Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve that takes in the area of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, shared by North Macedonia and Albania. It combines the water bodies with the mountain relief around them. The area was declared a biosphere reserve on 11 June 2014 at a session of the UNESCO international commission in Jönköping, Sweden, on a proposal made by the Lake Ohrid Bilateral Secretariat together with the UNESCO national commissions and the environment ministries of the two countries.

Visiting the reserve

The reserve spans two countries, North Macedonia and Albania, and it holds two national parks, Galičica and Prespa (Albania). Greece shares Lake Prespa but is not part of the reserve. Plan which sections you want and how you will reach them: Prespa has regular road links from Ohrid and nearby towns, with taxis and minibuses for the last stretch. Dawn is best for birdwatching and quiet water. April to June suits birds, July to September swimming at Prespa, and May to early October is the best time for Ohrid. Rules for crossing between the countries and for fishing the Ohrid trout vary, so check the current rules.