Pogradec Lakefront

Pogradec sits on the south-western shore of Lake Ohrid, and its lakefront is the substance of the town: a promenade running for a couple of kilometres along the water with willows, benches, cafes and a pebble shore, used constantly by the town in the evening for the walk that Albanians call the xhiro. The lake is one of the oldest in the world, deep, very clear and holding a large number of species found nowhere else, including the koran trout that is the local dish. Across the water are the mountains of North Macedonia. Swimming from the shore is straightforward in summer, when the water reaches a usable temperature, and the town fills with Albanian holidaymakers in August.

What you actually see

• The evening promenade - the whole town walking the lakefront.
• Very clear deep water - one of the oldest lakes in the world.
• Willows along the shore - the planting that shades the walk.
• Mountains across the water - the North Macedonian shore opposite.

When to go

May to September for swimming; the promenade works year round and the evening walk is a habit in any season. Half a day. August is very busy with Albanian holidaymakers. Evenings are the local hour.

Honest expectations

The town behind the promenade is unremarkable and much of it is unfinished concrete. The shore is pebble and can be littered in season. August crowds are heavy. The water is cold until late June.

Nearby

Lin peninsula is north along the shore; Korca lies south-west.