Our City

Pogradec

The city where you can enjoy the family tourism

 

The city of Pogradec is located on the southwestern shores of Ohrid Lake , it is outstandingly known as one of the attractions of Albania for its tradition of hosting “family tourism” and for the pleasant fresh climate during the hot Mediterranean summer of Albania.

 

You go to Pogradec passing across the national highway to Qafa Thane ( leading to go to Macedonia) This crossroad offers magnifique views from Ohrid lake , it sticks to distinguish further, Mali i Thatë (the Dry Mountain) to the east and  Mokra highland to the west. Further down, you might stop at the Lin peninsula and in the village of the same name just 25 km outside Pogradec. It is said that in ancient times, this was the favorite holiday destination of the Roman Emperor Justinian’s parents. In addition to the enchanting views, one can also discover the mosaics of Lin, dating back to the 7th-6th centuries B.C. This ancient masterpiece exhibits an amazing ensemble of zoomorphic, floral, and geometric decorations resembling those of ancient Durrës.

The road to Pogradec passes along the shore of the tectonic Ohrid Lake, the deepest lake in Balkans (285 m). This 2-4 million year old lake is under UNESCO protection due to its unique value and its home 17 species of aquatic animals, 70% of which are native and 30% migrant. The sponge of Ohrid is found only in Baikal Lake. By the lakeside you will find an array of restaurants, clubs, and comfortable hotels. You must not miss a taste of the traditional fish dishes, especially the baked speckled trout (Koran in Albanian), as well as the famous pickles. You might also degustate the various wines on offer, but don’t miss the traditional unique wine of Buti, or the famous Perla and Moskat raki of Pogradec.

The city of Pogradec was settled in the Neolithic period, and later became home to the Illyrian Enkelejd and Desaret tribes, who built the Castle of Pogradec on a hill at 870 m above sea level. The city, with its mild climate, lends itself to year-round visits. Before leaving Pogradec don’t miss Drilon and Tushemisht, just 4-5 km south of the city. The Drilon waters form a small lake, surrounded by beautiful greenery that makes the area and the nearby village of Tushemisht a unique oasis of beauty and tranquility.

The region of Pogradec is rich of natural and historical monuments. You might visit the natural monument, the Rock of Kamje, which is located in the commune of Dardhas (on the way from Pogradec to Korça, near the village of Osnat). It is 70 m high and suddenly rises out of the surrounding terrain like a “ship sailing on a green sea”, The Church of Marena, The archaeological site and Monumental Graves of Selca lie 30 km away from Pogradec. The monuments here date back to the 4th century B.C. and the five monumental stone graves are found in very few places elsewhere in the Balkans.

The most visited tourist spots around Lake Ohrid are Lin, Pojskë, Hudenisht and Tushemisht. Worth visiting – Drilon water sources, located 5 km from Pogradec. Don’t forget about the wonderful restaurants in the area, constructed from wood and offering some of the most delicious dishes of the region; don’t miss the Koran fish specialty (Tavë- Korani) which order also the queen Elisabeth II of United Kingdom.

The tectonic lake origins from millions of years and is the deepest of its kind in the Balkans, reaching a maximum depth of 285 meters. The lake habitat natural habitat varies of old and different flora and fauna. There you can find the special and unique fish “Koran,” a kind of trout, impossible to find in almost any other lake in the world. Lake Ohrid is part of the Natural and Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.