The Bay of Bones is a reconstructed prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement located 18 kilometers south of Ohrid near the village of Peštani. It represents one of the most unusual museums in Europe and offers insight into Bronze Age life (1200–700 BCE). Archaeologists discovered around 6,000 wooden piles embedded in the lakebed, remnants of an ancient stilt village. Today, the reconstruction features 24 thatched huts built on a wooden platform directly above the original foundations, making it one of the most distinctive places to visit in Ohrid.
The site is compact but highly interactive. A 30–40 minute self-guided walk takes you across the platform, moving between huts set up as Bronze Age homes with beds, pottery kilns, weaving looms, fish-drying racks, and a central hearth. Onshore, a small museum displays original artefacts including ceramic vessels, bronze tools, fish hooks, and a well-preserved dugout canoe recovered in 2008. Informational panels in English explain both the excavation process and daily life from 3,000 years ago, making it one of the more educational things to do in Ohrid.
For a more immersive experience, visitors can scuba dive beneath the platform, where original wooden piles remain preserved in the cold lake water. Snorkelling is also possible and offers a clear view of the submerged structure when conditions are calm. The surrounding bay doubles as a scenic swimming spot, with shallow turquoise water and a small pebble beach, adding to its appeal.
Entry costs 100 MKD, and the site is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM during the May–October season, with shorter hours off-season. It can be reached by car, taxi (800–1,200 MKD round trip), or as part of a boat tour to Sveti Naum, as many cruises stop here en route. Pairing it with nearby attractions and lakeside dining makes it a well-rounded addition to any Ohrid travel itinerary.