Lake Dojran and Strumica – a day trip

Lake Dojran is shared between North Macedonia and Greece. It’s small, shallow and warm, ringed by hills and vineyards. On its shore is the resort town of Star Dojran, with fish restaurants and a lakeside promenade. Together with Strumica and the historic sites on the Bulgarian side, it makes a great day trip from Sofia.

Lake Dojran

• Star Dojran’s promenade – a lakeside stroll past beaches and cafés.
• Traditional cormorant fishing – for centuries, local fishermen have fished the lake with the help of cormorants and reed fences. You can still see their reed huts on stilts and learn about this unique craft.
• Fish restaurants – try Dojran perch and fried fish.

Strumica

Strumica is a lively town in a fertile valley, known for its spring carnival. Nearby are two precious medieval monasteries:

• Vodoča – with the 11th-century Church of St Leontius.
• Veljusa – the Church of the Virgin Eleousa (1080), one of the best-preserved Byzantine churches in the region.

Above the town are the ruins of the Tsar’s Towers fortress.

Samuel’s Fortress and Rupite

On the way back, inside Bulgaria near the village of Klyuch, is Samuel’s Fortress and its museum. This is the site of the Battle of Kleidion in 1014, after which Byzantine Emperor Basil II blinded thousands of Bulgarian soldiers. About 30 minutes away is Rupite, with St Petka Church and hot springs. See Melnik and Rupite.

Itinerary

1. 7:00 – leave Sofia, with coffee in the Kresna Gorge.
2. Zlatarevo–Novo Selo border, reaching Star Dojran around midday.
3. Lunch and a lakeside stroll until 14:00.
4. Strumica – the centre or Veljusa Monastery (about 1 h).
5. Samuel’s Fortress (about 1 h), then Rupite.
6. Back in Sofia late in the evening.

Practical tips

• The currency is the denar. Carry some cash.
• Watch out for roaming charges – North Macedonia isn’t in the EU.
• In summer the lake is warm and good for swimming.