Pogradec Travel Guide: Discover Lake Ohrid and Southern Albania through Slow and Authentic Tourism
Discover a three-day slow travel itinerary in Pogradec and the Southern Lakes of Albania. Explore Lake Ohrid, ancient ruins, authentic villages, and traditional food in one of Albania’s most magical and sustainable regions.
Pogradec is a charming lakeside town in southeastern Albania, overlooking the majestic Lake Ohrid—a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with North Macedonia, famous for its biodiversity and cultural value.
Part of the Korçë region, Pogradec represents the entire Southern Lakes area, including Tushemisht, Drilon, Lin, and Udënisht: authentic Albanian villages where time flows slowly, between natural springs, friendly locals, and deep-rooted traditions.
If you love slow and responsible tourism in Albania, this travel guide will take you on a three-day experience rich in nature, culture, local cuisine, and ancient history. I visited in June 2025, supported by COSV, VIS Albania, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Day 1 – From Tirana to Lake Prespa: Sacred Islands and Traditional Villages
There’s an Albania made of simple, genuine details. Handmade dishes, songs by the lake, elderly women sitting in front of colourful doors, and whispered legends still passed down today. It’s the Albania of the southern lakes, and my journey starts here: in Pogradec, on the shores of the magical Lake Ohrid, surrounded by nature, archaeology, tradition, and heartfelt hospitality.
After arriving from Tirana, we start the day with coffee overlooking Lake Ohrid Albania—where the light on the water seems to whisper ancient stories. We continue toward Pustec on the shores of nearby Lake Prespa, enjoying a peaceful lunch at Bar-Restaurant Panorama, surrounded by monasteries, migratory birds, and silence.
In the afternoon, a short boat ride takes us to Maligrad Island, a spiritual, untouched place home to the 14th-century Church of Saint Mary. Despite the dampness, the painted icons on the walls remain vivid and powerful.
Later, we travel to Tushemisht, one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakeside villages I’ve ever seen: cobbled lanes, bridges over natural springs, colorful homes, and everyday life that feels poetic.
We stay at Hotel Driloni, nestled in a lakeside park—perfect for a morning run or peaceful walk.
For dinner, we head to Vila Art, a restaurant inside a historic villa, once owned by Enver Hoxha.
Surrounded by traditional food, warm company, and the golden light of sunset, you immediately sense the authenticity of this land.
A walk under the stars was just the perfect way to end the day.
Day 2 – The Ancient Via Egnatia, Royal Tombs, and Albanian Flavours
We begin our second day exploring the Golic Bridge, part of the legendary Via Egnatia, the ancient Roman road that once linked the Adriatic with Byzantium. Here, you can still walk on original stones and imagine the passage of merchants, pilgrims, and soldiers—every step echoes with history.
A legend even claims that a treasure was hidden beneath the bridge stones during a time of flight and chaos. True or not, it adds a layer of mystery to the place.
Our next stop is the Royal Tombs of Selca, carved into rock and surrounded by wild vegetation. These archaeological ruins feel untouched by time and incredibly moving.
Hungry and happy, we head to Bujtina Pelion, a family-run restaurant that quickly becomes one of my favourites. The chefs welcome us into the kitchen and show us how to make lakror a traditional pie filled with herbs and love.
Their lakror? The best I’ve had during the whole trip! Homemade cheese, fresh vegetables, local lamb, and a holiday-worthy table of traditional Albanian food.
After lunch, we stop at The Tree House, an artisan workshop where rakia is distilled. Rakia is a homemade Albanian brandy offered to guests as both a welcome drink and a healing remedy. A warm, fragrant ritual that smells like fire, fruit, and old stories.
The day ends in Grabovica with a local wine tasting, followed by dinner at Hani i Gështenjave, a rural guesthouse with lake views and the tastiest meat of the entire journey. The smell of wood, earthy flavours, and local warmth—this place feels honest and alive.
Day 3 – Lin and the Hidden Beauty of Lake Ohrid
The final day takes us to Lin, a peaceful village on a promontory over Lake Ohrid. Its cobbled streets, stone houses, and flower-filled courtyards seem frozen in time.
From the village, a scenic footpath climbs through olive trees to a viewpoint over the lake. The panoramic view—water, mountains, and wind-swept silence—is a moment of pure beauty.
Here, you’ll find the early Christian basilica ruins of Lin, with mosaic floors from the 5th and 6th centuries featuring birds, bees, and fish. A silent, rarely visited archaeological site that holds surprising charm.
We close our journey with lunch on the lakeshore and taste cator, a native fish that locals proudly call “the king of the lake.”
And after lunch? A dip in the transparent waters, a last swim, a farewell to the sun—and a goodbye that already feels like longing!
Why Visit Pogradec and the Southern Lakes of Albania?
The Southern Lakes region of Albania is a place where tourism is growing without losing its soul.
It’s a destination for those who love authentic villages, sustainable travel, and real human connection.
Whether you’re a travel lover, a photographer, a nature enthusiast, a family or a seeker of meaningful experiences—this corner of Albania will stay with you long after you leave.
