Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Ohrid. Give it roughly ~120 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~120 min
- Ohrid Ohrid guide
About Lake Ohrid
One of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, at least 1.3 million years old and 288 metres deep, shared with Albania and home to more than 200 species found nowhere else.
Lake Ohrid covers 358 square kilometres, is 288 metres deep at its deepest and lies 693 metres above sea level; about two thirds of it belong to North Macedonia and the rest to Albania. Drilling into its sediments shows that it has existed for at least 1.3 million years, and some estimates say several million.
Fed largely by underground springs, some carrying water from Lake Prespa, it is famously clear. It holds more than 200 endemic species, among them the endangered Ohrid trout. Since 1979 it has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extended to the Albanian shore in 2019.
Did you know? In 2013 scientists drilled a 569-metre core of sediment from the lake floor; it shows that Lake Ohrid has existed continuously for at least 1.3 million years.
How long is a visit to Lake Ohrid?
Set aside roughly ~120 min for Lake Ohrid. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Lake Ohrid worth your time?
Lake Ohrid is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Ohrid, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Ohrid
Day 1 of the Ohrid in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Lake Ohrid
Preview the Ohrid tour free in the Gingerguide app.