A Serene Retreat: The Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Getting There

• Walking

  From the center of Pogradec, head towards the lakefront promenade. Walk along the promenade until you reach the end, where the road becomes a path leading towards the hills. Continue straight on this path, which will take you through a scenic area with views of Lake Ohrid. After about 30 minutes, you will reach a junction. Take the left path that leads uphill, following signs that indicate the direction toward Kalishta. The walk will take you approximately 1 hour from the center of Pogradec. Once you reach the top of the hill, you'll see the Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Kališta in the distance.

• Public Transport (Bus)

  From Pogradec, walk to the main bus station located near the center of town. Look for buses that are heading toward Kalishta or Ohrid. Purchase a ticket to Kalishta. The bus ride will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Once you arrive in Kalishta, disembark at the main stop. From there, you can either walk downhill toward the lake for about 10-15 minutes or ask locals for directions to the monastery, which is a short distance away.

• Bicycle

  If you prefer cycling, rent a bicycle from one of the shops in Pogradec. Start from the center and head toward the lakefront promenade. Follow the same path as the walking instructions, but you can maintain a faster pace. The ride to the Kalishta area will take approximately 30-40 minutes. Upon reaching the base of the hill where the monastery is located, you'll need to lock your bicycle and walk the remaining distance up to the monastery.