Sveti Naum & Tushemisht Border Crossing

A Crossing in a UNESCO Paradise

Important Note for Travelers: While this is a standard border crossing, it is always wise to check for any new travel advisories or requirements with official government sources from both Albania and North Macedonia before your journey, as regulations can change.

The border crossing connecting the Albanian village of Tushemisht with the area near the Monastery of Sveti Naum in North Macedonia is a journey into the very heart of the Lake Ohrid UNESCO World Heritage site. This is not a major highway for freight; it is a secondary, local crossing that serves almost exclusively tourists and local residents. To cross here is to take a peaceful and incredibly scenic route along the southern shore of one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful lakes. It is a passage that connects two popular tourist destinations, a journey defined by the serene beauty of the lake, the rich history of the monasteries, and the tranquil atmosphere of the surrounding national parks. It is less a formal frontier and more a gateway between two parts of a single, spectacular natural and cultural treasure.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connects Albania’s Korçë County with the Ohrid Municipality of North Macedonia. It is a smaller international crossing, typically open 24/7, but intended for passenger cars and pedestrians. The exclusion of heavy freight traffic is key to its character, preserving the tranquility of this sensitive and protected area. The crossing can be busy during the peak summer tourist season, from July to August, as it is a popular route for day-trippers traveling between the Albanian and Macedonian resorts on the lake. The road leading to it, especially on the Albanian side, is a winding coastal route that rewards a relaxed pace with stunning views at every turn.

Before Crossing

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A History of a Sacred Lake

The history of this crossing is the history of Lake Ohrid, a center of Slavic culture and Orthodox Christianity for over a thousand years. The Monastery of Saint Naum, located just a few hundred meters from the border on the Macedonian side, was founded in the 10th century by Saint Naum of Ohrid, a disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius who were instrumental in creating the Cyrillic alphabet. It has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries, revered by both Christians and Muslims for its reputed healing powers. The modern border, established in the early 20th century, divided the lake and its shoreline. During the communist era in Albania, this was a heavily fortified and completely sealed border, a stark line across a historically unified landscape. The opening of this crossing has been a crucial step in reuniting the Lake Ohrid region and allowing it to be managed and enjoyed as a single, trans-boundary heritage site.

Border Crossing Procedure

The border crossing procedure is a standard two-part process. You will first complete exit formalities at one country’s checkpoint and then proceed to the other country’s checkpoint for entry inspection. You will need a valid passport or, for citizens of many European countries, a national ID card. Vehicle registration and international insurance (Green Card) are also necessary. The process is generally straightforward and the officials are accustomed to dealing with tourists. However, queues can form during the summer, so it is wise to allow for some extra time. The atmosphere is typically much more relaxed than at the main commercial crossings, in keeping with the tourist-focused nature of the location.

The Surrounding Region: Albania Side

On the Albanian side, the crossing is in the village of Tushemisht, a charming lakeside village known for its picturesque springs that bubble up from the ground and feed into the lake through small canals running between houses and restaurants. The nearby town of Pogradec is a popular tourist resort, known for its pleasant climate and its unique local fish, the Koran, a type of trout found only in this lake. The area around Pogradec, including the Lin peninsula with its early Christian mosaics, is part of the Lake Ohrid UNESCO World Heritage site. The Drilon National Park, a beautiful area of springs and wetlands near Tushemisht that was once a favorite retreat of the former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha, is another popular attraction.

The Surrounding Region: North Macedonia Side

On the North Macedonian side, the crossing is dominated by the magnificent Monastery of Sveti Naum. The monastery complex is stunning, with a beautiful church containing the tomb of St. Naum, resident peacocks that roam the grounds, and spectacular views of the lake. A popular activity is to take a rowboat trip on the springs of the Black Drin River, which form a crystal-clear lagoon next to the monastery. The crossing is the gateway to the Galičica National Park, a mountain range that rises between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, offering incredible hiking and panoramic views of both lakes from its summit. The historic city of Ohrid is about a 30-minute drive away along a beautiful coastal road.

Practical Travel Information

Practical planning for this route is straightforward. The coastal road on both sides of the border is well-maintained and extremely scenic. The official currencies are the Albanian Lek (ALL) in Albania and the Macedonian Denar (MKD) in North Macedonia. Currency exchange facilities are available at the border. Ensure your vehicle’s Green Card insurance explicitly covers both Albania and North Macedonia. Services like restaurants and hotels are widely available in the tourist areas on both sides. This crossing is particularly well-suited for a multi-day exploration of the entire Lake Ohrid region, allowing you to easily experience the attractions in both countries.

Final Considerations

The Tushemisht–Sveti Naum border crossing is a journey through a UNESCO paradise. It is a peaceful and stunningly beautiful route that connects the main tourist sites on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid. It is a crossing that is not about speed, but about savoring the incredible natural and cultural heritage of the region. For any traveler exploring Lake Ohrid, this crossing is an essential and unforgettable part of the experience, a seamless passage through one of the most special places in the Balkans, where the beauty of nature and the depth of history are present in equal measure.