Pogradec

Pogradec is a town in the east of Albania on the shores of Lake Ohrid. In 2019 the mixed UNESCO World Heritage site "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region" was extended to also include the Albanian side of the lake.

Understand
Pogradec is on a narrow plain, between two mountain chains, along the southwestern banks of the Lake of Ohrid. Its climate is profoundly influenced by a seasonal Mediterranean and Continental climate.

Prior to the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the 1992 declaration of the Republic of Albania, Pogradec was a popular resort destination. However, with the dissolution of the socialist republic, and in the ensuing years of Balkan wars, tourism income was affected in the region leaving buildings empty and Pogradec solely dependent on its agricultural products and exposed to cross border trafficking, as people struggled to earn money for housing and food.

Investors from successful tourism businesses across the lake in North Macedonia and elsewhere have spearheaded private investment in the hotel sector in Pogradec. Hotels are being built or renovated and refurbished, and infrastructure is promised to be improving throughout.

By road
From North Macedonia, you can enter via Qafë Thanë or Tushemisht border crossings.

It is possible to cross the border from North Macedonia on foot or by car to the south of Lake Ohrid, but major coaches from Ohrid town take the northern route from Tirana.

By bus
A bus or furgon from Tirana takes 3–4 hr, but the roads in the east are largely good. Buses cost 500 lek, while minibuses are 600 lek. Shared private taxis, if you can find one, will cost the same as furgons for a full car and often save you a headache.

There is a bus service from Ohrid on the southern route that runs, after a stop at Sveti Naum, to and from the border for 110 (Macedonian) denars.

By taxi
Although taxis ask €5, a good price (2012) from the border to Pogradec along the southern route for two persons is 200 lek.

By car
Once you have arrived in the city, you can use a car to drive around.

On foot
It is a better experience if you get around on foot, especially near the lake. In the night, especially in summer, there are a lot of people who walk around the boulevard and you will feel the good energy until midnight.

By bicycle
Pogradec is also famous for the usage of bicycles. You can rent a bicycle for a few hours and have enough time to visit some places and especially ride alongside the lake with a fantastic view.

Further afield

 * Visiting Drilon, 4 km from Pogradec, is always a great pleasure.
 * Visiting Drilon, 4 km from Pogradec, is always a great pleasure.
 * Visiting Drilon, 4 km from Pogradec, is always a great pleasure.
 * Visiting Drilon, 4 km from Pogradec, is always a great pleasure.
 * Visiting Drilon, 4 km from Pogradec, is always a great pleasure.

Do

 * Enjoy the peculiar setting of a full moon being reflected on the lake while exploring the milky way and countless stars in the sky at night. In the summer you could encounter by a chance a lightning bug.
 * Take a walk around the Toplec district which is often compared to Tuscany.
 * Take a boat ride at the springs of Drilon, the origin of the mighty Drin river which flow into the lake here.
 * Take a coffee with your jacket in the morning and go to the beach with your bathing suit in the afternoon.
 * Fishermen coming at shore with their overnight catches
 * Canoeing or a boat trip on the lake
 * You can walk across the lakeside in the promenade Pogradec Shetitore "1 Maji", enjoying the freshness of trees and a wonderful view. Here is a 5 km boulevard bordering the lake, where you can find bars with live music, hotels, motels, cafes, and restaurants according to traditional and modern tastes.
 * You can walk across the lakeside in the promenade Pogradec Shetitore "1 Maji", enjoying the freshness of trees and a wonderful view. Here is a 5 km boulevard bordering the lake, where you can find bars with live music, hotels, motels, cafes, and restaurants according to traditional and modern tastes.

Events

 * Balkan Film and Food Festival
 * Lake Day – An annual festival showcasing the best in traditional crafts, this event gathers the three surrounding towns of Pogradec, Struga, and Ohrid.
 * Women's Artisan Exhibition – An annual craft and delicacies exhibition of souvenirs made from local women.
 * Take part in the annual Wine Fest in December.

Buy

 * Hand made works from artisans and paintings by local artists.
 * Hand made works from artisans and paintings by local artists.

Eat
Try baked Korani dish (Ohrid trout, be aware that it is endangered) or baked Belushka or Jekna.



Drink

 * Sip the delicious local wine. A local saying goes that Ohrid trout was born at the lake and dies in the wine.
 * Pubs in Pogradec that are open every night from 20:00-03:00. They offer music and cocktails. You should be part of the fest.

Sleep
Pogradec is known for having crisp nights and thus deep sleeps. It is normal to cover yourself with a quilt in the middle of summer. In particularly, afternoons naps are quite refreshing.



Go next

 * Driloni National Park – 5 min from Pogradec center with a car or 30 minutes walking through the square. There you can see a lot of animals. Also, a small lake who takes water from Ohrid Lake.
 * Ohrid and Struga – Across the lake in North Macedonia. They have wonderful old towns, many churches, and plenty more.
 * Korca – 45 min away by car or public transportation. It has charming churches and museums.