Bay of Bones – How to Visit from Ohrid in North Macedonia (2026)!

If there was one place I knew I wanted to visit on Lake Ohrid, it was the Bay of Bones. 

The name sounds terrifying, but it’s actually a “Museum on the Water” with a recreation of a prehistoric mud-dwelling settlement. 

It’s close to the centre of Ohrid in North Macedonia and makes a wonderful day trip combined with St Naum. 

As a history lover, I had a wonderful time here and would recommend this place to anyone. 

Here is how to visit the Bay of Bones Museum from Ohrid, including things to do there and important tips. 

What is the Bay of Bones in North Macedonia?

The Bay of Bones Museum, or “Plocha Michov Grad”, is an underwater area of archaeological research on Ohrid Lake.

The scary name comes from the number of animal bones they found here under the waterbed during excavations. 

Beyond skeletal remains, they discovered thousands of items belonging to a prehistoric palafitte (pile-dwelling) settlement from 1200 to 700 BC. 

From these findings, they recreated a primitive village, also known as “The Museum on the Water”. 

Tourists can visit the museum for a small fee, which has an indoor exhibition, overwater mud-pile dwellings, and remains of a Roman Fort. 

It’s very close to Ohrid town, making it a wonderful day trip along with St Naum. 

Where is the Bay of Bones in Ohrid?

The Bay of Bones Museum is located in the village of Peshtani in Gradishte, which is roughly 16 kilometres away from Ohrid centre. 

You can easily drive here on the P501 road that loops around Lake Ohrid and leads to St Naum and the Albanian Border.

Once you arrive at the museum, there’s a large free car park on top of the cliffs overlooking the lake.

How to visit the Bay of Bones without a car

If you’re not driving, there are several ways to visit the Bay of Bones in Ohrid without your own car:

1. By Ferry 
2. By Bus
3. By Taxi

There are daily ferries to St Naum from Ohrid that make a brief stop at the Bay of Bones. 

This leisure cruise is a panoramic way to visit, but you don’t get to stop here for very long.

If they do make a stop, it’s brief for around 15 – 30 minutes. Sometimes, they only pull in for a quick photo opportunity over the water. 

This is why I took one of the local buses heading to St Naum from outside the Old Bazaar. Bus ticket prices are around €1. 

The buses claim to have a timetable, but these are largely inaccurate. Services are not regular. It’s definitely possible, but keep this in mind. 

You can also hail a local taxi to take you to the Bay of Bones. This should cost no more than €15 one way.

Opening times & Entry fees

Bay of Bones Museum opening hours are 9 am to 4 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It’s completely closed on Monday.

The last entry is 30 minutes before closing, so make sure you visit well before 3.30 pm. 

In summer, they may extend opening times slightly later to 4.30 pm. 

Ticket prices are 150 MKD per person (approx £2), and this must be paid in cash. So, make sure to have some with you. 

This ticket gains you access to the indoor exhibition, floating village and Roman fortress. 

Arriving at the Bay of Bones

As I took a local bus to the Bay of Bones, I was dropped off on the main road beside the car park on top of the cliffs.

It was then just a short five-minute walk down to the ticket desk to enter the museum on the water.

Although it was quite a steep walk down, it was also very scenic with fabulous views of the Prehistoric settlement along the way. 

If you’re visiting via ferry, you’ll enter the museum via Gradishte Pier on the water. 

Things to do in the Bay of Bones

Like others, I was most excited to explore the pile-mud dwellings over the lake at the Bay of Bones Museum. 

But, I was pleasantly surprised at everything you could do here otherwise. 

There was a small exhibition, the prehistoric village, the remains of a Roman fort, and a café seating area.

Here are all the things to do in the Bay of Bones Museum. 

1. Indoor Exhibition

Although it’s tempting to rush off to see the dwellings over the water, I highly recommend visiting the indoor exhibition first.

This will give you important context for the palafitte and the expert research that went into its creation. 

It’s not a large museum, just a few rooms, but there are creative display boards and exhibits filled with archaeological findings.

You’ll see pottery, textiles, jewellery and weapons that were all found by digging under the water. 

There’s also artwork that paints a picture of village life around Lake Ohrid during prehistoric times. 

2. Prehistoric settlement 

The highlight of visiting the Bay of Bones museum is wandering around the Prehistoric settlement.

It’s called a palafitte, or an elevated village of mud-pile dwellings over the water. 

It’s a sympathetic recreation of how people lived between 1200 and 700 BC. 

Or, how we think they lived based on the underwater archaeological findings you’ll have seen in the museum.

Indeed, you’ll find primitive living quarters filled with wooden structures, furs and small fireplaces. 

There were also huts for butchers, tanners, textiles, and ancient ovens. I found it all fascinating, and it was also very immersive.

Beyond the mud huts, the scenic views of Lake Ohrid over the water were stunning.

3. Roman Fort

As well as the prehistoric dwellings, you can explore a Roman Fort that they call a ‘castle’ at the Bay of Bones.

If you walk up a small hill beyond the mud dwellings, you’ll crest a small flat area where the Romans built a military outpost. 

This dates back to the 3rd Century BC and was created to defend territory on Lake Ohrid.

Indeed, the Romans settled in Ohrid in the 2nd century BC, and they named it the ancient city of Lychnidos.

You can still find an ancient amphitheatre in Ohrid Old Town, as well as other Roman remains like Samuel’s Fortress and Plaošnik Archaeological Site. 

4. Bay of Bones pier

The Bay of Bones has a small pier near the museum, where ferries to St Naum stop to drop off visitors on day trips.

Some private charters, speedboats and adventurous kayakers use this pier, too. 

I saw some kayakers pull in on my visit from Ohrid and use the museum for a rest. They are braver souls than I!

However, when there aren’t any vessels using the pier, it’s worth taking a short stroll along the wooden boardwalk.

The views of Lake Ohrid and the Bay of Bones Museum from here are stunning.

The water in this area is crystal clear and bright turquoise. It makes a wonderful photo opportunity. 

5. Bay of Bones Café

There was seating set up just outside the museum building, so I thought there would be a café serving drinks.

It may be a café in the summer season, but in September, it appeared to be simply a seating/rest area.

They do have vending machines where you can purchase cold drinks and light snacks, though.

These only take coins, so make sure that you have some with you. 

Unfortunately, I only had notes. Due to the intense heat, I was parched and was gutted I didn’t have any. The staff also didn’t offer change.

So, I ended up buying a cold drink from the food vans in the car park after my visit. 

Is the Bay of Bones worth visiting?

Yes, although it was a little bit of an adventure to get here by local bus, I’m glad I made the effort to visit.

The Bay of Bones is a fascinating place in Lake Ohrid, with so much history and scenery to offer. 

It’s truly a feat that they have been able to recreate this prehistoric settlement from what they have found buried under the lake. 

As I visited on a sunny day, the colour of the water was also enchanting. I could have spent all day here under its spell. 

It’s an eye-opening museum that I would recommend to anyone. Don’t skip the Bay of Bones in North Macedonia. 

How long do you need to visit? 

I would budget around an hour to visit the Bay of Bones Museum. 

There’s a surprising number of things to see here beyond the pile-mud dwellings over the water. 

Plus, I found relaxing by the lake here really pleasant. It was so peaceful compared to Ohrid, and the colour of the water is mesmerising. 

I also recommend visiting the museum early in the morning to beat the crowds and the intense heat. Even in late September, it was sweltering. 

My top tips

• Wear some comfortable shoes to explore the site, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking on uneven ground. 

• The museum is largely outdoors with little shade or cover. Come prepared with sun cream and cover-ups if it’s hot.

• There are vending machines for drinks, but these only take coins. You also need cash to pay for your museum ticket.

• Alternatively, the snack vans in the car park sell cold drinks and refreshing fresh fruit platters. 

• Bus times are not regular. I had to wait on the side of a road for what felt like hours for a bus heading back to Ohrid. 

Visit St Naum next

After you’ve finished exploring the Bay of Bones, why not combine a visit with St Naum?

The monastery of Sveti Naum is a popular pilgrimage and day trip from Ohrid. It’s one of North Macedonia’s most visited destinations. 

It was founded in 905 AD by the scholar St Naum, and you can see authentic frescoes and relics inside.

Beyond the monastery, there is lots to see and do here as part of your trip. 

The monastery is perched on a cliff overlooking the lake. So, there are boat trips and swimming areas on the water. 

My favourite thing I did here was a rowboat ride to see the famous Naum Springs. The water was some of the clearest I’ve ever seen. 

You can get the ferry to St Naum from Ohrid that stops by the Bay of Bones on the way, or you can opt for a local bus or pay for a taxi. 

Are you looking for more things to do in Ohrid?

Ohrid is a wonderful destination to visit in North Macedonia, and there are plenty of attractions for all types of travellers.

It’s a slice of paradise on Lake Ohrid where you can sit back and relax for a couple of days. 

It’s also known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” due to the number of historic churches that form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Indeed, the Church of St John at Kaneo was one of the most beautiful viewpoints I’ve seen on my travels. 

But there is plenty to do here otherwise, whether you’re a foodie, history buff or sun worshipper. So, make sure to read my Ohrid guide next. 

Read more of my Macedonia guides

How to visit Matka Canyon from Skopje

Save the Bay of Bones for later