Move Over Lake Como: This European Lake Town Is Far Cheaper And Just As Stunning!

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Need to discover past the norm this summer season? Nationwide Geographic is hyping up Europe’s ‘final frontier’.

Fairly than settle as one other face in a row of Parisian sidewalk cafes or dodging water weapons in Spain’s fixed protests, why not enterprise off to the Balkans, a sprawling area of lesser-known locations with out sacrificing magnificence, delicacies, and experiences?

Albania has arguably turn into the trendiest Balkan nation, however subsequent door lies North Macedonia, clinging to “hidden gem” standing apart from digital nomads within the know dwelling their greatest life.

Nonetheless largely unexplored by mainstream vacationers, scraping the underside of the ranks when it comes to Europe’s least visited nations, North Macedonia is residence to considered one of Europe’s prettiest cities and simply so occurs to be considered one of my favourite discoveries in all my travels.

Let’s dive into why Nat Geo is lastly giving this underrated lake city the popularity it deserves.

Unveiling Europe’s Dreamiest Lake City

Are you able to consider a dreamier lake city than Lake Como?

I can as a result of I have been, and was blown away by how this undiscovered paradise has fallen via the cracks of guidebook authors for much too lengthy.

At first look, crossing the Albania-North Macedonia border is nothing to shake a stick at, and I’ve shaken many sticks in my day rising up within the Texas countryside.

However when you move the rugged roads of stray canines and beat-up automobiles, you rapidly understand Ohrid is really a diamond within the tough.

Not solely is that this Macedonian gem equally beautiful as locations like Lake Como, but it surely’s far cheaper. In actual fact, it would not even come shut. I keep in mind having a feast of moussaka, grilled veggies, and a spherical of beers with out hitting double digits.

After all, service was interrupted by fixed smoke breaks, however hey, Europe gonna Europe, ya know?

Nat Geo highlights Ohrid primarily due to its phenomenal meals, and so they’re not fallacious. However Ohrid’s attraction goes manner past a foodie vacation spot; the structure is astounding, the locals are welcoming, wandering in any respect hours is secure, and sure, it is unattainable to dent your checking account right here.

Lodges? Do not sweat that both. Simply discover charming boutique stays and low-cost luxurious underneath $60.

However the actual draw is Lake Ohrid itself. Europe’s deepest lake beams of crystal-clear water like a heat drawn bathtub and a serene setting with epic sunsets, the place locals collect within the timeless Previous City district to witness the red-tiled townscape glow orange.

Each Day Is Sunday In Ohrid

In case you have not seen, the world is filled with chaos in the intervening time. Regardless of the place you might be on the planet, a typical technique to alleviate the nervousness of fixed destructive headlines is go to church.

Effectively, Ohrid is thought for as soon as having 365 church buildings, one for every day of the 12 months. Although there is no phrase on what locals did on Leap Day — Rock, Paper, Scissors?

Many of those centuries-old church buildings nonetheless stay and are well-preserved. You do not even must go on an official tour to seek out them; merely wander the winding maze of cobbled streets and you will come upon them very quickly in addition to a wonderful mosque anchoring Previous City, as there’s a robust variety of traditions and tradition right here displayed in faith, life-style, and delicacies therefore the ‘moussaka’ reference earlier, a typical Greek staple with Arab roots.

Whereas Ohrid’s spiritual establishments are marvels in their very own proper, you are doing your self a disservice in case you do not pack your strolling footwear and hike uphill to Samuel’s Fortress, the place you possibly can reward your self with a scenic patio seat at Fort Cafe.

A tour of the fortress is really useful.

Nat Geo Hyped Meals, So Let’s Discuss Meals!

Wandering Ohrid, you may discover quintessential sidewalk cafes we have all grown to like throughout Europe, however you may additionally discover an array of delicacies from neighboring nations.

After I visited, I felt like I used to be in Athens or Istanbul when scouring restaurant menus, although my favourite meal was at Damar with a breezy hilltop patio providing unmatched views of the town.

I ordered Brown Trout straight from, you guessed it, Lake Ohrid. It could not have been higher ready.

Whereas I opted for affordable native beer over the laborious stuff, Nat Geo additionally hypes up mastika, a Macedonian liquor made from tree resin, and native wines sourced within the nation’s lesser-known wine area exterior the capital metropolis, Skopje.

Can You Swim In Lake Ohrid?

There’s nothing extra inviting than pristine waters on sun-drenched shores, particularly with splendid temperatures within the mid-80s all through summer season.

North Macedonia could also be a landlocked nation, however you will not be wishing you are in Santorini or neighboring Albania’s paradisal coast if you see how pristine Lake Ohrid’s waters actually are.

There are small seashores dotting the lake on each the Macedonia and Albania sides, however in order for you in on a secret, be sure to take the hidden boardwalk lining the lake to keep away from the treacherous hills.

In the end, you’ll attain a quieter facet of city with secluded seashores like Seashore Labino and Seashore Potpesh.

There are additionally frequent boat excursions, however the most well-liked are sundown cruises, so ensure that to book early!