Peštani Holidays

Holidays to Peštani are just the thing for a relaxing break by the lake.

Life about town

Halfway down the eastern side of Lake Ohrid, the village of Peštani is a quiet spot with a laid-back vibe. There are pebble beaches along the shoreline, and a handful of hotels and restaurants overlooking the lake. Make the most of that summer sun with a beach day, swim in the lake and chat with friendly locals. And the national park is just behind the village too, so you can easily explore the different trails through the forest and up to the peaks. For something a little busier, head into Ohrid, it's just a 15-minute taxi ride up the road.

Historical hotspot

Take the bus or a taxi into the centre pf Ohrid to stroll down cobbled streets, visit family-run shops and restaurants and pose for pics in front of centuries-old buildings. To really learn about local history and hear the city's stories, book on to a city-tour. Starting in St Clement's square by the statue of St Clement of Ohrid, the patron saint of North Macedonia, you'll wander through the Old Town and hear stories of Ohrid's past. The tour covers the best historical sites, and you'll see the Robev house – the only three-storey building in the Old Town – as well as churches, the amphitheatre and the house the city's streetlamps are modelled on.

Day trips

One of Lake Ohrid's best bits are the different day trips you can do. Sail down the lake on a boat trip to visit the Monastery of St Naum, you'll see manicured gardens with free-roaming peacocks, painted frescoes on the monastery's walls and fab views of the lake too. Cross the border into Albania for a day trip to see the lake from the western side, stop for lunch along the way and visit the city of Pogradec too. Or head into the hills of the Galičica national park on a guided tour. Visit the hillside town of Elšani, tuck into a tasty lunch at the Kaj Mestono restaurant and finish up with a trip to the Bay of Bones museum, a replica of a Bronze Age settlement on Lake Ohrid.

At a glance

Chill out in the sun by the lake on pebble beaches
Book a boat trip to the Monastery of St Naum to learn about local history
Take to the mountains of the Galičica National Park for superb lake views

Local beaches

Pebble beaches line Peštani's shoreline, and it's easy to find somewhere to stop, flop and enjoy the lake. Choose the beach near the Kaj Mestono restaurant for a central spot, you'll have a great across the lake towards the western shore and you can watch the boats come in to dock at the jetty. It's close to supermarkets and a couple of restaurants too, so when it's time for lunch you'll be able to get something tasty.
Gradište beach

Gradište beach is just a 10-minute drive away, and with music playing all day it's one of the liveliest spots on the shore. Hire a sunbed to lie back and enjoy the sun. It's a good swimming spot too, and there are pine trees behind the pebble beach to give beachgoers some shade. Food and drinks are available from the café, and you're on the right side of the lake to catch the afternoon rays as the sun goes down.

Eating out

When it comes to mealtimes there are a few restaurants to pick from in Peštani. Try something more traditional, like pastermalia – a North Macedonian version of pizza – or selsko meso, which means village meat – a tasty pork and mushroom stew served in a traditional clay pot. And you're just a 20-minute taxi ride from Ohrid's centre, where there are lots of other restaurants to try.
Traditional dancing at Kaj Mestono

Right on the lakefront in Peštani, the outdoor terrace at Kaj Mestono is the perfect spot to watch the sunset over your evening meal. Festoon-bulbs light it up once the sun disappears, and there are pretty pink and white flowers all the way around. The chef here is Macedonian, and the restaurant prides itself on serving up traditional dishes with a twist. The fish soup and grilled Ohrid trout served with potatoes and vegetables are firm favourites, and you'll want to try a glass of local wine or some Skopsko beer too. The restaurant's open Wednesday to Sunday, but make sure to visit on Macedonian night when there's traditional North Macedonian dancing and music throughout the evening.
A family-run favourite

Just across the road from the beach is Pizza Bane, a family-run restaurant that's wallet-friendly, and it's got a varied menu too. Start your evening meal with fresh bread and dips, and then choose from a range of traditional dishes including selso meso (a pork and mushroom stew), grilled fish and Macedonian salad. There's also pizza and pasta dishes on the menu, and the kitchen can cater for gluten-free and vegetarian diets too. With bottles of Macedonian Tikveš wine coming in at €5-6, this is a great option if you're looking for tasty food with an even better price tag.

On foot

You can wander between the beaches on the lakefront here, or to the few restaurants and snack bars down the road. And the Galičica national park is just behind, so if you fancy a walk or a hike you're in a good spot. Just so you know, the forest in the national park is home to a number of animals, including bears.
Ferries

Take a 20-minute taxi to Ohrid harbour and book a spot on the ferry to spend the day down at southern end of the lake. The local ferry leaves Ohrid every day at 10am, and tickets are €10 per person. Wander through the Monastery of St Naum, originally built by Saint Naum of Ohrid in 905 BC, and through the gardens where you can spot peacocks, fountains and find plenty of photo opps before grabbing a bite to eat at the restaurant. And you can take a boat ride at the nearby springs of the Black Drim river that connect Lake Ohrid with Lake Prespa too, it'll last around 20 minutes and is a great way to see local wildlife.
Buses

The local buses in Lake Ohrid are blue and white and are run by the Galeb bus company. Ask at your hotel reception for the nearest stop and a timetable, and look out for yellow markings on the road to see where to wait. Buses generally run every 30 minutes.