Monastery of Saint Naum
Monastery of Saint Naum
Monastery of Saint Naum
4.5
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- mel7155Singapore, Singapore1,356 contributionsGreat view, nice setting and peacefulGreat view to superimpose nature and the religious to provide excellent opportunities for quiet contemplation. The building blends very nicely with the lake as a great backdrop . Nice to take pics but don’t bother to pay 3€ to visit the interior of the church as it is not worth it . Good to spent 10-15 minutes in this site .Visited April 2024Traveled soloWritten April 30, 2024
- Kathryn DEdinburgh, United Kingdom1,129 contributionsBeautiful location overlooking Lake OhridWe visited here on our day trip from Ohrid. The walk up to the Monastery was quite steep in places and uneven surface due to cobbles, but it was well worth the trip. Beautiful views over the lake. A lot of tourists around and various market stalls. Restaurants overlooking the boating lake. A very serene place.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten May 22, 2024
- Κατερίνα Ν83 contributionsA visit that will repay you!A place that one should definitely visit if they visit Ohrid. Travel time from Ohrid 35 to 40 minutes. The road is narrow but passable. The destination pays you back. First, the monastery if I continue to consider it unacceptable to enter a holy place. From then on, everything is nice and tidy. Beautiful places to relax by the lake, boating at the Springs, food, coffee and of course souvenir shops...all beautifully clean and well maintained!Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 8, 2024
- caroline v35 contributionsbeautiful monastery in a beautiful placeBeautiful monastery, visited in combination with a boat trip on Lake Ohrid. We booked this with an excursion from Corendon. The boat trip was also fun, but unfortunately the boat was overcrowded (much too full), so there were not enough seats.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 11, 2024
- tracyeparkerLincoln, United Kingdom45 contributionsAmazing, legendary stories…Amazing! I would have returned again during our holiday if there had been time. I loved visiting this very special place. The setting, the scenery, the boat ride to and from St Naum all made this an incredible, most special visit. Listening at the tomb for St Naums heartbeat as per the legend and hearing of the miracles and extraordinary stories associated with St Naum made for a wonderful trip.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 15, 2024
- TRFCAndy54Heswall, United Kingdom40 contributionsFantastic place on the lake with amazing history and a nice little beach to go into the lake. Difficult to get around with a wI had to review as a 4 not a 5 purely for one reason. As a wheelchair user, getting from the boat to the monastery was impossible which was a real disappointment. However we found an accessible route to a lovely restaurant on the lake and enjoyed lunch before a paddle in the lake which was awesome.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 19, 2024
- Martin B21 contributionsWorth to visit, nice place for kidsWe drived with two kids (2+7) from Ohrid. Small parking fee, parking right next to tourist areal. In the areal there is nice small pebble beach with beautiful clear water, green and umbrellas. Some souvenir shops, few restaurants. Possibility of short brat ride. Few minutes walk to the beautiful Monastery on the hill.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 10, 2024
- Happiness362929Northallerton, United Kingdom20 contributionsBeautiful SpringsBeautiful rowing boat on the springs and lunch at the attached restaurant. Wild tortoises in the restaurant lovely. We had difficulty finding the monastery!!! It's surrounded by a hotel!! Very beautiful once we looked inside though. We took an independent boat trip that held only 10 passengers and stopped at a couple of bays along the way...just beautiful. Loved it!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 19, 2024
- Samantha HBolton, United Kingdom199 contributionsBeautifulLoved it here so much it’s absolutely stunning. The views are incredible, the boat ride in was nice too, the rowed boat ride was beautiful and really to different to anything I have ever done. Would highly recommend this trip.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 2, 2024
- HveenerHooglanderveen, The Netherlands75 contributionsNice to visit for the first timeIf you are in Ohrid for the first time worth a visit. It is an old church with old frescoes. But the springs how Lake Ohrid is fed is beautiful what a clear water you are taken by boat to the springs these are not big but nice to see. Book not through the travel company but through the local Dutch travel shops that are in the city.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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andycoldham
Crawley, UK1,049 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If uou ard staying around Lake Ohrid, gris is a must do trip I believe its the second most popular trip after visiting Ohrid Town itself. The monastery grounds are free to roam around in but beware of the peacocks as they can be aggressive. There is small additional fee to enter the monastery and its well worth it. The grounds are delightful and have a small waterfall on them, and the whole site is a photographers delight.
The surrounding site, has plenty of restaurants, souvenir shops, a lovely bay to swim in and of course the famous springs that feed the lake. Do take the 20 mins or so, trip around the springs where you will be rowed by well informed staff who will tell you all about the springs and show you in detail where they erupt into the lake. The waters are crystal clear and surprisingly very cold. The cost of this add on excursion is 25 Euro or 1500 Denari, and the boars take 6 people so gang up with 4 friends and the cost is very reasonable.
A in all a superb place to visit
The surrounding site, has plenty of restaurants, souvenir shops, a lovely bay to swim in and of course the famous springs that feed the lake. Do take the 20 mins or so, trip around the springs where you will be rowed by well informed staff who will tell you all about the springs and show you in detail where they erupt into the lake. The waters are crystal clear and surprisingly very cold. The cost of this add on excursion is 25 Euro or 1500 Denari, and the boars take 6 people so gang up with 4 friends and the cost is very reasonable.
A in all a superb place to visit
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andreasam91
Auckland Central, New Zealand2,862 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We were here in low season, much quieter without all the tourists. Free entry, you only pay for parking and the possible but highly recommended boat tour. Really well kept. The interior of the little church is spectacular

Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
Worcestershire, UK312 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Interesting place, visit the springs and take a 20 minute soothing ride, where you are rowed through the beautiful clear waters for 200 denars each person, you can see the springs pulse below. Then walk up to the monastery which has great views and architecture. You can visit St Naums tomb and listen for his heartbeat although there are often queues.
There are peacocks in the grounds. Definitely recommend a visit!!
There are peacocks in the grounds. Definitely recommend a visit!!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Priya R
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
My husband and I booked this 'activity' through TUI for €40 per person excluding lunch. This would have included the ticket for the boat to the springs, but that was not the case. We also paid for this ourselves (€5 per person)
When we arrived at the harbour, we saw that other people were paying €15 per person including the trip to the springs with the smaller boat. It was very strange that we paid €60! paid more than the rest. When I returned, I contacted the TUI leader (Anila) and she would give me feedback. I never got any feedback from her again. In fact, she avoided us. To avoid uncomfortable situations, I didn't talk to her about it again. So don't book your trips right away. At the harbor there are plenty of local people who offer very nice trips for a better price.
For the rest, St Naum was beautiful! The food was delicious, the boat trip on the lake was really something you will never forget.
However, the boat only stops at the Bay of Bones for 20 minutes. Because of this we couldn't see anything inside.
When we arrived at the harbour, we saw that other people were paying €15 per person including the trip to the springs with the smaller boat. It was very strange that we paid €60! paid more than the rest. When I returned, I contacted the TUI leader (Anila) and she would give me feedback. I never got any feedback from her again. In fact, she avoided us. To avoid uncomfortable situations, I didn't talk to her about it again. So don't book your trips right away. At the harbor there are plenty of local people who offer very nice trips for a better price.
For the rest, St Naum was beautiful! The food was delicious, the boat trip on the lake was really something you will never forget.
However, the boat only stops at the Bay of Bones for 20 minutes. Because of this we couldn't see anything inside.

Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,407 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Monastery of Saint Naum is located at the southern shore of Ohrid lake, just before the border with Albania.
You can reach it in two ways: by many organized boat trips departing from Ohrid town, or with your car in less than an hour.
There's a big parking lot paying around 1,5 Euros flat rate. From there you enter the Monastery area through the gate. Right from here you encounter very strange rules and scenes:
1. NO PETS allowed - despite you're entering a big open air area, with plenty of greenery, paths,...etc. In that way my wife and I had to split, visiting the complex separately which doubled our time, as one of us had to sit in the parking lot restaurant with our dog (small French Bulldog btw, but no excuses for the officials). We certainly wouldn't take him into the Churches, but this simply makes no sense.
2. At the same time, just after the entrance to the right is a beach. No problem for music playing, children screaming, beer cans and cigarette buts all around - let me remind you ON Monastery promises (within them, not outside).
3. On the way further to the Monastery and Church there're many souvenir, trinkets and home made products (honey, brandy,...) stalls, all along with small mini markets to buy drinks, snacks, as well fast food stalls, so the entire scene looks theme park like and extremely commercialized.
For these reasons I deduct two stars.
Apart from that, the complex is really nice.
St. Naum was a disciple of Cyril and Methodius, spreading their learning and Cyrillic writing throughout the region. He was considered greatly educated, speaking several languages and having miraculous and curing skills.
Therefore, most important is his early 10c Church which is in the middle of the Monastery complex - founded by St. Naum himself, and he's buried there which is a holy and pilgrimage place.
Around the middle is a very nice, secluded in a shade by the Black Drim springs restaurant. This one looks nice and suitable for such a place. From there you can take boats to drive you around, however because of the dog policy we weren't able to do that.
You can reach it in two ways: by many organized boat trips departing from Ohrid town, or with your car in less than an hour.
There's a big parking lot paying around 1,5 Euros flat rate. From there you enter the Monastery area through the gate. Right from here you encounter very strange rules and scenes:
1. NO PETS allowed - despite you're entering a big open air area, with plenty of greenery, paths,...etc. In that way my wife and I had to split, visiting the complex separately which doubled our time, as one of us had to sit in the parking lot restaurant with our dog (small French Bulldog btw, but no excuses for the officials). We certainly wouldn't take him into the Churches, but this simply makes no sense.
2. At the same time, just after the entrance to the right is a beach. No problem for music playing, children screaming, beer cans and cigarette buts all around - let me remind you ON Monastery promises (within them, not outside).
3. On the way further to the Monastery and Church there're many souvenir, trinkets and home made products (honey, brandy,...) stalls, all along with small mini markets to buy drinks, snacks, as well fast food stalls, so the entire scene looks theme park like and extremely commercialized.
For these reasons I deduct two stars.
Apart from that, the complex is really nice.
St. Naum was a disciple of Cyril and Methodius, spreading their learning and Cyrillic writing throughout the region. He was considered greatly educated, speaking several languages and having miraculous and curing skills.
Therefore, most important is his early 10c Church which is in the middle of the Monastery complex - founded by St. Naum himself, and he's buried there which is a holy and pilgrimage place.
Around the middle is a very nice, secluded in a shade by the Black Drim springs restaurant. This one looks nice and suitable for such a place. From there you can take boats to drive you around, however because of the dog policy we weren't able to do that.
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karrempje
Vleuten, The Netherlands3,188 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Large parking lot and 100 den payable. This way you already know that you are in a tourist area. You pay for the toilets at the entrance. They are clean. The entrance to the church is 150 meters, but many people walk in and out without a ticket check. You are not allowed to take photos there, but it happens all the time. It's dark inside, so let your eyes adjust. Further on is a chapel where no one walked. This one has just been painted. We skipped the boats and souvenir tents. We were outside again within 1 hour.

Written May 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulrikbuchert
Odense, Denmark511 contributions
Jul 2023
The monastery grounds are truly beautiful and you can easily spend an afternoon walking around the monastery, seeing the springs, lounging on the grass and maybe take a swim in the lake. The beach at the monastery is supposedly one of the best places to swim in Lake Ohrid. Do visit if you're in the area!
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLush101
Cardiff, UK2,580 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
We were here as part of a group tour in September 2022. From the car park, you walk past some shops and stalls, up to the monastery itself. When we were there, there was a christening taking place, so it was nice to see that it's still used and, whilst being respectful, we were able to see inside.
The views of the lake from the complex are great and you can take a boat ride to see the clear springs which feed the lake (see the separate review).
The views of the lake from the complex are great and you can take a boat ride to see the clear springs which feed the lake (see the separate review).
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Film G
New England1,045 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
The monastery buildings are maybe 1km from the parking. It is no longer an active monastery, and only the church is left. (The church itself is one of the nicer ones we visited.) The former monastery building is now a hotel. When you enter the grounds, a string of tourist stalls greet you on the left, selling particularly cheesy items. On the right is the lake, and there are many families there swimming and picnicking. Keep going and you’ll find the former monastery. There’s a good sized restaurant on the left as you walk closer to the monastery, which offers boat rides (row boats) around the spring-fed river that feeds the lake. These boat rides take around 20 minutes and are actually very worthwhile.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christine p
Mosciano Sant'Angelo, Italy12 contributions
Oct 2022
Dating from the 9th C and dedicated to St Naum, one of the chief architects of the Cyrillic language. Situated on Lake Ohrid it exudes tranquility and peaceulness. A must see for all visitors to Northern macedonia...love the peacocks
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kun je half april ( 20-21 ) al met de roeiboten achter de zware drim varen? Of is dit voorseizoen en varen ze nog niet. Ik hoop dat iemand het weet.
Written September 7, 2024
У моей племяницы психическое заболевание. Можно чтоб батюшка помолился за ее здоровье? Приехать у нас нет возможности, мы пенсионеры. Заранее спасибо
Written May 9, 2020
Interested in visiting St Naum at the end of March. Can anybody let me know if there is a bus to go there from the centre of Ohrid and/or details of boat trips working in March and respective prices. Thanks
Written February 1, 2019
I visited in July, and there were stalls near the lake and center where you could take a boat to St Naum for 10-20 euros (return).
We booked a driver through the apartment we were staying at. I would recommend speaking to your hotel/apartment owner to see if they can arrange something for you. I dont have our driver's details but we paid 50 euros for 2 of us to have a day trip to Bay of Bones, Pogradec in Albania and St Naum Monastry all in one day.
There are also travel information offices with trips to St Naum advertised. Unsure of what their prices would be like.
Written February 7, 2019
Ja. St. Naum is op zondag open. Maar het is wel een hele drukke dag.
Written October 1, 2018
Igor T
Grez-Doiceau, Belgium
Bonjour ,
combien avez vous payé pour le bateau reliant Ohrid et st Naum? Auriez-vous un lien internet?
Le monastère est-il payant?
Avec quel organisme avez vous parcouru les sources? Combien cela vous a-t-il couté?
Un tout grand merci d avance!!!
Written June 9, 2017
BUONGIORNO, Amici della Redazione e visitatori di questo Santuario!
Scrivo per sapere, dimmi se Sv. Naum è eventualmente raggiungibile dalle località più vicine, o meno lontane, usando il taxi .
Grazie in anticipo,
Maurizio
Written September 30, 2016
Hi
You can catch a bus from Ohrid. It is a pleasant trip and you can see the countryside.
Alyson
Written June 20, 2018
Hi we are looking to get married in Ohrid in August this year. Would it be possible to hire the Monastry for the service, we are looking at around 300 people and need a venue to hold every body.
Written February 15, 2015
We don't know but we know a man who would, he is a tour guide and Prof of Tourism in Ohrid if you want we can contact him and ask him to contact you. If any body could arrange it we are sure he could. Good Luck anyway.
Written February 16, 2015
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