It all started with Ohrid.
As I mention in the About section, I work at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. During my lunch break a few weeks ago, I wandered through Schiphol Plaza and idly scanned the departures board. There’s an incredible array of places you can travel to from Amsterdam and I stared in wonder at all the possibilities in front of me. The sense of wonder only increased when I came across a place I’d never heard of before: Ohrid.
I was baffled. I like to think of myself as a pretty well travelled guy with a solid knowledge of most of the world’s major cities, so how come I’d never heard of this place? Why do people fly to Ohrid? I had to know more! My ignorance of Ohrid would become the genesis for DailyDirects, where you can find out more about lesser known destinations that can be reached by a simple direct flight.
So what’s the deal with Ohrid?
Ohrid is Macedonia’s eighth largest city located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid. Being Macedonia’s eighth largest city can’t be its main claim to fame. Surely it’s the stunning views like the one below, of the Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking Lake Ohrid, which attracts the visitors. Indeed, both the lake and the city are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites for their outstanding natural and cultural characteristics.
Some have called Ohrid the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” for having 365 churches within its city limits. While I don’t think there are still 365 churches around today, there are several which remain and are well worth a visit. Once you’ve explored the Churches and the old town, it’s time to make the most of Ohrid’s lakeside location. There are several beaches to choose from, and it’s probably worth the effort to venture a little further out of town to access some of the better spots. Don’t just take my word for it, have a look at this footage:
Direct Flights to Ohrid
There are direct flights to Ohrid from several European cities, including Amsterdam, Brussels, London, and Zurich. Note that most flights to Ohrid are seasonal. While the cost of some of these flights might be higher than some other more popular destinations, keep in mind that Macedonia is a very affordable place to travel and the money saved on accommodation and food should hold the budget in check.
Amsterdam
You can fly direct to Ohrid from Amsterdam in a little over two and a half hours on Corendon Airlines. With advance planning, one-way tickets can be had for under €100.
Brussels
You can fly direct to Ohrid from Brussels with brussels airlines.
London
You can fly direct to Ohrid from London Luton in about three hours with Wizz Air.
Zurich
You can fly direct from Zurich to Ohrid in about two hours with Air Prishtina.
DailyDirects 