“Why isn’t anyone talking about this place?” Solo traveler calls ‘beautiful’ Lake Ohrid one of Europe’s most UNDER-RECOMMENDED places – and a stay costs just £7 a night
Even outside the high season, Europe’s top tourist destinations experience long queues and sky-high hotel prices.
However, there are alternatives on the mainland: striking hidden gems unscathed by large crowds, with a stay that won’t cost the earth.
The picturesque Lake Ohrid falls into this category, as solo traveler Natasha Whitley reveals in a fascinating and informative TikTok video.
Stretching across the mountainous border of North Macedonia and Albania, Lake Ohrid gives Lake Como a run for its money when it comes to scenery and is dirt cheap, with Natasha asking her 69,400 followers: ‘Why isn’t anyone talking about one of Europe’s most underrated and affordable spots that are perfect for a weekend getaway?’
In the video she describes Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO world heritage, as one of the highlights of a trip she made around the Balkans. A place that is quiet and ‘so peaceful to walk around’.
Solo traveler Natasha Whitley, known online as @travelsbytash, reveals the delights of Lake Ohrid in a viral TikTok video. In the video she describes Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the highlights of a trip she took around the Balkans
Lake Ohrid is located on the mountainous border of North Macedonia and Albania
In conversation with MailOnline Travel, Natasha, known online as @travelsbytash, said: ‘It’s clear that you can’t quite beat Lake Como, with its beautiful quaint towns like Bellagio. However, Lake Ohrid is actually twice the size of Lake Como [138 square miles vs 56 square miles]which I didn’t realize.
“And I would say the water is even more beautiful: it’s crystal clear.”
Natasha reveals in the clip that for her three-day trip she stayed at the Sunset Lake Hostel in the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia, on the northeastern shore of the lake.
The price? Only £7 per night.
Sharing the different activities that tourists can participate in, she says in the video, “You can go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, it looks so good.
‘The most popular is a visit to St. John’s Church, which is located right on the edge of the lake. It has a great view. It’s so picturesque.’
Natasha said there are plenty of things to do at Lake Ohrid, from kayaking to visiting the photogenic St. John’s Church (right). She said the church has “a great view.”
Natasha said her favorite experience in Ohrid was exploring the lake by boat. She commented: ‘The water is breathtaking and we went to a secluded little beach – it was just the best’
Natasha (above) claimed the water in Lake Ohrid is ‘more stunning’ than Lake Como
There are also dozens of hiking trails that visitors can take if they wish, plus a “beautiful old town” and a park full of turtles (“so random”).
Speaking to MailOnline, Natasha said her favorite experience was a boat trip exploring the lake.
Natasha said the trip was organized through Sunset Lake Hostel.
The traveler continued: ‘[It] lasted four hours, with unlimited wine and it literally only cost £8 each!
‘The water is beautiful and we went to a secluded beach. It was simply the best!
In her TikTok video, she adds, “It’s such a good price. It’s run by the hostel owner, who is great, and he kept filling our glasses.’
Natasha’s boat trip, with unlimited wine, was organized by the owner of the £7 per night hostel she was staying at
Natasha described the food in Ohrid as ‘very reasonable and affordable’. Another highlight was an Irish bar (right), where the drinks were ‘pretty cheap’
Natasha’s TikTok video of Lake Ohrid has gone viral, racking up 122,800 views and enticing others to book their own flights
Natasha’s trip to Ohrid took place in September, with temperatures around twenty degrees
Another highlight was an Irish pub with ‘pretty cheap’ drinks and the food, which was ‘very reasonable and affordable’.
Natasha said a local delicacy is ‘burek’, a popular street food pastry enjoyed throughout the Balkans.
She told MailOnline: ‘One of the bakeries in Ohrid sold unique flavors of burek, including chicken curry and pizza. They were so delicious and cost just £1 each.’
Although Natasha said she wouldn’t be heading back to Lake Ohrid to explore new places anytime soon, she told MailOnline: ‘I was definitely tempted to extend my time while I was there, as many others did. ‘
Natasha’s TikTok video of Lake Ohrid has racked up a whopping 122,800 views and has even inspired some users to book flights. One person wrote: ‘Added to the list.’ Another said: ‘Wow, that looks amazing!’
One person asked: ‘What time of year did you go? It looks so beautiful and warm.’ To which Natasha replied: ‘Early September! It was my mid-twenties. Was perfect!’