Lake Ohrid Shore

About this place

Pogradec lies on the southwestern shore of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes, on a narrow plain between two mountain chains in eastern Albania. The lake and its surroundings form part of UNESCO's natural and cultural heritage site of the Ohrid region, and visitors come to the town for its calm waterfront. The name Pogradec means «under the castle», after an old Illyrian settlement on the hill above. Bulgarian, Byzantine and Serbian powers followed one another here, and in Ottoman times it was a small town of craftsmen and fishermen known as Starova. Illyrian royal tombs in nearby Proptisht are on Albania's tentative heritage list. The waterfront has a long promenade, trees, cafes and small beaches, facing wide water and the mountains towards North Macedonia. Many restaurants serve lake fish, including the famous koran trout that plenty of menus offer. In summer, the lake is a favourite place for locals to swim. Pogradec is 33 km in a straight line from Korçë and 18 km from the village of Lin to the north. Summer is liveliest and the beaches get crowded, while spring and autumn are quieter and cheaper. Ask restaurants where their fish comes from, as koran is protected at certain times. Walk the promenade before sunset, when the mountains colour across the lake.