As tourists dream of sipping an Aperol spritz whilst gazing across the calming waters of Lake Como, fringed by luxurious villas, so too are hundreds of thousands of others. Each year, the iconic Italian region welcomes some 1.4 million tourists, mostly during the summer months. 

With its postcard-perfect scenery, it’s no surprise that Lake Como is one of Italy’s most popular holiday destinations. However, with such a high volume of tourists comes large crowds, which destroy the scene you've travelled miles to see. Luckily, another option is 1,300 miles away in North Macedonia. 

A former Yugoslavian country, North Macedonia is one of Europe’s lesser-visited countries, which is surprising given its exceptional natural beauty.

North Macedonia boasts one of the continent’s oldest and deepest lakes, Lake Ohrid. Tucked in the mountainous border with Albania, according to one Tripadvisor user, the watery expanse is “the most beautiful place on Earth”. 

At over 138 square miles, Lake Ohrid is twice the size of Como. It is also widely known to be the oldest lake in Europe, at an impressive age of around three million years.

The lake is home to more than 200 endemic species, hosting a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that thrives in its waters, which reach 288 metres deep. 

The lake is best appreciated from the water itself, with plenty of boat trips available, or for those more adventurous holidaymakers, kayaks and paddleboards are also on offer. 

Unsurprisingly, Lake Ohrid and its homonymous town are both recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the most popular destinations is the stunning 13th century Church of St John, which sits perched on a picturesque setting just above the water, about a 15-minute walk from Ohrid’s port.

If one church is not enough, fear not, as there are, in fact, an incredible 360 churches in Ohrid to explore. 

The Bay of the Bones Museum is a unique place to visit. This open-air museum is built on water and has reconstructed a prehistoric dwelling settlement where people lived on stilted homes.

After a long day of exploring, stop in for dinner at one of the many restaurants to sample some of North Macedonia’s delicacies, including burek - a thin flaky dough stuffed with various savoury fillings.

For those wishing to extend their trip beyond just a day, you can find plenty of hotels and B&Bs with lakeside views, with many available for just £30 a night. 

To get to Lake Ohrid from the UK, fly direct from Luton Airport to Skopje (SKP) in North Macedonia with Wizz Air for just £86 in May. From here, take a three-hour taxi or a four-hour bus to Ohrid.