Lake Prespa essentials

Lake Prespa is a high-altitude transboundary water system shared by North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece. The region is a significant biodiversity hotspot, home to rare Dalmatian pelicans and endemic fish species. Historically, the area features a dense concentration of Byzantine heritage, including 10th-century ruins on Agios Achillios island and the 12th-century frescoes of Kurbinovo. The landscape is defined by the surrounding Galičica and Pelister mountains, offering unique prehistoric archaeological sites and glacial lakes.

Lake Prespa Essentials — Map

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

A

Bay of Bones

A reconstructed prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement dating from 1200 to 700 BC. The museum consists of wooden houses built on a platform over the water, displaying replicas of Neolithic tools and artifacts discovered on the lake floor.

Bomac / Public domain

B

Prespes National Park

The Lake Prespa is located on the tripoint of Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia.

Kosta Andon / CC-BY-SA

C

Lake Prespa

The Lake Prespa is located on the tripoint of North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece.

Kosta Andon / CC-BY-SA

D

Lesser Prespa Lake

Small Prespa Lake is a lake shared between Greece and Albania. It is the smaller of the two Prespa Lakes.

E

Byzantine Church of Agios Achillios

The ruins of a 10th-century Byzantine basilica located on Agios Achillios island. Built by Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria to house the remains of Saint Achillius, it is a significant example of early medieval architecture in the Balkans.

EfkoMKD / CC BY 3.0

F

St. George

The Church of St. George is a 12th-century Macedonian Orthodox church located 2 km away from the village of Kurbinovo in North Macedonia.

Kosta Andon / CC-BY-SA

G

Maligrad

An island on the Albanian side of Lake Prespa featuring the 14th-century Church of St. Mary. The church is built into a natural cave and contains well-preserved Byzantine frescoes and medieval inscriptions.

Pero Veliki / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Galičica

Galičica is a mountain situated across the border between North Macedonia and Albania.

Ptahhotep / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Golemo Ezero

A glacial lake situated at 2,218 meters above sea level on Baba Mountain within Pelister National Park. Known as one of the 'Mountain Eyes,' it is one of the highest and deepest glacial lakes in the region.

J

Koritski Rigde

A prominent vantage point within Galičica National Park. Located along the mountain pass, it offers simultaneous panoramic views of Lake Prespa to the east and Lake Ohrid to the west.