10 of the best alternative city breaks in Europe

Ohrid, Macedonia

Ohrid is landlocked Macedonia’s “seaside” city. The old town tumbles down the hill to the banks of Lake Ohrid, with its boardwalk and beaches. The cobbled streets are crammed with churches and traditional houses, and the hill is crowned by the ruined Samuil Fortress. Other architectural sights include a 2,000-year-old amphitheatre and the photogenic 13th-century St Jovan Kaneo church perched on a cliff overlooking the lake.

After exploring the town and lakeside, take a boat trip to St Naum monastery and the nearby springs; go diving at the Bay of Bones, an underwater archaeological site; or trek in the mountains of the Galičica national park. Back in town, the terrace at Letna Bavča Kaneo is a good place to try fried plasnica (small fish eaten whole, like whitebait). For drinks, there are beach bars, including Ovreche and Cuba Libre, and grungier late-night joints such as the Jazz Inn.

Where to stay Sunny Lake Hostel (dorms from €10) has a garden and lake views; Villa Arte (doubles from €40) has 18 minimalist rooms and artwork by the Macedonian surrealist Vasko Tashkovski.

Getting there Wizz Air flies from Luton to Ohrid until the end of October, from £40 return.

https://www.theguardian.com