Ohrid’s old town bazaar, centred on Tsar Samuil and Sveti Kliment Ohridski streets, is a compact network of stone houses, cobbled lanes, and 19th-century merchant homes now converted into shops, cafés, and artisan workshops. A 2–3 hour evening stroll through this district covers the historic core and offers one of the most immersive things to do in Ohrid, especially for those interested in local crafts and culture.
The bazaar is best known for the Ohrid pearl, a rare craft developed in the 1920s by the Filev and Talev families using a closely guarded technique believed to have Russian origins. These “pearls” are made from finely ground scales of the plašica fish, layered in over 100 hand-painted coats and polished to a luminous finish. Visiting either family’s workshop allows you to see the process and buy directly, making it one of the most distinctive places to visit in Ohrid. Prices start around 1,500 MKD for simple pieces and go up to 15,000 MKD for elaborate designs.
Beyond pearls, the bazaar features handmade leather goods, wood carvings, traditional sweets like krushevsko alvo, and embroidered textiles from nearby villages. At the western end lies the Plaošnik archaeological site, where 5th-century basilica mosaics are displayed beneath a glass walkway. Nearby, Church of Sveta Sofija anchors the lower bazaar, known for its exceptionally preserved Byzantine frescoes (entry 100 MKD). Together, these stops form part of the cultural core of Ohrid tourism.
The ideal time to explore is early evening (5–9 PM), when temperatures drop and locals gather for the traditional “corso,” a relaxed promenade along the main street. End the walk at a lakeside restaurant on Kosta Abraš Street for grilled trout or shopska salad paired with Macedonian rakija. While most shops accept cards, carrying cash is useful for smaller artisan purchases, making the experience smoother when you visit Ohrid.