I didn’t expect one of my favourite days in Albania to involve leaving Albania altogether. But here we are!
Don’t get me wrong, I loved visiting Tirana, but you really only need 3 or 4 days to see and do the usual things in Tirana. So if you have a spare day, a day trip to North Macedonia is such a good idea.
I took a guided day tour from Tirana to Lake Ohrid, with a stop at Saint Naum Monastery, and it was a really lovely way to see a small part of North Macedonia in one day.
Yes, it’s a long day. And yes, you’ll spend a decent chunk of it travelling. But between the mountain roads, the lake views, Ohrid’s old town and the setting of Saint Naum right by the water, it definitely didn’t feel like a wasted travel day at all.
In this guide, I’ll take you through how to take a day trip from Tirana to North Macedonia – specifically Lake Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery – what the journey is like, whether it’s better to go with a tour or public transport, and what you can realistically see in one day.
You might also like:
- How To Spend Two Days In Tirana: Best Guide For First-Timers
- 19 Best Things To Do In Tirana (Before Everyone Else Discovers It)
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Practical Information
Where is North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkans, just east of Albania.
When visiting from Tirana, the easiest part of North Macedonia to reach is the Lake Ohrid area, which sits really close to the Albanian border. This is why so many day trips from Tirana focus on Ohrid rather than Skopje, the capital.
Lake Ohrid itself sits between North Macedonia and Albania, but the town of Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery are on the North Macedonian side.
Ohrid is an incredibly pretty lakeside town, while Saint Naum Monastery is further south, closer to the Albanian border.
So while you obviously won’t be able to see all of North Macedonia on this day trip, you will be able to see one of the country’s most beautiful spots.
FOR PEACE OF MIND, FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR TRIP
How to get to North Macedonia
There are a few ways to get from Tirana to North Macedonia, but the most realistic options for this particular day trip are by guided tour, bus or rental car.
There’s no train from Tirana to Ohrid, and there is no direct train route from Albania into North Macedonia. Albania’s rail network is very limited, so this isn’t really a train journey you can piece together in any practical way.
Why I Use Airalo eSIM When Travelling
I’ve started using Airalo on most of my trips now, mainly because it removes the hassle of sorting out data when I arrive in a new city.
It’s a digital SIM card, meaning I don’t need to insert anything into my phone (unlike local SIMs). I just need to install the eSIM before I travel and as soon as I land, I’ve got data.
Here’s what I generally use it for:
• Google Maps
• Checking train and bus times
• Booking activities or looking up opening times
It’s not at all complicated to set up. You buy a data plan in the app, follow a few steps to install it, and then switch it on when you arrive.
Option 1: Take a guided day tour
A guided day tour is definitely the easiest option if you want to visit both Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery in one day. It’s not really possible to get as far as Skopje on a day trip though.
I took this group tour and the main benefit was that everything was handed to me on a plate! The transport, the border crossing, the route, the timing and getting between Ohrid and Saint Naum.
I was travelling on my own and I’m not a fan of renting a car when I’m travelling solo, so I’m glad I went with a group tour. Jenny, our guide for the day was actually the best guide I had throughout all my Albania day trips.
The day tours leave Tirana early in the morning (plan for around 6.30am or 7.30am) and return in the evening. The full day lasts between 10 and 12 hours, depending on traffic, border queues and how long you spend at each stop (we did lose someone at Lake Ohrid, so we were slightly delayed…).
Why I Book With Get Your Guide
I use GetYourGuide for almost all my activities when I’m travelling, mainly for these reasons:
‣ Free cancellation on most bookings: Plans change. It’s good to know you can cancel and get a refund if needed.
‣ Clear, detailed listings: You can see exactly what’s included, how long it takes, where to go, and what to expect before you book.
‣ Verified reviews: Makes it easier to avoid wasting time or money on something that isn’t worth it.
‣ Instant confirmation: Especially useful if you’re booking things last minute.
‣ Mobile tickets: No printing, no collecting tickets, everything is on your phone.
Option 2: By bus
If you plan on taking the bus to North Macedonia, you’ll leave from Tirana East Bus Terminal, also called East Gate Bus Station or East Gate Lindor, beside TEG Shopping Mall.
NB: This is not in the city centre, so you’ll need to get there by taxi or take a local city bus from just north of Skanderbeg Square.
The bus arrives at Ohrid Bus Station, which is outside the old town but still close enough to reach the centre by taxi or a longer walk.
The direct bus from Tirana to Ohrid usually takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours. You can book a direct route with free WIFI (since it’s a long travel day!).
I recommend taking an early bus around 8am from Tirana to Ohrid, and returning at 6pm.
If you want to also visit Saint Naum, it’s around 29 km south of Ohrid town, so you’ll also need to add a local bus or taxi once you arrive in Ohrid.
Option 3: By car
If you’re up for it, driving to North Macedonia will give you the most flexibility, especially if you want to visit both Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery without being tied to a tour schedule.
The drive from Tirana to Ohrid will take you around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Of course, this could change depending on how quick you get through the border crossing.
The main driving route from Tirana to Ohrid is:
Tirana → Elbasan → Librazhd → Perrenjas → Qafe Thane border crossing → Struga/Ohrid
From Tirana, you’ll generally head towards Elbasan, then continue east on the SH3 through Librazhd and Perrenjas towards the Qafe Thane border crossing. After crossing into North Macedonia, you continue towards Struga and Ohrid.
If you’re going to Saint Naum Monastery as well, it sits south of Ohrid town, close to the Albanian border. From Ohrid, the drive to Saint Naum is around 45 minutes. It’s actually a lovely scenic drive along the landside.
If you’re renting a car, check three things before you go:
- Your rental company allows you to take the car into North Macedonia
- You have the correct cross-border insurance or “green card”
- You know which border crossing you’re using
I wouldn’t leave this until the morning of the trip. Some rental companies charge extra for cross-border travel, and some may not allow it at all.
Need to book a trip?
These are my go-to sites for booking trips:
Best Time to Visit North Macedonia
The best time to visit North Macedonia depends a little on where you’re going, but for a day trip to Lake Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery, I’d aim for spring or autumn.
April to June and October to September are the best months for this trip.
I visited in May and the weather around Lake Ohrid was warm enough to be able to walk around the old town, head out on the lake and visit the monastery grounds, without being a sweaty Betty.
If you plan on visiting in the summer, be prepared for it to be hot.
Winter’s going to be much quieter, which definitely has it’s own appeal, but you’ll miss out on the ‘ice-cream by the lake’ vibes.
What To See & Do In Ohrid
Most of the main sights around the UNESCO World Heritage SIte of Ohrid are around the old town and lakefront, so it’s super easy to explore on foot.
- Wander around Ohrid Old Town: A pretty area of cobbled streets, old houses, small churches and lake views, and the easiest place to start if you only have a short amount of time.
- Visit the Church of Saint John at Kaneo: One of Ohrid’s most famous views, this small church sits above the lake and is probably the photo you’ve seen before visiting.
- Climb up to Samuel’s Fortress: A good option if you want wider views over Ohrid, the old town and the lake, although it’s best if you have a bit more time.
- See the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid: A small ancient theatre tucked into the old town, and an easy stop if you’re already walking between the main sights.
- Visit Plaošnik: A historic religious and archaeological site near the old town, usually visited together with the Church of Saint Clement and Panteleimon.
- Stop by the Church of Saint Sophia: One of Ohrid’s most important churches, and a good place to add to your route if you’re interested in the town’s history.
- Spend time around Ohrid’s waterfront: The lakefront is lovely for a slower wander. I recommending hitting the ice-cream stand and taking a seat on one of the many benches before strolling around the lake.
- Visit Saint Naum Monastery: A beautiful monastery near the Albanian border, about 29 km from Ohrid town, with lake views, peacocks, springs and a really peaceful setting.
- Take a boat ride on Lake Ohrid: If you have time, a short boat trip is a lovely way to see the lake from a different angle. If you make your way up to the Church of Saint John, you can take a boat from there back to the old town.
Is North Macedonia Worth Visiting?
Yes, North Macedonia is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re already in Albania and have time to cross the border.
It’s one of Europe’s youngest countries, only becoming independent in the 1990s, but the history here goes back much further than that, which you’ll see from the ancient ruins, old churches, Ottoman influence and monasteries around Lake Ohrid that have been part of the region for centuries.
Even if you only visit on a day trip from Tirana, it gives you a really interesting first look at a country that a lot of people still don’t know much about.
