Monastery of Saint Naum
Monastery of Saint Naum
Monastery of Saint Naum
4.5
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27 within 3 miles
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10 within 6 miles
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- blagIstanbul, Türkiye3 contributionsSv naumVery very beautiful place, magnificiant sv. naum. Beautiful old monastery dating back to the 10th century. It’s perfect for a whole summer day with the family and friends. Other than the monastery itself, walking the surrounding and gardens is really beautiful, offering great views of Ohrid lake. Additionally you have a nice beach so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and picnic basket for a perfect day. There are many restaurants and booths selling touristy souvenirs if you care for thatVisited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 18, 2023
- Steve_Grant1Oldham, United Kingdom1,771 contributionsGreat visit from the main townThis is a great visit from the main town. We went by boat from the harbour which was a very pleasant trip. We also walked around a circular path which took you to other small churches on the site . We finished with lunch in one of the restaurants which was pleasant. A trip on one of the boats to the springs is a must.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 29, 2023
- DeuceWoooUnited Kingdom1,388 contributionsHeaven on earthWe went across on the boat, which was full of chain smoking kids. The adults who were with them were just as bad. Then the nun who was also with this party moved from her seat at the back & joined them at the front, so we were able to grab those seats & breathe more easily. I wished I'd've gone on one of the small boats, but I couldn't trust myself not to throw up on everyone. I suppose we all have our vices. I wasn’t prepared for this little beauty at all! There's places to eat, but don't go to the first one you come to thinking it's the only one as there are a few more. I had the tuna salad, not really tasty. They take a long time to return your change too, by stopping & chatting to everyone on the way. It cost them a tip. But do stop at the next one down for ice cream in a jar SLURP! We had a laugh with the monk at the monastery, he was lovely. We’ll go back for him. MrDW needed the toilet so I asked & someone was explaining how to get there. The lovely monk said that we were now friends & he told us about the short cut, PHEW! There's lots of little market type stalls too selling interesting goodies. We'd love to visit this place again, or stay at the hotel here. I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t this baby.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 20, 2023
- mel7155Singapore, Singapore1,344 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 Kingdom1,122 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
- 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 Kingdom34 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 Kingdom14 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
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,374 reviews
Excellent
821
Very good
395
Average
124
Poor
30
Terrible
4
Film G
New England1,051 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.
kht53
Colorado Springs, CO366 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
It costs to park, but walking the grounds of the Monastery is free. When we got there, we found a large hotel and restaurant, both closed, but maybe this was the access to the large Monastery complex up on the hill because behind the fortress walls you can see none of that. Walking the grounds, there is a small church (closed), a walk along the beautiful lake, peacocks, and a campground full of identical empty campers. The highlight for me was the first shop kiosk inside the gate, where filigree pictures and Ohrid pearl jewelry were sold.
Written December 13, 2020
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, UK297 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.
IgorMarkovic
Smederevo, Serbia1,807 contributions
Mar 2021
The Monastery of Saint Naum is probably one of the most famous tourist attractions and religious sites in Macedonia. The original monastery was built on in 905 by Saint Naum of Ohrid himself, while in later centuries it was then rebuilt several times. Today it represents not only the unique style in Christian architecture of the region, but also symbolizes one of the sources of Slavic literacy. Apart from the Monastery itself, the complex includes the spring of the Drim river, several smaller churches, museum, restaurants and a great park surrounding the monastery. The view of the Ohrid lake from the complex is astonishing! So, if you're a history and architecture buff, this is the right place for you! Reaching the Monastery from Ohrid or Skopje is quite simple and there are many options, just google. All in all, don't miss this place, it is truly amazing!
Written March 6, 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.
Ulrikbuchert
Odense, Denmark513 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.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,409 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.
TheLush101
Cardiff, UK2,440 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.
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.
Richard B
Edinburgh, UK5,184 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The St Naum monastery sits on the border between Albania and North Macedonia. An ancient complex dating back about 900 years. The monastery sits on Lake Ohrid with astonishing views of the UNESCO heritage area. The profoundly religious site of St Naum is also an area of recreation for families with touristy shops, restaurants and lake side beaches and activities. A truly beautiful place for those seeking a religious experience or for anyone wanting a day at the lakeside beaches with a selection of restaurants.
Written September 2, 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.
Ronald L
Denver, CO2,936 contributions
Oct 2022
Monastery of St Naum is an Eastern Orthodox church named for the medieval Bulgarian writer who founded it in 905. Removed in 11th to 13th centuries the monastery was rebuilt in the 16th century in the Byzantine style. Many interesting frescos inside are worth seeing. The monastery and church are built on a large rock outcrop above Lake Ohrid. You can visit nearby springs. Very popular destination in summer months. We got there on a cruise from Ohrid, Alexander Cruise Tour.
Written October 23, 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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