Prespa National Park (Albania)

Prespa National Park lies in south-eastern Albania, in the border triangle shared with Greece and North Macedonia. It takes in the Albanian parts of Great Prespa Lake and Small Prespa Lake and is characterised by high mountains, narrow islands, vast freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, meadows, reed beds and dense forests. The park is part of the European Green Belt and of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and the Albanian section of Great Prespa is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The mountain Mali i Thatë separates Great Prespa from Lake Ohrid, and the park also protects the island of Maligrad, dotted with caves. It is an important area for birds, among them the pygmy cormorant and the Dalmatian and great white pelicans.

Visiting Prespa

The Albanian side of the lake is part of the Ohrid-Prespa biosphere reserve, with regular road links from Ohrid and nearby towns, and taxis and minibuses for the last stretch. April to June is good for birds and July to September for swimming. Dalmatian pelicans, great white pelicans and cormorants are the stars of the wider Prespa area, and some wetlands are closed to boats in the breeding season, so follow the signs. Rules for crossing between the three countries sharing the lake vary, so check them before planning a trip across.