Perhaps the oldest in Europe, protected by UNESCO, this lake boasts a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 local species and hosts several rare birds in winter. Popular as a place to fish,in its waters 2 unique species of trout swim. Pogradec is the largest city on the shore of the lake, the attractions are limited to walking on the lake, sun, fishing and excellent fresh fish dishes.Pogradec is one of the most charming tourist resorts in Albania because of its position near the Ohrid Lake. The city is well equipped to accommodate tourists with hotels and nice restaurants.

Pogradec, it is a city and region with endless possibilities for your enjoyment! It is the right place for tourists of all ages, from one day stays to long holidays, and for honey mooners as well. People are friendly and don’t be surprised if they invite you for a drink and some sweet, home made cookies.Handycraft with an old tradition in this area is represented by artists like Icka, Basho , and many others.All kinds of sports are practiced in Pogradec, but the most popular are soccer, mini football, beach volleyball, boxing, basketball and water sports.
Pogradec has a football team, still in second category, and a mini football team in first category. The boxing team “Dragoi” , has always trained champions.
The Pogradec Region has rich folklore traditions, with many songs and dances featuring outstanding lyrics and melodies. Traditional folklore is evolutionary. It is made more poetic by the natural surroundings of the city. All dance and songs of this region seem to have origins from the marvelous lake and our love of nature. Pogradec is not only famous for its nature and folklore, but also for its well known “Puppet Theater Festival.”

Potkozhan is a very interesting village in the district of Pogradec. The houses are very beautiful, made of stone and roofed with stone tiles. The streets among them are narrow and paved with cobble stones, while grapes and mulberries climb the walls and hang over the streets. The hospitable people of the village offers accommodation for tourists in their houses and tasty home made food with various local specialties. Around the village it is church of St Paraskeva , known as Shen Premte among the local people, there is a graveyard with beautifully engraved stone crosses.

Just 4 kilometers away in Tushemisht, you can see the Drilon tourist resort, named for the fresh water springs and Drilon River. Tushemisht has a special history because both king Zog and Enver Hoxha, the dictator of Albania, enjoyed summers in this special place.

Lake_Ohrid on the Albanian side (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Getting there: Regular minibus from Elbasan in less than 2 hours and Korça from early morning until mid afternoon in 40 minutes. From Pogradec many trails for mountain biking. Autobus also from Athens.

Tourist information centre in the Internet Center, address rruga Reshit çollaku, Pall. 23, close to Royal Hotel. Tel: 00355 83 226080.
09 am- 10 pm