patmos, the author of the Book of Revelation, who is sometimes identified with John the Apostle.
- Ohrid - Explore the heart of the city and the Old Bazaar, where Ohrid’s characteristic dwellings can be seen. The city’s pathways are laid with stone, which is why its original name was Lyhnidas, derived from the Latin term for a luminous precious stone.
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Monastery of Saint Naum - Following our time in Ohrid, we’ll make our way to the Monastery of Sveti Naum. This sacred site is not only a monastery but also the final resting place of Saint Naum. It’s a pilgrimage destination for believers worldwide. The Monastery Complex was once within Albanian territory from 1912 to 1925 before being reassigned to Yugoslavia.
Visit at Tushemisht
Crossing the border from Macedonia into Albania, we’ll visit Tushemisht. Unlike many Albanian villages, it shares similarities with Ohrid, including the predominant Orthodox faith.
Next, we’ll proceed to Tirana, marking the conclusion of our journey. -
Tsar Samuel’s Fortress - Departing from Tirana at 09:00, we’ll travel southeastward into Albania. Upon crossing into Macedonia, we encounter Struga, a town named after a local legend involving a young boy.
Adjacent to Struga is Ohrid, nestled on the lake’s edge, a historical melting pot of various cultures. Inhabited since ancient times by Illyrian and Greek tribes, it has been under the dominion of Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Turks, Serbs, Yugoslavians, and now belongs to the sovereign Republic of North Macedonia.
Perched on the city’s hills, Tsar Samuel’s Fortress was erected during the 10th century under the Bulgarian Tsar Samuil. It is thought to have been constructed on the site of an earlier fortification dating back to the 4th century BCE, attributed to Philip II.
What's Included
- Road taxes and car insurance included
- Air-conditioned vehicles
- Hotel pickup and drop-off service
- Included tickets to attractions
- Expert tour guide provided
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Any Private Expenses or Tips
Additional Information
An article by UNESCO states that Ohrid is among the most ancient human habitats in Europe. It’s situated on the banks of Lake Ohrid, one of the world’s oldest lakes. Over the centuries, it’s been a meeting point for various cultures, traditions, and invasions.
Often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”, Ohrid has significantly contributed to the proliferation of Slavic Orthodoxy. It once housed 365 Churches, each representing a day of the year, with origins tracing back to the 11th Century.
Location
Tirana
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(58 Ratings)
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328jasond
Jun 15, 2024
Wonderful Ohrid - This trip was simply amazing,the guide /driver Endri was very knowledgeable about the places we visited.Endri was very patient on the routes as my wife has asthma and we never felt rushed going up the hilly parts of the excursion.Ohrid was a beautiful town where we stopped for lunch,then onto to Struga.I definately would recommend this trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
476jamesaw
Jun 15, 2024
Ohrid's far from horrid! - All the logistics with Go as Local were fine - initial communication by email, later by WhatsApp in Albania, hotel pickup, driving and drop-off. The guide Xhulio was very friendly, informative and accommodating throughout the day.
As for Ohrid itself, this place is a real gem, one of the nicest spots in the Balkans. The view over the St John the Theologian church onto Lake Ohrid is possibly the most picturesque view of a church you could ever see, and the downtown area has a nice 'sea'side vibe. Our other stop at the Monastery of Saint Naum round the lake was pretty good too. If you like Byzantine church architecture, and you have a day to spare whilst in Tirana, go on this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danielf9392
Jun 14, 2024
Wonderful - X-hulio was my guide and he was lovely! Took me in a beautiful scenary and he was very explainatory, it was fun seeing so much in so little time! Dont forget your passport!
Go as Local were amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O1713uclouisl
Jun 12, 2024
Recommend - Nice day trip to Lake Ohrid and Struga from Tirana! Enjoyed the convenience of the driver and the scenic views. I recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amal_t
May 29, 2024
Interesting, Insightful and good views - Excellent guides, we did a tour to Ohrid and also to Kosovo on a separate day. Good overview of the history of the balkans as well as some splendid views.
Review provided by Viator
321st_phanies
May 19, 2024
PERFECT ! - It was very good and interesting day. It was wonderful and very nice
Endri is a professionnal and lovely person. It was a perfect day !
Thank you again for this experience ! !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne_k
May 12, 2024
Wonderful day trip to Ohrid - Was amazing,the very friendly and knowlegable guide Angjel showed us around Ohrid and the monastries and amphitheatre at our own pace. We avoided all the crowds and found it a really enjoyable day. Angjel explained the history and knew in detail about each site and we were able to spend enough time in each place which we loved. We even were able to enjoy a delicious lunch that he advised us about. Was a wonderful day out we just loved the lake and how he was always ready for us to stop or spend time to taie photos i would highly recommend this trip you wont be disappointed
Review provided by Viator
82lilab
May 5, 2024
A wonderful trip - This is a wonderful experience! Lake Ohrid is absolutely gorgeous. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was like an encyclopedia with so much knowledge to share. Definitely recommended if you want to try something different!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lila_b
May 5, 2024
A wonderful experience! - Wonderful day! The lake is beautiful and the city of Ohrid is a treasure. Our guide was like an encyclopedia, full of facts and local stories.
Review provided by Viator
Coastal28027683765
Jun 15, 2024
Great - Wonderful tour of ohrid. The guide was knowledgable and allowed us time to walk and take as many pictures as we wanted. Never felt rushed at any time. Wish we could have swam by the lake but everything was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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