Pogradec is the largest city on the Albanian side of the Ohrid Lake and a transport hub that you will almost certainly pass through on your way between Tirana and southeastern Albania. The peaceful beach, which is surrounded by a lovely park with a promenade and a few restaurants, is the only thing to see here. However, several other attractions are located close to the town.
Considering the relatively high altitude (about 700 m above sea level) and the depth of the lake (up to 155 m), the water in Ohrid Lake is relatively cold and only hardy people are likely to enjoy it otherwise than in summer. You can go for a ride on a pedal boat.
The surroundings of Pogradec, unlike the town itself, are rich in natural and cultural attractions. Within a short drive away, you may visit the spring Drilon, the steamship-like rock formation Guri i Kamjes, or Lin, one of the most picturesque settlements in Albania.
Buses to Pogradec run from Tirana (TEG terminal) via Elbasan about once an hour. Some of these continue to Korçë, Ersekë or Bilisht. There are also direct buses from Pogradec to Berat, Vlorë, Shkodër and Durrës. Buses or minibuses run to Korçë roughly every 30 minutes. The train connection from Durrës to Pogradec has not been in operation for years due to the disrepair of the railway line.
If you’re travelling to Pogradec from North Macedonia, you have two options: the first is via Struga, from where you can take a taxi to the Qafë Thanë/Kjafasan border crossing. On the other side of the border, there are Albanian unofficial taxi drivers usually waiting to take you to the petrol station at the junction on the main road Elbasan–Pogradec. Here, you can stop any bus or minibus heading towards Pogradec.
The second and much more interesting option is via the Tushemisht/St. Naum border crossing on the south side of the lake. From Ohrid, buses run (at 5:00, 6:00, 12:15, 15:30 and 18:00 on weekdays and 6:00, 15:30 and 18:30 on weekends) to St. Naum’s Monastery (unofficial taxi drivers supplement the offer in between). In high season, you can also take a ride on the cruise boats, which depart between 9:00 and 10:30 from the port of Ohrid. The sail offering views of Galičica mountains is an experience in itself, and the monastery is worth a visit in any case. It’s only about a kilometre walk from the monastery to the border crossing, and Albanian taxi drivers will be waiting on the other side until at least early afternoon to take you the few kilometres to Pogradec.
Useful Links
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Experiences
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