![How To Visit St. Naum Monastery, Lake Ohrid, Macedonia [2026]](https://theroamingrenegades.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ferry_across_lake_ohrid_to_st_naum_monastery_macedonia--368x552.jpg)
Whilst in Macedonia we just had to head over to historic and beautiful Ohrid on the border with Albania. Whilst the town itself and the surrounding areas are absolutely stunning and packed with wonders both historical and natural they are also quite busy and crowded. So we jumped onto a ferry for a wonderful 3 hours journey across the mirror-like lake back in time to the landmark St. Naum Monastery on the far side of the water!
Our guide to visiting St. Naum Monastery, Lake Ohrid.
Chapters
The ferry ride over the mirror-like Lake Ohrid
After staring at the stunning lake Ohrid for 3 days we were desperate to get on to the water, it was too cold to swim really and the taxi boats were a rip-off! Out looking for a full-day adventure we discovered the ferries heading towards the wonderful St. Naum Monastery. Snapping up a bargain price we headed out for a day on the beautifully still water.
The ferry we had ahead of ourselves was to take just under 2 hours, the sun was still rising above the enormous lake as we set sail across its huge expanse. One of the biggest lakes in Europe Ohrid itself is a UNESCO world heritage site and getting up close and personal with it you can really see why.
We began the journey on the top deck, surrounded by Polish teenagers on a school outing! We decided to head down towards the quieter front of the boat to take in the amazing scenery that surrounded us.
Here the intensely green and lush mountains reflected perfectly into the glass-like water of the lake. Ohrid was living up to its high billing in an awe-inspiring way.
The surroundings that we passed changed and developed over the 2 hours, from resorts on the edge of the water to tiny settlements and local villages. Birds flying above and fish swimming alongside the wake of the boat. It really was such an idyllic setting. At one point we even passed by the Bay of Bones, the museum on the water displaying examples of a historic pile-dwelling settlement.
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Exploring the Ancient St. Naum Monastery
Of course, as soon as we left the ferry we headed over to the beautiful Monastery many make this crossing to see. This Eastern Orthodox place of worship is perched on a cliffside overlooking the turquoise waters of the famous lake. The 16th-century church here contains the remains of the very saint it is named after and sits inside a stunning courtyard, some say you can still hear his heart beating if you place your ear to his crypt!
Stepping over the threshold into the grounds of this historic place it almost feels like stepping back in time to a different world. In here time has stood still, with picturesque rose bushes, white peacocks and sandy beaches nearby. A slide of paradise in one of the most stunning corners of Europe.
Step into the St. Naum church itself and you will be greeted by amazing 16th and 19th centuries old frescos on the multi-domed ceiling. This refuge of tranquillity feels a million miles away from the tourist hustle and bustle of Ohrid itself, set right on the border with Albania is a tiny corner of this huge lake!
Crossing back over the Albania border
Whilst visiting the stunning St. Naum monastery on the sandy banks of Ohrid we headed over to the Albanian border…or should we say, back to the border! When we originally make the crossing we were disappointed not to get a stamp and as our love for the country grew we were even more gutted that it was not permanently etched into our passports!
We love collecting stamps and travelling on large buses is often not the best way to go about it! So we hiked the 15 minutes through the forest to the isolated border crossing and briefly entered back into Albania and then back to Macedonia!
How To Do The Ohrid To St Naum Cruise & How Much Does It Cost?
There are two-three main ways to book the cruise. All of which we would recommend doing the day before.
Firstly, You could speak to your accommodation and see if they can organise the trip for you. They likely have contacts and can make a phone call. Sometimes though this might result in paying a commission fee or getting on a more expensive private tour.
Secondly, go down to the dock/ marina the night/evening before and speak to the boat owners. There are plenty of them so it’s easy to walk up and down and see which ones still have spaces. Most of the shared boats offer a pretty similar service. Though some do add in more stops if that is something of interest to you.
Thirdly, you can book online at any point up until your trip. This is great if you want to make sure you get on a trip if your time is limited. You can also check in writing exactly what is and isn’t included
Read all about what else to do in Ohrid: Guide to coastal Ohrid in Landlocked Macedonia
Have you ever taken this ferry ride or visited Ohrid
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Yo, I’m Nic (they/them), one-half of The Roaming Renegades.
I’m an adventure (and halloumi) obsessed traveller with a passion for hiking mountains, exploring cities, watching Arsenal win, moshing out to Rammstein in random European fields and getting hopelessly lost on a motorbike somewhere in Asia! I am also a proud member of the LGBT+ community.
I’ve explored 80 countries, lived in Australia and New Zealand, and spent months wandering Southeast Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, all while trying to avoid growing up!
Did it work? I dunno, but my back hurts, and I still collect Pokémon cards! Who wants in?!
I cant believe I missed out on this area when I went to Macedonia back in 2008. I am so kicking myself over that! Need to get back there
Always good to have a reason to return, its very different down there to Skopje. We would like to return and go into the mountains inbetween too.
Ferry rides have always been one of my favorites, and that monastery at the end is absolutely beautiful!
Yeah, always love relaxing on the water and seeing the beautiful world go by. Was worth the ride too!
I like ferry rides too and this looks very cool. The scenery is beautiful and love the water settlements and the monastery. Nice excursion!
This is an excursion I would totally love. So glad you found an alternative and cheaper route to the monastery. I’d go that way too.
Yeah if you visit Ohrid then it is totally worth it and worth it to shop around too! It is such a beautiful place.
The lake is captivating from your pictures 🙂 Such a creative way to travel to the monastery! Forget about the stamp – I saw your picture at the border 😀
Ha ha, yeah it is such a beautiful place with such history too.
Hi!
My friend and I are going to Ohrid in a few days but we are wondering, how do you get (back) form St. Naum to Ohrid? Does a ferry go back as well? (We want to travel from Thessaloniki to Ohrid and going to Pogradec first might be the best option..)
Thank you!!
Hey, yes if you book the ferry trip it takes you back too. I think there is also a bus if you wanted but the one we did was a round trip. I am not sure on that route as we did it from the north but I am sure there will be plenty of transport options as seemed to be the case for us in the region. Have a great time.
There are three companies plying the route. I usually take Boat Ohrid, which costs 600 denars per person there and back. You get to spend 4 hours in St. Naum (11:30-15:30) before going back. Info here http://boatohrid.com/
What’s your nationality? By law, EU/EFTA passports are NOT to be stamped either in Albania or Macedonia, so it’ll only happen upon request.
If you’re non-EU/EFTA nationals, not stamping you was illegal on the part of the officers, and could get you in trouble upon exit if getting a strict official, which is more likely at airports
No worries, we are British, we just asked for the stamps because we like collecting them.
All good then 🙂 For your reference, among the non-EU Balkan/Yugoslav states, Bosnia, Kosovo and Montenegro are legally obliged to stamp you on entry and exit, Serbia on entry only, and Albania and Macedonia not at all. The Bosnians in particular can be lazy though, esp. at land crossings from Croatia, so just to let you know.
What a great post about the taking the ferry round Orhid, I have been looking for this kind of info and it is full of detail We are staying in Orhid in June first time in that area.
Where did you catch the ferry from and how much was the fare?
Thanks for your comment.
We just went down to the main marina the day before and inquired. There are loads of boats doing these tours, most leave between 9-10am and return in the late afternoon. But there are a few different options. We chose the most basic one which just stopped at St Naum and we were free to roam until we had to return back to the dock.
If I recall it was between 10-15 Euros each.
Another option is to book online, which you can do here:
https://www.viator.com/en-GB/tours/Ohrid/Cruise-to-St-Naum-monastery/d28588-200193P3?pid=P00077255&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=stnaum
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