Monastery of St Naum – A Day Trip from Ohrid

Ohrid sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Ohrid in southwestern North Macedonia, and one of the most popular day trips from the town is to the Monastery of St Naum, around 30 kilometres away near the Albanian border.

Before we arrived in Ohrid, almost everyone we spoke to told us we had to visit St Naum. I hadn’t heard much about it, but we decided to take the boat across the lake and see what all the fuss was about.

What surprised me was that a day trip to St Naum is about much more than visiting the monastery. There are the beautiful St Naum Springs, gardens, restaurants and even a beach where you can swim.

If you’re visiting during summer, bring your swimmers – something I wish we’d known before we went!

Here’s everything you need to know to plan a day trip from Ohrid to the Monastery of St Naum.

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Getting from Ohrid to St Naum

The Monastery of St Naum is around 29 kilometres south of Ohrid. You can get there by boat, bus, taxi or car, but I think travelling across Lake Ohrid by boat is part of the experience.

Ohrid to St Naum by Boat

We travelled aboard the Aleksandrija, leaving from the main port in the centre of Ohrid.

The journey took around 90 minutes each way, following the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid. Along the way we had views of the Bay of Bones Museum, small lakeside villages and the forested slopes of Galičica National Park.

There was commentary on our boat, although despite English being advertised, most of the detailed information was in Macedonian. That didn’t bother me too much – the scenery alone made it an enjoyable trip.

The Aleksandrija still operates trips between Ohrid and St Naum during the main tourist season, along with other boats offering similar cruises. Some include additional stops or sightseeing along the way.

Schedules and prices vary between operators and throughout the season, so check the current departure details or book a cruise in advance.

One important tip: don’t be late for the return journey. Our boat left almost exactly on time from both Ohrid and St Naum.

Ohrid to St Naum by Bus, Taxi or Car

Local buses and minibuses also run between Ohrid and St Naum, although timetables can change and services may be more frequent during summer.

Driving gives you more flexibility, particularly if you want to stop at places such as the Bay of Bones, Trpejca or viewpoints along the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid.

A taxi can also be worth considering if several people are sharing the fare.

For a first visit, though, I’d still choose the boat.

The Monastery of St Naum

The Monastery of St Naum was founded around 905 by Saint Naum of Ohrid, an important figure in the spread of Christianity and Slavic literacy in this part of the Balkans.

Saint Naum was a disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius and later worked alongside Saint Clement of Ohrid. He established the monastery towards the end of his life and was buried here after his death in 910.

The monastery has been rebuilt and altered over the centuries, but remains an important religious site and one of the best-known landmarks around Lake Ohrid.

The Church of the Holy Archangels is relatively small. Inside you’ll find frescoes covering the walls and the tomb of Saint Naum.

Local legend says that if you put your ear against his tomb, you can hear Saint Naum’s heartbeat. There’s a more scientific explanation involving the acoustics and water beneath the monastery, but listening for the heartbeat has become part of the experience for many visitors.

It was busy during our summer visit, with tourists and worshippers inside. Photography wasn’t permitted when we visited, so I don’t have photos of the interior.

The grounds are also worth exploring, with gardens, shady places to escape the summer heat and fantastic views across Lake Ohrid. You’ll probably spot the resident peacocks wandering around too.

Take a Boat Trip on the St Naum Springs

Just a short walk from the monastery are the St Naum Springs, another highlight of our visit.

The water is extraordinarily clear. In places we could easily see the plants growing beneath the surface, and with so little movement it almost looked like glass.

Some of this water originates at Lake Prespa, on the other side of the Galičica mountains and at a higher elevation.

It travels underground through the porous limestone before emerging through springs around St Naum and eventually flowing into Lake Ohrid.

You can explore the springs in one of the small rowing boats that quietly make their way around the waterways.

Even if you don’t take a boat ride, it’s worth walking along the paths and bridges to see the clear water up close.

Go for a Swim at St Naum Beach

This was the part of our visit I wasn’t expecting – there’s a beach right beside the monastery where you can swim in Lake Ohrid.

Unfortunately, we hadn’t brought our swimmers!

The water was beautifully clear and calm during our visit, with sunloungers lining the shore. We paid 140 MKD each for a lounger at the time, but don’t rely on that as a current price.

St Naum has some sandy stretches, while many beaches around Lake Ohrid are pebbly. Sunloungers are generally available during summer, and you may also find kayaks and other water activities.

If you’re visiting in warm weather, pack your swimmers and allow some time for a dip.

Where to Eat at St Naum

There are several places to eat around the monastery and springs, from restaurants with waterside settings to more casual options.

We had lunch at Restaurant Drim by Cuba Libre, beside the St Naum Springs. I was a little sceptical because it looked like exactly the sort of restaurant that could charge tourist prices simply because of its location.

I was pleasantly surprised. The portions were generous, the prices were reasonable and the food was good – but it was the setting that really made lunch memorable. Our table overlooked the springs.

There are other restaurants around the complex, and Lake Ohrid trout is one of the local specialities you’ll commonly see on menus.

Alternatively, bring a picnic. There are grassy areas and shady spots where you can sit and relax.

Explore Beyond the Main Monastery

There are several smaller churches and chapels scattered around the St Naum complex and surrounding area, with walking paths connecting many of them.

The monastery also sits on the edge of Galičica National Park, which covers the mountainous landscape between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.

I wouldn’t try to combine a proper exploration of the national park with a standard St Naum boat trip. There’s already plenty to fill your time here, so I’d give Galičica a separate day if you want to explore it properly.

St Naum is also only around a kilometre from the Albanian border. You may notice signs or fencing as you explore, so stick to the marked paths around the monastery complex.

Practical Tips for Visiting St Naum

• Bring your swimmers – there’s a beach right beside the monastery, so pack swimmers and a towel in warm weather.
• Carry some cash – having Macedonian denars is useful for smaller purchases, toilets and incidental costs.
• Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking between the monastery, springs, beach and surrounding paths.
• Bring sun protection – particularly if you’re travelling across the lake by boat.
• Expect crowds in summer – July and August can be particularly busy.
• Check your return time – scheduled boats can leave promptly.
• Allow time to explore – don’t plan to see only the monastery. The springs, beach and grounds are a big part of the experience.

Is the Monastery of St Naum Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. St Naum was one of the highlights of our time in Ohrid.

Taking the boat across Lake Ohrid made the journey part of the experience, and once there we had much more to explore than I’d expected.

If you have at least a couple of days in Ohrid, I’d make time for St Naum. And if you’re visiting in summer, learn from our mistake – pack your swimmers!

Book your cruise across Lake Ohrid to St Naum here now

For more things to do in Ohrid, click here to see what I did during my visit.

Looking for some longer day tours from Ohrid? How about these?
Meteora from Ohrid
Tirana and Durres from Ohrid
Pogradec, Korcha and Pustec from Ohrid

Want to stay overnight at Hotel St Naum and enjoying this paradise for longer? Click here to see availability and prices.